Iain_P wrote:But back to the Ventures.
I'm inclined to agree. They have made some very good records and seem to have been around for ever. I can't say there was anything specific about their sound that I thought was characteristic or could nail in my mind. If you played me a Ventures record I hadn't heard and told me it was somebody else playing I'd happily accept that -- and vice versa. - Iain
I agree completely, Iain. The reason is that there is no such thing as a Ventures "sound." I should have been more specific when I started the thread; I should have said "How to get Bob Bogle's early sound, specifically 'Walk Don't Run,' 'Blue Moon,' maybe certain others."
I admire Nokie's skill as a guitarist, but it was Bogle's early, simpler style that attracted me. If Nokie has been the Ventures' lead from the beginning, thin strings and all, the Ventures may never have appealed to me. I know though that most Ventures fans tend to identify more with Nokie and the Mossrite years. It's just a question of personal preferences and likes.
I am close I think to Bogle's sound now, so that is quite exciting to me. But what is strange is that there are at least three major forums dedicated to capturing the Shadows' sound and and several regional ones, but absolutely none on the Ventures. There are good backing tracks for the Shadows pieces, but, except for some Japanese versions (played usually at a much faster tempo than original), there are none for the Ventures. Perhaps, that underlies a major difference between the two groups.
Best,
Andy