Re: the coloring of the guitar (add to: live looping amplification)

[Paul Greenstein <paul@ubiq.co.uk>]

Coloring of the guitar: an interesting phrase -
There are so many factors involved in terms of the final sound that 
reaches the listener's ears. We are creating 'Sonorous Air' (not my 
words) - but I think a good way to describe an intangible process. With 
experience, the musician learns to control all aspects of his/her 
tools, from strings on wood through to digital hardware and software. 
Dynamics, phrasing, tempo - it's the stuff that makes playing music a 
world in itself. An analogue for life but also a great escape.

On a more down to earth level - I regularly waste many words trying to 
explain what I do and want to achieve to people who work in music 
stores - you want to get their input regarding the choices you might 
make when buying some piece of gear, tube amplifier or whatever, but 
they can only see things in terms of 'all you need is three channels - 
clean, crunch and lead'... There's more to it than that, as Matthias's 
comments demonstrate.

Paul