Robben Ford Discussion

[Tele295]

Have any of you tried the Squier Espirits? How close (or far) are they to the MIJ Espirits?
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You got a motor like a brand new car....

[Aeolian]

The new Squire Esprits are an entirely different wood set than the original ones. That said, they come surprisingly close to the woody spruce sound of the originals.

Chris Cobb has a black MIJ RF that was supposed to be Robben's at one time. Robben confirmed this for Chris and signed it for him. That guitar has one of the chunkiest woody tones of anything I've ever played. Red Suede's guitar is also woody but the resonance seems just a bit higher up. From listening to it live in the hands of a couple of different people(I've never touched it) Garth's guitar sounds somewhere in the middle. But they all have a very unique sound with a midrange similar to a good archtop. Which is what Robben was originally going for.

FWIW, my 84 maple top Esprit has a fairly thin, very Ibanez feeling, neck. Not like the shredder Strats, but I had a semi hollow Artisan that was very similar. A bit thiner than the MIJ RF's that I've played which are not as thick as the newer custom shop ones that have vintage Gibson profiles.

Also, Chris's black MIJ RF has a somewhat thicker profile. Not as big as the custom shop ones, but thicker than any other MIJ RF I've touched. That may have been a reaction to Robben wanting a bit more wood in his hands. Especially since he was playing the '54 LP at lot in the studio.

I think that most of Jing Chi is the Tele and some of it is the LP. Robben gets the most amazing thick overdrive sounds out of the Tele bridge. I'll have to go back and listen to the studio recording again. I know that the live recording was the Tele, I was at those shows.
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[lemonjefferson]

heres a nice Japanese RF for sale:

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=1675366

[gawfshot]

A missing bit of information from the story of the Fender Master Series guitars is the essential role of luthier John Carruthers. As the story goes, Gibson was on the ropes, and Fender (Dan Smith et al) decided to market some guitars to go head to head with Gibson- The Esprit vs the 335, the Flame vs the Les Paul, and the D'Aquisto vs whatever jazz box. (They supposedly had a chance to BUY Gibson, but were concerned about anti-trust liability. Imagine owning Coke AND Pepsi.) John still has the original blueprints, THE Esprit prototype, and lots of good stories about the history in his shop in Venice, CA. I believe the Robben endorsement came after, but go to the source(s) for the truth. Fender changed hands in '85, the Flame was dropped and the Esprit became the RF signature. I'd also invite you to compare an Esprit/Flame to John's current CSA offering- I got #1 and it's sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[lemonjefferson]

does anyone have any scanned photos of a fender catalogue that has photos of a MIJ RF

many thanks

[Millibobs]

Thanks Pierre. I just recorded a short instrumental tune using the bridge soapbar on a PRS SE and tried to get somewhere near to 'that' tone. It's called 'Indifference' and is at www.soundclick.com/davidmillion

I'd welcome any comments about the sound and suggestions for improving it. The technique is just how I play - can't do much to change it after all these years.....

The PRS SE ran through a Fullton OCD, Boss RV3 (wicked!) into a Mesa Boogie V Twin on the clean channel and then direct into Apple Garageband. I rarely use live amps for recording because of 'domestic constraints'!!

The great thing is that by chasing the Robben sound, it has taken my playing into a new space and made life a lot more interesting. I've got no idea about all this theory stuff and tend to work on instinct and what sounds right to my ears.

Something tells me that The RF Fender model would suit me very well, might have to explore that avenue....

[nineacres]

David, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to that track. Actually it reminded me more of Larry Carlton than Robben, but that's just my opinion. Great phrasing and I loved the sound of the soapbar. The only constructive observation I would make is that the overdubbed guitar was a little "inconsequential" at times, but that's all. Perhap a more defined middle 8 idea might have been appropriate? Just a thought. Great stuff! Keep 'em coming!
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"Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982

[Millibobs]

Thanks Mr Nineacres - I'm on it. Also sniffing around for Squire Esprits...

[nineacres]

Here's an offering I noticed on FleaBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Squier-Esprit-Master-Series-Electric-Robben-Ford_W0QQitemZ130117533940QQihZ003QQcategoryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Any good?
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"Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982

[Millibobs]

Thanks Nineacre - just checking that one out. Not sure about the finish and I do so like to shape of the RF guitar headstock. I had been thinking about semis, so maybe now's the time.......

[richardmca]

[frank0936]

Several of us here have the Esprit. Mine is dead stock and I really enjoy it. Others have changed out p'ups and the bridge and tuners and three way switch. Do a search on Esprit and you should find out more. I think it's hard to beat for the price.
Frank

[RnB]

Hi all, Haven't posted here for a long time, but this thread caught my attention.

I have a MIJ Model also. Bought it used about 10 or so years ago. It's an Ultra SP Model (a '93 or '94?), & it's in fabulous cond. I asked Robben to sign the control cover plate for it one nite, when he was playing at Yoshi's in Oakland. He obliged, even though it was right after a great set w/ the Blue Line. I haven't been playing it all that much lately, because I've been using my Tele & acoustics since I've stopped playing out.

It has the original pups in it, which are the SD '59 & JB. I did change-out the bridge & TP in favor of some Gibson ones, cause I like a cleaner look...but it's all reversible. The back is Alder w/ a tummy cut, & it has a Spruce top. Not a heavy guitar, due to the tone chambers. I brought it to practice one nite and it floored everyone in the band. It be a real strong contender!

When I first got it, I think it was about the time that Fender had just released the US versions. I couldn't believe the prices they were asking for them either. In retrospect, I think I made out OK... I had heard that the Japanese models were actually better & that made me feel OK? The people at Gelb Music in Redwood City told me that they were made for Fender by Ibanez. How true that it, I'm not 100%, but they are a good source. If someone could enlighten me w/more info, that'd be great. Robben had purchased his original Fender Espirit there, back in the '80's. I think Garth Weber has one just like mine too?

some pics:




Rich

[Millibobs]

Rich

That is a beautiful guitar! Whenever I see something like this I start getting this tremendous build up of GAS....good job Esprit prices are beyond my reach for now, but one day, one day......

[Bill Morgan]