Priority -Axe or Amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cellardweller
  • Start date Start date
If you have an amp with a good clean channel and not that much money to spend on gear, you could try going to a store with a good return policy and pick up a distortion pedal or two to try with your current set up.
My reccomendations would be... boss metal zone for the overly scooped sound, or doubleshot distortion (I really highly recommend this one) for pretty much any kind of distortion. A new distortion could completely change your sound and if you like it you could upgrade your pickups after.
This would be the cheapest option but isn't as certain to work for you as getting a new amp, I think it would be worth trying out as long as you can return it if it doesnt work with your current gear.
 
Wow... metal zone? This is what I have... :confused:
Do you have one? If so... WTF am I doing wrong, to make it sound like complete and utter unwashed ass?
 
I dont have one, because I dont like the scooped mid sound from that pedal, my friend has one and really liked it, so I figured someones gotta like it and I think it does the scooped sound pretty good. But definitely try a doubleshot distortion pedal.
 
cellardweller said:
What is your opinion of the Tech 21 stuff as opposed to the Line 6?
Click to expand...
Tech 21 stuff has always felt and sounded cheap to me for some reason, so I've never really considered using it. I haven't tried it very much however, so I'm no expert on it by far.
 
You assumed right.

Tube gear is nice but pricey. Overpriced if your budget is tight. You know how it is, medium priced gear will get good results for great reults you need to pay unevenly more. I woudl get the POD in your position. Second hand POD xt comes cheap and if you fiddle aroudn with it you'll definately get good tone, but not great. But then again, I don';t think great tone comes form an ibanez either LOL (start bitch slappin me with Vai, I dont care, ibanez are dull sounding... ;) )
 
No need for the bitch slap...to each their own. I've got a pretty nicely rounded collection which does include a couple RG's, Satriani Model and a couple JEMs...many of the Ibanez (especially the RG's) aren't well suited for everything...face it they're really a shredder axe. But with a good PUP swap and nice round sounding amp, they're really not that bad for the price...budget sounded like it was on the top of the list. A killer amp will be in the tool box for a lot of years to come...eventually the cheaper guitar will get a higher class brother to join the family...I'm thinkin' Ernie Ball Music Man JPM!
 
Punkin- What kind of amp do you use, and for what kind of music?

I'm finding myself leaning heavily towards the Tech 21. Had "the talk" with the wife last night, it went better than I thought it would. I've gotta save up the money, but I'm cleared for $1000 towards an amp...eventually...





*EDIT* Oh cruel world, why must you always run contrary to any answers I think I've found?
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Tech_21/Trademark_60-01.html
I'm still reading this, but most of what I'm seeing is that the Trademark 60 is recommended for bluesy stuff, but NOT metal....
 
Last edited:
I've got a few choices...Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier for classic rock to metal. I picked it up when I was younger and had not yet been issued my ration of common sense. This is WAY TOO MUCH AMP for any home!. At the time, it was my only amp. I now run it into an attenuator so that I can drive it harder and keep the neighbors at bay.

Just about the time I thought I'd grown up, not too long ago, I picked up a used Peavey JSX...I really like this amp...very versitile with some very nice clean and killer over-drive. I like it for some jazz, funk and absolutely rules in rock lead. But, this too needs to run through an attenuator to keep the furniture from dancing.

I've got a little ZVex which I use for some jazz and rythm/rock recording and practicing when on the road (very portable), a POD Pro (like it a lot for recording and experimentation, very versitile), put the ZVex and the POD together and you can get some pretty cool stuff happening.

A little Champion 30 nice for clean and practicing and playing with some of my students and, you gotta have a pig nose just because it's cute. I don't think these are what you're looking for though.

My best advice would be to play them...use some of our commentaries to get you going in a general direction but guitar players seem to be very particular about their "special sound". What works for me may not work for the next guy. For me, my tastes are very eclectic.

I would also suggest that once you think you've got the amp field narrowed down, take your favorite guitar with you on the final demo before you dump out the cash. If you make this purchase at a music store, ask them to move it into one of their demo/practice rooms so you can get away from the other store distractions. Heck...maybe they'll even let you take it home for a test drive.
 
cellardweller said:
...... I've gotta save up the money, but I'm cleared for $1000 towards an amp...eventually...
Click to expand...
Wow. I thought I'd check in to see how you're making out. I gotta say, you is one careful shopper. :p :D :p :D
Good luck with what ever you pick. ;)
 
snipeguy said:
Wow. I thought I'd check in to see how you're making out. I gotta say, you is one careful shopper
Click to expand...
One way of saying it

*BTW* You have no idea how much of a hard sell $1000 was...:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top