| Title: | GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion |
| Notice: | Discussion of the finer stringed instruments |
| Moderator: | KDX200::COOPER |
| Created: | Thu Aug 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3280 |
| Total number of notes: | 61432 |
If you have read my previous note then you will understand where I am
coming from. If not it doesn't matter.
I am currently unhappy with the overdrive provided by my amp (Overall,
its too harsh and unpredictable). What I'm after is a really warm 'fat'
sound such as that described by ZZ Top as "Four flat tyres on a muddy
road" (see my personal name!). Its also essential that the same effect
is produced whether playing at 'home' volume (ie low!) or in a live
situation. In other words volume does not effect the degree of
distortion etc.
As a relative newcomer to electric guitars I am still confused about
the various types of distortion effects available. Can anyone, for
instance, explain the essential differences between such things as:
Overdrive
Distortion
Crunch
Rat
Etc
From what I have described what is the type of effect I should be
looking at?
Richard
Reading, UK
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2418.1 | More... | SMURF::BENNETT | MC Escher & DJ Pablo P. | Fri Jan 03 1992 10:49 | 15 |
Hi Richard - I think one of the things you are experiencing with the Champ12 is that it's a very low-power tube amp. When you turn it up you begin overdriving the output stage which adds a very distinctive (nice) color to the tone. I have one ~25wt tube amp that I really like that sounds shrill on any volume setting under 8. It taught me something. There's a control on my guitar marked Volume. So now I just run the amp flat out and all of the tone I get are very nice with a smooth continuum of tones from the guitar: clean -> mild distortion w/an edge -> crunch -> creamy overdrive. RAT is the ProCo RAT pedal. I've never heard one. I've yet to hear a distortion pedal that I like. | |||||
| 2418.2 | SALEM::TAYLOR_J | Anyone seen my air guitar ? | Fri Jan 03 1992 13:49 | 7 | |
re - .1 try rolling your tone control 50 % back with the distortion
box's...you might just like them after all. The Pro-co rat is a great
distortion box ( ok not great, but as good as the come ) and the
Ibanez tube screamer was Stevie Rat Vaughn's pedal of choice.
JT
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| 2418.3 | whoops ! | SALEM::TAYLOR_J | Anyone seen my air guitar ? | Fri Jan 03 1992 13:50 | 3 |
" Thats Stevie *RAY* Vaughn "
sorry ! B*)
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| 2418.4 | HAMSTR::PELKEY | YOIKES and AWAY!!! | Fri Jan 03 1992 14:21 | 10 | |
Why not try this, as I found it most effective for providing
-(overall)- the best results..
Pick up a graphic EQ, a 6 or 7 band EQ would handle all you
needed to worry about, (eg: oine designed for Guitar)
I use a 10 band, but only use 8 of the 10 bands.
I prefer using the EQ and the amps master volume over
distortion pedals
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| 2418.5 | EQ is wonderful! | GOES11::G_HOUSE | Tommy The Cat | Fri Jan 03 1992 14:58 | 5 |
I'll second the reccomendation of the EQ. I've had very good results
using a graphic EQ stomp to boost the signal (and alter the sound a
little) going into my amps.
Greg
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| 2418.6 | EQs are awecim! | AWECIM::RUSSO | Fri Jan 03 1992 15:28 | 5 | |
I'll third that!!
Dave
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| 2418.7 | PELKEY::PELKEY | Snert ! Fetch me my dagger. | Mon Jan 06 1992 09:04 | 28 | |
A little more on this discussion Equalization can go the same route that any effect/signal processor goes. there's ALWAY"S a point of diminishing returns with singnal processors, so goes with a graphic and/or parametric eq. What I've been able to accomplish is to use a mixture of both Graphic and Parametric equalization. My amps have a three band parametric, (They're the 1980 Yamaha G series, one is a 100w 2-12, the other is a 50 w 1-12)) I use a Studio Master 10 band (stereo) Eq. with a DSP128+ (used in stereo mode) into both A and B sides of the graphic, then out to the amps. By mixing the paramectric on the cut-half, cut point at around 500k I get a nice warm tone. With the EQ I can 'colour' the frequncies to emphasize that tone. I don't use much graphic, just enough to enhance.. the neg. side of this is the eq adds a bit white noise, not bad but more so than just straight in. I could get a noise gate to cut that, but at this point I'd rather not put anything else inline. Now I'd assume with the Fender the base noter has, the options are limited to just a graphic, but that would certainly add alot of control to the overall tone... But should anyone be ou tin the market for amp shopping, I'd advise one to look for something with a parametric EQ. They make a BIG difference in the control one has over the overall tone. | |||||