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So in my band, I basically sing and play rhythm guitar. I'm not really into using distortion too much. On the couple parts I do, I use a Rat and that does the trick. I feel like I need some sort of "clean" effect for my setup. My guitar just sounds kind of dull and lifeless to my ears. I've tried different tubes but it doesn't change things too much.

My question is just what kind of effect or stompbox or whatever could I use to add a little life to my clean tone?

My current setup is a CP Jaguar into a 212 Hot Rod DeVille. I know many people aren't keen on the Hot Rods but a new amp isn't possible right now.

Well, there should be nothing bland about a jag through a hot rod (BTW, most of the hate for Hot Rod's on the boards is from England and that is due to the high price over there... ) They are good amps that have a great clean tone and good reverb.
As far as efffects, I am not sure, you could try like a sonic maximizer or a good clean boost pedal with some EQ, but really, you should be able to set up a damned fine clean tone out of that amp/guitar fairly easily. My guess is there is a problem with the amp.

An echo or a reverb can always spice up a boring clean tone, Sometimes i will use a chorus or a phaser to make it interesting too. Try out a chorus like a EHX small clone, and I also like the EHX small stone for a phaser too, or a phase 90 is always interesting sometimes.

yeah there is my input!

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I guess I don't necessarily think the tone is bad, I'm just kind of bored with it. I've been using the amp for about 6 or 7 years now.

I may go pick up one those EH pedals tomorrow. Seems like it could be a cheap solution.

You should look at an EQ pedal if you're bored of your tones, have a few possibilities at your feet.

Goots. wrote:You should look at an EQ pedal if you're bored of your tones, have a few possibilities at your feet.

+!@!!@!

Eq pedal is good, reverb is good. Also realize that the best clean tones have a touch of dirt in them.

my .02

Delaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy!

anthoney wrote:So in my band, I basically sing and play rhythm guitar. I'm not really into using distortion too much.

Soooo many options. If you do lots of strumming and arrpegio stuff, you might be surprised what a simple compressor could do to sweeten things up at times (while not using it 24/7), and in some cases put your guitar "in it's place" if you and your other guitarist(if you have one) clash from time to time. With 2-knob "Ross-style" comps (MXR DynaComp, etc) you can up the output a little so you can keep your volume up, yet color the tone just slightly. You don't have to be in a Coldplay cover band to enjoy what a comp can do, just turn your DeVille's reverb up a tad and start from there.

Mike did a great job comparing the MXR and the Behringer Dynamics Compressor, and you'll notice how the Behringer brightens(er, livens?) things up a tad.

[youtube][/youtube]

compression - dyna comp / behringer's copy
boost - LPB / salt boost / plane ticket [all add a lot of fattness]
eq
reverb - hardwire rv-7 is great for just about everything
delay - behringer vintage delay!!!

just to sum things up, and whatnot
but the LPB does add some heft

Haze wrote:compression - dyna comp / behringer's copy
boost - LPB / salt boost / plane ticket [all add a lot of fattness]
eq
reverb - hardwire rv-7 is great for just about everything
delay - behringer vintage delay!!!

just to sum things up, and whatnot
but the LPB does add some heft

Thanks again everyone!

That looks like a good list. My bass player has a Dyna Comp he said I could borrow plus I'm gonna pick up the LPB-1 if anyone has it in stock. Maybe I'll slowly just build a pedal board out of this stuff.

anthoney wrote:So in my band, I basically sing and play rhythm guitar. I'm not really into using distortion too much. On the couple parts I do, I use a Rat and that does the trick. I feel like I need some sort of "clean" effect for my setup. My guitar just sounds kind of dull and lifeless to my ears. I've tried different tubes but it doesn't change things too much.

My question is just what kind of effect or stompbox or whatever could I use to add a little life to my clean tone?

1) you *need* a reverb pedal - cannot imagine good clean sound without reverb. EHX holy grail is most revered, also consider Marshall RF1 Reflector for a cheaper alternative.

2) Delay would help - just a little bit to fill out the sound. Analog sounds nicer with clean, so yes Behringer Vintage delay is a good suggestion.

aphasiac wrote:

anthoney wrote:So in my band, I basically sing and play rhythm guitar. I'm not really into using distortion too much. On the couple parts I do, I use a Rat and that does the trick. I feel like I need some sort of "clean" effect for my setup. My guitar just sounds kind of dull and lifeless to my ears. I've tried different tubes but it doesn't change things too much.

My question is just what kind of effect or stompbox or whatever could I use to add a little life to my clean tone?

1) you *need* a reverb pedal - cannot imagine good clean sound without reverb. EHX holy grail is most revered, also consider Marshall RF1 Reflector for a cheaper alternative.

2) Delay would help - just a little bit to fill out the sound. Analog sounds nicer with clean, so yes Behringer Vintage delay is a good suggestion.

To parent poster, completely ignore this. 100% wrong.

A booster on low adds a bit of sparkle to your clean tone - I do this quite a lot.
Zvex SHO is my favourite of those I've tried in doing this.

ignore the reverb comments as I assume since you have a hot rod, you are using the reverb on board if you want that.

I still say a light boost pedal is best. That will give character to your cleans.. I thinks effects like delay or chorus are great, but you need to excited about your basic tone coming out of the guitar and amp and then you add that type of coloration based upon the needs of a particular song. Call me crazy, but I have seen too many bands try to "make" a pretty clean tone by adding a reverb or delay. Starts reminding me of all the bad NU-Metal bands that only had 2 sounds...A really wet clean sound and then dropped D power chordage... So, I would find a good clean tone using the amp/guitar/Eq (pedal or onboard) and maybe a light boost... Then decide on other additions..

BTW....Danelectro fish N chips mini EQ pedal is great and can be had for cheap. Hell, post a request in the classifieds and someone might have on here on the boards they would sell.. That and a LPB-1 (not my favorite, but a quick.cheap option) will give you a lot of sonic room to play with your basic guitar/amp tone...

LPB can also be cranked up to push those tubes a bit more

Haze wrote:LPB can also be cranked up to push those tubes a bit more

The idea is a clean sound, though.

aphasiac wrote: 1) you *need* a reverb pedal - cannot imagine good clean sound without reverb.

That's because you only got one thing going on.