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Posted by: steve25 Jul 6 2008, 04:48 PM

Hey guys what do you think is the best guitar tones that you've ever heard? I thought it might be quite interesting to see what people think. I'd also like to check out the gear that these guitarists use as i'd like to try and recreate some sounds using my PODxt just so that i can get better at using it .

Lead Tones
--------------
Eric Johnson
Eddie Van Halen
Gary Moore

Rhythm/Riffs Tones
-----------------------
James Hetfield
John Petrucci
Mikael Akerfeldt


Those are my 3 for each. Was actually very hard to restrict myself to just 3 but i thought it'd be pointless in filling everyone that i liked because some i like more than others

Posted by: Andrew6 Jul 6 2008, 04:52 PM

The best guitar tone I have ever heard was when I saw Black Sabbath live, Tony Iommi's riffs were even more crushing in person

Posted by: Tjchep Jul 6 2008, 04:52 PM

You didn't even include Timmons? Or Vai? Mabye even Muris!

TBH I don't even like eric johnsons tone anymore. It's to.. perfect, he's a sketchy guy I'll tell you.

Posted by: steve25 Jul 6 2008, 04:54 PM

Timmons i've not really heard much of, hook me up with youtube? =]. And Yeah Vai's is good, he would be in my top 5 for sure.

As for Iommi's tone, well it would have to be good live because it can't get any worse on record I still like Sabbath though don't get me wrong i guess its because its old

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 6 2008, 05:08 PM

I think satch's tone is cool.

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 6 2008, 05:10 PM

Bucketheads tone in Eletric tears is dreamy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7equ9oM6H-o&feature=related My dream tone for sure

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 6 2008, 05:13 PM

How could i forget buckethead's electric tears tones. There great, padmasana is amazing but way better live.

Posted by: Slammer Jul 6 2008, 05:15 PM

Yep, Eric Johnson has to be one of the best tones ever.

Just check the first 60 seconds of this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKNO4khkT4k

And Also for blues, SRV is famous for his great "Glassy" tone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDBIbJKjAZQ

Posted by: sidewas lightning Jul 6 2008, 05:21 PM

I love Eric Johnson, but he just seems too perfect! I dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing, but he makes everyone else jealous.

Posted by: jacmoe Jul 6 2008, 05:39 PM

Stevie Ray V, Carlos Santana, Niel Young and Gary Moore.

Posted by: Andrew6 Jul 6 2008, 05:51 PM

Other than Iommi live I would go with Dave Mustaine, Lian Gerbino (GMC Instructor, some great tones!), Mark Morton, Alex Lifeson and Uli Jon Roth

Posted by: superize Jul 6 2008, 05:52 PM

Luca Turilli need i say more

Posted by: Andrew6 Jul 6 2008, 05:54 PM

+1 ! Forgot about Luca, good choice

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jul 6 2008, 06:36 PM

How could noone have mentioned David Gilmour. The best by a long way.

Posted by: kjutte Jul 6 2008, 06:41 PM

Love andy timmon's tone.

Posted by: jacmoe Jul 6 2008, 06:53 PM

Oops, you're right! :oops:

Posted by: Stevie·Ray·Vaughn Jul 6 2008, 07:03 PM

Lead
-------
David Gilmour
EVH

Rhythm
---------
Smashing Pumpkins (there's just somethin' bout it)
Jon Schaffer


I also love the triple guitar sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd (RIP) , but thats not exactly tone, more sound

Posted by: chast Jul 6 2008, 07:15 PM

Hm, that's a hard question

May I ask what do you understand by tone ? For me that it's bending/vibrato/picking dynamics, basically everything that comes out of your fingers.
Sound for me is much treble/bass/mids etc.

Talking about picking dynamics, definitely Paul Gilbert. Bending and vibrato, hm there are so much good ones, but my favourites are John Petrucci, Marcus Lavendell, Michael Romeo, Dimebag Darrell and some more.

Posted by: Strungout180 Jul 6 2008, 07:20 PM

Mark Knopfler, Warren Haynes, and Joe Bonamassa are probably my favourites that aren't mentioned yet.

Posted by: chast Jul 6 2008, 07:21 PM

Oh, how could I forget Knopfler ?

Posted by: Strungout180 Jul 6 2008, 07:23 PM

Probably the best ever imo, both his rhythm and lead tones are flawless and piercing.

Posted by: Matt23 Jul 6 2008, 07:34 PM

How could i forget Marcus Lavendell. His tone is great.

Posted by: steve25 Jul 6 2008, 07:41 PM

Yeah Marcus' tones are definitaly an inspiration when i come to make my own.

I've heard of Knopfler but haven't actually heard any of his stuff. Any notable tracks that should be checked out?

Posted by: JVM Jul 6 2008, 07:46 PM

Best Heavy Tones (riffing, shredding)

Morello
Jerry Cantrell
Andy Timmons (best "nice" rock-shred tone in my opinion, I always thought it was thomas blug or eric johnson, but in a side by side comparison timmon's tone comes out way ahead for me)
Iommi (how can you say its not amazing?! Iommi's tone is CRUSHING!)
Marty Friedman
Alex Skolnick

Best Clean to Crunch Tones

John Mayer
Gilmour
Ted Nugent
Dan Auerbach
Danny Gatton (possibly the best live tone ever. I heard one live record of his where the tone was just so fat, glassy, bright and smooth all at the same time, plus his playing is just superb... it was great)
George Benson
John Fogerty
Neil Young
John Frusciante
Knopfler

Posted by: jacmoe Jul 6 2008, 07:56 PM

Great list, JVM!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 6 2008, 08:16 PM

OMG this is a difficult one really, I love all the tones from famous guitar players, Hendrix, SRV, BB KIng, Moore, Santana, lots of other. I seem to like vintage natural sound more than synthetic rack sound.

Posted by: kjutte Jul 6 2008, 08:17 PM

Knopfler is nice, but imo his tone isn't that unique?

Posted by: JVM Jul 6 2008, 08:19 PM

I'd say it is through his style, the fact that he fingerpicks gives him a nice warmer strat sound, plus he makes good use of swells, etc.

Posted by: kjutte Jul 6 2008, 08:21 PM

Cool thing is that he just uses a PODxt.



Well, the way I'm thinking, tone is tone, not style

Posted by: JVM Jul 6 2008, 10:14 PM

True, but I'd say a pick is a gear choice. By not using a pick, another gear choice. Also making use of the volume knob or a volume pedal is another gear choice. IMO of course

Posted by: steve25 Jul 6 2008, 10:17 PM

I agree with that to a certain extent however isn't that more how you choose to play the instrument?

Posted by: JVM Jul 7 2008, 01:33 AM

Different picks result in different tones, without a doubt. Just in this case, substitute your fingers for the pick. I'd say fingers qualify as gear. Cheap gear

I mean, without trying to write a scientific thesis on it, I'd say anything that you do outside of note and rhythm choice should qualify as gear, which then relates to tone. Using his volume knob is an effect, for sure. He also gets some fairly unique sounds other ways, such as the money for nothing riff tone, more going on there than simple tube overdrive. But in general I'd just say he has a nice crystal clear strat sound. Which may not be that unique but I think he's easily one of the best strat players tone wise.

Posted by: Tjchep Jul 7 2008, 04:30 AM

Well if you don't like fusion and love metal.. You can't say that the metal guy has a better tone than the fusion guy. It all comes down to what they play really.. and what kind of playing you like better.

Posted by: Andrew6 Jul 7 2008, 04:43 AM

a couple super under rated tones , Andy Summers (the Police), Robert Fripp (King Crimson) and not so much under rated but worth a mention Jeff Beck and Jimmy Paige

Posted by: Iluha Jul 7 2008, 08:13 AM

Theres too many..
Muris, lavendell, scott henderson, srv, mikael from opeth, david gilmoure, satriani, daniel from pain of salvation, daniel gottardo, but the most beautiful guitar tone in my opinion was produced by mark knopfler.

Posted by: Jesse Jul 7 2008, 12:19 PM

Hands down.. bar none.. ac/dc tone is the best... !!!

Posted by: steve25 Jul 7 2008, 05:29 PM

Hell no!

Posted by: Scott Gentzen Jul 7 2008, 06:02 PM

Marcus' tone is pretty badass. Noticed that recently myself.

I like tone a little wrecked. Stuff like what NIN does to their guitars. Ministry. Nirvana. Steve Albini.

Probably because I'll never have the kind of gear to get Jimmy Page's tone from Heartbreaker.

Posted by: peixe Jul 7 2008, 06:41 PM

I think it's a crime not to mention Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale in this list

Posted by: Tsarpf Jul 7 2008, 06:53 PM

John Petrucci live... The sound/tone of his... It was something so great I'm unable to describe it

Posted by: shellshock1911 Jul 7 2008, 09:01 PM

John Petrucci for all around, his riffs and leads combined. Show me where I can get a better alternate picking tone.

Eric Johnson has a really good lead tone as well, same with Mark Knopfler, his solos in Sultans of Swing are so soothing I just want to doze off (in a good way).

Posted by: kevin-riff-after-riff Jul 7 2008, 09:20 PM

annddyy timmonsss!! the tone king himself

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jul 7 2008, 10:32 PM

Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Victor Smolsky, and Eddie Van Halen... those are my desired tones. Other guys that sounds amazing are for example Yngwie, Santana (in the last years) or Timmons, but those tones are not for me

Posted by: Fran Jul 7 2008, 10:37 PM

Buckethead, Slash & SRV!

gary Moore has some awesome neverending sustained leads too.

Posted by: IDontWantMyUsername Jul 7 2008, 11:05 PM

I love Yngwie's superfat tone

Posted by: kyldeee Jul 8 2008, 01:03 PM

Yes, Knopfler by far, nothing even comes close to that ( IMO of course )

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jul 8 2008, 01:05 PM

+1
I saw him live few weeks ago,no comment,specially on the tone

Posted by: Henry Dietzel Jul 8 2008, 06:15 PM

SRV or Bonamassa IMO but I guess it really depends cause Mr. "battery" Johnson's violin sound is like no other....

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic Jul 8 2008, 06:31 PM

SRV,in my opinion.I am simply amazed every time I here his guitar in his hands.

Posted by: MarcC Jul 9 2008, 01:15 PM

Surprised no one mentioned Brian May !

Posted by: Jesse Jul 9 2008, 01:18 PM

True.. it's mostly his hands. But the ibanez tube screamer is always there!!!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 9 2008, 01:23 PM

I know the quality isn't that great, but I really like Shawn Lane's tone:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tbPTeFta4lw

Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Jul 9 2008, 01:29 PM

>Also the tone in final wars where the first lead part comes in.

>Mark Knopfler - Enough said.

EDIT:
>A few others I must add that haven't been mentioned much or yet are Hendrix - who could forget the man who practically started modern day guitar sounds and techniques etc. Yngwie Malmsteen - Flawless, all that needs to be said. John Frusciante - Hendrix inspired him in so many ways, even most of his guitar sounds, amazing guitarist as well! Of course John Petrucci. And one more for now...John 5 - like Buckethead he has many different sounds, very experimental and plays many different styles which results in lots of different tones, and they are good ones also

Posted by: JVM Jul 10 2008, 09:17 AM

Ahh so very true... I knew I was missing at least one person. Brian has amazing tone

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jul 10 2008, 09:20 AM

Brian does have only one tone though But that tone is amazing

Posted by: JVM Jul 10 2008, 09:21 AM

It's true

Can't tell you the times I've wished the ac-30s were still made in england, though..

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jul 10 2008, 09:22 AM

Tis a Shame. Incredible amps. Not many own Vox amps really but they should. Incredible tones you can get out of them.

Posted by: black and white Jul 10 2008, 09:48 AM

Did anyone mention Clapton............I like him a lot and notice he does not get a lot of mention around here. Do people not like EC?

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Jul 10 2008, 09:59 AM

For me definitely David Gilmour, Michael Schenker (in the 70s and 80s), Mark Tremonti, Zakk Wylde, James Hetfield, Mark Knopfler, Brian May, Toni Iommi...

Posted by: Déjà vu Jul 10 2008, 10:15 AM

Ooh! Every guitarist has their own different style of tone (it's so hard to choose!) Some player's tones variate on albums or songs. I'll give a few albums or songs I like. So, you can get an idea of what "type of tones" I am talking about.

A few I really admire are...

Eric Johnson - If I could describe his tone in words... I would say something like... "FLAWLESS"! It always makes me feel happy to hear him play "Cliffs of Dover" or "Trademark".
Marcus Lavendell - I had to say it! I don't know if it's the backing tracks or the "dreamy" vibrato that gives his tone that unique flavor. But, man I could listen to the "Evening Blues" track for hours!
Marty Friedman - Very Versatile player. I tend to like his "cleaner" tones the most. I think his album "Scenes" really shows that off.
Jason Becker - Can't list Marty without listing the Beck-Miester . I really like Jason's tone in "Altitudes" off of his album Perpetual Burn. Jason uses a variety of different tones. From Twangy Blues sounding clean to distorted, sinister, and slightly mysterious.
Uli Jon Roth - I am really glad someone posted Uli's name earlier! His song "Concerto D'Anranjuez" I heard once... Then listened to it about 50 more times afterwards . Listen to the song and the tone will speak for itself...
Paul Gilbert - I do enjoy his thick rock tone. But, I was more intrigued by the pretty piece "Suite Modale" off of his new album. Perhaps, it was just the sustainer in the guitar that really made the whole song "flow".

I have a TON more to list and a TON more to say... But, I have a feeling my post may take up too much space.

Posted by: audiopaal Jul 10 2008, 10:26 AM

This is an impossible question for me as I've got lots of favourites in different styles etc.
But here's 5 in each category I really like a lot, in no particular order!

Lead tones:

Gary Moore
Eddie Van Halen
Joe Satriani
Mark Knopfler
David Gilmour


Rythm/Riff tones:

Mark Knopfler
Dimebag
James Hetfield
Alex Scolnic
Billy Corgan

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell Jul 10 2008, 10:46 AM

Great thread steve25!
I’m of course very happy to see that my name is mentioned a couple of times here!

What I’d like to add to this topic is that there are lots of things that affects the tone. We tend to focus on the gear; amps, pedals, strings, pick-ups, wood, etc etc… and yes, those things are important. But most important (in my opinion) is your fingers. A big part of the tone comes from your fingers.

Posted by: JVM Jul 10 2008, 05:57 PM

I love Hendrix, but thats why I mentioned Frusciante. I think he's the sucessor to Hendrix today. And his tone is better, if only because we have more control over our gear now If I had to list all the people who experimented and gave us new ideas for today, my list would be wayyyyy too long so instead I listed those who learned the best from them, or who have just established unsurpassed tones of their own.



I love Clapton! But I don't see a lot thats special about his tone. Clapton has always been about the playing to me. He does get really nice tone, especially recently, but his tone pretty much stays where it is all the time.

Posted by: Déjà vu Jul 11 2008, 02:49 AM

Definitely! I've noticed that playing the same guitar, song, amp, and effects as my friend. Just little differences in the techniques we do variate the sound a great deal.

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Jul 11 2008, 10:53 AM

+1000 I have seen people entering a music store, complaining that they don't sound like James Hetfield, even though they bought "his" guitar and "his" amp in that shop... well, his fingers are not for sale I guess A good player will sound good on pretty much any equipment.

Posted by: rockztar Jul 11 2008, 11:00 AM

As Marcus said i also like mark tremontis tone and micheal schenker. BUT i also like Thomas blug and Guthrie Govan And alot of other players tones

EDIT: Spelling