Joe's tone has changed over the years as he's developed new pickups, amps, pedals, and so on...he's still always able to play pretty much everything, though, which should tell you that the majority of it is in his fingers.

Agreed. People who are new to guitar often fall into the trap of 'great tone', thinking they can buy it from guitar center. 90% of all tone of all players is in their fingers. The guitars, pedals, amps, strings, and setups and yada yada simply augment the innate tone that they carry with them wherever they go.

For example. Whether Eric Johnson is playing a gibson, or a fender, through a fender twin or a rectifier, it's STILL gonna sound like Eric in any combination of the above. That sweet, almost violin quality of his vibrato is gonna come through, because it's in his fingers. Same with Satch, Vai, and Malmsteen. Ok, well, Malmsteen was robbed of his unique tone by the countless legions of Yngwieinites who capitalized on his efforts and became arpeggiator robots. Most of them can be found on youtube these days sweeping away, all claiming to be the 'world record guitar speed' holder!

The finger's part in the 'tone' can't really be 'learned' in my opinion. It can, but it takes time and feeling in order to nail it. That's the cool thing about guitar though. There are so many subtleties that can come through in your playing once you've found an identity with your instrument, that it's literally possible for your guitar voice to be as unique as your fingerprint. Hell, your fingerprints probably have something to do with your tone at some microscopic subcutaneous level.

Of course, I'm not saying that equipment won't have a big impact on your tone. Absolutely it will! But again, it's more of an augmentation of what's already there in the relationship between your fingers and your strings. SRV's tone probably would not have been half as sweet if he wasn't playing those monster-thick cables on those old strats. In fact, his tone likely suffered in the form of detuning whenever he picked up a shred guitar with really light gauge strings.

My own music (myspace.com/sonicenergy) reflects what's between my fingers, the strings, and my wang bar (the one on my guitar). I'm no Joe, Vai, or Johnson, and will never be, but I have my own ID with the guitar, and I like to think it's unique. I didn't search it out or try to copy anyone to arrive at it, and in the process, I've found something that I can call my own. It's not as fast or precise as some of the really great players who log hours a day, but it's there nonetheless, and I have loads of fun with it!

hey guys....
Maria's funeral is at 12:00 [Dutch time] on Monday....
I'm flying over there on Sunday to spend a few days with her family...
I finished writing and recording the song that I'll be playing for her at the funeral last night.. i
it's called: Sur la Mer de Tranquilté

it's nice and simple.. no fireworks... just pretty...
first time I played the solos over it blubbed like a babe right the way through....
I'm kind of looking forward to playing for her, and kind of not too...

I think that when I get back from Holland I'll record the lead guitars and post the song up in her memory..
my own lil' tribute to her...
and also my way of saying thanks for all the amazing things she did for me...

Maria wants Requiem and Virtus Junxit Mors Non Seperabit played at her funeral..
something she decided quite some time ago...

for all the amazing songs out there she chose two of mine....

jeez... she can still make me smile even after she's gone...
what a phenomenally beautiful person...

you guys are simply awesome

love you all....

Hi Joe, I went to your presentation at the Jockey Club - Lima, Perú. It was really great! I just wanted to tell u that we all were very very happy to have the oportunity to see u live. Hope u come again, maybe for a masterclass.

Cya!

Hybes, here ya go - Shove The Sun Aside I got my husband the "Got Riffs" t-shirt. He loves it. lol!

Michelle - Happy Birthday 4 yrs old hey well they say life begins at 40 :) :) :) ..

Thanks Jamie, I feel younger already. LOL!!

Wooleyman, now you can get a HELL YEAH! Maybe even a few. lol! My friend called me and wanted to toast me over the phone, so I filled the shotglass and let out a hell yeah before I slammed it. LOL! Then I laughed and thought of you cause I forgot all about it until that moment.. lol!

Happy b'day Michelle, sounds like we are the same age...

I can relate to your bathroom story - I went to the Jeff Fenech - Azuma Nelson title fight (or maybe it was Fighting Harada) at the Melbourne Tennis Centre and there was NOBODY in the women's toilets - first time and last time that has ever happened, I felt like staying in there to revel in it.

Just an update,

Australia:- 22 million people, 5 Gold, 7 Silver 8 Bronze *sniff* we love our sports........

You all must be excited about Joe's American tour starting soon?? Who is going to which shows? Alan I would love to come with you but it's a 22 hour flight......

Ugh, tonight was crazy...two people were out sick. Our deadline is 10:30 but we didn't end up finishing until midnight. I'm glad I have Saturday off...

Anyway, it looks like you registered here a few years ago and posted a bit but then got quiet. It's cool to see you back.

I can't think of a better example to show that tone is in the fingers.

Have you had a chance to listen to any of the Dream Theater music I sent you? I know I gave you a ton of stuff, so I don't know if you've had the time to get through it all...

Back to Satch, I've seen him play War a few times. He played it a bit on the ITLIS? tour (a live version is on the G3 2005 CD and DVD), and then he played it on the G3 2007 tour as well. I don't remember if Joe played it earlier in this tour, but he just added Motorcycle Driver so I have a feeling if War was in the set it was dropped in favor of MD. I don't know for sure, though.

DoTheStu: Unfortunately, I was somewhere with no tv, phone reception...or internet. Ah well, got some good cycling done anyway.

And great vid, I agree--it's all in the fingers.

Clarky: I just found out today about Maria's illness & passing. Her husband thoughtfully sent me an email on the 12th but for some reason I couldn't open it. My condolences to you. Please give my Love & sympathy to her family. I'm happy that you got to see her last week. She was such a wonderful lady and friend. I am glad that I got to know her, we had a special bond. She was like a sister even though I only knew her a short time. I will miss her. I'll be thinking of Maria and playing your CD this weekend. One of your songs will be on our wedding set-list. ;) Email when you can....

Life has been such a rollercoster lately..... my wedding is 43 days away, coming FAST. My condo is up for sale and I have a job interview lined up hopefully another to come. Steven (my fiance) had some bad news on Thursday, I'll have to share it later....we're still absorbing it. But when I think about Maria none of this other stuff really matters. What really matters is the people in our lives, the love that is shared and how we are better for having known them.

Nice to see some familiar faces.... I've missed JOe & everyone here. Hope all's well. Have a great day. It's just beautiful here today... can't ask for nicer weather to chase away the Blues.

Hi Satch, your show in Colombia was great, i never hoped to see you that near an listen to your music that loud and clear... I had no chance to talk to you or even say "hi" but doesn't matter, because we all hope you come back again very shortly, alone or with another two G's, you know what i mean.

Warm Regards

hello, just a quickie!

hope you all ok, satcher dudes and Mr.S

been busy with website,

MY PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

be real cool if you lot would have a look please, i canny play a guitar so heres my creative joy!

anyway if you have time let me know what you think,cheers

all the best

dom