Heritage Johnny Smith vids

[Jazzpunk]

I recently met the owner of this Heritage Johnny Smith through the Sheryl Bailey online jazz course (The Bebop Dojo). I was checking out his youtube channel (which is great btw!) and came across these two clips featuring the Johnny Smith and thought some of you may enjoy them as well:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNgibf-rDqY

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYVz6rfcejw&feature=channel_video_title

[MartyGrass]

That's what the guitar sounds like without treble roll off.

 

His action is low or his strings are light. You can hear the twang of the string hitting the fret.

[Jazzpunk]

That's what the guitar sounds like without treble roll off.

 

His action is low or his strings are light. You can hear the twang of the string hitting the fret.

 

I don't like when people roll the treble off as I prefer to hear the full frequency range of the instrument.

[Genericmusic]

 

I don't like when people roll the treble off as I prefer to hear the full frequency range of the instrument.

 

[Kuz]

Well, I guess (unless you are talking about the rhythm guitarist) that I am not hearing what you guess are. In the first video, I hear all the acoustic properties of the guitar- it sounds like the full frequency with no roll off. On the second video, I hear the same tonally except I am willing to bet the volume is probably lowered to 8 or 9 to give that slightly "smokey jazz" tone. But no where am I hearing the tone rolled off (which I agree with you guy, I don't like as well).

[MartyGrass]

Well, I guess (unless you are talking about the rhythm guitarist) that I am not hearing what you guess are. In the first video, I hear all the acoustic properties of the guitar- it sounds like the full frequency with no roll off. On the second video, I hear the same tonally except I am willing to bet the volume is probably lowered to 8 or 9 to give that slightly "smokey jazz" tone. But no where am I hearing the tone rolled off (which I agree with you guy, I don't like as well).

 

Kuz, that's what I said. There's no treble roll off.

 

Treble roll off can be achieved two ways in his set up. The first is to diminish the high pass filter on the amp. The second is to lower the volume pot on the guitar, which reduces high frequencies more than mids and lows.

 

The fret banging stands out more when the highs are unfiltered.

[yoslate]

The fret banging stands out more when the highs are unfiltered.

 

I'd be interested to see what amp(s) they're using, settings, and, more to the point, how they mic'd the session: mic placement, how many mics, what kind...that sort of thing. Seems to be a lot of ambient room in this recording. I think that's where that fret spank (and finger noise) is coming from. Doesn't seem as though there is close mic'ing on the amp(s). I suspect one big condenser, sitting in the middle of everything.... Enjoyed the clips.

 

[MartyGrass]

Very perceptive, Rob. My best guess is that we're hearing about 50% amplified, the rest mic'd.

 

There is fret spank but there is also fret banging heard at the pick attack.

 

There's nothing wrong with that style. Sounds good to me. But that's not the Johnny Smith or Wes sound.

[yoslate]

My best guess is that we're hearing about 50% amplified, the rest mic'd.

 

There is fret spank but there is also fret banging heard at the pick attack.

 

There's nothing wrong with that style. Sounds good to me. But that's not the Johnny Smith or Wes sound.

 

Right with you, Mark.

[Kuz]

 

Kuz, that's what I said. There's no treble roll off.

 

Treble roll off can be achieved two ways in his set up. The first is to diminish the high pass filter on the amp. The second is to lower the volume pot on the guitar, which reduces high frequencies more than mids and lows.

 

The fret banging stands out more when the highs are unfiltered.

 

ops, I miss read your first post. I have never heard of no treble roll off, so I thought you said he HAD rolled the treble off. Yep we are in agreement. I also agree with Rob that they are probably using Round wound strings and 50% of what you hear is unamplified ambient tone.

[pressure]

Is the other guitar a Benedetto?

Nice to see a couple of young guys playing jazz, as Martha Stewart would say "that's a good thing".

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[pressure]

Nice to see a couple of young guys playing jazz, as Martha Stewart would say "that's a good thing".

[Jazzpunk]

Very perceptive, Rob. My best guess is that we're hearing about 50% amplified, the rest mic'd.

 

There is fret spank but there is also fret banging heard at the pick attack.

 

There's nothing wrong with that style. Sounds good to me. But that's not the Johnny Smith or Wes sound.

 

You guys are way over analyzing these clips. It's just two guys sitting in a room jamming, not a Jonathan Demme concert film lol.

 

I enjoyed the playing and the eye candy provided by the Johnny Smith which is why I posted the clips. This thread was not intended as a benchmark in ultimate concert audio fidelity.

[Jazzpunk]

Is the other guitar a Benedetto?

 

Yes, I believe it is a Bravo.

[gary0313]

 

You guys are way over analyzing these clips. It's just two guys sitting in a room jamming, not a Jonathan Demme concert film lol.

 

I enjoyed the playing and the eye candy provided by the Johnny Smith which is why I posted the clips. This thread was not intended as a benchmark in ultimate concert audio fidelity.

While you certainly succeeded in your original intentions with the post, I found the discussion about jazz style guitar setups and mic placements very informative.

[MartyGrass]

 

You guys are way over analyzing these clips. It's just two guys sitting in a room jamming, not a Jonathan Demme concert film lol.

 

I enjoyed the playing and the eye candy provided by the Johnny Smith which is why I posted the clips. This thread was not intended as a benchmark in ultimate concert audio fidelity.

 

 

Just being social.

[yoslate]

 

You guys are way over analyzing these clips. It's just two guys sitting in a room jamming, not a Jonathan Demme concert film lol.

 

 

C'mon, J'punk. I'm recently retired. Having opinions, and bloviating about them is what I do, now.... And thanks, gary0313, and you, too, Mark for justifying the fact that I spend too much time here!

[Jazzpunk]

 

C'mon, J'punk. I'm recently retired. Having opinions, and bloviating about them is what I do, now...

 

I actually had to look that up lol.

[Vincelewis]

Tim is a fine player who teaches at Ohio State....It is a Bravo he is playing and a nice thing to put one of his students on youtube.

The J S is really pretty for sure...

[bolero]

hey thx, I enjoyed those two clips

 

I was surprised how much treble those gtrs can have, with the single pup way up there by the neck..I liked it!!

 

I find a lot of jazz gtr is too muddy...however at least you have the option of either; does that gtr only have a volume knob?

 

I heard more string banging from the rhythm gtr than the soloist