Effects and Tube Amps

[LpMarshallGuy]

I have a 3 channel Marshall Amp (30th Anniv). Clean, Rhythm (dist) and Lead (super dist). I've never been one for effects processors, but bought a Korg AX1500G unit the other day. I am probably not using it correctly, but it sounds like absolute crap when used with the distortion channels. It sounds great with the clean channel, but it does not have that Marshall "tone" that I would get when driving the tubes on channels 2 and 3. My question is, for those that use an effects processor with a tube amp, how do you normally set it up and do you use any of the added distortion elements from the pedal along with what your amp can provide? Any thoughts or input would be great! Thanks

 

[-=¤willhaven¤=-]

In the years when I used a Marshall 100w Super Lead (two inputs, both clean and tied together), I tried to find a good distortion pedal solution. I tried Big Muffs, various Boss distortion pedals, a Korg G1 distortion processor (which I still have and don't use), and a Dynastar tube distortion. The Dynastar was the closest thing I found to the sound I was looking for. It was able to add the balls I wanted on my Marshall. Finding one would be next to impossible though. I think they were only made and sold in and near Fresno, CA (my hometown) about 10-15 years ago. I've only ever seen two.

The G1 also wasn't bad for what it was. It had 9 programmable presets. It also had an awesome octave-fuzz effect which I might actually use someday. It did sound a bit processed though.

I think it's possible to find an awesome distortion pedal solution for you, especially if you already like to overdrive your amp a bit.

Your best bet is probably to run down to your local Guitar center, bring your amp if possible, then just go nuts with all their processors and pedals till you find something you like.

Also, if you end up using a separate distortion pedal, I think it's supposed to go in the chain LAST. So you don't give a distorted or a really heavy signal to your other effects. Sometimes using one effect to pummel the input of another effect with noise can make some great sounds, but usually it just ends up noisy, especially if you are voilating the input of a digital effect.

 

[Farview]

Your problem is the fact that you have one of the best sounding amps in the universe. Trying to use the distortion from a crap unit when you are used to what that amp will give you is an execise in futility. The delays, chorus, flanges, etc... will probably work for you, but trying to get that marshall sound out of a pedal when you have a marshall is kind of strange.

 

[espskully]

Yup - why in God's name would you want to use distortion emulation when you have top drawer distortion from the amp itself? Use the fx on the unit - but totally avoid any distortion but what the Marshall produces on its own. I made sure to get an fx unit with no amp modelling and no distortions. I let the Mesa take care of the distortion and just use delays, verbs, flangers, compression etc. Utilize that Marshall overdrive!

 

[Armistice]

Hey espskully..

What unit do you have? I have a similar issue with amp modellers destroying my tone and have been looking out for a multi-effect that doesn't have any at all, but haven't found one to date.

Mind you, I haven't been looking that hard!

Cheers

 

[espskully]

I have a TC Electronics G-Major. It is a single rack unit with verbs, delays, flangers, choruses, pitch shifting, compression and eq. No distortion - just pristine fx. A little complicated to use - but if you take the time can get anything happening. The presets suck as with most units.

I run it in the fx loop of my rectoverb.

 

[hiwatt357]

Your problem is the fact that you have one of the best sounding amps in the universe. Trying to use the distortion from a crap unit when you are used to what that amp will give you is an execise in futility. The delays, chorus, flanges, etc... will probably work for you, but trying to get that marshall sound out of a pedal when you have a marshall is kind of strange.

I've gotta agree with this post. However, if you're only using the modulation/delay effects, they might sound better running through the effects loop (if that head has one). The only pedal I've really seen anyone use with a Marshall might be some sort of overdrive pedal as a boost for solos.

You've got one hell of an amp...I would think it'd sound just fine on its own.

Best of luck, though.

 

[punkin]

Aaah the perfect pedal quest...I've had a lot of hopes for pedals but later found that I was simply expecting too much especially with distortion pedals in front of tube amps. I ended up digging more and more the sound I got when I simply pushed the front end a little harder a la pre-amp over-drive. I much prefer the sound of the amp when it makes it's own distortion. I do still use just a touch of pedal distortion on tap but only a little. I also found (for me) that an EQ right in front of the amp helps to clean up and shape the sound before it hits the amp...crap in crap out.

 

[treymonfauntre]

maybe i read the initial post wrong, but i think hes saying that the effects unit sounds bad on the marshall's distortion channels, not that the effect's distortion sounds bad on the marshall clean channel

 

[punkin]

ummm...oops...I got out of the box again didn't I?

 

[LpMarshallGuy]

Thanks for all the tips and opinions. Yeah, I absolutley love the natural distortion that the amp provides - I am not trying to emulate that said distortion with the effects processor, just trying to add to it on occasion. The amp sounds the best when playing at top volume, of course. From other stage setups I have observed, it seems like some kind of processor is used. When I check out acts live, I usually try to see what setup the guitarist is using, esp when they are using a marshall. I just don't seem to be getting that sound. My amp has no effects on it at all. Even just a touch of reverb would be good on the clean channel.

 

[enferno]

if you're just using it in-line, i.e guitar > FX > amp, then it is not only distorting the guitar signal, but it is distorting the fx that you are using. and distroted reverb isn't that nifty haha.

if you have an effects loops or an effects send/return, put the unit on that. that way it puts it after the distortion instead of before.

 

[Codmate]

Tried a Tube Screamer?

 

[Verydangerous]

I have an ENGL Thunder which is superb, wouldn't dream of using a distortion pedal.

What the guys have said is correct. Use the send and return on your effects loop if using your amp's distortion. That puts everything in the correct sequence and will sound much better.

What you need to do is drive the amp fairly hard to get the best sound. That can make it very loud, so you may need to dump some power. There are devices available that will do this for you. They fit betwwen the output of the amp and the speaker. This enables you to hear the natural driven sound of the amp without going deaf. A must for recording.

 

[punkin]

That's a cool amp!

You every use anything to push the front end harder or do you like it just the way it is?

 

[Verydangerous]

I love the sound the way it is. Espescially when using a humbucker!!

It has a beautiful clean sound as well.

 

[DogFood]

Let's, for the sake of argument, say you wish to add a phaser effect from your effect box.

If you add the phaser in front of the amplifier the effect will be on the clean tone of the guitar and will be distorted through the pre amp section of the head.

Maybe I'm wrong here but I'm gonna put this out there, if you add the phaser in the effect loop it will be inbetween the pre amp and the power amp of the head and you will get a more pronounced phased sound because the phaser is taking place after the pre.

It's a choice you gotta make after hearing both and deciding which is your sound.

 

[punkin]

yup

it comes down to a matter of personal taste...I prefer the over-drive and EQ in front, phaser and reverb in the effects loop but, I do know several players that put it all in front of the amp so, there ya have it