The ENWorld Electric Bard Gear (Etc) Thread

[R_J_K75]

I’ve heard that bit of lore about stabilization over time, but never from a source I’d consider reliable. Because I’ve never had a problem with that, I’ve never even thought to ask anyone.

I've had the action on guitars raise to almost 1/4" off the fretboard almost overnight. Last few years in my guitar room I would run a humidifier in the winter and an AC and dehumidifier in the summer to keep the temperature at 70 deg F and ~50% humidity. This winter I got tired of having to get distilled water for the humidifier and didn't bother putting in the AC or set up the dehumidifier this summer. I haven't seen any changes to my guitars this year as I did in the past, so I think there's something to it.

 

[Jahydin]

Sort of on topic, but this has bothered me for a long time...

For those that can handle screamy vocals... how in the world would I go about getting a guitar tone that's as "creaky and jangly" as the one here?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Which section of the song? The heavier lead tone at the beginning? The slower interlude?

 

[Jahydin]

Which section of the song? The heavier lead tone at the beginning? The slower interlude?

I'll try and be more specific (and save people's ears, haha).

The distorted guitar seems "creaky and warbly" throughout, but easiest to hear about 0:27 - 0:35. Curious how I could have a similar tone. Maybe it's just the way it's recorded (very non-professionally, haha)?

Also, the tremolo-ing (lead?) guitar's tone is also intriguing to me and would love to replicate that sound. I think 1:18 - 1:28 is a good example.

Anyways, I appreciate anyone who braves through my noise. It's a sound that I've loved for over 20 years now and somehow I've never tired of it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I’m thinking a relatively minimalistic signal path. Humbuckers. Moderate gain, distortion from something like a Rat to get some breakup, plus some reverb. Might be a tremolo pedal in there too.

When I’m trying to dial in something particular, I try to mentally isolate and mimic 1-2 factors at a time. So I might start off with the gain and distortion. Once I find something resembling the desired crunch, I’d move on to the next effect.

One thing to remember, though: almost every recorded song has hidden tech (a recording studio) and personnel (producers, sound engineers) which may render tone chasing a futile endeavor.

 

[Jahydin]

I’m thinking a relatively minimalistic signal path. Humbuckers. Moderate gain, distortion from something like a Rat to get some breakup, plus some reverb.

That would explain why RAT is one of my favorite pedals...

Thanks so much!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

That would explain why RAT is one of my favorite pedals...

Thanks so much!

Amusingly, a Rat (or a clone) is one of the types of distortion pedals I DON’T have. But that oversight on my part isn’t because I don’t recognize it’s importance.

And don’t thank me yet! Wait until you try out my suggestions. Thank me IF I actually helped!

 

[R_J_K75]

I’m thinking a relatively minimalistic signal path. Humbuckers. Moderate gain, distortion from something like a Rat to get some breakup, plus some reverb. Might be a tremolo pedal in there too.

Sort of on topic,

I thought the same minus the reverb and sometimes unless its obvious like an old dishwasher, tremelo can be hard to tell from a phaser, chorus, or flanger at times. Its all modulation. I think off the top of my head one of the best uses of modulation is EVH's flanger on "Aint Talking 'Bout Love". Not that its a great song but its good use of an effect without over-saturating the song. Slash was good at that too, the song "Coma" comes to mind as well.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I thought the same minus the reverb and sometimes unless its obvious like an old dishwasher, tremelo can be hard to tell from a phaser, chorus, or flanger at times. Its all modulation. I think off the top of my head one of the best uses of modulation is EVH's flanger on "Aint Talking 'Bout Love". Not that its a great song but its good use of an effect without over-saturating the song. Slash was good at that too, the song "Coma" comes to mind as well.

One thing I’ve noticed about a lot of great songs featuring a lot of great guitarists is that they’re often using less of a given effect- or effects in general- than you think they are.

Take someone like David Gilmour. He used Leslie rotating cabs on a LOT of songs. But he rarely had the cabs’ speakers rotating at high speed, instead, using them at slower rotational speeds for a subtle effect.

So when you use a rotary pedal to emulate his use of a Leslie, you’ll have better luck starting from nearly off and adjusting incrementally as opposed to starting with it dialed to the max and adjusting downward.

IOW, it’s kind of like seasoning a dish with teaspoons as opposed to cups.

 

[R_J_K75]

Take someone like David Gilmour. He used Leslie rotating cabs on a LOT of songs. But he rarely had the cabs’ speakers rotating at high speed, instead, using them at slower rotational speeds for a subtle effect.

Its so funny you say this. After my last post I listened to "Blow Up the Outside World" If I remember correctly they forgot to dial in the speed of the horn in the speaker, recorded it and said, screw it, just use it. You can hear the oscillating sound as the horn spins but its very minimal. I forget the make but I own the Lester-K pedal, its a Leslie emulator. All Things Must Pass Away. I worked at the Wurlitzer building which is about 20 mins outside of Buffalo. Did you know Michael Nezsmith (Monkeys) first person to record with a Wurlitzer and iirc the Leslie speaker came with a Wurlitzer.