Robben Ford Discussion

bigdoins · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 1:55 pm Post subject: DAVED Q: WHAT GUITAR?

DAVED OR ANYONE Question

...WHAT GUITAR DID ROBBEN USE ON "WORK SONG" TRACK7 ON FORD BLUES BAND ...TRIBUTE TO PAUL BUTTERFIELD....
THAT IS SOME OF THE BEST RAW PLAYING AND TONE THAT BLOWS ME AWAY...

DOES ANYONE KNOW...THX

juspasinby2003 · Senior Member Joined: 18 Dec 2003 Posts: 255

bigdoins,

Robben told me that he used Garth's Boss SD-1 pedal through a 69 Super Reverb on the "Work Song." I don't know which guitar he used. I would like to believe that he used his 54 Les Paul goldtop, since Mike Bloomfiend recorded the "Work Song" with a 54 goldtop, a guitar which, I am honored to say, Mike used to let me play when the Butter Band came around to my neck of the woods.

You should know that Robben is not always the best source for this kind of information because he can be as absent minded as the rest of us, especially if he doesn't immediately recognize the importance of some details to us mere mortals. I would surmise, however, that his memory probably is more likely to be correct about this, given the profound importance of the "Work Song" in his musical development. It was one of Mike Bloomfield's finest recorded works, and it was absolutely breathtaking to see Mike perform it live.

Robben's solo in the "Work Song" demonstrates Robben's pure genius and his heartfelt respect for a true guitar giant and hero. I can't imagine a finer tribute than Robben provided in that solo. I know that Mike would be grinning from ear to ear if he were still with us.

elizabeth · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 9:24 pm Post subject: Bloomfield

He IS grinning from ear to ear! Very Happy

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professor · Member Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 19 Location: Trenton, NJ

Ya just cain't go wrong with a Super Reverb...!

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Aeolian · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 11:35 am Post subject:

This solo absolutely kills me. If you had to show someone Robben in 12 bars, the first chorus of this solo would be it. All the more amazing since there are no "scales from Saturn" on this. Just a minor with a flat 5 (one of Bloomfield's favorites) and a raised 5. But when Robben plays it, it sounds like be-bop. You could simplify this further and say that the raised 5 was just following the minor 4 chord. Robben obviously knows theory and harmony, but he has the frightening facility for taking a simple concept and making it sound unique and special.
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bigdoins · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:18 pm Post subject:

Aeolian,that combo always kills me...if there is something SLICK to play ...thats it...i hear it always ....it dances in my ears...thats me! thx for the imput......humbuckers on the solo? professional options ??thx BIGDOINS Idea

Aeolian · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:56 pm Post subject:

Could be the P90 Goldtop. After severing his relationship with Fender, Robben admitted that most of the Blue Line recordings that weren't Tele were the goldtop and not the Fender. It's the thing he does with his right hand that makes single coils sound like humbuckers.
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There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com

bigdoins · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:57 pm Post subject:

the more I listen..i hear a humbucker split..sounding like a tele or p90's ....but split...anyone share the same ears???
kick solo just the same....a real snake charmer! Twisted Evil