Questions on replicating a "Vintage Tone"

[Tonar8352]

This thread reminds me to ask:  What's your recipe for getting a good tone out of a Fender amp again?  I seem to recall you saying something like:
1 - turn the treble off
2 - turn up the bass and mid all the way
3 - set the volume to the breakup you want
4 - start turning up the treble until you get something you want.

First of all this method really works best with Fender amps that have a treble, mid, and bass knobs like a Super Reverb or a Twin Reverb.

1. Turn all the tone knobs off.
2. Crank the amps volume to between 5 and 7. You will not have any volume coming out of the amp at this point. My understanding is the Derek Trucks turns his Super all the way up at this point.
3. Put the guitar on the neck pickup and start popping your low E string and start moving the bass knob up until it starts flubbing out. The volume will increase but it will not be out of control.  Flubbing out is like the note loose its clarity.
4. Now add your treble in to get the volume you desire.
5. Add the midrange in last.
You have the tubes getting slammed and then the amp starts singing. 

Lastly use you volume and tone knobs on the guitar.  I can't stress how important they are to getting great tone. I saw an interview with J.D. Simo  where the interviewer was asking him how he was getting away with using Marshall's in small clubs. Simo got a wry grin on his face and pointed his ES335 and said "these things have these on them".

 

[DustyCat]

If you want to sound like Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top you gotta grow a killer beard! :cool01:

 

[AutoBat]

If you want to sound like Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top you gotta grow a killer beard! :cool01:

Am I doing it right?

 

[bagman67]

If you're wearing a Nudie suit, you are perforce doing it right.

 

[Ace Flibble]

On the subejct of locking tuners and lighter bodies, I've got a semi-hollow korina Thinline Tele here with locking Schaller tuners and it doesn't dive; the body remains heavier than the neck. The only way I could see the neck and tuners outweighing a chambered mahogany body would be if you went for full 25.5" scale 'pro' construction with the Planet Waves tuners, as those are considerably heavier.

 

[mayfly]

This thread reminds me to ask:  What's your recipe for getting a good tone out of a Fender amp again?  I seem to recall you saying something like:
1 - turn the treble off
2 - turn up the bass and mid all the way
3 - set the volume to the breakup you want
4 - start turning up the treble until you get something you want.

First of all this method really works best with Fender amps that have a treble, mid, and bass knobs like a Super Reverb or a Twin Reverb.

1. Turn all the tone knobs off.
2. Crank the amps volume to between 5 and 7. You will not have any volume coming out of the amp at this point. My understanding is the Derek Trucks turns his Super all the way up at this point.
3. Put the guitar on the neck pickup and start popping your low E string and start moving the bass knob up until it starts flubbing out. The volume will increase but it will not be out of control.  Flubbing out is like the note loose its clarity.
4. Now add your treble in to get the volume you desire.
5. Add the midrange in last.
You have the tubes getting slammed and then the amp starts singing. 

Lastly use you volume and tone knobs on the guitar.  I can't stress how important they are to getting great tone. I saw an interview with J.D. Simo  where the interviewer was asking him how he was getting away with using Marshall's in small clubs. Simo got a wry grin on his face and pointed his ES335 and said "these things have these on them".

ok, I tried this on the deluxe reverb model in my Axe FX.... and it worked!  I managed to get two new patches for my 12 string - a 'regular' one and a soloing one.  Both sound great - lots of sustain without the use of a compressor and very clear and natural tone.  Thanks Greg!

 

[animal control]

On the subejct of locking tuners and lighter bodies, I've got a semi-hollow korina Thinline Tele here with locking Schaller tuners and it doesn't dive; the body remains heavier than the neck. The only way I could see the neck and tuners outweighing a chambered mahogany body would be if you went for full 25.5" scale 'pro' construction with the Planet Waves tuners, as those are considerably heavier.

I have 3 chambered strats, all with locking tuners, no dive. Mini-Schallers, Planet Waves, Spersel

 

[Gilgamesh]

Fair enough, that is at least one worry alleviated. I'll definitely take a closer look at the chambered body. Seems intriguing at the very least.

 

[Ddbltrbl]

On the subejct of locking tuners and lighter bodies, I've got a semi-hollow korina Thinline Tele here with locking Schaller tuners and it doesn't dive; the body remains heavier than the neck. The only way I could see the neck and tuners outweighing a chambered mahogany body would be if you went for full 25.5" scale 'pro' construction with the Planet Waves tuners, as those are considerably heavier.

I have 3 chambered strats, all with locking tuners, no dive. Mini-Schallers, Planet Waves, Spersel

I have a chambered Strat, Tele, and LP all with Mini-Schallers, a hollow/chambered Tele with Gotohs, and a chambered VIP with Planet Waves, and no dive on any of them.  :guitarplayer2:

 

[Tonar8352]

ok, I tried this on the deluxe reverb model in my Axe FX.... and it worked!

That is just wrong.  :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:
A amp builder of such high regard using that thing!! :sad1:

 

[swarfrat]

The upper horn on the strat is not just aesthetic. It goes a long way towards balance and weight distribution. I have a chambeed BK body, Wenge fatback neck with locking tuners, and no neck dive.

 

[Cagey]

That is just wrong.  :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:
A amp builder of such high regard using that thing!! :sad1:

An amp builder of such high regard using that thing says a lot about that thing, as do users such as Guthrie Govan, Alex Lifeson, Steve Vai, Pete Thorn...

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

ok, I tried this on the deluxe reverb model in my Axe FX.... and it worked!

That is just wrong.  :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:
A amp builder of such high regard using that thing!! :sad1:

But for all the right reasons.

 

[DustyCat]

Am I doing it right?

You're on the right track!
Don't forget, classic rock guitar playing wasn't quite as sophisticated as it has become. Cell phones were not readily available to everyone back then so their digits were probably not as well developed.
So ditch that pinky and play your guitar more ham-fisted, you know...with more "soul."

 

[Gilgamesh]

Well, placed and order for the chambered body and neck. Now it's time to play the waiting game.  :sad1:

At least it will give me time to decide on pickups. :-\

Thanks all for the input and help!

 

[mayfly]

ok, I tried this on the deluxe reverb model in my Axe FX.... and it worked!

That is just wrong.  :laughing7: :laughing7: :laughing7:
A amp builder of such high regard using that thing!! :sad1:

But for all the right reasons.

you guys make me laugh  :laughing11:

 

[Tonar8352]

I'm glad because that was the intent!  ccasion14:

 

[Maka491]

As far as pickups go, if you want help getting 'Vintage' tone, then look no further than Lollars or even Fralins (available through Warmoth). Both Jason and Lindy simply understand tone and what shapes it (at least I think they do). They are masters at recreating 'vintage' sounding pickups and I have yet to hear one of their products I didnt like and I am very much into vintage tone.

They don't come cheap but I think you pay for the knowledge, quality, and above all, Tone. Check some sound files out on their sites or read up on some reviews and how they nearly all praise them for nailing 'Vintage Tone'.

OK I am stopping here before anything thinks I am on commission with these guys.  :icon_smile:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

While Lollars and Fralins are definitely nice, it would be shortsighted to only consider those.  Our good pal, and Board Member, TroubledTreble is the guy behind Roadhouse Pickups.  You can look around and find reviews of his stuff on this board.  The nice thing about Ken is that he will make something that will suit your needs for a reasonable price.  If you are on an exploratory search, then GFS are the easiest way to check out a wide variety for the least amount of money.  Ken has some voodoo/mojo/magic something that he does to his pickups that make them different in a very good way.  I like them, so I don't really don't go anywhere else unless it is something odd, like a WRHB or a TV Jones type of a thing.
Patrick

 

[Maka491]

Patrick,

I was not saying those are the only ones to consider. I was giving an opinion with regards to Vintage tone. I'm sure most of us here tend to stick with a couple of brands and you even say that you 'don't go anywhere else'.

Lollar in particular has been on a mission for many years to master Vintage sounding pickups and I think he does a good job at it. Of course check out other suppliers, but I personally recommend those two.