Advice on getting teh tonez
Moderated By: mods
Advice on getting teh tonez
I have a handful of pedals, but only a few of them get regular use. If I knew everything I know about gear now back when I was just starting out, I wouldn't have a lot of these pedals, but hindsight is always 20/20...
Anyways, here's what I have.
Not pictured: Boss DS-1
-I will definitely be keeping the TS-808 and the TU-2.
-The TS9 is redundant, although it does sound cool cascaded with the 808. But I'm not Trey Anastasio, so I think that it will go.
-The black big muff needs repairs (just a simple pot replacement, and then should be good to go). However, it's redundant and not as good as the Double Muff. The one thing I don't like about the Double Muff is that it has to be at the start of the chain, otherwise its tone gets messed up.
-The Danelectro effects are more nostalgic than anything else. I don't really use modulation or delay so they will probably go.
-I LOVE the sound from the Alesis nanoverb, but I HATE that it's not a footswitchable effect and that it's hard to set to unity volume without distorting the signal. I really like reverb but for playing guitar I think I'd need something more specifically geared towards a pedal board.
-Compression is for noobs (jk compression users*), I got the pedal because it was cheap.
-I think the DS-1 is a pretty mediocre pedal, but I would like to get some sort of distortion pedal eventually, because hey, it is a pretty useful effect.
I play through this
With this
(I'm also considering getting an Orange Tiny Terror in the future)
My friend uses an MXR micro amp, and I think I would like to get a similar boost pedal. The ZVEX super hard on seems to be the best of its kind, but it is awfully pricey for such a simple schematic. It does seem that their Box of Rock has a SHO AND a distortion pedal in one box, so maybe that'd be something to look into. Also I like fuzz, but I hate losing all my mids. Does anyone have recommendations for a decent fuzz that works well for wall-of-sound rhythm without getting lost in the mix as much?'
Finally, is the Holy Grail the be-all-end-all of guitar reverb pedals? I like what Ryan Adams does with his, but again, they are pretty pricey ($150 for the holier version).
Thanks everyone! I know this topic is pretty broad and rambling, but I thought I'd get a few suggestions from you all since some of you really seem to know what you're talking about.
*not kidding
Anyways, here's what I have.
Not pictured: Boss DS-1
-I will definitely be keeping the TS-808 and the TU-2.
-The TS9 is redundant, although it does sound cool cascaded with the 808. But I'm not Trey Anastasio, so I think that it will go.
-The black big muff needs repairs (just a simple pot replacement, and then should be good to go). However, it's redundant and not as good as the Double Muff. The one thing I don't like about the Double Muff is that it has to be at the start of the chain, otherwise its tone gets messed up.
-The Danelectro effects are more nostalgic than anything else. I don't really use modulation or delay so they will probably go.
-I LOVE the sound from the Alesis nanoverb, but I HATE that it's not a footswitchable effect and that it's hard to set to unity volume without distorting the signal. I really like reverb but for playing guitar I think I'd need something more specifically geared towards a pedal board.
-Compression is for noobs (jk compression users*), I got the pedal because it was cheap.
-I think the DS-1 is a pretty mediocre pedal, but I would like to get some sort of distortion pedal eventually, because hey, it is a pretty useful effect.
I play through this
With this
(I'm also considering getting an Orange Tiny Terror in the future)
My friend uses an MXR micro amp, and I think I would like to get a similar boost pedal. The ZVEX super hard on seems to be the best of its kind, but it is awfully pricey for such a simple schematic. It does seem that their Box of Rock has a SHO AND a distortion pedal in one box, so maybe that'd be something to look into. Also I like fuzz, but I hate losing all my mids. Does anyone have recommendations for a decent fuzz that works well for wall-of-sound rhythm without getting lost in the mix as much?'
Finally, is the Holy Grail the be-all-end-all of guitar reverb pedals? I like what Ryan Adams does with his, but again, they are pretty pricey ($150 for the holier version).
Thanks everyone! I know this topic is pretty broad and rambling, but I thought I'd get a few suggestions from you all since some of you really seem to know what you're talking about.
*not kidding
-
- .
- Posts: 904
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:12 pm
- Progrockabuse
- .
- Posts: 4865
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:54 am
- Location: Derbyshire
what kinda of sounds are you going for? what kinda styles do you tend to play?
Fender Classic Player 60โs Stratocaster>East Coast T1 Tele>
Epiphone Les Paul SL>Ovation 12 String acoustic>Peavey Strat DIY Relic
Marshall Origin 20H>Jamesโs old purple 2x10
Marshall MG10 Combo
1 time host of PROGFEST
Epiphone Les Paul SL>Ovation 12 String acoustic>Peavey Strat DIY Relic
Marshall Origin 20H>Jamesโs old purple 2x10
Marshall MG10 Combo
1 time host of PROGFEST
I play alternative rock style. Ever listen to Pavement and/or Stephen Malkmus? He kinda has my ideal tone. I also love the electric tone that Elliott Smith gets, but its kind of a 180 since he uses ES-330s and Vox amps.Progrockabuse wrote:what kinda of sounds are you going for? what kinda styles do you tend to play?
I also love the rhythm sounds Billy Corgan gets on Siamese Dream, which I can kinda approximate with the Double Muff.
Malkmus, you say? He used and indeed still uses a Lovetone Big Cheese for a lot of his phat fuzz tones- OLC make a clone called the Chunky Cheese.. as demo'ed by yours truly in the FX forum..
http://bestnetworx.com/uploader/files/3 ... p3%202.mp3
http://bestnetworx.com/uploader/files/3 ... p3%202.mp3
As far as fuzz goes, it's gonna be difficult to find something that doesn't cut mids. What I'd look into is either the Electro Harmonix Graphic Fuzz (out of production unfortunately) or a BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone. Both of these have incredibly powerful midrange EQ controls and a thick, saturated sound. The EHX also has the advantage (I believe) of being able to turn the fuzz off and just use it as a graphic equalizer.
For reverb, the holy grail isn't the end-all-be-all. People tend to go after it because of analog mojo arrows, but being that you like the digital nano-verb anyway I'd recommend the BOSS RV-5. It has a ton of sounds in it and doesn't lose volume like the Holy Grail.
For boost, it depends of your preference. Do you want a perfectly clean boost (like the SHO), or do you want it a little dirty (like the EHX LPB, Micro Amp, etc.)? The one disadvantage with the SHO is that the transistor used is extremely sensitive to static electricity and tends to break easily. An extra one is taped inside the case now, but it can be a hassle.
Also, get a footswitch for the twin. That adds reverb and tremolo effects easy.
For reverb, the holy grail isn't the end-all-be-all. People tend to go after it because of analog mojo arrows, but being that you like the digital nano-verb anyway I'd recommend the BOSS RV-5. It has a ton of sounds in it and doesn't lose volume like the Holy Grail.
For boost, it depends of your preference. Do you want a perfectly clean boost (like the SHO), or do you want it a little dirty (like the EHX LPB, Micro Amp, etc.)? The one disadvantage with the SHO is that the transistor used is extremely sensitive to static electricity and tends to break easily. An extra one is taped inside the case now, but it can be a hassle.
Also, get a footswitch for the twin. That adds reverb and tremolo effects easy.
Wow, dirty. But I thought he used mostly a Fuzz Factory these days, especially on the last two solo albums? In any case that's a pretty cool tone, though I think I'd want something a little creamier. I use fuzz for rhythm more than soloing.Doog wrote:Malkmus, you say? He used and indeed still uses a Lovetone Big Cheese for a lot of his phat fuzz tones- OLC make a clone called the Chunky Cheese.. as demo'ed by yours truly in the FX forum..
http://bestnetworx.com/uploader/files/3 ... p3%202.mp3
I've been looking at the RV-5 and it seems like a better option. Part of the reason for the reverb pedal is that I actually don't like spring reverb as much as a nice big lush hall sound. Spring reverb does not handle distortion very well at all.
I definitely want a clean boost... Does anyone make a copy of the SHO? I'm not sure I want to spend $150 for something that might break.
You may be right, but that fuzz tone all over Face the Truth and Real Emotion Trash is so.. Malkmus-y. And I think he's been using the Fuzz Factory lately, tho I could be wrong.
But his tone that I REALLY love is his clean. Pretty much all the Pavement albums post S&E have some of the most gorgeous, chiming single coil sounds I've heard on record. I think he was just playing his Strat and the Les Paul with P90s back then, I don't think he got his JM until later on. "Church on White" from his solo debut is probably the best clean sound ever, imo.
From your avatar it appears that you also play a white Jazzmaster. What effects do you like with it? Mine does not seem to like the TS808 as much as my $tratocaster did, but it sounds better with fuzz.
But his tone that I REALLY love is his clean. Pretty much all the Pavement albums post S&E have some of the most gorgeous, chiming single coil sounds I've heard on record. I think he was just playing his Strat and the Les Paul with P90s back then, I don't think he got his JM until later on. "Church on White" from his solo debut is probably the best clean sound ever, imo.
From your avatar it appears that you also play a white Jazzmaster. What effects do you like with it? Mine does not seem to like the TS808 as much as my $tratocaster did, but it sounds better with fuzz.
- Progrockabuse
- .
- Posts: 4865
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:54 am
- Location: Derbyshire
malk was interviewed it the last issue of guitarist.
according to the interview he uses a big cheese and a fuzz factory. his amp is an orange custom head through a marshall cabinet.
according to the interview he uses a big cheese and a fuzz factory. his amp is an orange custom head through a marshall cabinet.
Fender Classic Player 60โs Stratocaster>East Coast T1 Tele>
Epiphone Les Paul SL>Ovation 12 String acoustic>Peavey Strat DIY Relic
Marshall Origin 20H>Jamesโs old purple 2x10
Marshall MG10 Combo
1 time host of PROGFEST
Epiphone Les Paul SL>Ovation 12 String acoustic>Peavey Strat DIY Relic
Marshall Origin 20H>Jamesโs old purple 2x10
Marshall MG10 Combo
1 time host of PROGFEST
Yeah dude, done ever pay $200 or whatever for a suepr hard on. Get a Saltbooster from OUr own MIke LIvesley. It makes your sound louder.
I'd say get a Mike's Salty Romance Explosion (boost and OD) from our own, uh, me, but it's not in production yet, and you've got Overdrive covered.
Wait, actually, you should offer to trade Mike one of your tubescreamers for a Salt booster. I bet he'll do it.
I'd say get a Mike's Salty Romance Explosion (boost and OD) from our own, uh, me, but it's not in production yet, and you've got Overdrive covered.
Wait, actually, you should offer to trade Mike one of your tubescreamers for a Salt booster. I bet he'll do it.
High quality, low popularity Ecstatic Fury
-
- .
- Posts: 904
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:12 pm
Re: Advice on getting teh tonez
What happened to the guts of your Russian Big Muff????Aeon wrote:
-
- .
- Posts: 904
- Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:12 pm
Re: Advice on getting teh tonez
Also..... Do you notice a difference between your tube screamers???dodgedartdave wrote:What happened to the guts of your Russian Big Muff????Aeon wrote:
- Mike
- I like EL34s
- Posts: 39170
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:30 am
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Contact:
I would first throw the Tubescreamers in a lake for immediate tone improvement.
Secondly I could make you a Super Hard On for around half the price of the ZVex one, or you could get a SaltBoost like Aen said. I was planning on making one for myself at some point anyway, it's a very simple project and I have all the parts.
Secondly I could make you a Super Hard On for around half the price of the ZVex one, or you could get a SaltBoost like Aen said. I was planning on making one for myself at some point anyway, it's a very simple project and I have all the parts.
Any idea which issue? There's no mention of him in the issue blurbs:Progrockabuse wrote:malk was interviewed it the last issue of guitarist.
according to the interview he uses a big cheese and a fuzz factory. his amp is an orange custom head through a marshall cabinet.
http://www.guitarist.co.uk/?catname=/Latest%20issue