Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[magiccarpetride]

Just listened to the 13 minute of space rock/blues song by Pink Floyd (the opening track on their "Wish You Were Here" album), and must say that I was blown away by the sound quality. However, I got deeply disappointed by the shoddy musicianship. David Gilmour's guitar sounds incredibly crappy and paper thin (like a shitty Squire Strat played through some cheap ass solid state practice amp). His phrasing and string bending is extremely amateurish. The drumming is very heavy handed. The only good part is the saxophone solos at the end.

Why is it then that this song had achieved such cult status?

[DSJR]

How old are you Alex? It's a bit like the 60's - you had to be there to experience it, even if you can't remember it now :)

WYWH was a fantastic LP at the time and the message in the music still holds true (I still much prefer the Doug Sax re-mastering myself). As for the production and sound, it's very much of its time I'm afraid and we old-uns take it as is.

Play it on some Lockwood Tannoys or big 70's JBL's. I'm sure it'll sound much better ;)

[Stratmangler]

I thought you said that you were blown away by the sound quality.
Next thing your saying the guitar sounds like a shitty Squire Strat.
Make your bleedin' mind up.

I vividly remember the day WYWH came out.
It blew me away then, and it blows me away now.;)

[Welder]

Great album and I agree with Dave, the Doug Sax re-master sounds damn fine to me.
Saw them do some of it live at Knebworth, just plain awesome :)

[Beechwoods]

However, I got deeply disappointed by the shoddy musicianship. David Gilmour's guitar sounds incredibly crappy and paper thin (like a shitty Squire Strat played through some cheap ass solid state practice amp). His phrasing and string bending is extremely amateurish. The drumming is very heavy handed. The only good part is the saxophone solos at the end.

Hmmmmmmm. If I didn't know you better I'd think you were here to start an argument :eyebrows: :ner:

[magiccarpetride]

I thought you said that you were blown away by the sound quality.
Next thing your saying the guitar sounds like a shitty Squire Strat.
Make your bleedin' mind up.

I vividly remember the day WYWH came out.
It blew me away then, and it blows me away now.;)

I made up my bleedin' mind:) The sound quality is fantastic, it has a lot of space and is razor sharp. Lots of muscle, deep depths, overall fantastic.

That is, until the guitar comes in. It made me cringe. The synths in the background are to die for, they paint such a gorgeous tapestry of never ending spiraling trip, but the el cheapo sounding guitar is such a let down. He should've selected a better sounding tube amp/tube screamer stomp box or something. It's just too thin sounding.

Also, the drums, while sounding as huge as my house, are played in a ham fisted manner. Basically, they're plodding, and the vocals aren't helping either. The real redeeming quality comes toward the end, when the baritone sax walks in. Now the hair on my arms and neck was standing on its end. My god, what a solo! And followed by an equally good tenor sax. Brilliant.

But the buildup to that magical moment could've been much better, in the hands of more seasoned musicians. The composition is still outstanding, though. The delivery is D+, C- at best.

[Stratmangler]

It's 35 years since WYWH came out - haven't you got anything better to do than pick holes in it ?
It is what it is - just live with it.:mental:

[AlanS]

I made up my bleedin' mind:) The sound quality is fantastic, it has a lot of space and is razor sharp. Lots of muscle, deep depths, overall fantastic.

That is, until the guitar comes in. It made me cringe. The synths in the background are to die for, they paint such a gorgeous tapestry of never ending spiraling trip, but the el cheapo sounding guitar is such a let down. He should've selected a better sounding tube amp/tube screamer stomp box or something. It's just too thin sounding.

Also, the drums, while sounding as huge as my house, are played in a ham fisted manner. Basically, they're plodding, and the vocals aren't helping either. The real redeeming quality comes toward the end, when the baritone sax walks in. Now the hair on my arms and neck was standing on its end. My god, what a solo! And followed by an equally good tenor sax. Brilliant.

But the buildup to that magical moment could've been much better, in the hands of more seasoned musicians. The composition is still outstanding, though. The delivery is D+, C- at best.

Get your ears around some early Bob Dylan. Sounds crap but what an inspiring singer/song writer. If you only focus on the parts of music it will never reach your soul.

[magiccarpetride]

It's 35 years since WYWH came out - haven't you got anything better to do than pick holes in it ?
It is what it is - just live with it.:mental:

I thought this was the forum where we discuss music, warts and all, no?

[magiccarpetride]

Get your ears around some early Bob Dylan. Sounds crap but what an inspiring singer/song writer. If you only focus on the parts of music it will never reach your soul.

Actually, I'm just enjoying the SACD version of "Freewheeling Bob Dylan", and the sound is absolutely gorgeous. Not sure what early Dylan have you found sounding crappy, but all of his albums from the early-mid '60s sound divine to my ears. Especially the SACD versions I have.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Maybe it's not the musicianship at all - maybe the sound quality isn't up to it. Were the guitar & drums recorded less than perfectly?
Could this be the result of musicians not playing together but recording their parts separately?
Is your 'best possible' system telling you the truth?

Just a few thoughts!

[lurcher]

His phrasing and string bending is extremely amateurish.

Each to his own, but I think the one thing that stands out in Gilmour's playing is his string bending and phrasing. For me the slightly more harsh sound of the guitar (as compared to the fuller sound of the playing on the wall) matches the feeling of the song

[AlanS]

Actually, I'm just enjoying the SACD version of "Freewheeling Bob Dylan", and the sound is absolutely gorgeous. Not sure what early Dylan have you found sounding crappy, but all of his albums from the early-mid '60s sound divine to my ears. Especially the SACD versions I have.

Theres a coincidence.

You will not like this but we bought vinyl and played it a lot so they are worn. I could not give a tuck for the SQ it's the music - your clearly too young to understand. We listen to the music not the SQ.

Vinyl has soul get yourself some of either.

[magiccarpetride]

Each to his own, but I think the one thing that stands out in Gilmour's playing is his string bending and phrasing. For me the slightly more harsh sound of the guitar (as compared to the fuller sound of the playing on the wall) matches the feeling of the song

I was under the same impression. I'm a guitar player, so I welcomed the opportunity to see if I could lift some tricks off that old workhorse.

Instead, got a rude awakening -- this dude is trying, really trying, trying real hard to get into that black swampy territory of string bending, but ended up falling short.

Believe me, as an experienced guitar player, I can tell you that it's quite easy, extremely easy to bend strings the way David is doing. Try playing the way Albert King does... now that's another story altogether.

[magiccarpetride]

Theres a coincidence.

You will not like this but we bought vinyl and played it a lot so they are worn. I could not give a tuck for the SQ it's the music - your clearly too young to understand. We listen to the music not the SQ.

Vinyl has soul get yourself some of either.

Hey, same as yourself, I'm a Senior Member here, so no digs at my age please.

I agree -- same as with the Beatles, even on a shittiest Japanese mobile transistor radio manufactured in 1961, listened through that godawful white ear plug, that music sounds awesome.

But it only gains in power as you inch your way toward more realistic sound reproduction. Bob Dylan on SACD -- you haven't lived if you haven't heard "Freewheeling" in that format. CD has nothing on that baby!

I don't doubt even for a minute that it sounds even better on good vinyl...

[Stratmangler]

OK, so you're a better guitarist than Gilmour.

Which albums have you recorded and with which band/bands ?
Give us all an idea of your musical accomplishments.
Or shut up.
I think I'd prefer the latter, if I'm being completely honest.:ner:

[lurcher]

Believe me, as an experienced guitar player, I can tell you that it's quite easy, extremely easy to bend strings the way David is doing. Try playing the way Albert King does... now that's another story altogether.

I wonder if you may be conflating something being hard to play with something being musically worthwhile. I know from first hand experience that can be a bit of a guitarist disease. IMHO, the question should never be "can I play it", with enough practice most things are possible, but "could I have created it".

[John]

I agree with Nick its to easy to be critical for me his playing works in the context of the song but like nearly everyone else here I grown up with this song
If you do not like the solo fair enough I am also a guitarist and I enjoy it
I love when guitarist say that crap bec I can do it ......this so misses the point
If you want great phrasing listen to Jeff Beck if you want really difficult string bending listen to Prasanna but remember its about the context of the song

[SteveW]

Great album and I agree with Dave, the Doug Sax re-master sounds damn fine to me.
Saw them do some of it live at Knebworth, just plain awesome :)

Ah yes Knebworth.
Must have been 75 (edit- just looked it up!)Something like that.
What I vividly remember though, despite the wackiness, was waiting for pink Floyd to come on. It had been a lovely day, with various bands interspersed with monty python characters. Then there was a lull as the daylight softened, and a calm voice announced over the tannoy ' Ladies and gentlemen, we are just waiting for the sun to go down'
Just as the sun set, a real life Spitfire and Hurricane buzzed the stage, and I think they went into Dark side.

[Covenant]

Steve, It was DSOTM. There was a huge eye projected on the back of the stage and a rocket (suspended from a wire) fired from behind the crowd down to the stage. Best concert I ever went to.
In my opinion, Gilmour new exactly what he was doing with his guitar in SOYCD. It sound far way and is a lament, a tribute to a former friend and colleague. To play it any other way would not get the message across.

[DSJR]

In an interview for another programme a good few months ago, Mr Gilmour was being interviewed, I think, on his house-boat. he picked up his guitar and played the intro to the title track and my goose bumps goose bumped... he knows what he's doing alright - and who ever said that most rock musicians (as against prog ones) were extremely profficient technically? I mean, to me, it's not how good you are, but what you can do with the talents you have...

[SteveW]

A couple of years ago, I remember John Watson of Mana telling me that Floyd had used Mana under the monitoring speakers.. and I seem to also recall that they recognized this in credits some where. Must have a look..

[lurcher]

he picked up his guitar and played the intro to the title track and my goose bumps goose bumped

And given that he owns the 1957 Strat he does and Fender make a Gilmour replica, I think we can assume the tone in question was not due to being forced to play a Squire, and was by choice.

[Stratmangler]

I'd like to get my hands on the 1954 Strat he has, serial no.0001 .:eyebrows:

[WAD62]

Sometimes musicians want a particular sound, 'Warts and All', not everyone wants to sound like the LSO.

Will Holland recorded all the drum tracks for Quantic Soul Orchestra's first album in his garden shed with sellotape around the sticks, because he wanted to simulate the sound of a cheap beat box.

Some comments on here remind me of the great line from 'Bad News On Tour'...

'I could play 'Stairway to Heaven' when I was 12...Jimmy Page didn't even write it until he was 21'

[magiccarpetride]

I wonder if you may be conflating something being hard to play with something being musically worthwhile. I know from first hand experience that can be a bit of a guitarist disease. IMHO, the question should never be "can I play it", with enough practice most things are possible, but "could I have created it".

In my case, it's the other way around. I am admittedly such a lousy guitarist, that if even I can play something, that means that it must be super easy.

That's why I said that I wasn't bowled over his solo on that track, because even I, with my shitty playing abilities, can easily play something like that.

On the other hand, put something by Mr. Albert King, and watch me become all thumbs. There is no way that I will ever be able to play anything even remotely close to what Albert is doing.

Same goes for Hendrix, of course. There is a good reason why these players are much larger legends than Pink Floyd's lead guitarist.

[magiccarpetride]

OK, so you're a better guitarist than Gilmour.

Which albums have you recorded and with which band/bands ?
Give us all an idea of your musical accomplishments.
Or shut up.
I think I'd prefer the latter, if I'm being completely honest.:ner:

Hey, I never said that I'm better guitarist than Gilmour. Don't put words in my mouth.

I am not a musician, so your request is way out of line.

I do apologize, however, if I have inadvertently hurt your feelings by deriding your favorite guitarist, or band, or album. That wasn't my intention, I merely wanted to hear other people's impressions about that song. I used to adore it in my youth, but now, returning to it 30 years later, I find it somewhat lacking.

But chalk that up to my personal taste, and things will get back to normal for you in no time.

[Jonboy]

I used to adore it in my youth, but now, returning to it 30 years later, I find it somewhat lacking.



I'm afraid thats the truth about most things in life, keep them as fond memories, they are what they are

[magiccarpetride]

Maybe it's not the musicianship at all - maybe the sound quality isn't up to it. Were the guitar & drums recorded less than perfectly?
Could this be the result of musicians not playing together but recording their parts separately?
Is your 'best possible' system telling you the truth?

Just a few thoughts!

Makes sense, and thanks for bringing it up. What confuses me is the sharp contrast (to me) between the gorgeously performed and recorded synthesizer swirls, the larger-than-life drums (which sound actually breathtaking), the ultra deep and spacious bass, and the pathetic, brittle sounding and paper thin electric guitar.

But, as others have commented here, it must be definitely by design. There is something in that super annoying (to me) brittleness that must be the message that Floyd wanted to give us, and it's not registering with me.

Oh well, no biggie, everyone back to work!

[magiccarpetride]

I'm afraid thats the truth about most things in life, keep them as fond memories, they are what they are

Like that first fuck on the first date?

[Jonboy]

Like that first fuck on the first date?


If i fuck on the first date and only have first dates then they will all be good

[Welder]

Ah well, so much for aural memeory…….any memeory come to that :eyebrows:
Maybe got confused with the other occasions I’ve seen Floyd.
Once was definitely at Earls Court and they did The Wall……I think :eyebrows:
Can’t remember the other but it was after Knebworth…….erm possibly :doh:

I do remember at Knebworth the Quad sound set up and the wire that ran down to the stage. Oh arr, it was evening, but what I saw on the wire was a plane, not a rocket :scratch:
Ffs, I can’t have been that out of it can I? I managed to ride the bike home :eek:

Anyway Wish You Were Here is still a fine album and i distinctly remember Motorhead doing it at the Roundhouse................wasn't it? :doh:

[Stratmangler]

Hey, I never said that I'm better guitarist than Gilmour. Don't put words in my mouth.

I am not a musician, so your request is way out of line.

I do apologize, however, if I have inadvertently hurt your feelings by deriding your favorite guitarist, or band, or album. That wasn't my intention, I merely wanted to hear other people's impressions about that song. I used to adore it in my youth, but now, returning to it 30 years later, I find it somewhat lacking.

But chalk that up to my personal taste, and things will get back to normal for you in no time.

You haven't hurt my feelings at all - I just find picking holes in things over a third of a century on to be a somewhat strange and irritating pursuit.

As I have already stated WYWH is what it is, and to start criticising the project's participants and their efforts is a meaningless exercise.

Now Animals, that's something else. Animals is an album I did not get on with when it was first released.:eek:

[lurcher]

On the other hand, put something by Mr. Albert King, and watch me become all thumbs. There is no way that I will ever be able to play anything even remotely close to what Albert is doing.

Same goes for Hendrix, of course. There is a good reason why these players are much larger legends than Pink Floyd's lead guitarist.

Ahh, well, now we are all keen but learning guitarists together, can I just pass on a very important point I realised when I was still following the "if I can just play that line I will be a proper guitar player" spiral into self doubt.

Just because you cant play what Albert King does doesn't make you any worst a player. It may well be that if you find your own voice whatever it sounds like, Albert would have had just as much trouble playing it. All the great rock players found what they could play well, and worked at becoming great by playing it with conviction until everyone else realised how great it was as well.

Hendrix learnt a lot from Albert King and Buddy Guy tis true, and probably every other musician he heard, but I think he knew it was more important to know when to stop trying to copy and to create his own voice.

[magiccarpetride]

Ahh, well, now we are all keen but learning guitarists together, can I just pass on a very important point I realised when I was still following the "if I can just play that line I will be a proper guitar player" spiral into self doubt.

Just because you cant play what Albert King does doesn't make you any worst a player. It may well be that if you find your own voice whatever it sounds like, Albert would have had just as much trouble playing it. All the great rock players found what they could play well, and worked at becoming great by playing it with conviction until everyone else realised how great it was as well.

Hendrix learnt a lot from Albert King and Buddy Guy tis true, and probably every other musician he heard, but I think he knew it was more important to know when to stop trying to copy and to create his own voice.

Very true, but not applicable to my case, because I am not a musician. Meaning, I don't have to find my own voice on the guitar, I'm just having a blast playing it. It's a hobby.

[magiccarpetride]

You haven't hurt my feelings at all - I just find picking holes in things over a third of a century on to be a somewhat strange and irritating pursuit.

As I have already stated WYWH is what it is, and to start criticising the project's participants and their efforts is a meaningless exercise.

Maybe it's meaningless to you, in which case why even bother to join the bullshit session? Go play your PS3. To me, it may be meaningful if only to hear what other knowledgeable folks have to say on that topic.

One more thing: as far as I'm aware, it's not like it's this forum's rule that you absolutely have to respond to everything I post in here. Trust me, you can afford to let it slide, nothing bad's gonna happen to you.

[Stratmangler]

http://imcdb.org/images/028/824.jpg

[MartinT]

Ah yes Knebworth.
Must have been 75 (edit- just looked it up!)Something like that.
What I vividly remember though, despite the wackiness, was waiting for pink Floyd to come on. It had been a lovely day, with various bands interspersed with monty python characters. Then there was a lull as the daylight softened, and a calm voice announced over the tannoy ' Ladies and gentlemen, we are just waiting for the sun to go down'
Just as the sun set, a real life Spitfire and Hurricane buzzed the stage, and I think they went into Dark side.

Ah yes, I was there too. I remember they had electrical problems but it didn't spoil the show at all.

[MartinT]

For me, Gilmour is the antithesis of a guitar pyrotechnic like Joe Satriani (whom I also like a lot) but no less a master technician. Few, if any, performers make a guitar sing like he does and I don't believe it's easy at all or we'd have more copy-cat maestros. To close your eyes and listen is to hear a unique sound, instantly recognisable over the years and something he has made his own. He has nothing left to prove but I do hope he continues performing for a while yet.

I hear that he may make an appearance at Roger Waters' concerts next year. Good, as I'll be going.

[Beechwoods]

Gilmour has never been regarded as a particularly 'technical' player - he has a sound, and people like it. Shine On was a group track first and foremost, and like Echoes, it works as a whole rather than the sum of it's parts. I found Jerry's comment bang on the money... Gilmour was characterising absence; something not there... and frankly that's where Gilmour had his genius; in creating that synergy with the other band members, particularly Rick Wright musically and Waters lyrically, to emote.

I do scratch my head when anyone trashes the abilities of musicians who have more than proved themselves over the years. Many have tried to ape Gilmour's contribution to the Floyd; think of Waters' live shows, or Momentary Lapse (Gilmour apes Gilmour!) but nothing approaches how those guys sounded together at the time. It's not about technical proficiency, it's about feeling.

[Beechwoods]

I hear that he may make an appearance at Roger Waters' concerts next year. Good, as I'll be going.

True! Gilmour said he'd play Comfortably Numb at one of Roger's gigs next year. I hope it's the one I'm going to! They had a rapprochement a while back... Roger was persuaded to do a thing with Dave for one of Dave's charities; and Dave said he'd reciprocate :)

It's a shame they're not touring 'More' instead of The Wall, mind!

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Alex, I wonder is your system a bit bright or harsh in the high frequencies ... Your complaints always surround things that sound hard edged or thin ... Maybe there is something in the sound of the guitar that is highlighting some minor issue in your set up...
I am very happy with my system, in the same way your seem to be with yours, but you are very often commenting on problems with sound that seem to be along the same lines ... Or am I missing somthing?

I know the track in question quite well and I have never notices anything that annoys me at all ...

[AlanS]

Alex, I wonder is your system a bit bright or harsh in the high frequencies ... Your complaints always surround things that sound hard edged or thin ... Maybe there is something in the sound of the guitar that is highlighting some minor issue in your set up...
I am very happy with my system, in the same way your seem to be with yours, but you are very often commenting on problems with sound that seem to be along the same lines ... Or am I missing somthing?

I know the track in question quite well and I have never notices anything that annoys me at all ...

It's his speakers

[magiccarpetride]

Alex, I wonder is your system a bit bright or harsh in the high frequencies ... Your complaints always surround things that sound hard edged or thin ... Maybe there is something in the sound of the guitar that is highlighting some minor issue in your set up...
I am very happy with my system, in the same way your seem to be with yours, but you are very often commenting on problems with sound that seem to be along the same lines ... Or am I missing somthing?

I know the track in question quite well and I have never notices anything that annoys me at all ...

You could be right. My Maggies are very airy, so that may contribute to the less than satisfactory sound they're getting for Gilmoure's Strat.

But at the same time, Hendrix's Strat is as sweet as a pot of honey on my system. You can literally bathe in it. Liquid and dripping.

[AlanS]

You could be right. My Maggies are very airy, so that may contribute to the less than satisfactory sound they're getting for Gilmoure's Strat.

But at the same time, Hendrix's Strat is as sweet as a pot of honey on my system. You can literally bathe in it. Liquid and dripping.

And what is this best possible amp of yours?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

You can't really make a comparison between 2 different guitars recorded at different times though...
In my books a good system should highlight bad recording techniques, the fact you are listening to cd or a compressed format rather than high res etc etc... But if it's doing that to the point of reducing your enjoyment of the music then it's a downfall of the system... Or a downfall of your mentality toward it ... In this instance, due to the evidence of you posts I'd say it's the former ... And I don't mean that to pick at your kit... But your obviously not happy for some reason...

[Batty]

I find the whole LP totally absorbing and wonderful on my humble system.

[WAD62]

OK firstly thanks for making me listen to WYWH on my new computer audio system...(m-audio 2496, QED 3, Muse M21 EX, QED Silver anniversary bi-wire, Mission 780SE(modded))

...it sounds great!

There are several 'strat' tracks and overdubs on SOYCD, and you can bet that Gilmour spent ages getting the sound he wanted on each one, they were notoriously picky.

At the risk of repeating myself musicians have a particular sound in mind, and they strive for that, sometimes it doesn't work, but in this case it patently does.

A big fat overdrive sound would have completely changed the atmosphere of the track, this is not a Rory Gallagher bluesy rock out, they've tried to capture/create a more unnatural guitar sound, probably via a multitude of effects, gating, compression etc.

Heaven help us if you buy a telecaster, you'll be complaining about the production on Clash albums, or that Muddy Waters wad a fumbling amateur...

[DSJR]

Many of the Maggies I've heard need LOTS pf power to get 'em to go. many amps just aren't powerful enough and a lot of ss type amps don't clip very gracefully either when they're pushed to the limit.

[magiccarpetride]

Many of the Maggies I've heard need LOTS pf power to get 'em to go. many amps just aren't powerful enough and a lot of ss type amps don't clip very gracefully either when they're pushed to the limit.

You say 'many', does that mean there are some Maggies you've heard that don't need lots of power? I though all Maggie models were power hungry.

[AlanS]

You say 'many', does that mean there are some Maggies you've heard that don't need lots of power? I though all Maggie models were power hungry.

No petty quibbling now, dodging the questions. Being upfront whats your amp and model of speakers? Have they been serviced recently?

[DSJR]

You say 'many', does that mean there are some Maggies you've heard that don't need lots of power? I though all Maggie models were power hungry.

I have heard many different maggies over the years, but certainly not all of them by any means. The "many" I have heard do seem to need loads of power and are quite capable of reproducing a clipping or ringing amp with ease.

Better now? :)

[Rare Bird]

I wonder why it is i don't own this album, the one before & after!

[magiccarpetride]

You can't really make a comparison between 2 different guitars recorded at different times though...
In my books a good system should highlight bad recording techniques, the fact you are listening to cd or a compressed format rather than high res etc etc... But if it's doing that to the point of reducing your enjoyment of the music then it's a downfall of the system... Or a downfall of your mentality toward it ... In this instance, due to the evidence of you posts I'd say it's the former ... And I don't mean that to pick at your kit... But your obviously not happy for some reason...

Out of thousands and thousands of tracks that I'm extremely happy with how they sound on my system, there is this one (and even this one bowled me over, it's only that Gilmour's guitar tone leaves me wanting for something better). Are you seriously suggesting someone is unhappy with their system if there is a once in a blue moon objection to how certain instrument sounds?

Oddly enough, I've just checked Gilmour's guitar solo on "Another Brick In The Wall", and am happy to report that the sound of his Strat is to die for. Smooth and silky and liquid, it sounds like dripping honey. I'd assume that he was using pretty much the same, or similar Fender Strat that he used on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". So the difference in guitar sounds on these two tracks are definitely down to David's conscious decision. Obviously, when he wants to, he can make his Strat sound juicy. For some reason unclear to me, he chose his Strat to sound brittle and dry on "Shine On". Oh well, life goes on...

Also, the mastery of playing on the "Brick In The Wall" is way more sophisticated than on "Shine On" (at least to my ears). And yes, for those who are wondering, I've tried to copy that solo and no, I couldn't come even close. Way more nuanced, with lots of subtlety and finesse. Went completely over my head, swooosh!

[magiccarpetride]

I have heard many different maggies over the years, but certainly not all of them by any means. The "many" I have heard do seem to need loads of power and are quite capable of reproducing a clipping or ringing amp with ease.

Better now? :)

Of course, that's a well known fact. Maggies are the most inefficient speakers ever made. I was just curious if there is an oddball Maggie out there that you know of that is not power hungry. Obviously not...

[magiccarpetride]

No petty quibbling now, dodging the questions. Being upfront whats your amp and model of speakers? Have they been serviced recently?

I'm using DSP 2000s pre amp and DPA 200s power amp (serviced in April this year) driving the pair of recently (January this year) fully modded Magnepan MG-1 IMP speakers (5 feet tall, 24 inches wide). This combo sounds so incredibly good that you're convinced that you died and went to heaven. Many audiophile friends who come over for a look-see-hear comment that they may have heard a system sounding this good, only it was at least a $80,000 - 100,000 system.

[AlanS]

Alex
Have you tried the version of SOYCD on Pulse? Seek it if not and compare.

[lurcher]

I think its more likely that the chosen tone on the recording is just not as nice, no reason to blame the system, its not always the case that everyone likes everything. I do think that the entire LP is talking about loss and cynicism so I think the guitar tone is chosen to reflect that.

The Wiki artical on the recording does make it sound like a unpleasent time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_You_Were_Here_%28Pink_Floyd_album%29

I do agree though that the tone on the Brick in the wall solo sets a standard thats hard to follow.

[DSJR]

Always good to read the background behind a classic album's creation. Perhaps this goes a long way to explaining the "sonics" too.

I think that, by "Animals," the band had got their teeth back ;)

[webby]

What a funny thread!

[WAD62]

What a funny thread!

I particularly enjoyed Chris's visual response on page 4 :lolsign:

[snapper]

Saw them do some of it live at Knebworth, just plain awesome :)


Ah yes Knebworth.
Must have been 75 (edit- just looked it up!)Something like that.
What I vividly remember though, despite the wackiness, was waiting for pink Floyd to come on. It had been a lovely day, with various bands interspersed with monty python characters. Then there was a lull as the daylight softened, and a calm voice announced over the tannoy ' Ladies and gentlemen, we are just waiting for the sun to go down'
Just as the sun set, a real life Spitfire and Hurricane buzzed the stage, and I think they went into Dark side.


Best concert I ever went to.




I do remember at Knebworth the Quad sound set up and the wire that ran down to the stage. Oh arr, it was evening, but what I saw on the wire was a plane, not a rocket :scratch:
Ffs, I can’t have been that out of it can I? I managed to ride the bike home :eek:



Ah yes, I was there too. I remember they had electrical problems but it didn't spoil the show at all.

For those that were at Knebworth,does anybody remember John Martyn playing?

"John Martyn walks on stage carrying an acoustic guitar, calmly sits down in a chair as thousands of stoned, impatient Floyd fans scream 'We don't want fucking FOLK music, we want the FLOYD.' Plugs into a huge panel of effects boxes, turns up to 11 and proceeds to blow everyone away for 25 minutes. Gets a huge standing ovation."

I would love to hear of anyone's memories of him.

[Haselsh1]

Hmmm... I'm a bit misguided here because the only times I've seen Gilmour he was playing a Telecaster.

[WAD62]

Hmmm... I'm a bit misguided here because the only times I've seen Gilmour he was playing a Telecaster.

What like this one...

uLJ_QVfT_wM

...that's some weird 'Telecaster', you must have seen 'Live at Pompeii', if not I envy you, I'd love to see it for the first time again.

[Haselsh1]

I've now seen Gilmour three times over a period of quite a few years and he was using a dark red sunburst Telecaster on each occasion.

[WAD62]

I've now seen Gilmour three times over a period of quite a few years and he was using a dark red sunburst Telecaster on each occasion.

OK, however this thread is called 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond', and on that he used a...

[Haselsh1]

OK, however this thread is called 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond', and on that he used a...

Not during the gigs I saw he didn't but I'll let it go for the sake of things getting petty.

[WAD62]

Not during the gigs I saw he didn't but I'll let it go for the sake of things getting petty.

I'll bow to your 1st hand experience, I only saw them once in '79 :)

[Welder]

Hi Martin.

Hmm, I must have been in a worse state than I thought because I don’t remember John Martyn being there, let alone hearing him play :scratch:
Odd really because I like John Martyn and I’ve seen him a few times elsewhere.

[MartinT]

I don't remember John Martyn either, but it was another lifetime ago. I do remember Captain Beefheart and The Steve Miller Band, though. It was Pink Floyd I went to hear, though, and I didn't come away disappointed. Quite a trek for me on my own, that was.

[Rare Bird]

I dislike DSOTM & WYWH immensely but i think i know why people like em.

[WAD62]

Like the Avatar Andre...;)

[Rare Bird]

;)