Tonefiend Forum

Actually there's some debate on which parts were played by Fripp and which by Paul Rudolph; a lot of people think Fripp getting credit for Rudolph's lead. there's lots of discussion about it in various forums, but here's one as an example...

https://www.headheritage.co.uk/headtohead/unsung/topic/1193/#18

oops, I didn't mean to sound like I was contradicting you - just pointing out a possibly never to be resolved debate! your mention of Keef though... I wonder what a jam session between him and Fripp would sound like!

Quote from Oinkus on January 5, 2013, 05:36
Actually have access to 707 down at the studio , think it would be worthwhile to update it with a newer/better pickup ? Think the whole issue with it is lack of cable and footswitch ? I can't remember things , but you guys are pretty sharp about most of this stuff.

The 707s didn't use the analog sound of the pickup as much as the earlier models but instead used the guitar to midi converter which was poor compared to today's tech. The pickups haven't changed all that much over the years electrically but physically they are more adaptable and adjustable. I would make sure the current pickup has proper string height (the strings need to be very close to any midi pickup something like 3/64") and as close to the bridge as possible if the strings are too high it will cause triggering to be shaky. AFAIR the midi pickup and guitar were well tweaked to each other on these guitars. You should make sure the individual string levels are calibrated as well, too hot or too weak makes the midi wonky. As far as new pickups the GK-3 is a really nice design but is mainly different to earlier models in mounting and adjustability they don't sound much different thru the analog 13 pin hex pedals I have.

But the most important thing with these or any midi guitar is that you need to learn to adjust your style to midi. You need to play very cleanly with the fretting hand, find the best position to pick and also adjust to the triggering lag which was considerable on these earlier models. I have heard people play some amazing stuff on this model but they obviously spent a lot of time learning the idiosyncrasies of them. Fripp was using a GR-1 for many years after newer models replaced it and he sounded great. I have a buddy that uses the GR-1 live all the time and he makes it work like a charm (I find it annoying to play). I have had a GR-30 since it came out in 1997 it is second nature to me. I've learned to play ahead to allow for triggering lag and all the other little intricacies and truth to tell no one hears a difference between me playing it or my new GR-55 triggering wise. IMHO the GR-55 solves most if not all those problems of the earlier models there is for me no noticeable tracking or triggering delay but then I am synth trained after all these years. Tho' many would disagree with me I think Roland hit a home run with the GR-55 the triggering is excellent the sounds are great, they added VG functionality, and a real first for Roland the factory patches are useful and cool (guess they finally had someone other than the engineers program the patches). Like other guitar synths I have used it to plays best with my fret less Dano guitarlin which may mean that the less harmonics the better (maybe some of the crappier coated strings would help the 707 ? But that's a wild guess on my part).

I'm sure you're probably right, but for arguments sake, if you've been listening to Warm Jets since its initial release (me too, actually*) and read the sleeve and always heard that solo with Fripp's name in mind, then at least a little of what you identify as his sound is based on that record - if you see what I mean. like I say, I'm just playing Devil's Advocate really - I'm not disputing your greater knowledge of Fripp's music. it does beg the question what parts Rudolph was playing though - it's not like there's a typical rhythm/lead mix in there.

(* you've no idea how frustrated I was at missing the chance to meet Eno by just 10 minutes about a decade ago!)

In fairness, somewhere in his diaries he does seem to suggest that the Rudolph story was someone's idea of an April Fools Day joke. But yes, the Blank Frank solo is pretty intense (you may well already know the story that Blank Frank is supposed to be about Bryan Ferry; both BF, after all).

You must look out for this month's Mojo magazine - the Fripp interview is well worth checking out.