• From: braintree essex
  • Registered: 2010-02-22
  • Posts: 221

Topic: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

For a while i had been wanting  joes tone etc, i but i realised what my problem was!  VOLUME IS THE KEY !!!!
To get the best out of a 100 watt marshall is volume i havent been  that happy with it and was trying to get joes tone but i was not getting it!!I played a gig wher the stage was huge and i had to have my amp really far back so this means i had to crank the volume up . I have been playing at 2.5 most gigs  but when i openend her up, the difference was huge the tone came through , the gain was taken down and my new 58 sounded like a dream i cant exsplain it i was over the moon!!! somehow i changed my tube screamer settings and that added a great smooth sweet tone ! Is this the key?
Is this where the tone lies? I have read somes guys posts on this forum about this volume subject but i am 100% with them now.I will invest in the baffle idea because  my ears are paying for it, but i think its the way im gonna have to go!
I belive the tale now , les pauls and marshalls do really go together!

  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Welcome to volume hell:-)

Yes, volume is (unfortunately) the major key for many guitarists. I have the Clearsonic baffles and a attenuator, and for small venues, that's a big help (and on big one's as well). To find the "sweetspot" for your tubes, high volume is often necessary.

Running amps on high volume is often the key also for clean sounds. It's also necessary to get the speakers to work hard. If you try a big muff or a fuzz at low volumes, you are most likely going to be sick! It sounds terrible, but when the volume is correct: tone heaven!

Congratulation on your "new" sound:-)

Keep rocking!


André

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Thats good you found a good tone.
If your ears are paying for it get yourself some ear plugs.
I never rehearse without them now. Don't want to be deaf when I'm older as hopefully I'll still be playing guitar.

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Amen brother. I suffer a lot of high frequency loss from loud concerts and occupational noise in my youth. Guard your ears! I loved seeing kids with parents at concerts recently using ear protection.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: braintree essex
  • Registered: 2010-02-22
  • Posts: 221

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Thanks guys i hope this this will be long consistant thing as i have found the tone ! big_smile  big_smile  big_smile

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

I have to ask...

If you have to wear ear plugs whats the point of having that great tone. Seems to me like your not really appreciating it being as you have to wear the plugs that muffle the sound.

This is the main reason I dont attempt to turn up so loud.

Please feel free to educate me on this as I may be some what ignorant.

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

I sound check without plugs
I get my tone, then stick my plugs in. It doesn't sound the same to me but I'd rather be able to hear all my life than hear the tone perfectly all the time.
I mainly use plugs to get protection from the cymbals.
As well, a small stage, there's often a crash within a few feet of my ear. They completely destroy your hearing. So I highly recommend plugs, particularly for small venues.

8 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2010-07-25 19:44:52)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Hearing loss is something that is cumulative and irreversible. Exposure to sound pressure levels over 115 db causes damage to the inner ear. By the time you realize you have damage, it is too late. Tinnitus may also result. I suffer from both. Partly due to attending loud rock concerts, the rest due to jet engine noise.  Protect your hearing! Jimi LP's advise is excellent.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

I agree 100% on cranking a tube amp to get the best tone. I'm thinking of getting a set of these plexiglass shields. Will these do the trick (instead of earplugs)?

  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

As Jimi said the problem is not really coming from guitar amps but from drums. THEY are responsible for more than 80% of the hearing loss/damage done to musicians. Cymbals and crash are the major cause of hearing loss/damage. So no, a plexi shield won't be the solution. Put earplugs in!

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

thanks for the info guys... I've gone back and forth on wearing ear plugs based on my guitar volume, and honestly never really considered the fact I stand right next to the drums.

Thanks for making me think.

-Jeremy

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

If you're loaded then get some in-ear monitors!  tongue
I'd love a pair but god they're expensive!

Every now and then you might find you'll want to play a gig without the plugs. Certain venues I've played I've had to remove the plugs half way through.
It all depends. But generally, wear them, if you REALLY have to, then remove them for that gig alone.

It is a compromise but it's a much needed one.

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

twistingcrow wrote:

So no, a plexi shield won't be the solution.

What is the point of a plexi shield, then? I've never used one of these, so I have no idea.

  • From: braintree essex
  • Registered: 2010-02-22
  • Posts: 221

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Bluesbreaker wrote:
twistingcrow wrote:

So no, a plexi shield won't be the solution.

What is the point of a plexi shield, then? I've never used one of these, so I have no idea.


The reason is so that you can crank your amp to your sweet spot and get a better tone without killing yours and the poor people watching at the front who get the full grunt of your amp! so its for better sound and protection ( i belive!!)
I have realised that why have a 100w head when i only  have it at a low volume? i know that alot of 100w heads dont sound great at low volumes , they are designed for you to play them loud!!! alot of guitarist dont know about the plexi shield and i really dont  think they understand why they would put somthing"in the way" of there amp!its simple but a clever idea , im gonna build one very soon!

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

I tried it too.....after reading this, sure I'm using a Super Champ XD and not a Marshall or even a full tube amp, but even so the volume increase really broaden the sound and spread the gain so it didn't sound as so-so as it normally would with a lower volume setting.

I never expected volume to help my tone so dramatically.

  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2010-07-14
  • Posts: 24

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Not sure what DSL model you are using but I ran across a tip on Youtube that works for DSL 401's and probably any other DSL model that has an effects loop with the FX Master control.

Essentially you run a jumper cable from the effects loop send into the return, crank the fx master control to 10 and let 'er rip.  The effect appears to provide greater volume, gain and thicker tone.

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=14459

Guitar: Schecter Solo 6 Limited (p90's), Fender Strat
Amp: Blues Deluxe Reissue, Fender Twin Reverb
Effects:  Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah --> Korg Pitchblack --> BBE Soul Vibe -->  Ethos TLE--> Jetter GS3 --> MXR Carbon Copy
  • From: Essex UK
  • Registered: 2010-03-19
  • Posts: 164

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

I run my DSL 401 with a jumper lead in the effects loop send straight back into the return and the volume is up by at least 25% but the tone is improved beyond belief, really thick and bluesy at lower volume but screams like a good un when cranked up. Don't know whether there is any long term effect on the amp, tubes, loop etc, but it certainly does something to the DSL to step it up a bit!! yikes  yikes

Have Fun and laugh like it's your first time! You never know you might get to like it! big_smile
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: finally found my sound with the dsl!!

Some of the greatest tones ever heard have been from amps that are about to explode I think.

Something left for me to do is hear a Marshall Major through a few cabs on full - from a certain distance away of course...