From shrockrob@aol.com Sat May 22 16:20:46 2004
Subject:RE: Taping over Logos and other stupid stuff

2 points:

#1--I've played just about all of the major TV shows (Carson, Leno, Conan,
Ellen, Kilborn, Today Show, etc.) and usually someone from production kindly
asks each band member individually if they are an actual endorser for the product
with the big, shiny logo. If not, they politely ask if they can gaff over it
because it is distracting in the camera. If you are an endorser, there is no
problem and they leave it/you alone.

Most of the time, in my experience, it is sincerely out of respect for "the
shot" that they even ask. (Yes, they are aware of the power of the televised
image, of course; but getting involved or not in the free promotion of some
keyboard company is not their goal.) Most logos, especially on keyboards, are big
white letters on a black background and they just jump out on a TV shot (as
they are intended to). It's distracting. When I'm with Burt Bacharach, who sits
facing stage-left, I'm RIGHT behind him facing the audience. Any of my big,
white keyboard logos are surrounding his head in most shots and it simply looks
bad and cluttered. Especially when he is supposed to be the main focus of the
shot.

However, if I was, say, a Kurzweil endorser (I'm not), the TV show would
allow it remain in the shot out of respect to me and the endorser; end of story.
If it's not necessary, then they ask to cover it up. And I agree, the shot is
cleaner without.

#2--IMO, it's ridiculous to be ashamed of your instrument because it's not
the "real" thing, whatever that means. There was a time when instruments like
the electric bass, Roland TB-303s or 808s, samplers, Coral Electric Sitars and
Danelecro guitars—and, yes, even Hammond organs—etc. were considered cheap,
imitiations. Yet in the right hands they are fabulous instruments in their own
right. An instrument simply is an instrument--what matters is what you do with
it. Great players make magic with "lesser" instruments all the time.

Most of us here play "clones". But this name is kind of a misnomer. They are
not really clones (as in exact copies) but are simply derivatives of older
instruments that apply to today's technology. That they have been modified to do
things the old can't and also struggle to do what the old still can is simply
the way it is.

Yes, it is a legitimate argument that a '59 Strat has a "magic" to it. But
that's even subjective. It doesn't stop someone from making great music with a
PRS guitar or even a cheap Japanese-made Fender guitar from GC, even if it has
single-coil pickups in it to sound "like" a '59 Strat. And (fill in the blank)
is no less a guitarist because he does not have some vintage guitar. That
real '59 Strat in Hendrix's hands would sound different than in Van Halen's
hands, anyway. Your Electro or CX-3 or whatever would still sound pretty damn good
under Chuck Leavell's or Joey D's hands.

None of us live in yesterday, we live right now. I like that I can turn the
Leslie on/off with a footswitch, I like that I don't hurt myself moving an
organ around, and I like that I can "build" several different basic organs via
presets and digital technology. I don't have to, but I can if I choose. I could
never have 2 or 3 B-3s onstage set up for drastic tonal differences, even if I
went to that trouble for a record because the music called for it. That's just
the way it is.

Now, if you don't like the way something actually sounds, then that's a
different matter altogether. Let us all go forth and find the tone that makes us
happy! And let's discuss it ad nauseum!

But to be ashamed because you don't have "Hammond" displayed in big, white
letters is, well...sorry...childish. It reeks of penis envy. I am oftentimes
more amazed when a great musician does something great with some crappy, beat-up
or "lesser" instrument. It's sad to think that YOU'd think I'm not really
playing organ because of a stupid logo. I, for one, could care less. Judge me on
the notes I play and the tone I create with what I have. It comes down to the
notes, anyway. I'd rather hear you say, "Holy shit! He's making that CX-3 sound
better than my pristine B-3 rig I have at home!" Now that's legitimate.

Kindest Regards to all,
Rob Shrock

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