• From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Topic: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

WOW!!!  this is by far the best tones Joe has gotten in a while!  I mean his tone is almost always fabulous (although in all fairness there were some tones on Black Rock that I didnt like as much).....but this new cd just OOZES FREAKING TONE!!!!

Thank you Joe for caring so much about your sound....as a gear head I love getting a new album that I can listen to for the quality of songs, quality of musicianship, the overall production, the individual instruement tones, the performances and singing!

this new cd has it all for me and it will be on heavy rotation as a result.

I love the new interview with Joe in guitar world where he says he looked around the studio and saw the band, the instruments he had, the amps he had and said "boy, if you #### this up, you just arent meant for this" or something like that....lol

anyway, i can say for my part that he got it just right to my ears!!!  GREAT GUITAR TONES!!!!

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  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

All I have to say is..I totally agree!!!

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

I'm not feeling these tones as much as John Henry...and it would take a big cd to change my mind on that.
Still, there are some seriously good ones.
I'm still sticking with my favourite bit of the album which is the solo to Heavenly Soul....right off the cuff playing...doesn't sound too huge...just right.

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

His tone sounds 'simpler' on this album.  Not as complex as previous one's I think.

Is it to do with the fact he is playing more Strat/Tele styles on here?  Not sure.  Perhaps using simpler single amp setups with less pedals?  I admit I haven't read the full rig rundown on the album cover yet.

In any case, I am enjoying these tones.  Not that I don't like what he had on RAH and previous albums etc., but sometimes it is relaxing to go simple again and have a more direct path from fingers to speaker... smile

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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

I dig his one on this album, too.  Not as much as John Henry and Dust Bowl, but it's still a great-sounding record.  Definitely sounds "more stratty" to me overall.  No idea if that's the case.  The Dislocated Boy riff sounds so dark and nasty.  Super cool.

I'm still sticking with my favourite bit of the album which is the solo to Heavenly Soul....right off the cuff playing...doesn't sound too huge...just right.

My favorite song and by far the best solo of the album.  Love Heavenly Soul!

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6 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2012-05-25 18:47:11)

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

Devan wrote:

His tone sounds 'simpler' on this album.  Not as complex as previous one's I think.

Is it to do with the fact he is playing more Strat/Tele styles on here?  Not sure.  Perhaps using simpler single amp setups with less pedals?  I admit I haven't read the full rig rundown on the album cover yet.

In any case, I am enjoying these tones.  Not that I don't like what he had on RAH and previous albums etc., but sometimes it is relaxing to go simple again and have a more direct path from fingers to speaker... smile

You're right Devan, this is pretty much what I said in a post over in General Topics about the album. Like Dave, I was looking forward to some signature JB huge monster guitar tones, but I really dig the overall tone'age on the album. Despite the picture in the cd booklet of all the amps, its like the album was recorded on a Twin or Tonemaster with a plain jane tube screamer out front. I honestly love the simple sound he has and figure when I want a certain Joe tone, I listen to a particular song. All depends on the mood I'm in. Kinda like having an updated catalogue of Beano tones to salivate over. -Seth

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

IMO this is the best guitar sound I've heard from any of his albums...so thick yet still has a lot of clarity to it

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2010-09-30
  • Posts: 163

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

I just picked up the new album...  I think I've already worn out track #6 (A Place In My Heart)!
;-) I would love to hear Joe solo like this on every song and I would be first in line for an entire disk of emotional ballads full of this type of playing!

I'm still taking in the whole album, but I can definitely hear a difference in guitar tones... Overall, the top end is more rolled off, the upper mids are less present, the notes seem less overdriven... A rounder tone, more low mid and mid mid focused, perhaps. Less clear and upfront, but a bit thicker, maybe. Differences from song to song, obviously, but that's my overall impression based on early listening.

The guitars also seem mixed a bit low and the bass is mixed extremely high, to my ears, which has a big effect on how I hear the guitars. My initial reaction was that I preffered past guitar tones on album, but want to listen more before committing to that opinion.

I am digging the new album, and track 6 has become an instant favorite from his catalog for me. I would have liked to hear more guitar, overall, though. Can't get enough of Joe's playing and, to me, his long solo departures always enhance his songs and never detract. Few people have his talent as a guitarist and I really love to see his light shine. Just like the lyric from track 11... "Too much ain't enough"! =-)

  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

DaveWammbarro wrote:

I'm not feeling these tones as much as John Henry...and it would take a big cd to change my mind on that.
Still, there are some seriously good ones.
I'm still sticking with my favourite bit of the album which is the solo to Heavenly Soul....right off the cuff playing...doesn't sound too huge...just right.

Although the tones probably aren't as big as on John Henry they feel so right at this moment - a bit simpler but oh so soulful and sweet.

Heavenly Soul definitely my standout track on the album, pure gutiargasm there!

  • From: Chicago
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 2

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

Love the new album. It's big and rich and thick, kind of like Belgian chocolate with chocolate sauce on top.

I'm wondering if Joe or Kevin would be so kind as to share their session notes with the forum on specifically what guitars and amps were used on each song. I love that he's listed which ones were used in the CD artwork, but this fan, and I'm guessing more than a few others, would like the know the particulars.  In this era of data bases, iPhone, even little black books, I'm sure someone has that written down somewhere.

Also, did Michael Rhodes walk in with that big, fat, chest moving bass sound, or did he and Kevin work to get it there. It's definitely NOT your typical Nashville session sound. It sure does change the whole flavor of the record for me as it's like a warm blanket for 500 hz down.

And what about Brad? Did he play a 3 Monkeys for the whole session or was he Mister Boutique as well. Seems like there were plenty of cool amps to go around. Was he usually playing single coils to Joe's humbuckers and vise versa?

Inquiry minds want to know. C'mon Joe and Kevin. Give us a glimpse into your world please.

  • Registered: 2010-11-27
  • Posts: 2

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

I personally hear these tones as the best yet.  Personal favorites being Lonely Town Lonely Street and Who's Been Talkin'.  Milkshake thick doesn't even come close!

Yes, Joe, please share your settings/setups!

  • From: Fairfax, VA
  • Registered: 2009-09-11
  • Posts: 1,337

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

StudioCat wrote:

Love the new album. It's big and rich and thick, kind of like Belgian chocolate with chocolate sauce on top.

I'm wondering if Joe or Kevin would be so kind as to share their session notes with the forum on specifically what guitars and amps were used on each song. I love that he's listed which ones were used in the CD artwork, but this fan, and I'm guessing more than a few others, would like the know the particulars.  In this era of data bases, iPhone, even little black books, I'm sure someone has that written down somewhere.

Also, did Michael Rhodes walk in with that big, fat, chest moving bass sound, or did he and Kevin work to get it there. It's definitely NOT your typical Nashville session sound. It sure does change the whole flavor of the record for me as it's like a warm blanket for 500 hz down.

And what about Brad? Did he play a 3 Monkeys for the whole session or was he Mister Boutique as well. Seems like there were plenty of cool amps to go around. Was he usually playing single coils to Joe's humbuckers and vise versa?

Inquiry minds want to know. C'mon Joe and Kevin. Give us a glimpse into your world please.

Welcome to the forum.  This might help
Joe Bonamassa talks new album Driving Towards The Daylight track-by-track
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/ … k-542247/1

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  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

StudioCat wrote:

Love the new album. It's big and rich and thick, kind of like Belgian chocolate with chocolate sauce on top.

I'm wondering if Joe or Kevin would be so kind as to share their session notes with the forum on specifically what guitars and amps were used on each song. I love that he's listed which ones were used in the CD artwork, but this fan, and I'm guessing more than a few others, would like the know the particulars.  In this era of data bases, iPhone, even little black books, I'm sure someone has that written down somewhere.

Also, did Michael Rhodes walk in with that big, fat, chest moving bass sound, or did he and Kevin work to get it there. It's definitely NOT your typical Nashville session sound. It sure does change the whole flavor of the record for me as it's like a warm blanket for 500 hz down.

And what about Brad? Did he play a 3 Monkeys for the whole session or was he Mister Boutique as well. Seems like there were plenty of cool amps to go around. Was he usually playing single coils to Joe's humbuckers and vise versa?

Inquiry minds want to know. C'mon Joe and Kevin. Give us a glimpse into your world please.

I'll second that...even the MusicRadar thing doesn't really go into much detail...

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • From: Chicago
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 2

Re: Driving Toward The Daylight tones!

This might help
Joe Bonamassa talks new album Driving Towards The Daylight track-by-track
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/ … k-542247/1

Thanks JClarke, this helps a lot. I NEVER would have thought the amp on "I Got All You Need" was a Fender Tweed. For me that's one of the most amazing guitar sounds on the record. For some reason it has a Jeff Beck "Ain't Superstitous" sound to it for me, but without the wah of course.

What a crazy, amazing group of players Kevin assembled. I mean really, Anton with Michael Rhodes, with Brad Whitford? It works amazingly well, but never in a million years would most people think of that. Hats off to him.