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The Big BellEnd Group: Members Posts: 971 Joined: Jan. 2004 Posted: May 18 2004, 14:15 Is there any coincidence in the fact that Mikes Strat happens to be the same colour as Hank Marvins Strat? -------------- I, ON THE OTHER HAND. AM A VICTIM OF YOUR CARNIVOUROUS LUNAR ACTIVITY. Back to top

Korgscrew Group: Super Admins Posts: 3511 Joined: Dec. 1999 Posted: May 18 2004, 17:48 I do think that for a lot of people who grew up listening to The Shadows, that fiesta red colour is the colour for a Strat. Mark Knopfler has one the same colour (well, several in fact! ), which is certainly the result of a bit of a Hank influence, it could very well be the same with Mike. It's no doubt also partly the special qualities that particular guitar has - he has a sunburst one of a similar age, just it has a 'sharper' sound, according to Mike, so he seems to prefer the red/pink one for his mellower 'signature' Strat sound. Back to top

Jammer Group: Members Posts: 643 Joined: April 2000 Posted: May 18 2004, 18:01 Mike does make references to his guitar hero, Hank Marvin in at least one interview I've heard, saying that his favourite guitar is the Pink Strat similar to the one used by Hank Marvin. Surely this isn't as good as his PRS? Do all Strats that colour have the same unique pickup qualities, or can they be in any colour and still follow the same design? Back to top

David Mar Unregistered Posted: May 29 2004, 04:52 Hank's would sound brighter as Hank's have maple fretboards on them. Back to top

emac Group: Members Posts: 66 Joined: May 2002 Posted: June 12 2004, 07:13 To say that one guitar should be better than another one, first you would have to exactly define the word "better" PRS guitars truely play like butter, perhaps the highest quality mass produced guitar out there.. But what if some old plank of wood with strings just sits in your hand more comfortably or just has somthing in the sound that says "play me". What then is the "better" guitar Why did Mike for years play the lowly SG junior when he could have easily afforded the more desireable SG standard or custom I do own a PRS. I also own an entry level Samick that I love just as much.... Back to top

Jammer Group: Members Posts: 643 Joined: April 2000 Posted: June 12 2004, 11:47 Lucky you! I now gather that different guitars are used for certain sounds. The clean, compressed strat sound is just one that Mike made his own for his later new-age style. Coming from a piano playing background, it's not often that a pianist would have a selection of grands to get the right sound! Back to top

Korgscrew Group: Super Admins Posts: 3511 Joined: Dec. 1999 Posted: June 12 2004, 13:21 Quote (Jammer @ June 12 2004, 16:47) Coming from a piano playing background, it's not often that a pianist would have a selection of grands to get the right sound! True...but then, Mike does! The two things really are sound and 'vibe', I'd say. Sound is an easy one to define, vibe is more elusive... This relates to the strange shaped guitars discussion as well really. You could get a decent heavy metal sound from, say, a Gibson ES-335...however, while it might get the sound (granted it would be a little different from a fully solid guitar, but it could be done), it wouldn't have the vibe - it would just feel wrong to most players to play that kind of music on a guitar like that, partly because of the weight of the guitar, the way it balances, the way it reacts to the touch, but also of course because of the way it looks and the way that makes them feel when playing it. Hence the fact that they'd probably pick a Flying V or something similarly pointy instead. The SG Junior is an excellent case in point - a very stripped down guitar, very simple, so it has a very out and out rock feel (especially with the pointy horned body). The sound lives up to the image as well, the single P90 pickup gives a fat yet cutting sound. A contrast to the PRS, with all the luxury trimmings that has to offer. The difference between a rally car and a fully fitted out Jaguar, I suppose. About the different Strats: Like David Mar mentioned, the fretboard, and other differences in the materials they're made from, can make a difference to the sound. The pickups make a difference too, especially in the case of older ones, where the pickups were hand wound - the number of turns of wire on each pickup was never precisely measured, so each guitar could end up with a set of different sounding pickups to the next. Nowadays of course theree are hundreds of different options, but generally made more precisely to assure consistency between pickups of the same type (I say generally as I'm sure there are still some hand builders who make them according to what feels right). As for colour...that would be a vibe thing... Back to top

Taurus Outcast Group: Members Posts: 69 Joined: June 2004 Posted: June 25 2004, 06:21 thats why he did the cover of wonderful land, hank marvin was a guitar idol then. about prs being better than strats, i suppose they are technically easier to play and you can get more out of it, but prs guitars dont have souls. there is so much character in a strat, especially if its battered and bruised to show its been used. if a prs had so much as a scratch on it, it would be a crime! Back to top

emac Group: Members Posts: 66 Joined: May 2002 Posted: June 26 2004, 06:34 I wouldnt say that the prs has no soul, I feel that thay have plenty. However because they play like falling off a log they will very quickly make you a lazy player. The old Fender or SG (and decent copies of) have just a bit of fight when you play them to stop your hands getting too slack. The other problem is, that when I play my prs in front of an crowd I sort of get a percieved vibe/expectation of "Jeez mate! Thats a PRS you are playing, you had better be good!" Which kinda puts me off and I play bad.. In the same crowd with cheaper guitar I feel more at ease and relax a bit more (but my playing is probably still crap) The PRS also has many voices. Which one is it's true voice? The SG junior has only one real voice (but it is a damn good one) so there is no mistake about what it does. And once you get around balancing (when strapped on/standing up) it they do hang in the perfect playing position (for me). I love playing strats sitting down but once standing they feel all kind of tucked under and accessing the top frets is a bit hard. But what a sound! The best guitar is the one that sits in your hand comfortably and can be played for a long time without cramping and the sound must have that certian "pull" to your ears and heart! Always test a guitar ignoring the name on the headstock.. Well.... thats my unqualified two bits worth. Back to top

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