AboutGeorge Armstrong Expertise I can answer questions about the music, the artists, the instruments, vocal and recording techniques, and many other aspects. I'm not Ras Tafarian, but I understand the culture and I love the music. My key interests are Dub, female artists, the influence of blues, and titles that express love and family support.
Experience I've been playing lead guitar and studying music for over 40 years. I've never played in a Reggae band. However, I've been studying Reggae on and off since the 1970's. I spend about 1 or 2 hours a week studying Reggae and Dub.
Education/Credentials I've paid my dues in the dance pit at The Wild Hair And Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary. Aside from that, I have a degree in Computer Science, and post graduate studies.
Question QUESTION: yeah ive been playing sublime for a couple of years and i just wanted to know how to make my guitar sound reggae
ANSWER: Hi Dylan,
Some suggestions are to get an old twin reverb or a Music Man twin reverb model amp. Try it with the stock speakers, but you may get more range out of 12 inch JBL's. Try the old Cry Baby wah wah, crack it into a higher range and adjust from there. The Cry Baby will add a crisp percussive sound that blends well with Reggae. Consider a reverb unit if your amp doesn't have one.
Thicker string gauges are harder to play, but offer that thick ring, with overtones that last longer. Try a 10, 11, or 12 gauge set rather than an 08 or 09 gauge. Use a stiffer pick. A ten gauge is a decent compromise; if you like to bend strings and add vibrato you can still perform those with ten gauge.
I suggest certain guitars are better for the job. In my early days, I'd see the Rhasta bands roll into the Wild Hare with all sorts of odd guitars: Dan Electrics, Jap strats, Guilds, not a lot of fancy stuff. They'd get a sound that fit as long as the steel drums were plenty loud. But, some pro guitars will do, such as the Fender Jaguar, an ES 135, Telecasters, and strats. Gibsons will work if you have JBL speakers. I use an equalizer to contour Gibson midrange, especially on recording sessions.
I have an old Epiphone with the thick single coil pickup, that's a fine Reggae sound. However, I mostly use Strats and Telecasters for Rock, Blues, Jazz, and Country Rock. Those guitars will work if you follow some of my other suggestions.
Other tips are use pro quality guitar cord, and don't use a lot of boxes on the floor! Each device has the impact of cutting the high overtones and octave voltages out of the wave form.
Please tell me what guitars you are using and I can assist further.
Thanks for the great question; I hope this helps! Regards, George
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QUESTION: thanks man that hepled a lot now what about the techionce that u do with youyr hands
Answer Hi Dylan,
I suggest for general Reggae rhythm guitar you need to play with a loose wrist. That's different from playing power chords where you might stiffen your wrist and hand to intensify a chord. A loose wrist allows you to get a smooth movement that enables you to strum the strings downward and upward with even strength. Don't choke up on the pick during rhythm until you want to emphasize a beat.
If your a right handed guitarist, the right is the "loose wrist". To get a syncopated rhythm, or a muffled back beat, use the palm of your right hand to damp the strings as needed. That enables you to get a percussive rhythm, or funk (funky groove).
Left hand for a right handed guitarist: I suggest open chords ring better, have more overtones, and enable more percussion. Combine open chords with damping the strings for a powerful combination.
