Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal --- Appreciation Thread v3.0

[Dark Angel]

Dont think. I just know i do what i have to do for my site. Will find a way. Wasnt easy in the beginning with all the "you have to create *this* ya self" And all the shit i had to edit when i had finaly installed some cos had to edit some finles so it would work on it. But dont think thats it?

[Dark Angel]

forum is down

nothing to do but wait

Yeah but no need for waiting any longer! Its BACK!!!!
Damn good to get the bumbleforum fix again.

[Rampton Hospital]

 

[Dark Angel]

That mans voice, his ability to playing... what cant he play?, his big heart of gold ect. One hell of a unique man! 

You have to hear this one. Bfoot, frank and talking metal dudes - Running Wild (judas cover). His voice is amazing on it!!!!!!:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FoBDwfCkMsE

[misterbrownstone]

awesome job.  i miss Brain.

[Bruno Poeys]

If you just focus on Thal's dazzling technique then you are missing out on 75% of his brilliance; not only is Ron better than just about everyone technique wise, he also writes really original, catchy and powerful songs. He's responsible for some of the most critically acclaimed (exceptionally creative) songwriting ever to come forth out of the virtuoso scene. Recorded in his own studio, relying on his own production-skills.

I just realized that few months ago - really, thanks for this thread, Slipdisc.
That's just a wow factor - if you focus on Thal's dazzling technique then you are missing out on 75% of his brilliance - and yet, he's better than just about everyone technique wise!

[The Spaghetti Incident?]

Buckethead is still better

[AxlBrownstone]

That mans voice, his ability to playing... what cant he play?, his big heart of gold ect. One hell of a unique man! 

You have to hear this one. Bfoot, frank and talking metal dudes - Running Wild (judas cover). His voice is amazing on it!!!!!!:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FoBDwfCkMsE

that's awesome!!! do you have it in audio for downloading?

[Slipdisc]

Buckethead is still better

Not by a long shot….

Maybe subjectively (that’s fine), objectively it's clear that:

Buckethead uses (way more) patterns where Ron is able to do complex improvisations
Ron has "perfect pitch" and Buckethead certainly not
Ron successfully explores (even) more genres than Buckethead
Ron has a photographic musical memory, Buckethead not
Ron has a MUCH better trained fretting hand due to extensive fretless playing
Ron has way more versatility in his chops
Ron's music is much more multidimensional
Ron’s music is more advanced in terms theory manipulation;
Ron’s music contains way more advanced rhythmic, melodic and harmonic concepts

I remember a couple of months ago I (and others) had to suggest Buckethead’s music to you, because you didn’t know shit about him. Now all of the sudden he’s the “be all and end all” of guitar playing. I’ve been closely following both these guys since the mid nineties (starting out as a Buckethead-fan, later discovering Ron), it’s completely absurd to downsize Ron in any regard when compared to Buckethead (or vice versa, for that matter). It's plain disrespectful to me and others to systematically use this thread for this infantile behavior.

-PEACE-

[Dark Angel]

that's awesome!!! do you have it in audio for downloading?

Of course. Here ya go:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ful2l8

[AxlBrownstone]

Of course. Here ya go:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ful2l8

thanks, but 5 minutes before i checked here i converted it myself at vixy.net
but thanks anyway

[Bruno Poeys]

This is what Del James said about Bumblefoot:

Bumblefoot is probably the most accessible member of GN'R. At times he's too nice and has to be reeled in from signing autographs in order to catch a bus or a flight. His six-string wizardry is of the highest level and the man literally knows every song ever recorded or if he doesn't only needs to hear something once. The walking Ipod entertains his brethren by playing the most obscure AM radio hits of the 70's, cheese metal, or TV theme songs. The band often tries to stump him with a request and rarely can.

Joe Satriani invited Bumblefoot to take part in a G3 tour... but I don't know if i should be talking about this.

There are 2 amazing reviews (from '93 and '89) that I'd like to post

GUITARIST NETWORK magazine
SEPTEMBER 1993
RON THAL

Ridiculous.  That is the one word that comes to mind when trying to describe Ron's music and playing.  Well maybe...  Nope.  Just ridiculous.  Now let's clarify, I mean ridiculous in a good way.  Like, "That's the most ridiculous arpeggio I've ever heard," or "That interval lick is just ridiculous."  Anyway, you get the idea.  Ron sent us a tape with four songs on it, two of them can be found on Mark Varney's "Guitar On the Edge 2 & 3," and one can be found on "Ominous Guitarists From the Unknown" from Mike Varney.  There are so many different styles and techniques here that are so cool, that it is hard to know where to start.  Ron has a sense of humor in his music that puts you in the mind of Vai, but that is the obvious surface comparison.  There is alot more to this guy than a comparison to only one player can get across.  Ron is extremely fast, but not in the typical "one string fast" kind of way.  He seems to be able to play equally fast whether he is ripping up a scale or playing some extreme intervals.  He also demonstrates some unique two-hand technique.  The thing about his music is that it isn't just 12-bar blues with riffs, there are stops, time changes, total chaotic moments, and grooves thrown in for good measure.  Ron is overall a guitar monster, just as good and better than most of the "big guys," we are glad he is involved with the Guitarist Network and you can expect to see more of him in future issues.

GUITAR PLAYER magazine
AUGUST 1989

Guitarist: Ron Thal
Age: 19
Influences: Yes, Beatles
Main Guitar: Bad Ronald Swiss Cheese Guitar


Inspired by Kiss at age six, Ron says his earliest musical goal was to play like Gene Simmons if someone decided to do a Kiss version of Beatlemania.  At the time his hands were too small for bass, so he focused his attention on guitar.  By eight he was covering Led Zeppelin tunes at block parties and even played a hotel in the Catskills.  He began playing copy tunes in clubs just five years later, and then focused on creating original material on his home 8-track.  Currently Ron solos and sings for the New York-based group Legend.  He recently entered the Sam Ash Guitar Solo Contest, played a spontaneous solo, and walked off with first prize.

Thal's demo tape is amongst the most impressive I've ever received.  It contains elements of classical, blues, and jazz, and at times reminds me of Frank Zappa.  His transcriptions are most impressive and detailed, so fans of hot transcriptions might be interested in seeing these musical masterpieces on paper.  With its clever melodies, contrapuntal lines, intricate rhythms, and ultra-complex ensemble sections, Ron's sheer musicality will surely gain him much acclaim.

[The Spaghetti Incident?]

Not by a long shot….

Maybe subjectively (that’s fine), objectively it's clear that:

Buckethead uses (way more) patterns where Ron is able to do complex improvisations
Ron has "perfect pitch" and Buckethead certainly not
Ron successfully explores (even) more genres than Buckethead
Ron has a photographic musical memory, Buckethead not
Ron has a MUCH better trained fretting hand due to extensive fretless playing
Ron has way more versatility in his chops
Ron's music is much more multidimensional
Ron’s music is more advanced in terms theory manipulation;
Ron’s music contains way more advanced rhythmic, melodic and harmonic concepts

I remember a couple of months ago I (and others) had to suggest Buckethead’s music to you, because you didn’t know shit about him. Now all of the sudden he’s the “be all and end all” of guitar playing. I’ve been closely following both these guys since the mid nineties (starting out as a Buckethead-fan, later discovering Ron), it’s completely absurd to downsize Ron in any regard when compared to Buckethead (or vice versa, for that matter). It's plain disrespectful to me and others to systematically use this thread for this infantile behavior.

-PEACE-

..Ok, so if I'm reading your facts right, that must mean Bumblefoot makes better music then? I dunno what you think of Blink 182 wanna be music you'd find on Normal, but I liked it for all of 5 minutes, and it was so good I now avoid it at every chance, however with Buckethead, and these are the albums I have, Crime Clunk Scene, Colma, Population Override (my fav album), Electric Tears, Acoustic Shards, even Dawn of the Deli Creeps, it's all music I could sit down and put on repeat for hours on end and not get bored with..

When has Nightrain or Knockin' on Heavens Door sounded better by the way? Maybe I'm bias because of months of repeated Bumblefan abuse on this forum, but I'm not seeing your point.

[William.Axl.Rose]

Not by a long shot….

Maybe subjectively (that’s fine), objectively it's clear that:

Buckethead uses (way more) patterns where Ron is able to do complex improvisations
Ron has "perfect pitch" and Buckethead certainly not
Ron successfully explores (even) more genres than Buckethead
Ron has a photographic musical memory, Buckethead not
Ron has a MUCH better trained fretting hand due to extensive fretless playing
Ron has way more versatility in his chops
Ron's music is much more multidimensional
Ron’s music is more advanced in terms theory manipulation;
Ron’s music contains way more advanced rhythmic, melodic and harmonic concepts

I remember a couple of months ago I (and others) had to suggest Buckethead’s music to you, because you didn’t know shit about him. Now all of the sudden he’s the “be all and end all” of guitar playing. I’ve been closely following both these guys since the mid nineties (starting out as a Buckethead-fan, later discovering Ron), it’s completely absurd to downsize Ron in any regard when compared to Buckethead (or vice versa, for that matter). It's plain disrespectful to me and others to systematically use this thread for this infantile behavior.

-PEACE-

think about it once again, please. ... and don't smoke too much of that PEACE ...

[gunner22]

I'm glad someone posted something on this thread.

I'm a big fan of Bumblefoot. I must admit I did not know him before he joined GNR, but thank god Axl called him to join the band, he's a great guitar player (he's the one that plays BH's solo, it shows that he's fucking skilled), the guy can sing, his solo albums are very good. He's a great guy, his interviews are always funny.

As much as I like BH, I like Bumblefoot more, I truly prefer him over BH on GNR. Unlike most of you I find their guitar playing very similar, and Bumblefoot gets my vote for not being a weirdo like Bucket, Bumble has stage presence, he shows his face...

And I wish people would stop comparing them...

Shackler's Revenge 

Catcher In The Rye 

Scraped 

Bumblefoot