The Perpetual Guitar Thread

I feel like comprehensive modeling multi-effects units or modeling amp heads are fantastic kit... for people who already know pretty well what they're doing. How they want their signal chain set up, exactly what sort of response they're looking for from their amp, that sort of thing.

Having every option in the universe available to you from start can actually be pretty debilitating. You're never really going to dig into every control on an effects model and see exactly how they interact, or figure out the exact tone and gain/volume controls on your amp to get that perfect on-the-edge-of-breakup sound. And while it's certainly cool to say "hey, I want that sound that Marissa Paternoster had on 'Bird in Space'" and be able to just... download a patch, it doesn't really help someone to gain any understanding of how all this works, And while you may or may not think that's actually important, it is really helpful when you're trying to come up with a sound you're imagining in your head.

I also found that having a TON of options when I was starting out (with just a halfway-decent modeling amp) either led me to do nothing but use a preset, or just freeze up with options paralysis when I loaded up the Mustang editor. Now, after having gone through a series of various amps and a variety of pedals, I feel really comfortable opening up the Yamaha THR editor and really getting into the nuts and bolts of a signal chain to get what I want. This probably all comes down to learning styles, though, and whether you learn better by being given everything all at once and just... playing around with it, vs. being forced to focus on specific aspects largely individually and really wringing what you can from them. I'm definitely more towards the latter.

Schpyder said:

Having every option in the universe available to you from start can actually be pretty debilitating. You're never really going to dig into every control on an effects model and see exactly how they interact, or figure out the exact tone and gain/volume controls on your amp to get that perfect on-the-edge-of-breakup sound.

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Friend of mine (mostly beginner-level player) did exactly this with a Zoom multieffects pedal. It was given to him as a gift by a non-player, and he just goes up and down through the presets and doesn't tweak anything, or build any sounds for himself. Blows my mind.

Perhaps it has nothing to do with it, but most of his settings sound like ass through him amp. Perhaps it's just me.

Probably not me, though.

beeblebrox said:

Friend of mine (mostly beginner-level player) did exactly this with a Zoom multieffects pedal. It was given to him as a gift by a non-player, and he just goes up and down through the presets and doesn't tweak anything, or build any sounds for himself. Blows my mind.

Perhaps it has nothing to do with it, but most of his settings sound like ass through him amp. Perhaps it's just me.

Probably not me, though.

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I have not been previously impressed with default settings on Zoom multieffects pedals. They feel like they could be good, if I had a specific guitar. But with my guitars/basses, they were all off.

I mostly just want to be able to create sounds I like, however I get that. I like my Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini, for example. I'll probably try out some of the Guitar Rig stuff; I hadn't really thought about doing that before. I'll need to record some stuff dry and see if I can get some good sounds out of it.

Schpyder said:

And while it's certainly cool to say "hey, I want that sound that Marissa Paternoster had on 'Bird in Space'" and be able to just... download a patch, it doesn't really help someone to gain any understanding of how all this works, And while you may or may not think that's actually important, it is really helpful when you're trying to come up with a sound you're imagining in your head.

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All At Once is an incredible album.

Excellent point, btw. It stands to reason that you can more effectively/creatively utilize the power of modeling tech when you first have a working understanding of the equipment being modeled.

Yeah for the presets, the issue is that they all react differently given different guitars, so of course they will not work equally well for everyone. Some people sell presets (lol) and offers a version for single coils and for humbuckers. So at least that, but again, not all single coils or humbuckers sound the same! An, RG, PRS, Gimpson, etc., all sound quite different even if they share PU types.

So better than nothing, but the notion that some presets sounding good/bad; it just can't work right out of the box; they'll likely at least require some tweaking. For the notion of preset to really work, you'd have to make at least some variations for different guitars, anyway...

Line6 has 'customtone' section on their website where you can post and download patches for free, some have it integrated even in the unit itself. Maybe a useful tool for beginners, but given above, varying quality patches, not super useful imho.. After some time, you get to know a little bit better your fx unit, and it's not too hard to get a tone which is kinda good enough for whatever you're trying to play; you kinda get over the 'sounding exactly like' phase after a while anyhow, they just have a few favorite amps and effects, and use those..

But there are worthwhile patches out there, so useful feature. Was watching a clip about Axe FX presets, building patches/presets is kinda an art too. Especially with the high end units where you have so many possibilities and tweakability. But for me at least, huge appeal of getting just one unit that does everything for reasonable $... So costly otherwise!

Definitely see differences between two different Epiphone Les Pauls, slightly different pickups and different strings.

I’ll probably spring for a cheapie practice amp so my son and I can both have sound when practicing together. He taught me about a chords thirds, and the shapes. I had trouble figuring out the Fsharp diminished initially. Also, my picking sucks I have terrible control over what strings I’m strumming on those Gmajor scale triads (starting on open DGB strings and working up).

I get how these things empower me to be able to move up and down the fretboard and get into good notes/chords quickly, but in the beginning it’s all very overwhelming! I need to practice more my calluses aren’t what they were a few weeks ago!

Apparently Sam Ash is circling the drain, and will be liquidating their in-store stock this month.

Just FYI if you hadn't heard and want to see what's discounted near you.

The closest Sam Ash to me is a 2 hour drive. <sad beeblebrox noises>

Sam Ash does sell on Reverb (At least a New York location). It would sure be nice to have one close by though, to browse the inventory in person. I don't even have one in my state (or surrounding states). I would happily drive two hours to pick through a music store fire sale.

Got together and jammed with the drummer with whom I was in a grunge-garage band 30 years ago (!). To make it even more of a trip, circumstances dictated that we rock out at his mom's place, in the basement.

It was amazing! We still have that musical connection.

Friend sold his Strandberg Boden OS 7 to me. He is more of a jazz player, and the Boden is clearly a (hard)rock guitar. It was on the top of my wish list, but never imagined I could own one (new Strandbergs are pretty expensive). Some good cleaning, new strings... and it is as good as new. It is a dream coming true!

Brilliant! Love my ‘bergs, but .. you can certainly play anything - including Jazz - on those

anuj said:

Brilliant! Love my ‘bergs, but .. you can certainly play anything - including Jazz - on those

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I'm sure that it is possible. I guess my friend couldn't make it work, and he then passed it on to me... so who am I to complain At my place, this has become my to-go guitar. I haven't touched the others ever since I got the Strandberg.

I built another guitar (from a kit). Even had to make the pickguard by hand this time with basic tools. I must really like it because it ended up getting glamour shots, lol

So, the other day my hands finally worked enough to pick up a guitar and play for a bit.

Ended up playing one of my old classics from my street performer gigs (my own version of St. James Infirmary) on my discontinued Guild I keep hanging in the living room.. After removing all the dust that collected on the damned thing

Feels good to play. Here's hoping treatment continues to improve so I can hit the studio and record again.

I stopped by my nearby Sam Ash because the big STORE CLOSING banner caught my eye.

On an impulse I bought a Line 6 Pocket Pod after fiddling with it a little in the demo area. When I got it home I set about finding and installing the software for it on my laptop and was immediately transported back at least ten years. I'm so used to new things that just install themselves and lead you by the hand.

I groped my way through the install and figured out how to get a bunch of emulation files for a lot of bands.

At first blush... probably should have done more research, I can already tell the thing is going to get yanked onto the floor by the cords. It powers on when you plug something in, which means I can't just leave it hooked up and ready to play.

But I think once I get used to things it will be fun, I'm hoping being able to fiddle with the sounds will trick me into practicing more, and practice "cleaner" because whew you can really hear every little accident when the fuzz is way up, compared to just playing unplugged.

If you can get your hands on the currently paused Boss Katana:GO - I would strongly recommend it.

The Fender Mustang Micro is also excellent, I use it for most of my practicing just to avoid needing to have any cords except headphones.

VirtualWolf said:

The Fender Mustang Micro is also excellent, I use it for most of my practicing just to avoid needing to have any cords except headphones.

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It's pretty good, but I gotta say having A/Bed the two ..

Fortunately I haven't, so I'm content in my ignorance and can resist the urge to buy another toy...

anuj said:

If you can get your hands on the currently paused Boss Katana:GO - I would strongly recommend it.

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Honestly, the Boss Katana line in general is pretty solid.

VirtualWolf said:

Fortunately I haven't, so I'm content in my ignorance and can resist the urge to buy another toy...

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What is this heresy?

Okay fine, I looked up some reviews and videos of it, and now I want one.