The search for your tone?

homeunit · 05-26-2003, 10:01 AM

Wolf's Rockman thread inspired this one.

Tell us about your gear search for your tone.

I always wanted great tone and versatility. Back when I started buying gear those two things weren’t available. That was before I figured out what tube amp nut I am. I went through a ton of gear searching for tone versatility. I had a MP1, a GP8, a SPX 900, some ART chunk of shite. I finally plugged into a 800 and ended up kissing versatility goodbye. I used to use my Dad's JC120 as my clean tone but that was a real pain in the ass. When the 5150 came out I bought one hoping for some versatility but I found that the only way I could get a good tone was to use the lead channel as my main tone with gain rolled off to about 3. That left the rhythm channel sounding like shit. I played that until the Line 6 stuff came out and I went for a Pod Pro...that was a mistake. It was great for DI recording but to me it sounded like shit through a power amp. It was right around this time that I figured out that for me tubes are the difference. I ended up trying everything with the Pod, tube preamps, Mesa power amps but it still drove me crazy. I ended up dumping that and getting an old modded JMP with a clean a dirty channel. That worked for me for a long time then I started a project and the singer has a Dual Rectifier, well that did it for me. The tone he gets out of that thing is evil, if he wants a Marshall tone it's there, if he wants a fendery clean tone it's there. I A/B it against my Marshall and that was enough for me, I went out and bought a Triple Rectifier and I couldn't be happier. The Marshall sounded fantastic but it was pure Marshall and I guess I got tired of that tone. With the rec, I can get that Marshally tone as well as pretty much anything else I want. I can do 5150ish just fine, Soldano, pretty much anything. It’s almost annoyingly versatile. The thing I have yet to figure out with them is what's the deal with all the gain they have? My gain never gets past 5 and at 5 it's a thumping machine of pain.

What’s your story?

Wolfman · 05-26-2003, 10:11 AM

The only thing I have never been fully satisfied with when it comes to my Marshall is the clean channel, but a lot of that has to do with my effects chain in my rack - mainly the preamp. One of these days, I'll get myself a Fender Twin or something and just A/B my signal from the rack to solve that.

I think the only major revelation I've ever had is that solid state amps suck. [img]images/smilies/icon_rant.gif[/img] LOL [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img] I would hope everyone realizes that soon after they start playing guitar, really.

Once I got that Marshall plus the goodies in my rack, I was pretty happy with my tone overall, though.

**CanyonCarver** · 05-27-2003, 05:52 AM

I don't have the cash to go through all the gear I would like, so I took the Line 6 shortcut.
I record everything I post here with the POD, then I play live through a Line 6 Flextone II, 100-watt combo. It has 2 celestion 12-inch speakers and moves shitloads of air when cranked, while still producing endless amounts of great tones and built-in effects.
I played with a friend's 5150 combo for a year and enjoyed it very much, but I felt that it was a one-trick pony by itlsef. It may be more versatile whnn using rack effects, but again, I don't have that kind of money to explore these avenues.
I agree with homeunit, real tube tone is certainly incredibly good to hear, but I feel that Line 6 products deliver what I need and then some.

**Mondy** · 05-27-2003, 07:29 AM

I'm still searching for my own tone, and learning about effects.

I have a Marshal Valvestate VS15R that I play through, however, it's got this Valvestate technology rather than tubes. Is this what you'd call Solid State ?

Unfortunately, everything that I have recorded so far, has been through my Zoom 505 II pedal, and most has been without any effects, just using it to get my signal into the P.C.

So you've not really heard my tone to be honest, and that's the reason I haven't really got one either, because I play so infrequently through the amp...

Bit of a shame, but never mind...

[img]images/smilies/icon_cry.gif[/img]

Aha, upon reading about what Valvestate is on the website, I've discovered that this is what is meant by a Solid State AMP... 

Guess you learn something every day eh ? Especially if you're prepared to read !!!

Ah well, one more fact learned on my search for tone...

[img]images/smilies/icon_wink.gif[/img]

**CanyonCarver** · 05-27-2003, 07:51 AM

I also recently purchased a Robert Keeley-modded Boss DS-1 distortion pedal.
It's a great tool and I recommend it. It's definately not for the faint of heart, as it can produce a wide of distortions that go from intense overdrive to complete sonic meltdown.
Steve Vai uses this insane contraption. Need I say more?

Wolfman · 05-27-2003, 07:53 AM

[ QUOTE ]
CanyonCarver said:
I also recently purchased a Robert Keeley-modded Boss DS-1 distortion pedal.
It's a great tool and I recommend it. It's definately not for the faint of heart, as it can produce a wide of distortions that go from intense overdrive to complete sonic meltdown.
Steve Vai uses this insane contraption. Need I say more?

[/ QUOTE ]

So that thing's working out pretty good, huh bro?

**CanyonCarver** · 05-27-2003, 08:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wolfman said:
[ QUOTE ]
CanyonCarver said:
I also recently purchased a Robert Keeley-modded Boss DS-1 distortion pedal.
It's a great tool and I recommend it. It's definately not for the faint of heart, as it can produce a wide of distortions that go from intense overdrive to complete sonic meltdown.
Steve Vai uses this insane contraption. Need I say more?

[/ QUOTE ]

So that thing's working out pretty good, huh bro?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's really interesting. First of all, the pedal is a lot quieter than the stock Boss unit. Keeley goes in there and replaces a number of components with higher-grade items that prevent most of the noise. There is some amount of hissing only when the distortion is cranked to the highest level. To be honest, the amp models I use already have plenty of drive (Marshall 800, Mesa Boogie Dual Recto, Soldano, etc...) so I'll use the pedal to create warped distortion on top of what the amps give me.
I found the pedal to work wonders on a Vox AC-30. With drive on full tilt on the amp and little amount of distortion on the pedal, I get a very warped, ZZ-Top tone that I absolutely love! Real dirty and rowdy!
The tone knob on the pedal is very responsive as well. Well worth 70 bucks on eBay. [img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

**Mondy** · 05-27-2003, 08:28 AM

Currently, I have :

My Marshall VS15R

MXR Phase 90
Zoom 505 II
Boss Multi Effects Unit (can't remember the name, it is at home)
Boss Thrashmaster pedal

Peavey Wolfgang Special Flametop
Ibanez RG470
Kramer 1984 Reissue

I just need to experiment....

[img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

Stiglar · 05-27-2003, 10:55 PM

atm i love the clean tone i get out of my fender amp i really love it .. scept it 's not loud enough to gig with so that's a bummer .. i need to buy somehting bigger ..

the 5150 II i have is good i like it ... but i prefer the warmth of the fender in the clean channel ...

but it's still a great amp !

Coyote · 05-28-2003, 09:55 AM

Since I'm on a shoestring budget, I had to go with these:

Marshall MG-series 100w head (solid state)
Behringer Ultrastack 4x12 cab (400w, baby!)

This whole chimichanga set me back 620 euros/dollars.
I got what I paid for, a good cab and a mediocre head. [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Tonewise, uh...well... If you heard it, you _might_ like it.
(Although, to some people it might be too harsh)

**CanyonCarver** · 05-28-2003, 10:23 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Coyote said:
Since I'm on a shoestring budget, I had to go with these:

Marshall MG-series 100w head (solid state)
Behringer Ultrastack 4x12 cab (400w, baby!)

This whole chimichanga set me back 620 euros/dollars.
I got what I paid for, a good cab and a mediocre head. [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Tonewise, uh...well... If you heard it, you _might_ like it.
(Although, to some people it might be too harsh)

[/ QUOTE ]

Well at least it must be loud! ah ah ah!

Solid state can be warmed up with effects. Do you have any stompboxes?

Coyote · 05-28-2003, 11:01 AM

Well...if you count an ancient Zoom 4040 multiFX as a stompbox... [img]images/smilies/icon_redface.gif[/img]

It is loud, BTW. When the master volume is at 10 o'clock, my trouser legs start to flap. [img]images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif[/img]

**CanyonCarver** · 05-28-2003, 11:03 AM

Don't be ashamed. Just play the shit out of the gear you have.

El_jalepeno · 06-06-2003, 09:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]
mondola said:
...Aha, upon reading about what Valvestate is on the website, I've discovered that this is what is meant by a Solid State AMP... [/i][/b]



[/ QUOTE ]
Move on to the AVT series, and try something over 15 watts. AVT has 12ax7 tubes in the preamp. It's not solid state, but uses some of the technology from the Valvestate. That's why it's called AVT, which is tube AND solid state. I tried the Marshall MG series which is pure solid state, AVT50 and the AVT150 which both have the tubes in the preamp, and there is a huge difference. That's why I ended up with the AVT50. I found my tone in the AVT50 [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_jam.gif[/img]

**Mondy** · 06-07-2003, 08:57 AM

I'll give it a crack when I am permitted to spend again...

But I have to pay off the wedding and the honeymoon first...

[img]images/smilies/icon_cry.gif[/img]