Robben Ford Discussion

JackD

Daved:

I've seen in some recent ads and on the web that Robben uses the Buzz Feiten Tuning System. Is this due to the fact that the system was used on Robben's Baker? Has Robben made the conversion on his other guitars? Does is work as well as advertised. I'd appreciate any comment.

Thanks

Jack

AndyR · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 3:56 am Post subject: BF Tuning

Hi Jack -

I can't speak to Robben's user of BF Tuning System, or even the system itself, but I think it would make for an interesting discussion here.

Some people think BF is the greatest thing going, others think BF is BS, just a marketing ploy.

Anywho, the whole physics of the tempered tuning system is pretty darn interesting, IMO.

Some great info can be had at Paul Guy's website:

http://www.guyguitars.com/eng/index.html

And if you check the "Groups" section on Google.Com, you'll find some epic discussions about Buzz Feiten Tuning.

BTW, any "Full Moon" fans out there? Got the chords to "Malibu?"

Smile

Andy

AndyR · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 5:33 am Post subject: Hmm...replying to myself...

Re: Full Moon

I noticed over at www.buzzfeiten.com they have the original 1971 Full Moon release for sale on CD.

I've been looking for that for YEARS!!! (ever since my 1974-vintage Memorex cassette recording died Sad

)

I'll just order it and figure out "Malibu" myself!

Razz

frank0936 · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:42 pm Post subject: BF tuning system

All I can say about the BF tuning system is this:
I have one guitar out of seven with that system on it. I have one guitar out of seven that won't stay in tune-guess which one? That may just be me. I play hard and I tend to choke the neck too much(I'm working on that). If Robben says it's the only guitar he's played that intonates correctly, then I believe him. His ear is much better than mine.

Bill Morgan

StratCat · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2004 6:24 pm Post subject:

FWIW, I've had the Feiten system retrofitted onto my Ibanez semi-acoustic and I generally like it. Not a cheap modification (plus the cost of a new tuner) but I've been happy with it as there's certain things tuning/intonation-wise that had always annoyed me before I had this mod done (e.g. 6th intervals).

Interestingly though, the tech who did the mod has worked with me on subsequent services to my other 2 (non Feiten) guitars, and with minor modifications to the intonation and the way I tune the guitar I'm getting some good results without the Feiten mod. He was kind enough to sit down for a few minutes, watch me play and then make some recommendations on the way I should tune the guitar, rather than simply tuning all the open strings dead-centre on the TU12 as I've been doing for years.

Cool

Chris
_________________
because I rock, and that's important.

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 10:29 am Post subject: bf tuning

The guitar that I have the Feiten system on came from the factory that way. It's also the most expensive guitar in my collection. I have a guitar of the same brand that cost $200 new, without Feiten, and it stays in tune and plays in tune. Maybe like Bill said, I've played so long without it that I need that out-of-tuneness for it to sound right!

I'd love to hear more about the way you're supposed to string a guitar with the Feiten system and any special ways to tune it, too. Maybe that's all mine needs. I should probably tell you that both of the guitars I mentioned are acoustic guitars. That might make a difference, too.
Frank

Daved · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:14 am Post subject:

I just got off the phone speaking with Buzzy.

He and his partner Greg have classes about the theory, retrofitting, and use of the BF System. He's going to enroll me in one of his upcoming 3 day classes.

Not sure when that will be yet, but hopefully soon... dependant upon my touring schedule.

I'll fill you in after this happens.
_________________
B C-ing U!
( }:-Daved
"This boy's diseased with rhythm!" -Bing Crosby (Road To Rio, '49)

marinblues · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

I play out of tune most of the time so whether I BF or not, it doesn't really make a difference! Laughing

________
Yamaha artist history

frank0936 · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:19 pm Post subject: BF tuning

David,
It would be great to hear any tips that Mr. Feiten has to offer. I did play single notes after a fresh set of strings, while watching my tuner and I was surprised to see how little pressure it takes to pull a note sharp. I have what GuitarGearheads calls the "deathgrip syndrome". I really put too much pressure on my strings and that could be part of the problem. The guitar has jumbo frets, and I know that contributes to it, too. Thanks for the help,
Frank

marinblues · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: BF tuning

Daved · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: BF tuning

frank0936 · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:28 am Post subject: deathgrip and slinkies

I play 11's now. I don't want to go up any more, because it will be really hard to bend! I'm working on lightening up, too. I think part of it is the adrenaline rush of being on stage, and part of it is poor monitor mix. If I can't hear what I'm doing, I play harder. If I play harder, I grip harder. I'd still like to hear from BF about his system. When players like Robben endorse it, I know there must be something to it.
Thanks again,
Frank

StratCat · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:51 pm Post subject:

Heh - I've also suffered from DeathGrip syndrome, but quickly cured some years ago when the DeathGrip locked itself in place for a few minutes and I couldn't move it and also led to a 2 year battle with RSI in that hand Sad

. FWIW - wasn't just the DeathGrip that caused this - I was pretty sick that night and probably shouldn't have been in a smoke filled pub!

I also find these days if I play less hard (and get a decent monitor mix) that I break less strings and also (more importantly) get better tone than I do if I'm strangling the guitar Very Happy

.

Re the Feiten system, I have this retrofitted on one guitar and like the results. However, as discussed by Daved on the 'tuner' thread, you can also get good results tuning-wise (although not the same) by finding a tech who is willing to work with you on looking at how you play and what you think sounds good, and then making subtle changes to the setup, intonation and tuning of the guitar. Doesn't take much to do this and can be worth the effort.

Cool

Chris
_________________
because I rock, and that's important.

jconstant · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:37 am Post subject:

Deathgrip!? You mean there's a name for what I'm doing?!

I've been driving myself nuts trying to always remember to lighten up the touch. I even printed a little sign to put on my wall so I can always be reminded of this.

For some reason, my fingers seem to think that pressing hard will wrench just a little more emotion out of each note. My brain knows better but I'm having a hard time getting the finders to listen.

What can you really do except focus hard on playing lightly until it becomes natural?