Every group of people has a language that it speaks , outside of the common language of the place they happen to live . This “ language within a language ” is something you can only understand if you are a part of a group , a bit like a club . I realized this as a young child , when my father would have his doctor friends over for dinner . They would be blathering about internal hospital politics or the intricacies of some graphic ER operation , I would be sitting there trying to keep my food down when they started getting into the colorful details . Suffice it to say , I learned how to keep my food down in almost any situation , but I also learned that among doctors there is a language that they speak , that nobody but doctors can understand . I picked up a few words here and there , but like ancient Latin or my high school language class , it eluded me . Guitarists , like doctors , D & D players , and ham radio enthusiasts , have their own special languages as well . Doctors may have gone through eight or more grueling years of medical school , but try to explain to your primary physician why the JRC4558D is the best op amp for a Tube Screamer , or why maple spacers sound better in a PAF , and they ’ ll most likely admit you right then and there . The point here is , is that this languages we speak is what connects us all . I have spoken to guitar players , and pedal builders across the world , and language has been much less of a boundary in that then if I was just asking them how their day was . Our special language is what connects us as guitar players , and sets us apart from everyone else . Even though many have heard and can recognize the sound of the electric guitar , most people cannot tell the difference between a 5150 and a JTM-45 on a recording , or whether it was done with a Strat or a Les Paul . So pat yourself on the back my friend , you ’ re a unique individual .
There is something unquantifiable in the magic of the guitar , and all of us were drawn to it in one way or another . Whether it be earlier or later in life , we have all been bit by the bug , which is why I ’ m here and why you ’ re here . The sounds of the electric guitar have always fascinated the likes of us , perhaps more than the average Joe . We are not only satisfied with listening , but learning what went into the sounds and tones on our favorite records .
If you ’ re newly initiated into our guitarcentric lexicon , the vast and widespread use of tonal terms can be daunting , at the very least . This culture is one with very specific tastes and opinions , and like anywhere , civil debates can turn heated and vehement within a matter of seconds . So for you newbies , I ’ d like to help explain some of the basic terms you would hear on a forum , in a guitar shop , or anywhere guitarists congregate . For those of you who have been around the bush a few times , think of this as a romp through our very own lexicon . This little list is meant to attempt to explain the origins of some of these sayings , and what they refer to . Enjoy !
Every group of people has a language that it speaks , outside of the common language of the place they happen to live . This “ language within a language ” is something you can only understand if you are a part of a group , a bit like a club . I realized this as a young child , when my father would have his doctor friends over for dinner . They would be blathering about internal hospital politics or the intricacies of some graphic ER operation , I would be sitting there trying to keep my food down when they started getting into the colorful details . Suffice it to say , I learned how to keep my food down in almost any situation , but I also learned that among doctors there is a language that they speak , that nobody but doctors can understand . I picked up a few words here and there , but like ancient Latin or my high school language class , it eluded me . Guitarists , like doctors , D & D players , and ham radio enthusiasts , have their own special languages as well . Doctors may have gone through eight or more grueling years of medical school , but try to explain to your primary physician why the JRC4558D is the best op amp for a Tube Screamer , or why maple spacers sound better in a PAF , and they ’ ll most likely admit you right then and there . The point here is , is that this languages we speak is what connects us all . I have spoken to guitar players , and pedal builders across the world , and language has been much less of a boundary in that then if I was just asking them how their day was . Our special language is what connects us as guitar players , and sets us apart from everyone else . Even though many have heard and can recognize the sound of the electric guitar , most people cannot tell the difference between a 5150 and a JTM-45 on a recording , or whether it was done with a Strat or a Les Paul . So pat yourself on the back my friend , you ’ re a unique individual .
There is something unquantifiable in the magic of the guitar , and all of us were drawn to it in one way or another . Whether it be earlier or later in life , we have all been bit by the bug , which is why I ’ m here and why you ’ re here . The sounds of the electric guitar have always fascinated the likes of us , perhaps more than the average Joe . We are not only satisfied with listening , but learning what went into the sounds and tones on our favorite records .
If you ’ re newly initiated into our guitarcentric lexicon , the vast and widespread use of tonal terms can be daunting , at the very least . This culture is one with very specific tastes and opinions , and like anywhere , civil debates can turn heated and vehement within a matter of seconds . So for you newbies , I ’ d like to help explain some of the basic terms you would hear on a forum , in a guitar shop , or anywhere guitarists congregate . For those of you who have been around the bush a few times , think of this as a romp through our very own lexicon . This little list is meant to attempt to explain the origins of some of these sayings , and what they refer to . Enjoy !