Thinking Outloud:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
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I've gone to some extreme lengths to get my tone not only where I want it, but to make it manageable at stage volume levels.

I'm able to run 1/2 volume and stand 4 feet from my amp with no feedback - that's the guitar hanging from the strap and guitar volume full up.

I'm playing two Marshall DSL40C's alternatively. When I plug them into a 4x12 cabinet, it isnt what you expect. The single 12" actually has greater articulation and the 4x12 doesn't add to my volume or presence...it just gets a bit 'bassier,' so I stick with the single 12's for clarity.

One of the first things that everyone comments on is how loud the 40 watt DSL40C's are. The stacks cannot even get close to the presence and clarity at high stage volumes. Not even close and I'm not pushing my Marshall combos. They are running stacks flat out to my 1/2 volume.

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I have been also able to get very close to a studio sound live with the DSL40C and my conservatively used pedalboard.

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And then, there are my two guitarist bandmates.

One plays a Seymour Duncan tube head through a Randall 4x12 and the other a Carvin tube head and dual 4x12 cabinets.

The Duncan is being fed by a Metal Master with a Donner EQ and Compressor. The Carvin by a Boss Guitar Processor Pedal.

Both guy's have such incredible feedback and struggle to control it. Even holding onto the strings, the feedback is instantly present when the volume is rolled up.

We have an outdoor performance in Crestline on September 7th.

I'm not gonna stress...
 
Trident said:
Have you ever plugged into a 2x12?

I have a Marshall 2x12 and it really is sweet with the DSL40..
Don’t stress, put on the shades and that wonderful hat and you will be in heaven..
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We have a Mesa 2x12 in the rehearsal space loaded with British Celestions and it's actually a sonic letdown from the WGS Reaper 55Hz and Electro-Harmonix 12VR75. I mean, more speakers does give more crunch, but there isnt the same tonal clarity. @Mitch Pearrow SJMP has heard it, maybe he could explain it better???

So, Im getting there...just letting go of the reins. If they dont mind fighting feedback, then so be it.

I'm the head rhythm player, so I create the foundation for the guitars. I'm also the alternate lead player, so we exchange leads often.
 
our band rule...practice volume level..set to kick..stays the same...everywhere,,,every practice..every venue,,,if there is a drummer its the constant..the monitor fill are used to balance stage..we dont have a dif level or sound ever....if they are hissing...& its a fizz fest....it needs straitened out..that is what practice is for. very very particular about this...it is what makes a band stand out..is your sound on...now live..what is cool..relax..its just practice somewhere else..enjoy the tempo shifts..the energy changes..the impromptu dancing onstage...the impromptu headbanging...or even the calm ballads..embrace it..when the music hits..you are someone else..you are now an entertainer...give it to em..with all ya got !!
 
More irritating crap today...

So, there was such initially huge resistance to drop tunings (like Eb) so I just dropped those songs (Mr. Brownstone, Nothin' But A Good Time, Uncle Tom's Cabin, etc.) off the setlist just to simplify things and eliminate the need for changing tuning or switching guitars.

So, when 'No Surrender' was voted onto the setlist I already knew it. Even though JP does it in drp d, I play it in standard tuning and it sounds better in standard than it does in drop d. So, I already know the song. Now, our resident lead guitarist - who was initially against all alternate tunings - suddenly wants to drop d for this song claiming it "won't sound right" if we play it in standard tuning.

However, if you start out in A440 with a Dsus5 'D5' power chord at the 5th fret, you will match the pitch of the recording.

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Why make things needlessly difficult????
 

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eSGEe said:
ROCK on -- relax and have fun -- the rest will work itself out
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I know...it isn't easy...

I just hate listening to that squealing B.S., and guys having to grab a guitar and turn quickly away trying to stop the noise, and the the feedback squealing in the middle of a song where there are places where the playing stops for a few seconds. It's unprofessional and it's needless. I feel like it makes a god bad sound amateurish...
 
BFT Gibson said:
our band rule...practice volume level..set to kick..stays the same...everywhere,,,every practice..every venue,,,if there is a drummer its the constant..the monitor fill are used to balance stage..we dont have a dif level or sound ever....if they are hissing...& its a fizz fest....it needs straitened out..that is what practice is for. very very particular about this...it is what makes a band stand out..is your sound...
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Very, very good!!!!

I agree...Can I give you a few cell phone numbers??? I have a few Neanderthals I need to to speak with...
 
May I ask --- what is a Dsuss5 power chord? ----

also -- perhaps you need HUMDEBUGGERS on their rigs?
OR you could toss a mustard gas can in the room --- as you exit and block the door for 5 minutes...............this tends to get peoples attention
 
I agree...Can I give you a few cell phone numbers??? I have a few Neanderthals I need to to speak with...
[/QUOTE]
i cant do it no more lol...see next post was working on...

an answer you wont like...jazz musicians...no need to talk or discuss anything...everyone will do their part to a T cause we are trained to comp for one another & put the vocalist on the front of stage..then when its solo time..look out...each person is an undercover shredder on their insrument...
 
eSGEe said:
May I ask --- what is a Dsuss5 power chord? ----

also -- perhaps you need HUMDEBUGGERS on their rigs?
OR you could toss a mustard gas can in the room --- as you exit and block the door for 5 minutes...............this tends to get peoples attention
Click to expand...

I am tempted. My blood is boiling right now...
 
BFT Gibson said:
on those songs.... we all carry a guitar dropped ready to go..usually bring 1 in C & 1 in D..only cause my action is set.if we wanna go light 7 stinger & 5 string bass makes it simple

our next go round we in
E
Eb
D
drop D
Drop C
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I understand. To me, I can change tunings without any issues. But my big issue today is we cut great songs because of so much complaining about alternate tunings. Now, we are gonna drop-d for a song that is easily played in standard and still work within the first 5 frets???

I'll tell you...I was at an open mic Friday night in Crestline, California and I am damn tempted to quit and go solo.

When things are done that make no sense, and/or create needless effort, I am absolutely repulsed by the principles of that way of thinking...
 
Robert Herndon said:
I understand. To me, I can change tunings without any issues. But my big issue today is we cut great songs because of so much complaining about alternate tunings. Now, we are gonna drop-d for a song that is easily played in standard and still work within the first 5 frets???

I'll tell you...I was at an open mic Friday night in Crestline, California and I am damn tempted to quit and go solo.

When things are done that make no sense, and/or create needless effort, I am absolutely repulsed by the principles of that way of thinking...
Click to expand...
i fully understand your position...music is to be a source of joy..not frustration..prob why i gravitated to jazz musicians,,the unspoken musical connection in any genre that they just practice more..learn more..live to play anything & everything..on the spot even,not just jazz.....genre changes are just dif manipulation of tone....also there is the other end..originals..no limit...no forced in a box re create a sound..but your gear..played to your God given talent. !! from your heart...
 
Robert Herndon said:
I know...it isn't easy...

I just hate listening to that squealing B.S., and guys having to grab a guitar and turn quickly away trying to stop the noise, and the the feedback squealing in the middle of a song where there are places where the playing stops for a few seconds. It's unprofessional and it's needless. I feel like it makes a god bad sound amateurish...
Click to expand...
I agree with this, my old buddy John used to have that exact
same problem years ago, it can be controlled, but the guitarist needs to be on his game to control it!!
The volume knob on your instrument is your best friend!
Or back the gain down so there is no interference, Hell I can do it on my origin stacks, my Dsl40c’s, any amp combination that I play through, and you don’t need high dollar guitars to do it!
Cheers Mitch
 
Mitch Pearrow SJMP said:
I agree with this, my old buddy John used to have that exact
same problem years ago, it can be controlled, but the guitarist needs to be on his game to control it!!
The volume knob on your instrument is your best friend!
Or back the gain down so there is no interference, Hell I can do it on my origin stacks, my Dsl40c’s, any amp combination that I play through, and you don’t need high dollar guitars to do it!
Cheers Mitch
Click to expand...
old school !!
 
Mitch Pearrow SJMP said:
I agree with this, my old buddy John used to have that exact
same problem years ago, it can be controlled, but the guitarist needs to be on his game to control it!!
The volume knob on your instrument is your best friend!
Or back the gain down so there is no interference, Hell I can do it on my origin stacks, my Dsl40c’s, any amp combination that I play through, and you don’t need high dollar guitars to do it!
Cheers Mitch
Click to expand...

I rode the volume on and off back in the day. Hated it. Knew there had to be another way, but didn't know how to achieve it. Now, 28 years later, I have evolved. I chose to engineer my rig so that I do not have to turn my volume down. I just plug in the guitar, dime the guitar volume. and the guitar will hang there all day - at 1/2 amp volume - and never squeal. I am beginning to realize now why it was easier to just be a part of an existing band and not deal with all the inner-workings of creating your own band.

So, it works out to be like this...either I put up with all the silly things in this group, for the benefit of playing the songs I love and at the expense of my sanity, or play songs that I do not love and just go it as a solo artist....My wife cast a vote to go solo.
 
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