Toys?

This is just about nerdy guitar player stuff...or is it?

I've been playing guitar since I was 12 years old. I got my first electric guitar and amplifier at 14. It's fair to say that since its invention in the 1940s the electric guitar has revolutionized modern music. 

   

1941

It has a unique sound, completely different from an acoustic guitar. This is due to the design and function of the guitar pickup, which is basically a rudimentary microphone. The tone is hard to describe, maybe the word "twang" is a place to start, something like the sound produced when two pieces of metal are banged together. This is then processed through amplifier electronics that allow one to alter the frequencies produced, beginning with bass and treble; low and high tones. Early amps only had those two controls.     

    Most all of the music recorded in the 60s used these amps, and if you listen back to those records you'll notice the guitars basically all sounded alike. One thing that was added to records in those days was reverberation, which only could be created by using physical echo chambers in studios, but very soon an electronic reverb was invented and subsequently incorporated into amplifiers. It was a big deal. In fact, one company, Fender, even branded their amps as "Fender Reverb". 

    One good example of reverb is "Sleepwalk", by Santo and Johnny, a track that inspired me as an aspiring guitar player. Another was The Ventures, an instrumental guitar band from the era. 

My First Pedal

    This was beginning of a flood of inventions to alter the sound of guitars, and for players to create unique signatures. At first they were packaged in cumbersome metal boxes, but with the development of the integrated circuit they could be miniaturized and built into small boxes and operated with a foot switch, called effects pedals or "stomp boxes", and now just about every guitar player uses one or more. 

    When I began performing publicly I first resolved to not use any effects, to just be organic and unembellished, but over time I've added a few, to expand my sound. With them, I can actually simulate a group for some songs.

   Most people don't know much about electronics, but this technology surrounds us and affects every aspect of modern life. The discovery of the electron, and the subsequent inventions that use its properties can be equated with the discovery of fire. It's a relatively new development in the advancement of civilization and has engendered an acceleration unprecedented in human history. Yet, it's taken for granted. 

    So take a moment, look around and appreciate that we are fortunate to live in a time that future generations will look back on and call the Dawn of Technology. As much as we benefit from the conveniences of smart phones and big screen TVs, and yes, stomp boxes, it's just the beginning.

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

Singer/Songwriter Rick Millward lived and worked on the West Coast until moving to Nashville in 2000. He was part of the Music City songwriter community, collaborating with other artists and producing projects in his boutique studio, including two EMMY nominated soundtracks. Now in Southern Oregon, Rick has discovered a vibrant local music scene centered around the many tasting rooms. 

His records: "Limited Edition", "Home for Good", and “Loveland” are available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. His new recordings, "Astronomy", will be released later this year.

LOVELAND ON SPOTIFY