Tone Question

[exaN]

Hey, I'm sorry I'm pretty new to the whole tone searching thing so don't be too harsh :binkybaby:.

I've been playing guitar for only 6 years but it's only in the past year that I've started to really worry about my tone. I've done my researches and got some gear that really please my likes so far. My amp is a Carvin X100B which is excellent for 80's metal higher gain sounds, but I'd like to get a more sober distortion, more vintage if you like. The sound is super rich when I turn the drive up to 8-9 on the amp, but whenever I get it a little lower, the notes start to die quickly. Note that I'm running the amp in 25W mode for my ears sake (through a 4x12).

Considering I have this:
-Carvin X100B
-Ibanez Jemini distortion

Is there a way to get a smoother and more vintage distortion? Is it the fact that I'm not running the amp in its full 100W capacity that makes the note die out? Should I use the amp's distortion or use the clean channel + the Jemini? Should I buy an attenuator? :dontknow:

Sorry that's a lot of question, but I've yet to find something very clear about this on the Internet, thought you guys would know.

 

[Tonar8352]

Choose an artist whose tone you love and then research what rig he is using.  That is a good place to start.

 

[GratefullyRedd]

A pedal with an actual tube in it, such as a tube screamer, or an "overdrive" pedal will be you best bet without buying a new amp.Mids also help

 

[-CB-]

Build a 5e3 clone, fit it with good JJ 6V6's, and put it in a tweed Super 2x10 cabinet with Eminence 10" alnicos.

 

[exaN]

Although Paul Gilbert is my biggest influence, I like WAY too many guitar players to choose one lol

I've been watching tons of demos of various overdrives and still can't choose which one I like

Are there any good and cheap small tube driven combo amps that would be worth it? I think I've seen some Fenders but my experience with amps is limited.

Build a 5e3 clone, fit it with good JJ 6V6's, and put it in a tweed Super 2x10 cabinet with Eminence 10" alnicos.

I can't even do the electronics in a guitar, let alone an amp haha :doh:

 

[-CB-]

then buy one premade - ceriatone has built ones for sale

 

[exaN]

then buy one premade - ceriatone has built ones for sale

Cool, I'll definitely check out Ceriatone for that

What about this pedal?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/-TK999HT-Tube-King-High-Voltage-Tube-Distortion-Guitar-Pedal?sku=150461

Is it worth anything? I think it sounds pretty damn good from the demos I've heard.

 

[-CB-]

Electro Harmonix English Muff'n - a great pedal, about ... $160ish I think.  Does mild Marshall grind to plexi to JCM800ish metal.  Very nice pedal.  But it doesn't get that "compression" you seek.

Another is the Visual Sound Rt66 pedal, a tubescreamer and compressor in one pedal... that does nicely too.  Has a bit of that squish.

But the 5e3 is top dog for squishy compressed tone.

 

[GratefullyRedd]

then buy one premade - ceriatone has built ones for sale

Cool, I'll definitely check out Ceriatone for that

What about this pedal?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/-TK999HT-Tube-King-High-Voltage-Tube-Distortion-Guitar-Pedal?sku=150461

Is it worth anything? I think it sounds pretty damn good from the demos I've heard.

Confucious says to try before you buy.Don't want buy bad pedal without knowing.
not saying it's a bad pedal but you never know

 

[exaN]

then buy one premade - ceriatone has built ones for sale

Cool, I'll definitely check out Ceriatone for that

What about this pedal?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/-TK999HT-Tube-King-High-Voltage-Tube-Distortion-Guitar-Pedal?sku=150461

Is it worth anything? I think it sounds pretty damn good from the demos I've heard.

Confucious says to try before you buy.Don't want buy bad pedal without knowing.
not saying it's a bad pedal but you never know

I don't really have any way of trying gear where I live :sad1:

I just wanna hit a powerchord and be like !!

 

[exaN]

Electro Harmonix English Muff'n - a great pedal, about ... $160ish I think.  Does mild Marshall grind to plexi to JCM800ish metal.  Very nice pedal.  But it doesn't get that "compression" you seek.

Another is the Visual Sound Rt66 pedal, a tubescreamer and compressor in one pedal... that does nicely too.  Has a bit of that squish.

But the 5e3 is top dog for squishy compressed tone.

I'm digging the English Muff'n! Sounds awesome.

 

[GratefullyRedd]

then buy one premade - ceriatone has built ones for sale

Cool, I'll definitely check out Ceriatone for that

What about this pedal?
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/-TK999HT-Tube-King-High-Voltage-Tube-Distortion-Guitar-Pedal?sku=150461

Is it worth anything? I think it sounds pretty damn good from the demos I've heard.

Confucious says to try before you buy.Don't want buy bad pedal without knowing.
not saying it's a bad pedal but you never know

I don't really have any way of trying gear where I live :sad1:

I just wanna hit a powerchord and be like !!

this
I just wanna hit a powerchord and be like !!
is
:doh:
thats hilarious

 

[exaN]

[quote author=GratefullyRedd]this
I just wanna hit a powerchord and be like Shocked !!
is
:doh:
thats hilarious[/quote]
:doh:

 

[GratefullyRedd]

[quote author=GratefullyRedd]this
I just wanna hit a powerchord and be like Shocked !!
is
:doh:
thats hilarious

:doh:
[/quote] :icon_scratch:

 

[Superlizard]

I've been playing guitar for only 6 years but it's only in the past year that I've started to really worry about my tone.

Congrats on seeing the value of tone after only 6 years - alotta guitarists go their whole lives without really thinking about/experimenting with tone, but instead spend
all their money on the latest name-brand crap or the latest guitarist fad.

My amp is a Carvin X100B which is excellent for 80's metal higher gain sounds, but I'd like to get a more sober distortion, more vintage if you like.

It all starts with the amp... and speaker (just as important!).

If you're talking about using just the Carvin X100B, I'd suggest going clean channel with an OD or mild Dist in front.

Otherwise, you gotta go the vintage-amp circuit route (clone or original)... less is more circuit-wise (keep the signal path free of bells 'n' whistles).
The more circuitry your guitar signal gets processed through, the more processed-sounding the final tone will be.

One other item to note:  the more "vintage" with your tone you go, the less "crutches" you get to hide behind (uber sustain, etc...) and the more your true ability shows through...
your playing will have to adjust.

And don't forget the tone rule of thumb:  it'll always sound t!ts until you hear something better.   :laughing7:
Another tone rule of thumb:  You can't polish a turd.  While the possibility exists that you just haven't found the right combination yet,
there does come a point in time (after effort is put in) when you just gotta give up on the piece of gear in question.

 

[Doughboy]

The Xotic BB pedal is the warmest most natural overdrive pedal I have ever played. The Love Pedal COT is not bad either.

I put some mild overdrive on my amp & then boost it with an Analogman Bi-Comprossor & an Xotic BB pedal & it's pure warmth & sustain. No buzz, fuzz, brittle distortion etc.

 

[exaN]

Alright, thanks for the tips guys, I think I'll start shopping for an overdrive pedal :icon_thumright:

 

[imminentG]

Yeah, Xotic is some choice gear. Pining after an AC+ to throw onto that single coil sound

 

[exaN]

[quote author=Superlizard]
And don't forget the tone rule of thumb:  it'll always sound t!ts until you hear something better.   :laughing7:
Another tone rule of thumb:  You can't polish a turd.  While the possibility exists that you just haven't found the right combination yet,
there does come a point in time (after effort is put in) when you just gotta give up on the piece of gear in question.
[/quote]


Aaah If I had the money I would just have a Vintage Modern amp, but at 19 years old you gotta start somewhere I guess

I'm aware of the fact that it is something that comes with time and I don't feel like I need every $$$$ piece of gear that exists to start experimenting with tones.

 

[dNA]

I'm aware of the fact that it is something that comes with time and I don't feel like I need every $$$$ piece of gear that exists to start experimenting with tones.

while that is true - experience has taught me that it's better to invest in a solid foundation - good guitar with good electronics, good amp, decent cables, as little in your chain as possible - before you try a lot of things. I've bought and sold so many pickups and guitars only to realize later that i had serious issues with my amp and the room I was playing in. Hell, the room you're playing in has as big an effect on your sound as any of the other major factors and it can make a huge difference between a sound being clear and nice or muddy or boomy or.. well you get the idea.

has anybody asked what kind of guitar you're playing in this thread? i mean notes dying out could be a matter of guitar and setup as much as signal chain