Improving my tone

[guysmiley]

Distortion is funny. have a really good listen to the music you are influenced by- you might find there is less distrotion there than you might think. What sounds good at home very often just disappears to a bzzzzzzzzzzzt noise when you play with other instruments. Remember- the git is a MID RANGE isntrument. Scoop the mids, you disappear.

Good advice right there. I would also look into a different amp in the future. Especially if you plan to play out more. Maybe a two channel? I always liked amp distortion more than a it coming from a pedal. But, yeah. Play with the knobs. If you can get that set up to work for you, you'll be able to make almost anything work.

 

[FAQ]

Anyway, if I'm reading you right... you sound a bit stuck in the middle. You want a lot of versatility out of your rig, but you don't want to be overwhelmed with options.

Precisely .

I think it might be time for you to take the leap into working in the context of a full band.

Actually, I sometimes play with my friends, tho we're lacking a drummer.

Tubes are relativey cheap and easy to change. You should never pay a tech to change your tubes. If you can operate a screw driver, and plug a lamp in you can change your tubes.

I've got a warranty for my amp, I think it expires if I open it up and whatnot...

Try a JJ EL84 power tube and a high gain JJ ECC83S preamp tube

Presuming that I have one tube in my amp, which one shall I get?

have you tried dimeing your amp and using the volume control on your guitar to control the OD? Crank your volume all the way, and then adjust your EQ to the tone you want.

That was kinda confusing, what volume to crank, amp's? guitar's? pedal's? I could use some more instructions...
Thanks!

 

[BUDOKAI]

I replaced my DS-1 with the SD-1.

 

[FAQ]

How is it? What amp / guitar are you playing through it?(SD-1)

 

[lp_junkie]

Work on playing good, that will improve your tone.

Log off the internet and actually play the guitar several hours a day.

 

[FAQ]

Work on playing good, that will improve your tone.
Log off the internet and actually play the guitar several hours a day.

Well, just to prove a point; without my distortion pedal, there isn't really a way I could get a distorted sound, no matter how much I play my guitar and improve my technique(with my gear).

 

[lp_junkie]

work on the actual mechanics of playing not the associated noise............

I spent a lot of time just with my guitar unplugged over the last 33 years, just working on improving my actual skills and knowledge.

As far as gear, think of it as a system starting with you and ending with your speakers, every component has to be selected to produce the results you want to hear.

So in addition to practicing, go out and test gear trying to use the same amp you have or at least taking your guitar along.

I always take my guitar for testing pedals and amps out, stock showroom guitars do not sound like mine.

 

[FAQ]

stock showroom guitars do not sound like mine.

Of course, each with it's own individual sound.

I spent a lot of time just with my guitar unplugged

I do too, tho mainly due to my mom's complaints 'bout the noise .

 

[lp_junkie]

Here's two things that I found really improved tone for me-

changing to heavier strings and a little higher action and actually turning the gain down a bit and the volume up.

I am a blues based rock/metal player though, I use very little in the way of effects.

Distortion pedal are hard to recommend simply because you have to take into account the guitar, amp, and your tastes.

 

[FAQ]

I bought my guitar with .10's, my action is extremely low tho- I get a lot of buzzing frets.

Thanks.

 

[jokun]

When I play Rammstein, I use the Boss metal core model on my boss me-70.
I have played the real Metal core and it's very similar...
Don't use too much gain tho...
I got a boss Ds-1 too, and it sucks! I hate the sound and it makes so much noise even my noise gate can't get rid of it!
I do not own a Sd-1, but I have tried a few and I like them a lot!
When it comes to eq I like to keep it flat when I'm playing alone and in a band situation I leave the bass around 4/5 (out of 10) and crank the mids and highs.

Hope this help you a bit!

 

[JonMan94]

my thought, theres only three things you should have to start out with for pedals: an EQ (i use danelectro) a wah pedal (dunlop) and for getting a lead tone, a tubescreamer.... the rest of my effects are on my amp....

 

[zaz]

+1 on Jason's idea about the Weber attenuator. I have a Blackheart and a Weber and I highly recommend it. This amp sounds really good cranked and the Weber will keep the volume under control. It's a must have to get the most out of your tube amp at home.