Mark2 -> RE: Vicente Amigo (Nov. 7 2014 16:14:19)
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Fully agree with Ricardo about the compromise. I've done tons of gigs using a pickup(RMC) blended with a mike. The pickup is needed to project over other instruments when playing single note solos, but I always favored the mike when playing rhythm. I use a volume pedal to bring in the pickup when playing lead. But I was never satisfied with the pickup sound. In fact, it sucks. I was not regularly playing halls like VA or Paco, but clubs. When playing bigger places with pro sound, the results were much the same. When I'd go see Paco, he used a mike, and it sounded great. First time I saw VA, it was the same. He got an amazing sound, but there were two moments in the show where he got really annoying loud ear killing feedback. They were clearly pushing the limits of amplifying his guitar with a mike. the gig I did recently was with pro sound, and I had hoped to get away with just a mike, but it's amazing the lack of volume you get through monitors when playing with a group. I always have found the use of a pickup when playing a flamenco guitar to be very depressing. I mean, your SOUND is everything. A great sound and you play much better. A crappy sound, and you are fighting the whole time. You have a reyes or conde or whatever guitar worth 10k, you put on new strings, and then you plug in a tone destroying pickup? Compromising your sound is so messed up. Electric guitarists fuss over their gear to an obsessive degree-tube amps, pedals, strings, etc. So do horn players, string players, etc. the idea that a flamenco guitarist has to destroy the quality of his sound to be heard is horrible IMO. I think VA is making a huge mistake playing with that sound. I guess many people don't notice, but from this thread it seems many of his greatest fans do. I really love his music and his playing. Really he is my favorite living flamenco guitarist. Unlike some, I think Tierra is a masterpiece. I hope he brings that show to SF. But I hope like heck he doesn't use a pickup.
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