Hello and welcome to another edition of the Guitar Bucket List! Today, we feature my Epiphone Firebird. This is such a nice guitar with a unique look and sound. It’s huge and that can sometimes make it difficult to carry around. But it’s a lot of fun to play and plays really nicely. It has that classic 9-piece neck through construction that gives it a great look. Make sure to check out the video below to hear how this Epiphone Firebird sounds and hear more about the guitar, how it’s made and what makes it so special.
Welcome to another edition of the Guitar Bucket List! If you’re just joining us, we’re on a quest to complete the Guitar Bucket List that currently has over 60 items. These are various features in/on guitars that I’ve always wanted to have. To me, guitars are the perfect hobby- they’re beautiful to look at, they hold value very well, and they’re useful! And each of these provides a different tool, much like a mechanic or carpenter would have.
And today we add a new tool to the kit. Well, it’s not really net-new, as this is replacing my trusty Martin MMV acoustic guitar. This is the Martin HD-7, which is a 7-string guitar. But it’s not like any other 7-string where there’s just another string below the low E. This is a standard 6-string that has only the G string doubled. So, there’s a G note in a lower octave and one in a higher octave right next to each other. This creates that familiar jangle effect that you hear on 12-string guitars but it still plays and feels just like a 6-string. It really is the best of both worlds.
This is the Roger McGuinn signature model HD7 and is a fancier version of the D7. It also has a dovetail joint for the neck, which is something my MMV didn’t have. Check out the video for all the other details and to hear how this cool model sounds! Oh and by the way, it checks “Apex head carve” off of the Bucket List!
Today’s video actually adds something new to the Bucket List- a Martin acoustic guitar. I wanted one of these ever since I found out about them. They just seemed like that quintessential classic American acoustic guitar. I toured the factory a couple of times and as soon as I could afford one, I bought it. I wanted it to be my “one and only” acoustic and is has been that for the past 15 years. It has been used on nearly every recording I’ve done over that time and is simply a great guitar. Check the video out for all the details on the MMV (Roman numerals for 2005), which is an obscure model that features all wood construction at a lower price point than Martin’s flagship models of the D18, D28, HD-28, etc.
In this video, I embark on a quest to capture the essence of my guitar tone in a digital recording. I explore various methods to achieve the most realistic sound, comparing direct input (DI), cabinet simulation, microphone placement, and impulse response (IR) loading.
The Experiment
I used a Marshall Origin amp and a Gibson Les Paul Standard to test different recording techniques:
Microphone Placement: I positioned a Shure SM57 microphone in front of the amp’s speaker cabinet, capturing the raw, unprocessed sound.
Direct Input (DI): The guitar’s signal is directly routed into the audio interface, bypassing the amp and speaker altogether.
Cabinet Simulation: A Torpedo Captor DI box is used to emulate the sound of a guitar speaker cabinet.
Impulse Response (IR) Loading: The amp’s signal is captured and processed through a digital IR, recreating the sound of a specific speaker cabinet.
The Verdict
After careful listening, I concluded that the IR loading method using the Torpedo Wall of Sound plugin offers the most realistic and nuanced sound. It captures the complexity and richness of the guitar tone, closely resembling the sound heard in person.
However, I acknowledged that the cabinet simulation provided by the Torpedo Captor is a simpler and more convenient option, especially for live performances or quick recordings. The microphone placement technique, while capturing the raw sound, can be less consistent and more susceptible to room acoustics.
Key Takeaways
IR Loading: Offers the most realistic and detailed sound, but requires additional software and processing power.
Cabinet Simulation: Provides a good compromise between simplicity and sound quality.
Microphone Placement: Captures the raw sound, but can be less consistent and more susceptible to room acoustics.
Direct Input: Best for clean tones and experimental sounds, but lacks the character of a guitar amp and speaker.
Ultimately, the best recording method depends on your specific needs and preferences. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each technique, you can make informed decisions to achieve the desired sound for your recordings.
