Artist Induce Bias?

[tintin]

Maybe it's just me, but, after listening to sound clip after sound clip, including those on the MLP Guitar Pickup Sound Reference Guide, I find one in particular sends shivers up my spine. I won't say which right now- wouldn't want to sound like I'm trying to push a particular pick up. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if its the pick ups or the energy of the musician during that one particular clip that is responsible for my reaction.

[Led Zep Fan]

It's hard to comment if you don't post the example...

[tintin]

I figured somebody here had listened to most, if not all of the sound clips posted in MLP Guitar Pickup Sound Reference Guide. If no one else really notices a difference, other than that they'd attribute to the tonal qualities of the pick up, that's fine.

[JLH]

And ???????

[tintin]

I'm just trying to figure out if it's the pick ups or the playing during one particular clip that really grab me.

[Scooter2112]

I don't think that your question has any simple answers.

If it's the same player on the same guitar, with the same amp and settings, is it still the physical aspects of the pickup that make it sound better, or that the player may be subliminally bonding with the tone of that particular pickup and sub-consciously working it more?

Example: My amp sounds its best when it's raining and crummy outside. On bright sunny days, usually not as good. My unintentional response to that is that I play more and better when the weather's bad. If you had noticed this difference from a soundclip, you may have reached your conclusion in any number of ways. To get the real answer, you would have had to ask me about it.

In short, there are too many variables to consider, but asking the person that made the soundclip may help you understand more of the differences. All things being equal, something as subtle as pickup height could have made all the difference.

[tintin]

Thanks, Scooter2112.

I figured it was an unanswerable question, but the difference between that one clip and all the others I'd listened to (most were of the same piece, played by Weldaar, presumably made with the same equipment as the other clips on the reference post list), really struck me. OTOH, some times my stock Epi pick ups seem to be adjustable to my liking and I'm really satisfied with 'em, but other times I just can't seem to get 'em to sound the way I really want them to.

Guess I'll either have to just keep on hacking away at the issue or give in and order a pair of the pick ups in question!

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by tintin

I'm just trying to figure out if it's the pick ups or the playing during one particular clip that really grab me.

IMO a bit of both, more so the player and his or her headspace at the time of recording. Also your taste in tone, maybe that clip could have the opposite affect on others. And if Jeff was using the pups he favs. chances are he was into playing more.