Jimi Hendrix was a systems engineer

Post by kavalg » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 11:19 AM UTC

hypertexthero wrote: post #117

solomonb wrote: post #21

I strongly believe that if you set aside genre preferences the solid body electric guitar coupled to a tube amplifier is objectively the greatest electronic instrument ever created. All other electronic instruments, with the one exception being the Theramin, have a fundamental problem with human expression. There is an unsolvable disconnect between what the performer's actions and their audience. See: https://www.scr…

Hmmm, I disagree, having played electric and acoustic guitars for over two decades and begun learning piano and synths for the first time in 2025. For one, you can’t easily play two melodies simultaneously across several octaves, using both of your hands, with an electric guitar. Stringed electronic instruments do have their advantages, but so do the others. Each music making thing has its place in the spectrum. Two…

Post by walthamstow » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:08 PM UTC

altmanaltman wrote: post #162

prettyblocks wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think I recall reading about Hendrix that he tried to emulate the sounds of cartoons with his guitar, and then when he was in the army he did the same with trying to reproduce the sounds of fighter jets. Not sure if urban legend, but cool origin story.

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Post by tclancy » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:14 PM UTC

soupfordummies wrote: post #131

tclancy wrote: post #32

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The podcast "History of Rock in 500 Songs" (full disclosure: I am a devout, slavering fan) provides these on the regular. I was actually smiling when I heard a fairly new song that attempts a really flat, fuzzed out sound because it made me think, "Buddy Holly invented that by accident with a broken speaker". One of the episodes on The Who goes into the Marshall behind Marshall amps in similar detail. I suppose if I…

I’ve heard a few people strongly recommend that pod. I’ll check it out What’s the newer song you mention with the flat fuzz?

Post by Enginerrrd » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:16 PM UTC

walthamstow wrote: post #174

altmanaltman wrote: post #162

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Ethically pure 60s musicians are pretty hard to come by

Post by xtiansimon » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:33 PM UTC

rmason wrote: post #119

ssl-3 wrote: post #102

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> The way you can hear the machine guns, choppers, sirens, screaming in agony… You know, I've heard that performance so many times over so many decades that I don't have to hit a play button or even close my eyes in order to hear it. It's there inside my head when I want it to be. And somehow I never interpreted it in that way (sirens, screaming, etc) until just a moment ago. I thought it was just a quirky little ear…

The imagery of 1969, I remember it well. The Vietnam war was the first war that was televised. Everyone would watch the nightly news at 6:30 pm (take my word for it) and hear the choppers, gunfire and real life screams of people. I thought it was sheer genius that Hendrix was able to subtly bring that into the national anthem which made it resonate so well with those purchasing his music. But without that background…