The Tone Thread

[JD01]

Greg,
I'm looking starting points for settings - MV:V as well as the tone group.
I ought to experiment and decide what my ears tell me is good but you know, as well as I do, that my ears aren't critical enough.
I look forward to a Plexi sample for comparison and any reccos that come with it.

Here ya go Ray. These are kind of long, but they show how my Plexis behave with a humbucker/Les Paul.

Les Paul Traditional - Burstbucker 3 bridge
Marshall Plexi 1959
All tone controls - 5
PPIMV - 5
Marshall 1960A 4x12 - Celestion G12H30
Senn e609 on axis, on grill, dustcap/cone seam - Shure SM57 on axis, on grill, halfway across cone
All tracks 50/50 blend
No EQ or FX

This is the "bright channel", Channel 1, high input 1 only. Channel vol on 2, then 5, then cranked.
LP1959G12H30CH1.mp3

This is the "normal channel", Channel 2, high input 2 only. Channel vol on 2, then 5, then cranked.
LP1959G12H30CH2.mp3

See what you think.

I think the CH2 clip sounds a bit dark but the CH1 clip sounds fucking great! Its bright but not thin, aggressive but doesn't make you wince. Recon it would sit great in a mix.
Have you ever done a Bowie cover? You could probably pep it up a bit and it would sound really good.

[Greg_L]

I tried the lower inputs today and there was no difference with input I, (other than a lower level/response).
With MV on 5 and V on 5 or 7 I decided, as we'd discussed them, to try a little fooling with tone controls.
After gentle nudges here & there I dimed the bass - there was an improvement in tone. I then did the same with mid & treble - again better. Presence as well cool then backed off everything but the presence and the sound was still good.. I tried middle PU position and it was better - then neck pickup and again better.
I haven't recorded a sample as my wife was wearing headphones up stairs to bloke out the noise so I'll have to wait until tomorrow I suppose.
To summarise - the combination of presence and mid or neck pick up seems to push the I input much better - sounds much more like II.
Clips tomorrow I hope.

Also try Ch1 with a boost....if you have one. Really drive the high input and see if it gets overdriven.

I think the CH2 clip sounds a bit dark but the CH1 clip sounds fucking great! Its bright but not thin, aggressive but doesn't make you wince. Recon it would sit great in a mix.
Have you ever done a Bowie cover? You could probably pep it up a bit and it would sound really good.

Thanks JD.
Yeah I've got covers of Ziggy and Suffragette and Rebel Rebel around somewhere.

The Ch2 is definitely dark. That's the "normal channel" of a Plexi. That's just how it's voiced, and it's why people jumper the inputs on these amps. Ch 1 is the usual go-to channel for most people, but to thicken it up a little, you can jump the inputs and blend in a little of that dark Ch2. The channels don't mix in the amp until way downstream so it doesn't really add gain, just balance. If you ever see pics of a Plexi-type amp with a little jumper cable between it's 4 inputs, that's what's going on - blending the channels.

[JD01]

Cool - did you punk them up? Or keep them the same as the originals?

[Greg_L]

Cool - did you punk them up? Or keep them the same as the originals?

Um....I just did them in my way. I think I did Ziggy pretty close to the real thing, but the others might be more aggressive. I don't usually try to fuck with songs/bands that I respect. I can't make Suffragette City or Ziggy Stardust any better than it is, so I just try to do stuff like that justice while still being me.

[Minerman]

Ray: Maybe there is something goin' on with your amp dude, I'd never thought about that until you guys mentioned it, but it does kinda make sense...I hope not, but do keep us up to date...As much & as hard as you've been tryin', you more than deserve to catch what you've been chasing dude....

Greg: Those do sound good. & now that you mention it, the channel blend my be why I liked the Chupa so much, it was basically permanently jumpered by being wired that way internally onto one input, when in high-gain modes, I'm guessing using just the high channel...

The more I think about the new Origin, the more it reminds me of the Chupa in ways...Both are 50w EL34 plexi-ish amps, but, it also makes me wonder how close the Origin boosted would be to the Chupa...I'd planned on getting another boost pedal or two, but I'll have to wait to find out more about the Origin...But, the Chupa's 2 high gain modes, combined with the bright/gain toggle switches made for a lot of options which were all bad-ass to me...

Damn I really miss that Chupacabra, I chased my fuckin' tail until I got that amp, & have been chasin' it ever since I sold it...I might just say "Fuck it!!!" & sell some of my gear to buy another one...

[Greg_L]

Ray: Maybe there is something goin' on with your amp dude, I'd never thought about that until you guys mentioned it, but it does kinda make sense...I hope not, but do keep us up to date...As much & as hard as you've been tryin', you more than deserve to catch what you've been chasing dude....

Greg: Those do sound good. & now that you mention it, the channel blend my be why I liked the Chupa so much, it was basically permanently jumpered by being wired that way internally onto one input, when in high-gain modes, I'm guessing using just the high channel...

The more I think about the new Origin, the more it reminds me of the Chupa in ways...Both are 50w EL34 plexi-ish amps, but, it also makes me wonder how close the Origin boosted would be to the Chupa...I'd planned on getting another boost pedal or two, but I'll have to wait to find out more about the Origin...But, the Chupa's 2 high gain modes, combined with the bright/gain toggle switches made for a lot of options which were all bad-ass to me...

Damn I really miss that Chupacabra, I chased my fuckin' tail until I got that amp, & have been chasin' it ever since I sold it...I might just say "Fuck it!!!" & sell some of my gear to buy another one...

I don't think the Origin will get anywhere near the gain and sound that Chupa had. It's hard to tell because it's so new and the video demos suck, but it just doesn't seem like it'll do it.

[Minerman]

I don't think the Origin will get anywhere near the gain and sound that Chupa had. It's hard to tell because it's so new and the video demos suck, but it just doesn't seem like it'll do it.

I already know it won't get there on it's own, but I was thinking with a boost pedal it might...But, man it was so fuckin' nice just to plug into that amp, twist a couple knobs & be "there"...

I'm seriously thinking of selling some of my gear to fund one...There are a few things I wouldn't even consider selling, but there are a few things that may go on the chopping block...

Of course I'd have to think this over pretty hard, but don't be surprised if I don't put a few things up for sale...

[Greg_L]

I know you loved that amp. Fuck it. Sell enough stuff until you can get another one.

[Minerman]

I know you loved that amp. Fuck it. Sell enough stuff until you can get another one.

Yeah man, I really did...From the first chord that came outta that thing, I was hooked...I've got a few things here that don't get used as much as others, & I wouldn't think twice about getting rid of them...$1100 is a big chunk of cash for me, & would take a long time for me to save...

The wheels are turnin'...

[rayc]

Modded Marshall Input I experiments.
All MV5 V 8
1. all EQ at 5, P full L then center then R (looking from front of head with knob on back).
All following have P full R
2. EQ as above moving through PUps Bridge to middle to neck
3. As above with DS1 full level boost no drive and tone at 12o'clock
4. Bridge PU a) bass full b) mid full, c )Treble full & d) ALL full

Modded Marshall V8sortedB.mp3

It sounds MUCH better in the room so I'm still not capturing the thing well but this does show an improvement.
Thoughts?

[Greg_L]

Modded Marshall Input I experiments.
All MV5 V 8
1. all EQ at 5, P full L then center then R (looking from front of head with knob on back).
All following have P full R
2. EQ as above moving through PUps Bridge to middle to neck
3. As above with DS1 full level boost no drive and tone at 12o'clock
4. Bridge PU a) bass full b) mid full, c )Treble full & d) ALL full
Modded Marshall V8sortedB.mp3
It sounds MUCH better in the room so I'm still not capturing the thing well but this does show an improvement.
Thoughts?

You're starting to get there with the pedal. That channel will not go into the Plexi meltdown though without the mod being finished.

Regardless, it still sounds pretty good.

[rayc]

You're starting to get there with the pedal. That channel will not go into the Plexi meltdown though without the mod being finished.
Regardless, it still sounds pretty good.

Yep, needs completion but, oddly, it's WAY better than it was.
It seems that after I used the Presence control yesterday, previously it was at 12 o'clock and had been when delivered, the thing percked up quite a bit. I could only get break up with MV & V cranked.
I'm heartened by the improvement but I'll still pursue getting the other bits done.
I'll send you a draft of my communication before sending it so that you can suss out whether I'm correct and not aggressive etc if you don't mind.

[Greg_L]

Yep, needs completion but, oddly, it's WAY better than it was.
It seems that after I used the Presence control yesterday, previously it was at 12 o'clock and had been when delivered, the thing percked up quite a bit. I could only get break up with MV & V cranked.
I'm heartened by the improvement but I'll still pursue getting the other bits done.
I'll send you a draft of my communication before sending it so that you can suss out whether I'm correct and not aggressive etc if you don't mind.

Yup, no problem.

[WhiskeyJack]

not sure i am crazy in love with the tone but it's only been 25mins.

More to follow.

I wasn't in love with the tone because i think my blues driver pedal was still in the signal chain and engaged and i wasn't aware at the time. I also think it's been on for weeks. I noticed it yesterday when i went to play with this for a bit. Gilly (my dog) like to nap down there and it wouldn't be the first time shes taken a blanket down there and fell alseep on my pedals.

I had a 45 min window of opportunity yesterday so i seized it. I didn't run the Orange through it I was using the little 40W traynor. It sounded pretty good. better than the first time i gave it go. I think i could make it fit with my stuff. I guess i really have to capture tones in the daw for a definitive answer on how it works for me.

I really like that Traynor 40W too. It is pretty flexible and has a pretty wide range of what it could do for someone. So far i really like taking the clean channel and pushing it as hard as I can. That sound just appeals to me. This amp has an FX loops and i might throw the holy grail verb pedal on it and see if like it that much more. The boosted channel while giving me a bit more gain and grit just doesn't sound all that great to me It just has this weird background nuance to it like a woofy brick wall. Maybe it is desirable to those who like their gain high? The Pure channel that bypasses the tone stack is kind of cool and much like the clean but man is it ever fat sounding ! Maybe a little less headroom than the clean channel.

I had reneted this amp one before and didn't really doo too much mucking around with it but i know i liked things about it. Now that i know a little more shaping up some tones with the orange it's fun to have something else to play with and it's different functions.

I think at the end of the day though this amp is is probably built with an effects pedal kind of player in mind to shape and carve out a sound for themselves. However for someone like me that wants simple, and let the guitar and amp make their own noise i am thinking this could be a good match for me. It has no distinct flavor like Marshall, Orange or Fender but it does what it was designed to do.

I haven't even bothered mussing with the second DB reduced input or the 15W setting. I see no use for that yet

[Minerman]

I'd really appreciate if you could do some comparison clips between this 2x12 & your 4x12 if/when you get time...

That 2x12 is a bit smaller than most I've been considering, but if a cab that size delivers the goods, it's a win+win for me because it wouldn't take as much room as a 4x12 while still sounding good...

[rayc]

You've all probably seen this but it's not bad - the little old boost certainly has a bunch of Ace in it...though it's not a great vid as the text seems late or something and he seems to go over stuff again. In fact, I think the point is made by the time the 1st minute and a half has passed.
[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFAceoqZQo[/BBvideo]

[Greg_L]

That does sound like Ace tone.

[Minerman]

Cool tones...shit like that is what made me want to play guitar when I was a kid...

Greg: I have a question since you're a drummer & you're into KISS:
During the intro of "Cold Gin", is there a delay/echo on the hi-hat during that part or is he hitting the hi-hat like that???

[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1VM7-UO8s[/BBvideo]

It starts at 0:05...

[Greg_L]

Lol. That's some kind of delay/echo. But you could duplicate that manually if you want to.

[rayc]

I was quite energized when I heard the 1st minute or so of Johan's Kissing. The tone is really rock the way I dug it in the 1st half of the 70s.
I wanted to go & play that sound but the missus was sleeping - she's a bit Rookwood this last week or so and has needed to take 3 hour naps etc in the day. I hope I get to make noise tomorrow.