Topic: Kossoff's vibrato

I always thought Paul Kossoff's vibrato was the best vibrato I've ever heard. His work on the live version of Mr. Big freaks me out every time. It's just so consistent...BUT I just listened to Joe's RAH version of 'Stop!' and - whoah! There it is - Kossoff's vibrato! Well PK is dead (RIP) but his vibrato lives on through Joe. Just once I would love to be able to grab a guitar by the neck and shake it like that.... wink

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com

2 (edited by HellRot 2010-08-18 09:26:12)

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

SRV is the vibrato king! I know Joe won't be offended, since he is the follower.  smile

... and B.B. King himself is the king of vibrato as well...  cool

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Yeah SRV and the 'King' himself sure know how to shake it....but it sounds as if Kossoff could hold the vibrato FOREVER...I'm  sure helps to have strong hands...

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com

4 (edited by DaveWammbarro 2010-08-18 11:32:04)

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Kossoff's vibrato puts everyone to shame. Nothing against SRV, but Kossoff cuts through with that weeping, sad soul atmosphere that no one can get.
I hear nice pieces all the time, but never consistent playing like that...where every note counts. I always felt SRV just throws some licks in here and there or a fast run...Kossoff is like Gilmour - that note counts, THAT note counts, THAT note counts.

...just imagine him here today on a GC-like youtube video...or even sitting in front on a camera with a LP acoustically and ripping it up with some of those licks...it would be incredible!

ALSO: Kossoff was a small bloke with pretty tiny hands (like Angus and Malc?) - just shows you, no need to complain about small hands and fat necks - just get playing.

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Clapton.



And B.B.   


Best ever...

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Mick Taylor anyone?

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Bluesbreaker wrote:

Mick Taylor anyone?




Yea, dug that Crusade album. Awesome Les Paul tones.

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

Each of the guys mentioned here have their unique approach.  To me BB's and Kossoff's are the most pleasing to the ear (from older players).  Joe's is keeping the shaking flame alive.  I am about average in skills but I have worked VERY hard on vibrato and bends.  Out of pitch bends and unexpressive vibratos irk me to no end.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

yep

I agree when I listen to my playback my bends and vibrato sound un- tuneful

so how do  you practise this.
thanks  D,

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

It comes from within, give it time and it will come.

SOFTMC wrote:

yep

I agree when I listen to my playback my bends and vibrato sound un- tuneful

so how do  you practise this.
thanks  D,

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

After listening tp PK, I can see exactly where Angus gets it (and he does it very well).

12

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

chooseyourblues wrote:

Clapton.



And B.B.   


Best ever...

Clapton apparently asked Koss he developed his vibrato

'Try as you might to keep a lid on a good time, you can't do it. When people want to have a good time....' - Billy Gibbons

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

There is no best. There's just a bunch of awesome.

I find that during my playing I go through all types of vibrato, without thinking. I'll do a Clapton style, I'll a Stevie style, I'll do a Joe style, a B.B. style. it just kinda depends on the mood. Kossoff's is monster though, definitely one of the coolest I've heard.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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Re: Kossoff's vibrato

How about John 'hands like Andre the Giants' Sykes?

Huge, sweeping vibrato...I like to do some of that now and again...

15 (edited by macg1 2010-08-20 18:15:35)

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

SOFTMC wrote:

yep

I agree when I listen to my playback my bends and vibrato sound un- tuneful

so how do  you practise this.
thanks  D,

I practiced with a tuner.  and eventually you will develop the required muscle memory.  I also dedicate different fingers for different types of bends and vibrato.  Index handles quick vibrato and 1/4 note bends.  Ring finger for wider vibrato and 1/2 to whole step bends.  I also found that being consistent with the guitars i play, meaning sticking to one type of guitar helped me.  I only play Firebirds now so it makes the transition easy (they are even from the same year).

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

macg1 wrote:
SOFTMC wrote:

yep

I agree when I listen to my playback my bends and vibrato sound un- tuneful

so how do  you practise this.
thanks  D,

I practiced with a tuner.  and eventually you will develop the required muscle memory.  I also dedicate different fingers for different types of bends and vibrato.  Index handles quick vibrato and 1/4 note bends.  Ring finger for wider vibrato and 1/2 to whole step bends.  I also found that being consistent with the guitars i play, meaning sticking to one type of guitar helped me.  I only play Firebirds now so it makes the transition easy (they are even from the same year).

Yep I hear you , I think I play different types of vibrato on my les paul compared to my stratocaster, I wonder if this has something to do with the springs in the tremelo unit on the stratocaster because as you bend a note all the other strings are detuning wheras on a les paul its different  only the string you are bending is changing pitch

do you think changing to bigger strings would help strengthen hands and fingers for better vibrato

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

I did a clinic w/ Steve Vai a few months back and he spent a bit of time talking specifically about how to practice vibrato.  Most people don't sit down and practice that - they'll do scales, songs, improvising, jamming, etc. but not vibrato.  Your vibrato will eventually develop this way, just through playing, but it may take a  longer time; and you may not be expressing what you want because you only ever tried it "one way."

1) Sit down and practice different types of vibrto motions - circular, horizontal, vertical.
2) Sit down and practice different speeds and depths.

For both of these pick a note and get used to working it in different ways.  If something feels uncomfortable, that's good - it's what you need to spend time with.  Try it with different fingers on different strings all over the neck.  Set a timer and sit down for 10-15 mintes JUST working on getting comfortable with a circular motion.  Set a timer, pick one note - one spot on the fretboard - and explore as many different ways of doing vibrato as you can.  You'd be surprised what you come up with.

While having a "signature," identifiable vibrato is awesome, and it will probably happen naturally over time, it's not always a one-size-fits-all deal.  Sometimes you want a slow, smooth warble to the note.  Sometimes you want a fast, anguished scream.  The goal is twofold.  1) you want to be able to control what you're doing so you can express what you want and 2) you want to explore different things to find what you like in the first place.

Re: Kossoff's vibrato

mick taylor,eric clapton,gary moore,