Kossoff's burst in color (pre-strip)

[mistersnappy]

I'm really having a tough time accepting that the Isle Of Wight LP was "stripped" at that time. There's too much natural, as well as, "player" wear and aging going on, on the top. Not to mention the rusty/reddish/brown happening on the side of the headstock and body. I saw a "60 out at Lark St. once. Looked a LOT like it (minus the figure of course). The upper and lower bass side bouts were BLEACHED to a very light tan color. :hmm

Good point! I somehow doubt Koss "aged" it in any other way than thru use. :hmm Perhaps he got it that way and was done much earlier or was perhaps a special order from Kalamazoo? :hmm

 

[lpnv59]

The stripped burst has a glossy clear coat of lacquer on it. Its not just bare wood.

 

[Black58]

.

 

[Black58]

The stripped burst has a glossy clear coat of lacquer on it. Its not just bare wood.

This is a good photo of the instrument but, the shading is a bit bright according to most shots I've seen here as well as the video that I have. Even with that said, if you watch the video, which has a multitude of angles, you can see the "wear and crackles" on the "glare" shots. As you said, HIGHLY doubtful that it was aged in some ridiculous fashion like what we read about here. If it really was stripped, when he got it, it looks as though it would have been done by the original or second owner who REALLY loved that guitar, REALLY loved to play and REALLY HATED a cherry sunburst finish! Shit, I love the LPF! :jim

 

[csteward]

Wow. I hit on some of those FREE videos. Really makes the music of today PALE IN COMPARISON. Pale's not even a strong enough word. Thanks for those links. Maybe some younger people will find them and LEARN.

I'm 16 and Love Koss and Free

 

[plaintop60]

Wow. I hit on some of those FREE videos. Really makes the music of today PALE IN COMPARISON. Pale's not even a strong enough word. Thanks for those links. Maybe some younger people will find them and LEARN.

Plus ONE!

 

[bluesforstevie]

You know, I really enjoy listening to Free....and I like Kossoff's playing and great tone...and I think PR is one of the best rock n' roll singers ever...

However, I just don't get why he or they are exalted so. Yes, Koss had KILLER vibrato...had a great sense of what NOT to play....good rhythm player....but man, there are so many better players in my opinion and I think Free was dissapointing considering the talent level of the individual musicians.

I guess I just don't get it. I'd rather listen to Gary Moore...and I don't particularly like him that much....:couch

JMTC

 

[BobMello]

You know, I really enjoy listening to Free....and I like Kossoff's playing and great tone...and I think PR is one of the best rock n' roll singers ever...

However, I just don't get why he or they are exalted so. Yes, Koss had KILLER vibrato...had a great sense of what NOT to play....good rhythm player....but man, there are so many better players in my opinion and I think Free was dissapointing considering the talent level of the individual musicians.

I guess I just don't get it. I'd rather listen to Gary Moore...and I don't particularly like him that much....:couch

JMTC

I'm glad you said that because I was thinking the same thing. :salude

I am a fan of Free and Kossoff so no offense at all intended here. I like several of their songs but others are just okay. Plus, I like Kossoff's tone on album but live it sounds weak and a tad too clean. I would prefer he had more sustain and a bigger overdriven tone. I dont mean over the top or even pagey tones but more like his all right now tone during his solo.

Anyway...not to hijack this thread...I like his playing a lot...just not a big fan of his tone.

 

[Ad_02Std]

His best live tone is on the Free Live! album. Particularly on the extra tracks on the remaster - "Woman", "Trouble On Double Time" and "Moonshine" being the highlights. As an intro to Koss' playing, and to Free in general, I would recommend this and the first album, Tons Of Sobs. More drive, more sustain, more thick, juicy TONE!

 

[Jim Jones]

Well if you'd rather listen to Gary Moore you just don't get Koss. Gary Moore is the antithesis of Kossoff.

To each is own, it's all personal taste afterall.

Jim

 

[DucRyder]

You know, I really enjoy listening to Free....and I like Kossoff's playing and great tone...and I think PR is one of the best rock n' roll singers ever...

However, I just don't get why he or they are exalted so. Yes, Koss had KILLER vibrato...had a great sense of what NOT to play....good rhythm player....but man, there are so many better players in my opinion and I think Free was dissapointing considering the talent level of the individual musicians.

I guess I just don't get it. I'd rather listen to Gary Moore...and I don't particularly like him that much....:couch

JMTC

I think a big part of Koss's sound is the chord voicings he uses... very subtle, but look at the stealer or all right now vids and check where the mans fingers are during the chordal parts. When people try to play these songs they play cowboy chords and it sounds lame. Try to cop some of these voicings and you may have a new appreciation for Koss. if not there will be a Gary Moore/Peter Green thread for you posted within the week I'm sure.

 

[jcs]

DucRyder,that is exactly my observation as well!

probably the biggest testimony comes from folks who were lucky enough to catch 'free' on a good night,the dynamics and power of this band live were incredible,something that can never be captured on crappy compressed mp3s and videos.

if you have a very good home audio system with a big amp (100 watts or more) and a mint vinyl copy (or cd) of 'free-live' put on 'mr big' and crank it!

 

[slowblues]

DucRyder,that is exactly my observation as well!

probably the biggest testimony comes from folks who were lucky enough to catch 'free' on a good night,the dynamics and power of this band live were incredible,something that can never be captured on crappy compressed mp3s and videos.

if you have a very good home audio system with a big amp (100 watts or more) and a mint vinyl copy (or cd) of 'free-live' put on 'mr big' and crank it!

This is 100% spot on, Mr Big great example, It's the "Air" and "Pauses" that make the whole so exciting to listen to.

 

[bluesforstevie]

I think a big part of Koss's sound is the chord voicings he uses... very subtle, but look at the stealer or all right now vids and check where the mans fingers are during the chordal parts. When people try to play these songs they play cowboy chords and it sounds lame. Try to cop some of these voicings and you may have a new appreciation for Koss. if not there will be a Gary Moore/Peter Green thread for you posted within the week I'm sure.

So, I either like the man or quit posting? LOL!! Ok...fine.

I think I'm a fairly astute watcher and listener...so what your saying doesn't escape me...I appreciate his skill and technique...it just doesn't elevate him to the top echelon of Lester players in my mind...

Once again...just my opinion gents.

 

[jcs]

bluesforstevie, be honest with us about what 'free' recordings you have listened to okay?

what albums have you heard?

hey man, if you dont dig koss' as much as other players like peter green etc, thats cool daddy-o, it's all right man,i still dig your playing,it doesnt make you wrong!

now i gotta go flip my 'mountain climbing' album to side 2!!

 

[bluesforstevie]

bluesforstevie, be honest with us about what 'free' recordings you have listened to okay?

what albums have you heard?

hey man, if you dont dig koss' as much as other players like peter green etc, thats cool daddy-o, it's all right man,i still dig your playing,it doesnt make you wrong!

now i gotta go flip my 'mountain climbing' album to side 2!!

How many do I own? None. How many have I listened to? Don't really know. I'm 47 though, so I'm sure between friends albums, and KSHE 95 (the classic rock station that's been here since '67)....probably quite a few.

I find them slightly boring...the drums and tempo is plodding in many of their tunes. Love the bass player....especially in Mr. Big and Koss's rhythm is deceptively simple. Rodgers is a killer singer...

This is one of the few bands where the aggregate is less than the sum of its parts. IMO.

Ok. I'll let you cats enjoy....I really am not trying to be a killjoy....I'm just surprised that so many on this forum speak of Koss in the same breath as Green or B.B. King :salude etc.:salude

 

[Rev.WillieVK]

Keep digging that hole Dan - you'll get somewhere for sure! :rofl :hee :rofl

Strokes for folks are different, YMMV, que sera, sera. :salude

PS: I like Koss and Free, but the one 'famous-guy-that-everybody-worships' that I really just can't stand is...


... nope, not gonna tell you, wouldn't be prudent. :biggrin:

 

[DucRyder]

So, I either like the man or quit posting? LOL!! Ok...fine.

.

who the hell said that?

 

[lpnv59]

I'm surprised Dan (BFS) doesn't like Koss much. Because I really hear his influence on Danny Kirwins solo playing. Angus Young too. Kossoffs solos were usually very raw. Lots of folks cannot get past those rough edges and prefer a smoother/slicker approach. PG was pretty smooth although I wouldn't call him slick. but he was slicker than both Danny and Koss.

There are people I don't quite get.....Bloomfield, Dicky and Duane. Generally I stay out of those threads. But when I do, I just say my opinion on their playing is "I don't get it". Because I really don't.

 

[garywright]

0 0195 has got to be one of the flamiest bursts..

what a great flame shot ! :dude: