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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → How is he doing that?
On the live version of India, how is Joe getting that 1/4 tone vibratto sound in the second half of the song - it sounds like he's using a whammy bar. Is that it or is it a special note-bending technique?
I'd swear that was a Les Paul tone, but I'd also swear that I hear a whammy bar.
in a word - skill! Finger vibrato on the fret board. Check it out...
Joe don't need no whammy bar. It is all in the hands. Of course LFNWIP version is played on a Tele style Gigliotti.
Ah, thanks. Unfortunately I'm on a ship and youtube is blocked here, but I'll play around with it some more until I get it right. I was just hoping for an easier way out...
:-)
It's Joe's version of BB King's vibrato. BB's is the benchmark in that NO ONE can do it quite like him. I just saw BB Sunday and let me tell you, the man's vibrato (and all his chops and tricks and voice and showmanship) is (are) still in prime time signature (to those who think otherwise-pooh pooh to yooh you's)! Joe has some dang fine vibrato, and he tends to have "gears" on his. He can shift them on the fly too. Put that trained tranny (slang for transmission for those who may think it's just a gender bender) into the slick, sleek, OR muscular Joe Bonamassa chassis (any guitar, any song, any time) and just start waving the checkered flag 
Rock On, Sail On, & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"Jim is particular to that Gigliotti.. He asks me about it all the time.. LOL and yeah its just the product of high action heavy strings and a taller fret.. The thing is that if most of you played my guitars you'd probably be disapointed or shocked really about how hard they play.. Its like tether ball for the me.. Keeps me from overplaying
Joe B
That sounds about right...when I used to play four hours a day I'd put really heavy strings on, otherwise there was too little resistance when bending them and I couldn't get that quick return on the vibratto.
I've been playing with 10's lately since I only get a chance to play every few days for about a half hour. I've developed a lot more speed and a lighter touch, but I don't think I'd enjoy playing the guitar like I used to have it set up. It would be quite a wrestling match until I got my fingers back in shape.
Someday though...I'm going to get back into guitar full time and lose my fingerprints again.
One of the great things about your live album that I have Joe is the restraint in your playing. Give yourself some credit though and chalk it up to musical taste rather than heavy strings. :-)
Jim is particular to that Gigliotti.. He asks me about it all the time.. LOL and yeah its just the product of high action heavy strings and a taller fret.. The thing is that if most of you played my guitars you'd probably be disapointed or shocked really about how hard they play.. Its like tether ball for the me.. Keeps me from overplaying
Joe B
Jim isn't the only one . From what I've read on this forum, a great many of your fans enjoy the Gigliotti. You are going to break it out at the RAH show, aren't you? I can just imagine the crowds reaction when you do!
It is a pretty guitar. After the missing guitar scare I don't think she will be crossing the Atlantic any time soon.
Jim is particular to that Gigliotti..
Aren't we all? That's such a great sounding and beautiful instrument, and India/Mountain Time has some great melodies.
high action heavy strings and a taller fret.. The thing is that if most of you played my guitars you'd probably be disapointed or shocked really about how hard they play.. Its like tether ball for the me.. Keeps me from overplaying
Joe B
So, you're driving with the parking brake on and still racing along at 140 mph, and the rest of us need a nitrous boost to get up to 50!! I mean, most players would need a nice low action and light strings to do a lot of your fast runs, if they could do them at all. That's hilarious that you have to weigh down the action to slow down. Heck, you're the Seabiscuit of guitar!!
I had noticed that your LFNWIP disk, which is fantastic by the way, does not have a lot of the really fast "Tea for One" type stuff on it. The playing is incredibly melodic and expressive. There's a kind of saxophone type vibe in Mountain Time. Beautiful stuff.
Ok, enough gushing. I have two suggestions:
1, how about a northern California show. The closest you get on this tour is Cerritos, which is about a 7 hour drive each way from where I live. San Francisco is only about an hour and a half from me. Seems likely you could find a good venue there.
2. How about a guitar instruction DVD where you go through a handful of tunes, step by step and show what you did and why you did it. I bet it would sell very well.
Thanks for the great music.
Best Wishes.
2. How about a guitar instruction DVD where you go through a handful of tunes, step by step and show what you did and why you did it. I bet it would sell very well.
Thanks for the great music.
Best Wishes.
Count me in for Sparky's idea.....
Heck, you're the Seabiscuit of guitar!!
Love that one, brilliant!
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → How is he doing that?
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