Robben Ford Discussion

Sweet_emotion16 · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject: Robben's Tone.

i recently recieved my first robben ford dvd, the new morning concert,very pleased.. and the thought just crossed my mind as i was watching that while loving both sounds tremendously .. his telecaster sounded beyond cool... so what guitar would you rather robben play through the dumble or even the twins?
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sidneystreet · Member Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 29

I love his phrasing, regardless of the guitar of choice.

But, I wish he would just play the Telecaster the majority of the time. When he plays his Tele, the tone just seems more organic, open, and dynamic.

Sweet_emotion16 · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:

agreed, we all love his phrasing, but this is a question strictly about sound/tone though.
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Ron S · Senior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 116 Location: UK

without a shadow of a doubt..............the tele!

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

I mostly play Tele's, and love Robben's Tele sound.

But I have to say, that black Baker sounded really, really, really good when I saw him live in Chicago a couple of years back.

Sweet_emotion16 · Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:34 am Post subject:

awesome man doesn't she have the 59/JB combo?, thanks for the reply.
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FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

Yeah, I think it's the 59/JB combination. Daved could probably confirm.

I'm sure my impressions are clouded by the fact that it was the first time I'd seen Robben live, but I was blown away by the guitar tone that night (I was even more blown away by the *playing*, of course).

Sweet_emotion16 · Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

well, thats awesome.. the closest ive been is the you tube videos and dvds ... i dont see robben ever coming to newfoundland.. maybe one of these days i'll travel to see him.

i love the sound of robben playing the goldtop second to the tele for sure.
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Aeolian · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

One thing I've noticed is that things like the black Baker seem like they are easier to play than the Tele. I looked at the Tele up close once and the action is really high, as it needs to be on an old Fender so bends don't choke off. Robben seems to play a bit more fluidly on the other guitars. But the dynamics and tonal range of that Tele are magical. I think that's why he keeps going back to it, in spite of the playability.
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Sweet_emotion16 · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject:

wow thanks for that info Steve, much appreciated
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JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject:

re: the Tele

I also love the sound of RF playing a Tele. And, not to stray much from the subject but, if you want to hear some great Tele playing, check out Jim Weider. Sorry, don't mean to plug Jim so much, but if you've ever heard him play, you'd understand...

Fordcaster · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

I'll take the Tele all the way. Although I love his playing on anything I like the Tele the best BUT look at this Tele:

That looks like larger than vintage frets to me - like Medium Jumbos at least, Definitely a flatter than 7.25 radius, and maybe even an ebony Fretboard. The neck pickup is set lower on the bass string side. The poll pieces on the bridge pickup may be bigger than a stock sixties pickup.
Could be the picture but I'm pretty sure that isn't a totally stock 60's neck with respect to fret size, radius, and fretboard wood.

If anyone has more information on this guitar I'm all ears.

Fordcaster · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

Well after doing some research including archived from this site it appears that just the frets are bigger. Just the picture distorts the image.
Just a great 60's Tele with great tone, bigger frets, and a rewind by Fralin.
Got to love it.

sfhalo · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject:

Anyone know who did the fret job? And, which frets were used?

Fordcaster · Member Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

I have no idea who did the fret job but I bet it's as good as you can get.
Precision level, crown and polish.
I did a Corel Draw touch up to the Robben Ford Tele to see what it would look like a little less reliced (which I know is part of the vibe of his guitar but looks cool less reliced anyway):