country guitar twang

  • Thread starter Thread starter tigerman
  • Start date Start date
T

tigerman

New member
I am trying to get that country guitar sound.
I am using an Ibenez TS7 "Tube Screamer" and an Ibenez delay pedal. The delay is set in the 30-160ms range and the overdrive is minimal. It's getting there, but I could use some help.
 
Maybe using lighter strings and the pickup switch in the bridge or bridge/middle position would make for that twangy sound!?!
Also picking the strings closer to the bridge may also help.

[This message has been edited by dabluesman (edited 07-13-2000).]
 
I agree with dabluesman, use you bridge pick up. if it is a humbucker roll off of the volume a bit. Set your delay pedal to a very short delay time with moderate but not completely "wet" repeats. This will give you a "slapback" effect that mimmicks the old tape delays of the forties and fifties ( a la Sun Records). Keep your overdrive to a minimum like you've been doing and increase your attack on the notes. To get that way cool honky tonk snapping sound, pluck at the strings to "pop" certian notes.
 
Guitars make a difference in the twang. I use a G&L ASAT through a Fender Twin, with an Audix D4 Mic, through a Berringer tube mic preamp. It produces a fat twang, but country is what I do. The biggest tip I can give is a playing tip. If you use a flat pick, use your middle and ring finger to pluck the strings, and create a slap back against the frets, that and full step bends with double stops create the twang. It's not easy, a little delay that creates the illusion of the slap back can help.
 
Thanks. I have a Tele with a Seymour Duncan little '59 bridge pickup and a neck humbucker. I usually EQ my amp so that the highs are full, the mids are 4 or 5, and the lows are real low. That seems to work. Do you think I need to add a compression pedal?
 
I use compression sometimes, it does tend to add finger noise, but evens out the sound and can add attack. You want attack. Also, don't underestimate the Lows in the twang sound. That growl is also characteristic of the the tele style.
 
Thanks. I will try messing with the EQ on the amp. There is this great "country guitar" effect on my Roland VS 1680 and I am trying to repoduce it.
 
i did a lot of country guitar recording years ago. My formula was: Tele (usually), single coil neck pickup, picking near the bridge, lighter strings, NEWER strings, spring reverb, less mid on the amp, and 10" speakers instead of 12". That's if you want the classic vintage country twang (like Dwight's guy, Pete Anderson). I dunno about some of this modern country stuff...a lot of it seems to have flangers and distortion and stuff...
 
Although I do not play country guitar in a band, I still love to do a little "chickin pickin" for my own pleasure. My equipment is: Fernades Tele with Fender Texas Tele pickups fitted with a Hipshot B-Bender (a device that fits behind the bridge that bends the B string up a whole note to simulate a pedal steel. Check out www.hipshot.com). Pedals I use are a MXR DynaComp compressor with the knobs at "11", and a Boss Dimention C chorus pedal. My amp is a Fender Twin Reverb which I set the midrange at 10, and then mix the treble and bass until I get a desired tone. Very fun, indead!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top