I'm noticing a huge shift in thinking around here...

[Jarrett]

I've been around TGP for a while now. Sometimes I leave for a while and then come back and its always kind of been the same. Really focused on getting boutique gear that sounds good to the player and sort of damn anything else. It didn't really seem to matter which amp or guitar or pedal of the month was in vogue at the time, the sentiment was always the same. "Will this gear sound and feel right to me when I play it" I'm 100% guilty of this myself in the past.

Now I'm seeing this slow undertone of a paradigm shift. I think it started as modeling became more and more accepted or at least that appears to be where it started and then the advent of the Axe-FX really propelled it forward. I think in larger part its also coupled with the explosion of P&W gigs and the different approach they require.

Less and less I'm seeing people say things like "this <gear> just didn't give me the mojo/vibe I was looking for when I played it" or "I need a 4x12 behind me pumping loud or the gig is no good" and now I'm starting to see more and more sentiments like "People really seem to like how this sounds in FOH" or "this FRFR monitor or IEM is giving me almost the same sound that's coming out of the mains"

I kind of see it as two things happening:

1. Players are becoming aware of the importance of how they are perceived in the FOH mix
2. Players are starting to think about the audience's enjoyment/participation of the performance

When you get to the root of the it sounds like the focus has started to shift from the thought paradigm of 100% "me" to now actually thinking about and including "them" in playing and gear choices.

I find this fairly remarkable. Thoughts?

[soulohio]

I loves me my VT40...damn the crowd and full speed ahead, you black emperor!

[Jahn]

One of the interesting things about the TGP is the makeup of the members. Unlike, say, an audiophile forum, the gear discussed here also serves the purpose of having to please in a performance for 3rd parties (the audience) if the TGPer plays out or posts on youtube or whatever. Yes, there's alot of back patting in the bedroom but there's also a practical crowd pleasing factor to consider, I agree.

[Big Tim]

I also see this trend in recent posts, but when going to shows things haven't changed much. Still too loud (and I'm young - 24) and still mixed pretty poorly. Haven't seen anyone playing low-wattage or modelers.

[Neill]

i haven't really seen it to be honest. seems like more of the same to me.

[MBreinin]

I play for myself at home. I need a 50 watt Plexi cranking in my living room...scaring the pets, sending my wife packing to the bedroom and the kids to the great outdoors to fully enjoy myself.

Or, I need to use my attenuator when they don't dig that idea. LOL.

Mike

[soulohio]

you mean that not everyone likes Ampeg? What is wrong with this world?

Originally Posted by Jahn

One of the interesting things about the TGP is the makeup of the members. Unlike, say, an audiophile forum, the gear discussed here also serves the purpose of having to please in a performance for 3rd parties (the audience) if the TGPer plays out or posts on youtube or whatever. Yes, there's alot of back patting in the bedroom but there's also a practical crowd pleasing factor to consider, I agree.

[shane88]

forums like this are mostly about gear but......as you say playing in a band isn't about individuals
and most of the audience most of the time couldn't care less what gear u r usin

[Peeb]

Originally Posted by Big Tim

I also see this trend in recent posts, but when going to shows things haven't changed much. Still too loud (and I'm young - 24) and still mixed pretty poorly. Haven't seen anyone playing low-wattage or modelers.

Too-loud and poorly mixed is definitely the norm. Sad.

[Andrew D.]

Originally Posted by Peeb

Too-loud and poorly mixed is definitely the norm. Sad.

And each element can cause the other.

[BobbyFudge]

Originally Posted by soulohio

I loves me my VT40...damn the crowd and full speed ahead, you black emperor!

Word.

[Shiny McShine]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I've been around TGP for a while now. Sometimes I leave for a while and then come back and its always kind of been the same. Really focused on getting boutique gear that sounds good to the player and sort of damn anything else. It didn't really seem to matter which amp or guitar or pedal of the month was in vogue at the time, the sentiment was always the same. "Will this gear sound and feel right to me when I play it" I'm 100% guilty of this myself in the past.

Now I'm seeing this slow undertone of a paradigm shift. I think it started as modeling became more and more accepted or at least that appears to be where it started and then the advent of the Axe-FX really propelled it forward. I think in larger part its also coupled with the explosion of P&W gigs and the different approach they require.

Less and less I'm seeing people say things like "this <gear> just didn't give me the mojo/vibe I was looking for when I played it" or "I need a 4x12 behind me pumping loud or the gig is no good" and now I'm starting to see more and more sentiments like "People really seem to like how this sounds in FOH" or "this FRFR monitor or IEM is giving me almost the same sound that's coming out of the mains"

I kind of see it as two things happening:

1. Players are becoming aware of the importance of how they are perceived in the FOH mix
2. Players are starting to think about the audience's enjoyment/participation of the performance

When you get to the root of the it sounds like the focus has started to shift from the thought paradigm of 100% "me" to now actually thinking about and including "them" in playing and gear choices.

I find this fairly remarkable. Thoughts?

Not sure and I've been here a while (5 years or so). Certainly the acceptance of racks that the Axe-Fx has caused is new. Just the thought that a digital simulation is coming close enough to the real thing that it's creating controversy has softened the hard core boutique pedal mania that was present say 3 years ago. It seems like some are questioning the validity of getting the primary tone from a pedal also. I've noticed players saying that they aren't happy with pedal overdrive or that it's somehow disconnecting them from the amp.

[TieDyedDevil]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I kind of see it as two things happening:

1. Players are becoming aware of the importance of how they are perceived in the FOH mix
2. Players are starting to think about the audience's enjoyment/participation of the performance

and 3. Fewer venues are willing to acommodate or tolerate prima dona guitarists who want to get "their tone" at the expense of the overall musical experience for band and audience alike.

When you get to the root of the it sounds like the focus has started to shift from the thought paradigm of 100% "me" to now actually thinking about and including "them" in playing and gear choices.

I find this fairly remarkable. Thoughts?

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Maybe we're (collectively) getting a clue...

[Tonefish]

Not seeing that...and I really don't want to

[TommyMambo]

I'm totally old school but it's "whatever fits the song" that works best!