Getting That Perfect Tone? |
|
Getting That Perfect Tone? |
|
|
|
|
Jul 16 2010, 10:24 PM |
Getting that perfect tone?
It's getting time to replace my guitar strings and pick. I'm wondering if it's also time for a service and clean? Setup: My baby is a Les Paul Gibson USA '98 - Standard (2nd hand but good nick) Laney Hardcore Max Amp HCM65R (The amp has two channels: clean and crunch, and even an extra distortion) Line 6 - PODXT (for effects) I currently have Ernie Ball Custom Gauge (10-46) guitar strings on her and use a dunlop 1.14mm pick (lost and worn a few others) My question is first should I do the full service along with the guitar strings, or just string it myself. It's harmonics are slightly off I think and the 12th fret - top E string buzzs a bit when played. I could possible clean it myself but don't know how to setup the action correctly. Is it better to setup a FX loop? I feed the PODXT in thru the AMP input and leave the AMP off 'Crush Factor' mostly to clearly hear the POD tone effect, but it also has the ports for Foot Switch, FX Send, and FX Return. Should I be looping it through there instead? Also what's good EQ settings for the AMP, for this style rock/metal or should I leave it flat so the POD does that? What would the best string and pick to get? I enjoy rock/metal and getting into learning to shred, styles like Paul Gilbert, Dimebags, Slash, and James Hetfield, etc. Thanks in advance! ps. you dont' have to answer all the questions, one or two would be fine This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 16 2010, 10:26 PM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 16 2010, 10:29 PM |
If you can have a guitar tech setup your guitar that would be the best if you are not sure how todo it yourself
-------------------- My Gear
Ibanez RG Jackson js30 warrior jackson rr24 Line 6 Spider III amp Line 6 pod xt live Washburn acoustic Youtube Account My bands Myspace |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 16 2010, 10:48 PM |
Aww, but I want the ULTIMATE tone! Something like cries and wails which my dog can sing too while still getting up to speed
I'll check out the Gibson Burstbuckers, thanks. I also heard about speed picks (H10r Angle) with a little twist in them and wonder if they are better or a have. Or maybe go with Jazz III picks? Also what thickness on the strings and pick would be suitable? I know there's no instant play better if you use this device, strings and pick, but it can help right? I can wish This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 16 2010, 10:52 PM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 16 2010, 11:01 PM |
So was I thinking of replacing the pickups Zakk, heh might be costly thou!
Slash Signiture guitar just has a flatten neck, different pickups and bridge and paint job. Looks awesome! Customise my guitar the same? (a bit over my head and costly maybe) -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 17 2010, 01:23 AM |
QUOTE I LOVE thick picks (4.10mm), and I use 11-54 gauge in D standard and Drop C tuning That's insanely heavily! Nice, but I don't think I'll go that far? I normally play in standard tune. I've never actually tried a thicker pick than 2.4mm, might give it a go. My Big Stubby is 2mm, great grip but not sharp enough. I want to learn picking like how Paul Gilbert does it angled, I get much sweeter harmonics. QUOTE The neck is about the same as on a normal standard and the pickups are Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pros. They are low output pickups with a great Rock and Clean sound but they are really bad for Metal and heavier Rock (fizzy under high gain) Oh ok, thanks for the heads up. I was just wondering mostly about the pickups slash uses, but you answered my question. Would a Gibson Burstbuckers #3 work well in the bridge position with a BurstBucker™ #2 in the neck position for the rock/metal tone? I'm not quite sure whats on it at the moment, does sound "vintage" without any effects or distortion. This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 17 2010, 01:24 AM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 17 2010, 07:02 PM |
Hi Zakk,
So what are you suggesting? I replace them with something else? if so, what? or I replace them with the same or pro version, etc? By the way, it's was my gibson guitars birthday (was created on 14th July 1998), mine own bday is also coming up on the 27th July. Will be getting new strings/pick and taking it in for a service and clean at least. I like dating it around every 6-12 months. -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 17 2010, 09:38 PM |
more gain? more precision? more harmonics? sounds good.
It's got a great low end and blues/rock tone. Clear playing with no effects. I like the bridge pickup, but not so much the sound of the neck pickup. It's smooth and sweet but no edge for metal, screams and harmonics. Okay so far... For string might be getting: QUOTE Dean Markely 10 Ernic Ball Slinky Custom Gauge 10 (what I've currently been using) or a Gauge 9 of something? For picks, tossing up between: QUOTE v-picks clayton 1.2 or more Stylus Pick Dunlop Max Grip Jazz III Speed Pick dunlop h3 dunlop 1.14mm (what I've currently been using) I can't afford a metorite light pick 'Custom Monulista Pick from Sweden', lol, costs $135US! Ain't that something though, woah at how that one plays! This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 17 2010, 09:49 PM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 18 2010, 02:12 AM |
Hi Praetorian, they look and sound sweet, I was thinking of the max grip version but those Jazz III XL look like a better option (and more suitable to what I'm use to). I wondering how they compare with the v-picks? Anyone tried both yet?
I like the sound and grip of the v-picks, but there's quite a few different shapes and sizes to pick from. -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 18 2010, 11:58 PM |
I can recommend a bit heavier pick, but all picks act slightly different in your hand, so it's best to tryout several in the store and see what suits you well. They all give slightly different sound too, depending of the material.
best picks I've used are Pickboy Carbon Nylon black picks, they have a bit warmer sound and good grip. The shape is similar to Jazz III XL. This post has been edited by Ivan Milenkovic: Jul 18 2010, 11:59 PM -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
- Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :) |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 19 2010, 02:06 AM |
I got Dean Markely 10 gauge strings and my guitar serviced today
The service guy said it's an awesome guitar, great nick and a peasure to work with and didn't need much change. So that's a plus I guess. They didn't have Dunlop Jazz III XL, just the Jazz III (tried by quite small) and varies others (didn't see any Pickboys), but I'm thinking of ordering in some v-picks instead, need to work out which ones are better to get though (maybe a small mix)? Replacement pickups need to be ordered in (if I plan to get new ones), cost $250-$300 each pickup thou. I was thinking of a calibrated pair of Gibsons contemporary-voiced Ceramic series humbucking pickups, a 496R in the neck (rhythm) position, and a hot 500T in the bridge (lead) position. But I still don't have an idea what's in there already and if it's worth the cost as they are still working fine - just smooth blues/rock sounding? Thanks for everyones help so far, some great advice! This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 19 2010, 02:10 AM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Jul 20 2010, 02:47 AM |
I assume the guitar shape, amp used and effects will all affect it as well, so this is quite confusing for me...
Les Paul Gibson USA - Standard 1998. Laney Hardcore Max Amp - HCM65R. Line 6 - PODXT effects. If swapping out my original Gibsons pickups, should I replace them with DiMarzios or even Duncans pickups? I've heard they are quite good? (After a more rock/metal sound with a higher gain and strong harmonics) Do you know what pickup magnet is best to use (Ceramic, Alnico, etc) or the name of pickups you would recommend, etc? (I quite like the DiMarzios X2N pickup sound i think from what I've heard so far) I also assume both pickups will be have to be replaced to work together? Would the sound quality be a major difference? This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Jul 20 2010, 03:01 AM -------------------- Play Games Arcade Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4! |
|
|
||