What I've Discovered After Owning 105+ Guitars...

Robert Herndon said:
You know, I find this comment most intriguing - "I'd rather have a great amp over a great guitar."

On the one, extreme end, I've played through some of the most expensive and sought after amplifiers...a Dumble Overdrive Special owned by a local studio. On the other hand, I've played through much lesser amps.

At our school band's rehearsal Saturday, I played through a $1,700 Mesa Fillmore. Courtesy of our musical friend @Don O

View attachment 77199

At our show, I played through a 1999 Marshall MG50 without a pedalboard, via my 2021 Gibson Les Paul 50's Standard.

View attachment 77198

My wife, who recorded some video, and who is not a musician, said "your guitar sounded much better through your tiny amp."

View attachment 77196

Several of my session colleagues also attended and remarked on how clean my cleans were and how big and fat the Overdrive Tone was through the little knock-around solid state.

My question to myself is, how can I produce a broad expanse of tones live with the minimum amount of equipment on the stage floor???

The first thing I look at with an amp is gain production and EQ influence. I want (but seldom find it) great, immense and organic gain production. Additionally, I want really spacious EQ control over my entire sonic spectrum.

Onboard reverb is a huge plus to me. I really like the controlability of the digital reverb on the DSL40C and CR, but a good, bagged spring tank is also great.

So, as far as a "great amp" being some kind of "key" to one's tone, I would have to say that I'm just not seeing this in the live shows.

In fact, most players out here in the clubs are running a Headrush or a GT-1000 direct into the PA and have tons of FX with a simple pedalboard.

Listen to this tone without an amp:


True, some amps sound better than others, but I've seen no tangible evidence of the price tag or rarity of an amp having any correlation to its sonic quality.

For a home player, I seriously doubt you can beat a Kemper with an extension cabinet.

You may feel better or have more pride in showing people your JCM800 2204 or JVM410C, but I can guarantee you the Kemper is far more versatile and you do not need a 34" pedalboard to make them sound good. (And I am not at all a Kemper fan. I'm only stating cold facts)

A "good" amp is really the one that checks your boxes. It's not pricetag, or the name tag.

For so many years, I've played through a complex arrangement of pedals. Currently, my live rig consists of a 50 watt tube Marshall, hot rodded beyond any description, and a giant board (a full 34") that uses around 75 feet of cables and patches to connect to on large stages.

Now, I'm rethinking that archaic approach, although I'm not ready to jump on the modeling bandwagon.

Another aspect of the amplifier is simple amplification. Do you want a hot, dry Angus Young tone, or something more expansive, like David Gilmour???

I played a JTM30 for many years. It was loud and produced overdrive. Then, I 'graduated' to a JCM800 2204. No reverb. Great amps if you want to sound like AC/DC. Then, I began to add pedals to create more warmth and depth, ultimately arriving at the state of my current pedalboard.

There certainly isn't anything wrong with declaring one amp better than another. But most often, this is done to reflect the investment and has little, if anything to do with functionality.

We still evaluate our brethern on whether or not they are using tubes as a measure of their worthiness for praise.

When I listen to songs, I hear things that really intrigue me. On the one hand, though not a Knofpler or Single coil fan, I really liked his tone on Sultans of Swing. I also liked Gilmour's tone on the song "On The Turning Away."

To me, being able to Reigate some of those tones in front of a live audience, appeals to me. Doing it without a monster pedalboard intrigues me.

We all have those acquaintances (even here) who declare a piece of equipment "good" only by virtue of its pricetag or its rarity. I'm not impressed by those personalities. It's ironic that in the underworld of L.A. session players, I never encounter this sort of predisposed prejudice for or against a certain product, based on its pricetag or the nameplate.

So, a better amp, or a more versatile amp???
Click to expand...

"For a home player, I seriously doubt you can beat a Kemper with an extension cabinet."

"You may feel better or have more pride in showing people your JCM800 2204 or JVM410C, but I can guarantee you the Kemper is far more versatile, and you do not need a 34" pedalboard to make them sound good. (And I am not at all a Kemper fan. I'm only stating cold facts)"

I have found this holds very true for me. I'm on my 3rd Kemper and regretted getting rid of the other two as soon as they were gone...
 
Robert Herndon said:
Listen to this tone without an amp:

Click to expand...
Fractal makes some great stuff. As I’ve said before, I strongly considered getting an AxeFX when I was thinking about what amps to buy. For a few reasons, I ended up getting the Rivera amp, instead. At some point I may still get one, though.

When Joel Hoekstra plays for Trans-Siberian Orchestra (who I will see in concert this Thursday), he uses an AxeFX. A couple years ago they were still using the 2XL; though, they may have upgraded to the AxeFX 3, by now.

No disrespect for Fractal from me!
 
Robert Herndon said:
Not inferred at all, but since the pricetag/builder is most often mentioned, I thought it worth referring too.
Click to expand...

This totally fits my guitars including my current 2 most expensive ( Over $1000 guitars and 1 bass). My most beautiful guitars are likely great players, but then again so are my el cheapo sub $500 ones. For me, the fun of playing them is worth all I have spent.

My 3 most recent guitars cost me under $850 ish total. But, my last one was local to me PRS factory employee set up and sold to me beautiful PRS Santana SE. It is my 3rd 24 fret PRS and my 2nd PRS SE. My first 2 were "10 Top" Santana 2 and 3's, then SE Custom 22. The only reasons I don't have my first 3 is financial. All of my PRS guitars from $300, $400 on up to over $4000 were insanely nice instruments.

My PRS Keeper.

PRS Santana SE 1.jpg

PRS Santana SE8.jpg
 
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Robert Herndon said:
You know, I find this comment most intriguing - "I'd rather have a great amp over a great guitar."

On the one, extreme end, I've played through some of the most expensive and sought after amplifiers...a Dumble Overdrive Special owned by a local studio. On the other hand, I've played through much lesser amps.

At our school band's rehearsal Saturday, I played through a $1,700 Mesa Fillmore. Courtesy of our musical friend @Don O

View attachment 77199

At our show, I played through a 1999 Marshall MG50 without a pedalboard, via my 2021 Gibson Les Paul 50's Standard.

View attachment 77198

My wife, who recorded some video, and who is not a musician, said "your guitar sounded much better through your tiny amp."

View attachment 77196

Several of my session colleagues also attended and remarked on how clean my cleans were and how big and fat the Overdrive Tone was through the little knock-around solid state.

My question to myself is, how can I produce a broad expanse of tones live with the minimum amount of equipment on the stage floor???

The first thing I look at with an amp is gain production and EQ influence. I want (but seldom find it) great, immense and organic gain production. Additionally, I want really spacious EQ control over my entire sonic spectrum.

Onboard reverb is a huge plus to me. I really like the controlability of the digital reverb on the DSL40C and CR, but a good, bagged spring tank is also great.

So, as far as a "great amp" being some kind of "key" to one's tone, I would have to say that I'm just not seeing this in the live shows.

In fact, most players out here in the clubs are running a Headrush or a GT-1000 direct into the PA and have tons of FX with a simple pedalboard.

Listen to this tone without an amp:


True, some amps sound better than others, but I've seen no tangible evidence of the price tag or rarity of an amp having any correlation to its sonic quality.

For a home player, I seriously doubt you can beat a Kemper with an extension cabinet.

You may feel better or have more pride in showing people your JCM800 2204 or JVM410C, but I can guarantee you the Kemper is far more versatile and you do not need a 34" pedalboard to make them sound good. (And I am not at all a Kemper fan. I'm only stating cold facts)

A "good" amp is really the one that checks your boxes. It's not pricetag, or the name tag.

For so many years, I've played through a complex arrangement of pedals. Currently, my live rig consists of a 50 watt tube Marshall, hot rodded beyond any description, and a giant board (a full 34") that uses around 75 feet of cables and patches to connect to on large stages.

Now, I'm rethinking that archaic approach, although I'm not ready to jump on the modeling bandwagon.

Another aspect of the amplifier is simple amplification. Do you want a hot, dry Angus Young tone, or something more expansive, like David Gilmour???

I played a JTM30 for many years. It was loud and produced overdrive. Then, I 'graduated' to a JCM800 2204. No reverb. Great amps if you want to sound like AC/DC. Then, I began to add pedals to create more warmth and depth, ultimately arriving at the state of my current pedalboard.

There certainly isn't anything wrong with declaring one amp better than another. But most often, this is done to reflect the investment and has little, if anything to do with functionality.

We still evaluate our brethern on whether or not they are using tubes as a measure of their worthiness for praise.

When I listen to songs, I hear things that really intrigue me. On the one hand, though not a Knofpler or Single coil fan, I really liked his tone on Sultans of Swing. I also liked Gilmour's tone on the song "On The Turning Away."

To me, being able to Reigate some of those tones in front of a live audience, appeals to me. Doing it without a monster pedalboard intrigues me.

We all have those acquaintances (even here) who declare a piece of equipment "good" only by virtue of its pricetag or its rarity. I'm not impressed by those personalities. It's ironic that in the underworld of L.A. session players, I never encounter this sort of predisposed prejudice for or against a certain product, based on its pricetag or the nameplate.

So, a better amp, or a more versatile amp???
Click to expand...
I wonder. Thinking out loud. Have you ever tried a Marshall Jubilee? Thick n meaty, totally different EQ almost seems active. Very responsive. No reverb.
Can EQ it to almost be a bass amp! Maybe worth a listen?
 
RVA said:
Wonderful guitars! I suggest that you keep them all !

So you're mostly sing now?
Click to expand...

Lol. Thanks! I don't know ...time goes on and it's the way it always seems to be.
It's only the "collector" in me that stops a grand purge. As a "guitarist" I'm
pretty sure I'm done with them.

Yea, much more into vocal now for about 5 months. I've been into vocal
for about 30 years actually and I think it's always what I really wanted.
I remember admiring the singers my whole life and never the guitar
players. Lol. Never really gave that too much thought.

So, to keep on thread topic, I think what I've learned from 35 years
of guitar is that I'd much rather sing. Lol.

:dood:


JohnnyGoo said:
Good Lord Sapient you got some beautiful guitars there.Those custom color Les Paul Customs are sick
Click to expand...

Thanks, pal! I love the pastels and solids too. I think I'm more a fan of paint than wood myself.
To each their own I suppose on that. :)
 
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67plexi said:
I like music and the teamwork of playing in a band now starting to thin out the horde sold two guitars and a amp this month.
Click to expand...


The teamwork, and playing for the song has always been my motivating factors. After reading several posts, I thought it might be fun to add my own $0.02.

I try to play a guitar before buying it. Of the three I bought online, only one was not a disappointment. One rocked, one was ok, and one sucked.

I prefer Brazilian Rosewood fingerboards, followed by Palisander, ebony, and then Indian rosewood.

I don't like finished fingerboards. Keep them natural. It turns me off of my Rickenbackers and my maple Fenders.

As much as I try, I can not really warm up to maple fingerboards no matter how much I try.

Rickenbacker fingerboards are way too skinny.

Rickenbackers are great shred monsters, and are not just for jangle. They slay with a loud Marshall or Hiwatt.

I hate Telecasters no matter what I do to warm up to them.

Give me a low output PAF style humbucker any day. A hot '50s or early '60s P-90 is also a ton of fun.

Filtertrons are also an awesome pickup. Way under rated.

Non Master Volume tube amps rule!

I'm addicted to using my tone and volume knobs on the guitar. They work better than most boost pedals.

I can hear the difference when in a studio and recording to tape as opposed to digital (Pro-Tools, etc.).

I hate compression, unless used for balance.

Ribbon mics rock.

I'm glad that I was very fussy in purchasing most of the stuff that I own. I don't have as much stuff as other folks, but I feel I can cover many bases. I also wish I discovered some of the differences between certain guitars and amps back in the day, when I could have bought something for short money that would be worth more now. I was just worried if it would survive me gigging with it. Not what it might be worth.
 
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I will stand behind compression. I use it almost all the time. Everything is more forward, balanced, and "easy". I should add that I play clean with low to moderate output pups.

For those who play with gain and/or active pups, you may not use compression because it has already been added by virtue of these 2 things.

They say hot pickups add compression, but I am less clear on whether this is perceived or actual. Anyone have any info on this?
 
Yargnad said:
Fractal excels at the high gain models more than Kemper, IMO. For everything else, Kemper is my choice in the digital realm.

Bret Kingman makes the Fractal sound like a million bucks every time.

Click to expand...

I agree with you on this. I'm not a high gain player at all, so the Kemper suits me.
 
Well, since we’re at it, I figured I’d throw in my observations from my life of playing. Take this with two aspirin and call me in the morning:

1. I’m not a fan of maple fretboards. I prefer ebony on Les Pauls and rosewood on everything else.

2. I like pretty much anything that can sound good, but the primitive simplicity of tube amps fascinates me.

3. I am not at all particular about guitar neck profiles.

4. I am very particular about control locations and layouts.

5. I think a Stratocaster’s volume knob is in exactly the perfect location!

6. You can’t trust YouTube sound demos.

7. I wish I would have prioritized amplifiers more when I was younger.

8. I think a 42” pedal board is just about right!

9. Before learning guitar, I should have taken five years of piano.

10. I love it when other people play Telecasters!

11. I have no favorite anything - no favorite guitar, no favorite song, no favorite guitar player, no favorite style of music…

12. I know less today than I thought I did yesterday.

13. I like what I like, even if it isn’t what someone else likes.

14. Wound-G strings rule!

15. I’m learning to appreciate non-master volume amps.

16. Music is not worth getting upset over.

17. If my house was on fire, I think I’d let my guitars burn and just replace them with one ES-335 and call it done.

18. A Peavey amp can fall backwards off a 1 foot high stage and keep working.

19. In the words of ETSG member, Paul G, “If you want to get something that sounds as good as whatever, buy the whatever.”

20. Guitar forums are less for talking about guitars, and more for just talking to each other.

21. I reserve the right to be fickle and change my mind at any time!
 
smitty_p said:
Well, since we’re at it, I figured I’d throw in my observations from my life of playing. Take this with two aspirin and call me in the morning:

1. I’m not a fan of maple fretboards. I prefer ebony on Les Pauls and rosewood on everything else.

2. I like pretty much anything that can sound good, but the primitive simplicity of tube amps fascinates me.

3. I am not at all particular about guitar neck profiles.

4. I am very particular about control locations and layouts.

5. I think a Stratocaster’s volume knob is in exactly the perfect location!

6. You can’t trust YouTube sound demos.

7. I wish I would have prioritized amplifiers more when I was younger.

8. I think a 42” pedal board is just about right!

9. Before learning guitar, I should have taken five years of piano.

10. I love it when other people play Telecasters!

11. I have no favorite anything - no favorite guitar, no favorite song, no favorite guitar player, no favorite style of music…

12. I know less today than I thought I did yesterday.

13. I like what I like, even if it isn’t what someone else likes.

14. Wound-G strings rule!

15. I’m learning to appreciate non-master volume amps.

16. Music is not worth getting upset over.

17. If my house was on fire, I think I’d let my guitars burn and just replace them with one ES-335 and call it done.

18. A Peavey amp can fall backwards off a 1 foot high stage and keep working.

19. In the words of ETSG member, Paul G, “If you want to get something that sounds as good as whatever, buy the whatever.”

20. Guitar forums are less for talking about guitars, and more for just talking to each other.

21. I reserve the right to be fickle and change my mind at any time!
Click to expand...

Smitty, you crack me up on some of these.

However, Number 14 I agree with. Number 5 too. Number 4 I am sort of particular. I prefer ,y switches like a Strats. or my 3 knob SG, And for sure like a Les Paul in upper bout. 2 knob, 3, or 4 is just fine for me.
 
smitty_p said:
Well, since we’re at it, I figured I’d throw in my observations from my life of playing. Take this with two aspirin and call me in the morning:

1. I’m not a fan of maple fretboards. I prefer ebony on Les Pauls and rosewood on everything else.

2. I like pretty much anything that can sound good, but the primitive simplicity of tube amps fascinates me.

3. I am not at all particular about guitar neck profiles.

4. I am very particular about control locations and layouts.

5. I think a Stratocaster’s volume knob is in exactly the perfect location!

6. You can’t trust YouTube sound demos.

7. I wish I would have prioritized amplifiers more when I was younger.

8. I think a 42” pedal board is just about right!

9. Before learning guitar, I should have taken five years of piano.

10. I love it when other people play Telecasters!

11. I have no favorite anything - no favorite guitar, no favorite song, no favorite guitar player, no favorite style of music…

12. I know less today than I thought I did yesterday.

13. I like what I like, even if it isn’t what someone else likes.

14. Wound-G strings rule!

15. I’m learning to appreciate non-master volume amps.

16. Music is not worth getting upset over.

17. If my house was on fire, I think I’d let my guitars burn and just replace them with one ES-335 and call it done.

18. A Peavey amp can fall backwards off a 1 foot high stage and keep working.

19. In the words of ETSG member, Paul G, “If you want to get something that sounds as good as whatever, buy the whatever.”

20. Guitar forums are less for talking about guitars, and more for just talking to each other.

21. I reserve the right to be fickle and change my mind at any time!
Click to expand...

#6 is very true! #3 suits me as well.
 
I'd say I prefer the bridge for some and the neck to clean it up. But damn me I love that bridge, take away the bridge I may as well be playing an acoustic!.
But mainly cause I love a clean warm neck without having to change the amp settings.
I also like Bigsby sorry...
Pita to string, not overly bad but still... But damn me they look cool!
 
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