I've been playing for the better part of a decade now, but the biggest chunk of that was dedicated to acoustic styles. I'm just now becoming an audiophile with my electric tone. Any body have an idea on good places to start? Books, articles, you-tube vids. Whatever. I'm just looking to learn.
Getting the perfect tone
- Thread starter jman
- Start date
Superlizard
Hero Member
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- 2,514
Tone is a lifelong pursuit... only lots of experience with all different sorts of guitar/amp/speaker/pickup/stomps will allow
you to piece it all together on your own.
That said, if you truly want to be the Master Of Your Tone Domain, stuff your head with as much factual info as possible.
Learn how to build a guitar
Learn how to build an amp
EXPERIMENT
etc
There's no way in hell we can summarize how to get "perfect" tone in a paragraph.
Conversely, you could take the easy way and copy the gear of your favorite guitarist's tone. :icon_jokercolor:
you to piece it all together on your own.
That said, if you truly want to be the Master Of Your Tone Domain, stuff your head with as much factual info as possible.
Learn how to build a guitar
Learn how to build an amp
EXPERIMENT
etc
There's no way in hell we can summarize how to get "perfect" tone in a paragraph.
Conversely, you could take the easy way and copy the gear of your favorite guitarist's tone. :icon_jokercolor:
mayfly
Epic Member
- Messages
- 8,969
What kind of tone are you trying to achieve? Or perhaps a better question, do you have some examples of what you'd like to sound like?
of course, you could just buy this amp and call it a day:
http://www.spacemanmusic.com/Amps/Tube+Amps/Mayfly+BC-30+Head+with+Cabinet
of course, you could just buy this amp and call it a day:
http://www.spacemanmusic.com/Amps/Tube+Amps/Mayfly+BC-30+Head+with+Cabinet
Tonar8352
Hero Member
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- 2,198
I agree with Mr. Mayfly. The absolute best place to start is by looking at the gear being used by musicians doing the type of music you like the best. Then if you have a favorite player look real close at the rig they are using.
I like looking at YouTube but there is no way you can get a real sense of what a rig will do listening to it on the types of speaker we have in our homes. Once you decide on the type of gear you want see if you can test it in person. Even better; see if you can test it in a live situation with a band, that is were you find out how it hangs. Some stuff is great for recording but when you get it on stage it does not work as well.
Another suggestion is see if you can find some other tone freaks to share information with. Go see people play live in small venues and talk to them about their rig. I have found most people love to talk gear. You may even find a new circle of friends that share your common interest. It’s kind of like what happens on the board here.
Lastly I like reading Vintage Guitar Magazine and the Tone Quest Report. I have been turned onto some great gear and ideas over the years.
Good luck!
I like looking at YouTube but there is no way you can get a real sense of what a rig will do listening to it on the types of speaker we have in our homes. Once you decide on the type of gear you want see if you can test it in person. Even better; see if you can test it in a live situation with a band, that is were you find out how it hangs. Some stuff is great for recording but when you get it on stage it does not work as well.
Another suggestion is see if you can find some other tone freaks to share information with. Go see people play live in small venues and talk to them about their rig. I have found most people love to talk gear. You may even find a new circle of friends that share your common interest. It’s kind of like what happens on the board here.
Lastly I like reading Vintage Guitar Magazine and the Tone Quest Report. I have been turned onto some great gear and ideas over the years.
Good luck!
Bad Tone...
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzgfhO5t9D0[/youtube]
Good Tone...
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F-DMgHXPs&feature=related[/youtube]
The best place to start though (yes, I'm finally offering something worthwhile to the thread) is your own experience. All the youtube vids, books, heresay etc won't inform you like you can by just trying stuff out. Tone is 40% the gear and 60% your fingers, it's why some guitarists are instantly recognisable regardless of what gear their running through. It's true what they say about Tube vs. Solid State, tube will always win in my opinion. That doesn't mean a solid state amp can't sound good, but tubes just have something special. I'm also convinced that you don't need a '59 les paul and an array of dumble and old fender amps to get a good tone. You want quality for sure, but it doesn't need to be pricey. My final point is one that will echo around these boards forever.... get ready for some serious GAS :icon_biggrin:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzgfhO5t9D0[/youtube]
Good Tone...
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F-DMgHXPs&feature=related[/youtube]
The best place to start though (yes, I'm finally offering something worthwhile to the thread) is your own experience. All the youtube vids, books, heresay etc won't inform you like you can by just trying stuff out. Tone is 40% the gear and 60% your fingers, it's why some guitarists are instantly recognisable regardless of what gear their running through. It's true what they say about Tube vs. Solid State, tube will always win in my opinion. That doesn't mean a solid state amp can't sound good, but tubes just have something special. I'm also convinced that you don't need a '59 les paul and an array of dumble and old fender amps to get a good tone. You want quality for sure, but it doesn't need to be pricey. My final point is one that will echo around these boards forever.... get ready for some serious GAS :icon_biggrin:
With tone the chase is better than the catch, just have fun and don't get frustrated if you can't get the sound in your head. Also I can get a great tone out my(well I say my, I don't use it any more) MG15, provided I have my E-HX graphic fuzz in front of it... and my £2200 warmoth guitar.
