secrets of tone
Troy Kelley
years, ever since I bought my first boogie, I have been looking for answers
to my tone dilemma. Now, the end to the long journey seems close at hand.
Many of the things that I have always heard are right. Tubes are better,
analog is better. they are all right. Really, at the most elementary level,
Keith Richards was right when he said.. "it is the right guitar with the
right amp". That might not sound like much, but it really is true, there
are some guitars that sound better in some amps, and some that don't.
Marshalls and Gibsons, especially Les Pauls with humbuckers sound good. it
is no accident that so many players have chosen that combination.
But the real secret I have learned is that tone is about compression.
The guitar being an unusual lead instrument in that in order to sustain a
note, it needs some sort of manipulation of the note.. hence.. compression..
or as it is more commonly called.. distortion, overdrive, or fuzz. What it
took me awhile to learn was that compression also comes from effects.
Effects are suppose to add to the original signal, but they also compress
the signal, that's why they all have input and output level controls. And
that's why analog effects are so much nicer than digital effects. The
slight amount of compression added by an analog effect is smoother and more
pleasing to the ear than a digital effect, especially when combined with
distortion.
Speaking of distortion, you can have pre-amp compression/distortion or power
amp compression/distortion. Pre-amp compression is fine and dandy, and has
probably be more researched by more amplifier builders than any other
amplifier function. And because of this, we have had many fine
accomplishments in amplifier technology when it comes to pre-amp
compression. One thing I eventually learned is that power tube compression
has a very nice tone to it. So the secret is to concentrate on smaller
amps. 20 to 40 watts is fine. If you have to play a bigger place, mic it.
If you buy a bigger amp, like a 100 marshall, simply pull the two inside
tubes to bring it down to 50 watts. If you want to go a step further,
substitute THD Yellowjackets power for the tubes, which will bring down the
power amp volume even more and allow for power tube compression. So you
could use a classic 100 watt plexi at 20 or so watts..
Personally I don't bother with combos any more, I realize the real fun
is with heads and cabs. Of course, the matching cab that goes with the head
probably sounds the best. But there is so much variety out there, and it
really boils down to a weight issue. A nice 2X12 cab is usually easier to
haul than a average size 1X12 combo. And most heads lighter than most
combos. Plus, most good combos are usually available in head format. And
there are so many great heads.. fender dual showmans, marshall plexis,
rivera rake, vht pittbulls, the list goes on and on.
The journey will continue, but this is the basis for tone happiness.
think compression. Keep on the journey tone junkies. Don't believe what I
say.. see for yourself!!!
Troy
Michael Hoffman
Best secrets:
o Put an eq pedal before preamp distortion - such as before amp's input.
You can also use an overdrive pedal that has tone controls, before the amp's
preamp distortion.
o Turn guitar's volume control down to 5-7 for more treble.
o Use a power attenuator, such as the Hot Plate or Power Brake.
The first thing every guitarist should do is run out an buy an EQ pedal and
a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
Sites for more info:
http://www.amptone.com/
http://www.legendarytones.com/
http://www.chariot.net.au/~gmarts/ampsmain.htm
"Troy Kelley" <tke...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:9a3hlq$62q$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
Censored Boards Suck
>a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
LOL. That would assume that "every guitarist" wants to sound like you, or EVH
or whomever. I assure you that is NOT the case.
Some of the best tones I've ever heard comes from plugging straight in, with no
outboard crap whatsoever.
To each their own.
*You can guess what to remove from my email address to get rid of the spam
block.*
*Valid Targets:*
u...@ftc.gov
tos...@aol.com
gre...@northrim.net
*****
Michael Hoffman
flexibility of Tone and volume. Having this gear on hand expands the range
of combinations of Tone and SPL available. Having an EQ and Hot Plate
available does not narrow your Tone down to one sound; it expands the range
of sounds and the volumes at which you get those sounds. I take it for
granted you have multiple guitars, tube amps, and overdrive/distortion
pedals. The main thing missing from such a collection, if the goal is to
get more Tones and more volume levels, is EQ and power attenuation.
The gear I listed is not sufficient for getting a Van Halen sound. For
that, given that you have a tube amp and perhaps a distortion pedal, you
would need to buy 3 eq's, a power attenuator, and a final amp for use as a
linear power amp. You would need to use the attenuator as a dummy load.
I do not suggest that everyone always play through an EQ and Hot Plate --
but everyone should definitely try these out, at least on a trial basis.
Especially if someone has tried a variety of gear and is frustrated, they
should definitely try EQ and power attenuation before getting involved in
building up a huge collection and spending a lot of energy on mods.
> >The first thing every guitarist should do is run out an buy an EQ pedal
and
> >a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
>
> That would assume that "every guitarist" wants to sound like you, or EVH
> or whomever. I assure you that is NOT the case.
>
> Some of the best tones I've ever heard comes from plugging straight in,
with no
> outboard crap whatsoever.
Many people try plugging straight into the amp and are very dissatisfied
with the result, when an EQ and Hot Plate would fix the problem. People
should consider an EQ and power attenuator to be basic gear, like buying a
distortion pedal. These are not as nearly as common in music stores and
discussions as they should be, given how powerful these auxiliary components
are.
To complement a typical solid-state beginner's amp, I would recommend buying
an EQ pedal (for pre-distortion EQ control) before buying a distortion
pedal. People still treat the Hot Plate as an exotic, unusual device. They
still talk about the "secret" of pre-distortion EQ. That should change.
Pre-distortion EQ and power attenuators should be as common as distortion
pedals, because they can open up a wider range of basic amp Tones than
adding a distortion pedal usually does.
The goal I address is to expand the range of basic amp Tone and at a wider
range of SPL's -- to get a wider range of sounds out of a standard amp.
Adding a distortion or overdrive pedal is comparatively unnatural -- it's
adding a lot of processing. EQ and power attenuation are more like
assisting the amp to do what it does, with added range. It's more like
opening up the voicing range of the amp itself rather than adding
processing.
-- Michael Hoffman
http://www.amptone.com
biasbros
> To each their own.
>
JOHN! Did you really write that? Are you mellowing in your old age?
I'm........................mortified.8^)
Roy
Censored Boards Suck
>granted you have multiple guitars, tube amps, and overdrive/distortion
>pedals.
Yes and no. Multiple guitars and tube amps, yes. I have one buzz pedal, a
modified reissue TS9, which I almost never use. I pick the amp for the size of
the gig, and am happy with the tone that it gives. Being a blues player, I
don't need a bunch of different tones like a top-40 cover band or a modern
thrash band.
Censored Boards Suck
>>
>JOHN! Did you really write that? Are you mellowing in your old age?
>
>I'm........................mortified.8^)
>
Yes, Roy, I did. The original poster was making sweeping, all encompassing
statements that were absurd. He seems to assume everyone wants cranked
rock-metal tone, which certainly is not true. I for one do not want to sound
like those generic toned Mesa wankers I see on MTV as I channel surf. I like
an amp that gives one excellent tone. Hence, my remark, implying that what may
work well for him may not be the ideal solution for everyone.
Say, did you leave LA and move back east again? Oh, BTW, I still think GT's
hype is bull...
J.
Tom Spellman
arrangement could possible lock one into any specific sound. I have the
hotplate, now what do you suggest for an EQ pedal? I have used a Carvin Quad
X for years (which I'm well aware some would consider a POS, but I don't),
and that thing has tons of very effective EQ. But you seem to be suggesting
a somewhat different setup, and I'm not using the Carvin much anymore. Are
you saying guitar into EQ into whatever else? Recommendations?
Tom
"Michael Hoffman" <gl...@blort.com> wrote in message
news:8GMx6.661626$U46.20...@news1.sttls1.wa.home.com...
Kent Pearson
On 1-Apr-2001, "Michael Hoffman" <gl...@blort.com> wrote:
> you would need to buy 3 eq's
Oh, come now!
~kp
Kent Pearson
On 1-Apr-2001, trem...@aol.com.no.uce (Censored Boards Suck) wrote:
> Being a blues player, I
> don't need a bunch of different tones like a top-40 cover band or a modern
> thrash band.
I hear where you're coming from, but I'll bet you get a few different tones,
regardless.
~kp
biasbros
"> >JOHN! Did you really write that? Are you mellowing in your old age?
> >
> >I'm........................mortified.8^)
> >
>
> Yes, Roy, I did. The original poster was making sweeping, all
encompassing
> statements that were absurd. He seems to assume everyone wants cranked
> rock-metal tone, which certainly is not true.
Wull, uh, that IS my tone.........
.
I for one do not want to sound
> like those generic toned Mesa wankers I see on MTV as I channel surf. I
like
> an amp that gives one excellent tone. Hence, my remark, implying that
what may
> work well for him may not be the ideal solution for everyone.
>
> Say, did you leave LA and move back east again? Oh, BTW, I still think
GT's
> hype is bull...
>
> J.
To each his own....................8^)
Yeah, man, I took a rep job in Atlanta, but first I parked myself back in
Gainesville, FL, to do some amp work. Trying to get up at 6:30 AM to drive
somewhere in traffic to call on some butthead who has a bad attitude got old
IMMEDIATELY. When you have your own shop, YOU are in control of what goes
on, I had all the answers my customers would ask, all of a sudden I am
calling on strangers and THEY are behind the counter, I am still trying to
assimilate all of this info about the products I was repping (Alesis, QSC,
AKG, Denon Pro), I thought, "Man, I already know my business, why am I
putting myself through this and trying to learn another bunch of product
info AGAIN?!" So I gave notice and re-opened my biz here in Gainesville. I
miss my little place in LA, but I don't miss looking over my shoulder every
minute.
Roy
Matt Seniff
wrote:
>
>Best secrets:
>o Put an eq pedal before preamp distortion - such as before amp's input.
>You can also use an overdrive pedal that has tone controls, before the amp's
>preamp distortion.
>o Turn guitar's volume control down to 5-7 for more treble.
How exactly is that supposed to work? On most guitars the treble rolls
off when you turn the volume down unless you have a treble bypass cap
connected from the hot connection to the wiper of the volume control.
matt
SNIP!!
Tonefactor
>a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
None of my amps need that shit... maybe the first thing you need to do is
find yourself a good amp.
Rich Koerner
Censored Boards Suck wrote:
>
> >The first thing every guitarist should do is run out an buy an EQ pedal and
> >a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
>
> LOL. That would assume that "every guitarist" wants to sound like you, or EVH
> or whomever. I assure you that is NOT the case.
>
> Some of the best tones I've ever heard comes from plugging straight in, with no
> outboard crap whatsoever.
Agreed!!!!!!
Finding an amp of current production that can do it all bare ass, is a
BITCH!!!!!!
Regards,
Rich Koerner,
Time Electronics.
http://www.timeelect.com
Specialists in Live Sound FOH Engineering,
Music & Studio Production,
Vintage Instruments, and Tube Amplifiers
Mr Muddy
and Peter Green use this setup??......Guess they are just ignorant fucks that
dont know all these cool eq and stomp box tricks that the enlightened ones in
here do.........Maybe some day these folks, living and dead, will learn how to
get a good tone....
DLW
opinion's about both of these pedals. Quality, and reliablity etc. anyone
ever used these, anything would be nice.
Rich Koerner wrote in message <3AC92027...@timeelect.com>...
Rich Koerner
DLW wrote:
>
> Guys I have an Rocktek Eq, and Rocktek Phaser. Can all of you, give me your
> opinion's about both of these pedals. Quality, and reliablity etc. anyone
> ever used these, anything would be nice.
> Rich Koerner wrote in message <3AC92027...@timeelect.com>...
> >
> >
> >Censored Boards Suck wrote:
> >>
> >> >The first thing every guitarist should do is run out an buy an EQ pedal
> and
> >> >a power attenuator (Hot Plate is unsurpassed). See Amptone.com.
> >>
> >> LOL. That would assume that "every guitarist" wants to sound like you,
> or EVH
> >> or whomever. I assure you that is NOT the case.
> >>
> >> Some of the best tones I've ever heard comes from plugging straight in,
> with no
> >> outboard crap whatsoever.
> >
> >Agreed!!!!!!
> >
> >Finding an amp of current production that can do it all bare ass, is a
> >BITCH!!!!!!
Actually, I prefer to not use any effects most of the time I play. I
only use effects when doing covers that had then in the original
recording.
I do own an old Clyde Mc Coy, fuzzface, and a few Mu Trons.
Most of the time, I like it straight.
No frills.
Bare Bones.