Robben Ford Discussion

jazzyjoepass · Member Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

Yes, please tell us. I'm interested to know.

Saw him when he was over here in Singapore.
It was wonderful.

The LP seemed to have a pull pot on the bridge tone control to split the pickup on the bridge and Robben used it quite alot.

I guess it must have been duncans JB on the bridge and 59 on the neck?

At one point he pushed the pot in and the guitar started to feedback.

Can't wait to have him over again. What a show!

Aeolian · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:39 am Post subject:

Daved · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:57 am Post subject:

There are no specific labels on the LP indicating anything unusual, tho Robben says it is a '99 and he was told it is a reissue with '57 pickups. He says he really doesn't know much more than that except that he likes it alot.

One tone pot does have a pull switch for splitting the coil which Robben finds uncomfortable, so I plan to replace it with a pot with a tap switch.
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B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

jazzyjoepass · Member Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 8

Aeolian,

There's a new shop called Guitar77 here down at Excelsior Hotel basement. Chap's name is DENNIS.

You can find a couple of pre-EdRoman Bakers!!! They've got Heritage, PRSes and Dillion too. If you're into acoustics, they are retailing the MATONs made famous by Australian CGP Tommy Emmanuel who had Robben Ford play on his LPs too.

5 Coleman Street,
B1-23, Excelsior Hotel,
Singapore 179804.
Tel: +(65)63333385, Fax: +(65)63333386
www.guitar77.com

Tell Dennis, Mike told you about his wonderful place.

Flavum · Member Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 32

StratCat · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 8:26 pm Post subject:

Muiricane · Member Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 19 Location: Michigan

The stock pick-ups on the '99 R9 and R0 are the '57 classics. By looking at the picture the new LP looks like a historic reissue, but I can't tell if it's a '59 or a '60 reissue. Need to be able to see the volume and tone control knobs clearer. Anyway, it looks awesome.

Daved · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

davidp158 · Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Bellevue, WA

I've always been stunned with the clarity of Robben's tones, and wonder if there is a difference between his humbuckers being "tapped" versus "split". My understanding is that splitting the coils simply gives you one of the two coils. I'm wondering if "tapping" the humbucker is something different.

I'm not sure what Daved's comment below refers to, and wonder if anyone can clarify. Sorry to dig up an old post...

cheers,
Dave

JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:30 am Post subject:

>> Sorry to dig up an old post...

Don't be sorry at all! I was impressed when I saw the date of the original post that it was over 5 years old and someone took the time to go back that far!
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Soul on Eleven

Jon07 · Member Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 37

I assumed that Daved meant replacing a pull/push knob with a push/push knob for splitting the coils? - just a more convenient switch, easier to deal with in the heat of battle.

davidp158 · Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Bellevue, WA

Jon07 - Thanks for the reply. I know some of Robben's guitars have a switch, and others use a pot with a built in switch. I just wasn't sure if there was a difference between "coil tapping" and "coil splitting".

I've been hunting for a humbucker that sounds good split (or tapped, or whatever), and Robben's guitars always sound full and rich. I'm not entirely sure when I'm hearing a split humbucker sound, but his tone never sounds thin like any split humbucker I've heard before. Does Robben do anything to compensate for the tonal shift and volume drop associated with the split mode? I certainly don't expect to make a Les Paul sound like a Tele, but most humbuckers sound thin and lifeless in split mode. Aside from Robben's exceptional playing technique, I'm curious how Robben gets such a full sound in split mode.

While sifting through some other (vintage) posts, I read that some push/push pots tend to be electronically sound, but mechanically unreliable. Also, some players prefer the push/pull knob for visual reference.

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 am Post subject: tap switch

I've got a couple of guitars with the push/pull switches and I don't like them very much. It does provide a visual reference, but the pull function can be difficult to access on the fly - especially with a smooth knob like most LP's have. You have to get a fingernail under the knob to pull it up and it can really throw your rhythm off.
Frank