The Tone Thread

[JD01]

Miner, I think you've got this pretty close - Its probably just a little scratchy, like it needs to sound much louder.
If you're planning on a cover though, this could be a good starting point... good luck singing that one, mate!

[rayc]

Sounding almost there Minerman - might need some potatoes.

[rayc]

I've done a little work, swapped guitars (this clip features the Guyatone Mosrite copy using the Humbucker that I'm considering replacing with a P90 Mutt.), and only used EQ on this - and then only to trim the bottom end a bit plus add a little top end - otherwise it's the same amp settings though I swapped OD pedals - this is a Boss the previous was a Behri - both only as boost - no gain.
Just power chords at this point.

JUNEriffcombiverseplusnugtr.mp3

Any thoughts?

[JD01]

I think they sound good, ray. Totally usable. Before you nail the keeper takes for this, I just think you should concentrate on getting the riff on the beat - I know I spend too much time getting things exactly the same, but there's a few points in there, where the right guitar falls consistently behind the left and its a bit disorienting. Probably doesn't bother other people as much as me! Listened to this through a few times now

The two guitars sound very separate from eachother too for some reason the one on the left is sounding a lot louder to me. Have have they got different reverb settings on them?

[Greg_L]

Ok dudes, another clip with the Chupacabra...

I'm still learning this thing, & been messing with the Pussy Trimmer a little today...I didn't mess with it on the other amp very much, but I gotta say it makes a pretty big difference in the amp overall, it's basically a master gain control, & I can probably use it to dial out some of the fizz, I'll just have to spend some more time getting it dialed in...

There are some effects on this clip, I added a little 1.5 db bump of eq around 1khz, there's a high-pass filter @ 11.5khz, & it's got a little reverb on it...Hopefully I can take the eq off by dialing the amp in a little better, but it's past "curfew" for the night, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow...I thought it needed just a little boost in the mids, & the top end is still a little fizzy...
I've told you guys before, I like effects, & I think the 'verb adds a little something extra myself, but it could just be all in my head too...

Signal chain: Strat Hardhead bridge 'bucker> Chupa > V30 > i5

• Resonance:6
  Presence: 6
  Bass: 8
  Middle: 8
  Treble: 5.5
  Master: 5
  Gain 2: 2
  Gain 1: 8
  ERA: Left/Modern (lowest volume setting)
  Bright 2: L
  Bright 1: C/off
  Pussy Trimmer: 10 (cranked doesn't affect the amp)

CHUPA_STRAT_V30_8-23-2018.mp3

I'm gonna give this another shot tomorrow, & I may try using the G12H to see if it helps the mids any, or I may even try blending 2 speakers/mics, so we'll see...

Lemme know what you guys think...

Oh yeah, if any of you are keeping these clips like I do, I started putting the signal chain/amp settings in the "Details" box...Just right click, then go to properties, then "Details" & it should show up...

The riff sounds familiar but I don't know what it is. I think the tone is pretty good but the chugs are a little weak. I think you have the mids up too high for something like this.

[Greg_L]

I've done a little work, swapped guitars (this clip features the Guyatone Mosrite copy using the Humbucker that I'm considering replacing with a P90 Mutt.), and only used EQ on this - and then only to trim the bottom end a bit plus add a little top end - otherwise it's the same amp settings though I swapped OD pedals - this is a Boss the previous was a Behri - both only as boost - no gain.
Just power chords at this point.
JUNEriffcombiverseplusnugtr.mp3
Any thoughts?

I think it's not too bad, but but a little scratchy and the timing is off. You said you added a "a little top end". Maybe a little too much in the wrong place. The strumming/picking timing variances between the two guitars doesn't bother me, but one guitar rushing or lagging isn't ideal. I'd fix that. It doesn't need to be razor sharp quantized metal, but a little tighter would be good.

[JD01]

The riff sounds familiar but I don't know what it is. I think the tone is pretty good but the chugs are a little weak. I think you have the mids up too high for something like this.

Its Man In A Box by AIC.

[rayc]

I think it's not too bad, but but a little scratchy and the timing is off. You said you added a "a little top end". Maybe a little too much in the wrong place. The strumming/picking timing variances between the two guitars doesn't bother me, but one guitar rushing or lagging isn't ideal. I'd fix that. It doesn't need to be razor sharp quantized metal, but a little tighter would be good.

Thanks.
Just another tone test Greg. I'm working on the playing part.
Being faster I get cramps sooner and that delays the changes.
I had the wrong bud inside my industrial noise stoppers today so couldn't hear the kick at all I kept trying to listen for it BUT that's two guitars and I'll hit a single coil on the weekend to find the best combo before recording properly.
thanks for the input - I only threw a quick 2dB high shelf on it and wasn't even sure if that was appropriate/necessary.
Using the Boss as opposed to the Behri really pushed things harder, (I had power supply problems with the Boss last time so gave up - but that's sorted now.)

[Greg_L]

Thanks.
Just another tone test Greg. I'm working on the playing part.
Being faster I get cramps sooner and that delays the changes.
I had the wrong bud inside my industrial noise stoppers today so couldn't hear the kick at all I kept trying to listen for it BUT that's two guitars and I'll hit a single coil on the weekend to find the best combo before recording properly.
thanks for the input - I only threw a quick 2dB high shelf on it and wasn't even sure if that was appropriate/necessary.
Using the Boss as opposed to the Behri really pushed things harder, (I had power supply problems with the Boss last time so gave up - but that's sorted now.)

You get fretting hand cramps?

[Minerman]

I've done a little work, swapped guitars (this clip features the Guyatone Mosrite copy using the Humbucker that I'm considering replacing with a P90 Mutt.), and only used EQ on this - and then only to trim the bottom end a bit plus add a little top end - otherwise it's the same amp settings though I swapped OD pedals - this is a Boss the previous was a Behri - both only as boost - no gain.
Just power chords at this point.
JUNEriffcombiverseplusnugtr.mp3
Any thoughts?

I think this is pretty good Ray, but maybe just take the high end eq off??? It's not bad by any stretch & you're making progress dude...I gotta agree you need to work on your timing though...I know it's hard to get a "perfect" take, & this type of music doesn't need to be perfect anyway, but still...

Like Greg asked, you're getting cramps in your fretting hand dude???

[Minerman]

Qe? Low pass?

Sorry Armi, I get the correct term mixed up dude...From now on I'm just gonna call it a "high cut"...

Miner, I think you've got this pretty close - Its probably just a little scratchy, like it needs to sound much louder.
If you're planning on a cover though, this could be a good starting point... good luck singing that one, mate!

Thanks Jdude, dunno if I'll attempt a cover of this or not, I already know there's no fuckin' way I could get anywhere close to the vocals on this, but Cantrell is one of my favorites dude...IMO he's a great player who always has just superb guitar tones...

On the tone, I'm gonna try a couple things today & I'll throw another clip or two up...Thanks again...

Sounding almost there Minerman - might need some potatoes.

Thanks Ray, still learning the amp dude...

The riff sounds familiar but I don't know what it is. I think the tone is pretty good but the chugs are a little weak. I think you have the mids up too high for something like this.

Thanks Greg, Jdude already answered, but it's "Man In The Box" by Alice In Chains...I have the multi-tracks to this, & comparing my guitar to the original, mine has a lot less mids in the 500 - 1000 khz area, which is why I threw an eq on it...But after sleeping on it, then looking again, my track has a big low end hump the original doesn't...

I'm not trying to ape the tone exactly, but the mids are definitely something I'm gonna have to work on...

The original also has a wah guitar & a talk box in places, but I'm just trying to get the main dirt guitar a little closer...I've read some interviews with Cantrell about his sound, & there are some things I'm gonna try today...


More to come dudes...

[rayc]

You get fretting hand cramps?

Greg, Yeah, I have been for a couple of years.
Also, slowly the 2nd shortest finger creeps over.
I'm old.

[Greg_L]

Greg, Yeah, I have been for a couple of years.
Also, slowly the 2nd shortest finger creeps over.
I'm old.

It might just be you're gripping the neck too hard. Try to relax more.

[rayc]

It might just be you're gripping the neck too hard. Try to relax more.

Perhaps it's projected strangulation!
I'll try.

[Minerman]

It might just be you're gripping the neck too hard. Try to relax more.

Perhaps it's projected strangulation!
I'll try.

He may be onto something Ray...Just curious, do you use standard tuning??? The reason I'm asking is I've recently dropped down a 1/2 step & while it is a lot easier for me to play, but it also makes me have to play better, or that happens to me a lot easier now...

It actually made a huge difference in the feel of all my guitars & bass, but was especially noticeable with my Ibanez, which has a locking trem on it...The whole reason for me trying that is to make the whammy bar easier/softer/spongier to use, but I like it so much, I tried it on everything, & I'm gonna stick with it, for a while anyway...

Just curious, any of you other guys tune 1/2 step down???

[Greg_L]

Perhaps it's projected strangulation!
I'll try.

For me, I know when I'm working on something new or unfamiliar I tend to grip a little hard. Maybe that's happening to you. Once I get it and it becomes familiar, then I relax and it's easy.

[Greg_L]

Just curious, any of you other guys tune 1/2 step down???

I have in the past, but not for feel or anything. Sometimes I know that singing will be tough on whatever song I'm working on so I'll tune a half step down. I'm in standard tuning the majority of the time though.

One band I played with insisted we use 432 tuning because one of the guys was a weirdo space cadet. I went along with it because even though I know all of that 432 mumbo jumbo is horseshit, it's not worth fighting over. It's like 1/3 step down. No big deal. Anyway, since we tuned like that I just left my guitars like that for a few years and did my thing and it makes no difference.

[Minerman]

Just curious, any of you other guys tune 1/2 step down???

I have in the past, but not for feel or anything. Sometimes I know that singing will be tough on whatever song I'm working on so I'll tune a half step down. I'm in standard tuning the majority of the time though.

One band I played with insisted we use 432 tuning because one of the guys was a weirdo space cadet. I went along with it because even though I know all of that 432 mumbo jumbo is horseshit, it's not worth fighting over. It's like 1/3 step down. No big deal. Anyway, since we tuned like that I just left my guitars like that for a few years and did my thing and it makes no difference.

Cool Greg...

I gotta say 432 is a bit odd, but whatever floats their boat I guess...One time I went to sit in with a band, & one of those guys asked me how I played, meaning what style (rock/country/whatever)...
It flew right over my head because I was pretty smoked up on weed at that particular moment, so I told him "In tune & on time man, how else are you supposed to play???"

[rayc]

He may be onto something Ray...Just curious, do you use standard tuning??? T

Standard tuning for me.
I used to have my cello tuned to 441 - thta's what the tutor reckoned was best but, when it came to recording it was back to standard.
I do need to relax and pay attention - I was playing upstairs this arvo and had little trouble with my semi acoustic Bruno. I'll compare necks and BP next time.

[JD01]

Ray, if you're having trouble why don't you try using either really light strings that you barely have to pressure to fret them. Or maybe 11s or 12s so you can really strangle them and they won't bend out of tune so easily.