• macg1
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Topic: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

so here is a question all forums "need" to discuss.  How to get Billy Gibbons' tone. Now that ZZ Top's recording career spans over 3 decades, his tone has certainly changed so I will be more specific:

how do i get the Rev Willy G tone, at reasonable volumes, from a distortion pedal plugged in between a Tele loaded with a DiMarzio chopper T on the bridge, and a Marshall JCM 800 (KT88's) on the other end (low sensitivity input, P=6/B=4/M=10/T=0/MV=10/PA=4)?  Specifically I refer to the tone on the song "Pincushion" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbekiOmc … re=related

The OCD v.4 I am using seems to lack some hair/woodyness.

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  • Registered: 2009-10-10
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Man, that is some killer tone in that video.  Almost sounds like an old Marshall being smoked with a treble booster.  Best distortion/overdrive pedal I have used in awhile is a Rockbox Boiling Point. Very expensive, but it works great with my Marshall (JCM 900 MK III) or my old Fender Bassman head. It cuts better (stronger mids) than my OCD and has more sustain with a ton of gain if needed.  But the tone in that video still reminds of a Keeley Java Boost I had for awhile.  I think the OCD is too thick to get that tone.

  • From: York, PA
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

The live tone is really mid-heavy and dryer but not overly thick.  Album version is pretty "wet" sounding to my ears, similar to the tone a vox saturator pedal will give you.  Either way, Billy Gibbons is so elusive about what he uses, who knows.

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

BFG likes to use six of original Expandoras together. I'm not sure of the settings though. One other thing you may want to consider is getting a Duncan "Pearly Gates" or a Duncan BG-1400 for your Tele.

5 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2011-04-12 21:46:17)

  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Mmmmm... treble booster... i do have a HBE Germania laying around collecting dust.  Should give that a whirl.  I was thinking about the Vox Satchurator as a possibility as well.  But the fact that it is a large pedal with the inputs on the side makes me wish a German engineer had thought of it and it will likely not fit on my board; which brings up the point... NO WAY 6 expandoras will do  big_smile  Besides I have a feeling the 6 expandora thing was sheer BFG myth (though he did cary a contraption decorated with them, methinks it was for show like JB says "smoke and mirrors")..

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  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Don't forget the peso pick big_smile

BFG sure has killer tone for such light strings

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010

7 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2011-04-12 22:01:30)

  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Well I am not interested so much in nailing the tones.  I know it is nearly impossible.  But there is a woodyness, a crunch quality to that Pincushion tone.  And yes, the recorded version has some wetness to it but it still has that nice bottom, spiked mid, sweet trebley woody crunch, with some fur around the edges, and the pinch harmonics just pop out!

I have considered the Rockbox Boiling Point as well... I would have to sell my Hughes & Kettner Replex to afford that.  Anyone interested in the one of the best tube delays out there?  tongue

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  • From: Florida, USA
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Crazy thing is, in that clip you posted he's not even using a tube amp more than likely.  He likes to run a rack rig believe it or not, that consists of some Marshall JMP-1 preamps and other assorted devices.  He has a rack EQ that is supposedly dialed in so that no matter what guitar he's playing live, it will always sound like his favorite Les Paul "Pearly Gates".  The main difference you are hearing (the "woodiness" as you call it) is that you are using a Tele.  I know he plays Teles too, but again he's got that EQ in there to make it sound like a beefed up Les Paul.  For me, the perfect Reverend Billy Gibbons tone is a Les Paul, a decent overdrive, into a cranked up Marshall JTM45.

What I would do if I were you would be to check out a gain device that will fatten up that Tele, add some "fur", and that is very harmonically active.  I bet a Tonebender type pedal would cop the tone that you are looking for!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQt5SWwe17k

MAN it's making me want a darn Tonebender!!!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Yeah I kick myself in the head for selling my Fulltone Soulbender, but I needed the cash at the time, and it fetched a nice premium chunk of dough.  Now Mike is going to make those again  smile  That was a nice clip with Lumpy's tonebender;  the sounds seems close to me except the bottom end seems squishy in comparison to BFG's.  I know i know... really nitpicking here.  And yes you are right about the frequency analyzers and outboard gear, those comprise the second reason why I am not trying to nail the tone exactly. 

I haven't had time to go down to my studio to fiddle around, but this discussion has sparked an idea:  The OCD had enough bottom end and it is tight (running at 18V); I am thinking that maybe if I run the HBE Germania in front of it, It may give me the fur and wood around the edges...  maybe a late night run to Zodiac studios is due today  smile

Although keep the suggestions and conversation going!


stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Crazy thing is, in that clip you posted he's not even using a tube amp more than likely.  He likes to run a rack rig believe it or not, that consists of some Marshall JMP-1 preamps and other assorted devices.  He has a rack EQ that is supposedly dialed in so that no matter what guitar he's playing live, it will always sound like his favorite Les Paul "Pearly Gates".  The main difference you are hearing (the "woodiness" as you call it) is that you are using a Tele.  I know he plays Teles too, but again he's got that EQ in there to make it sound like a beefed up Les Paul.  For me, the perfect Reverend Billy Gibbons tone is a Les Paul, a decent overdrive, into a cranked up Marshall JTM45.

What I would do if I were you would be to check out a gain device that will fatten up that Tele, add some "fur", and that is very harmonically active.  I bet a Tonebender type pedal would cop the tone that you are looking for!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQt5SWwe17k

MAN it's making me want a darn Tonebender!!!

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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

some Marshall JMP-1 preamps

+1

  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

How about the Cusack Screamer Fuzz?  Anyone?

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12 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2011-04-13 16:24:33)

  • From: York, PA
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

For that live tone, how about a FD2 and maybe a mild fuzz along with it?  Stratpaulguy is right, BFG does seem to use the JMP rackmounts and rackmount gear.  Probably easier that way.  But I do love the stage props and amp configurations.  Those guys always, Always do it with the utmost coolness!  Those dudes could be standing backstage drinking a pepsi and it would be the coolest thing you've ever seen. -S

  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

I had a FD2 and it just did not do it for me.  I am thinking the OCD with the Germania set on the Hi-FI mode may do the trick...

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  • From: York, PA
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

macg1 wrote:

I had a FD2 and it just did not do it for me.  I am thinking the OCD with the Germania set on the Hi-FI mode may do the trick...

Yeah give it a try.  I was thinking the FD2 would give you the smoothness and the fuzz for the slight raspy tone over top.  I've never tried an OCD, I always thought they were more aggressive to start with.  You'll find something that works.

  • From: Georgia
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

helrazr84 wrote:
macg1 wrote:

I had a FD2 and it just did not do it for me.  I am thinking the OCD with the Germania set on the Hi-FI mode may do the trick...

Yeah give it a try.  I was thinking the FD2 would give you the smoothness and the fuzz for the slight raspy tone over top.  I've never tried an OCD, I always thought they were more aggressive to start with.  You'll find something that works.


He also has his own brand of guitar strings out, and believe it  or not they are .007's.

16 Reply by Spider (edited by Spider 2011-04-15 08:27:32)

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

It'll be cool to see if the slight return of the Soul Bender will be as good as the original. And will they be as expensive? The prices on the Fulltone 69's are obscene.

  • Registered: 2011-03-30
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

Yeah, the expandora thing was a stage prop. Do a search for "Billy Gibbons Expandora" and you will see he has done the pedal totum pole thing with a punch of different pedals, all for show.

That said, the Satchurator is to dry and bass heavy for that tone. Sounds like a cranked 18watt marshall to me.

18 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2015-03-19 11:06:41)

  • macg1
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Re: Age old forum question: Billy Gibbons tone?

HoosierRock wrote:

Man, that is some killer tone in that video.  Almost sounds like an old Marshall being smoked with a treble booster.  Best distortion/overdrive pedal I have used in awhile is a Rockbox Boiling Point. Very expensive, but it works great with my Marshall (JCM 900 MK III) or my old Fender Bassman head. It cuts better (stronger mids) than my OCD and has more sustain with a ton of gain if needed.  But the tone in that video still reminds of a Keeley Java Boost I had for awhile.  I think the OCD is too thick to get that tone.

And here is to digging a forum post from the grave. So after many years and constant research through the internet to find someone who nailed the Pincushion tone and others from the Antenna record, finally came across someone who mailed it. Turns out HoosierRock was correct and the secret, in part, is a treble booster. I actually tried several and could not get the right sound. I was able to nail other tones but not the Antenna record. So I came across this video and decided to ask the guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZuwpXklZm8

The fellow replied within a few hours with a detailed message. Turns out that he started his tone quest to match Marc Bolan's tone. As such, he picked a very affordable, old HH IC-100 amp. That's right, an old solid state amp. He then proceeded to test hundreds of germanium transistors in a rangemaster clone, and when he stumbled upon the OC71 transistor (which I never had in any of the boosters I tried) he stumbled on the ZZ Top tone that I so craved. So the recipe is:

Les Paul -> rangemaster with OC71 -> delay and or chorus (he is using a jacques meistersinger for chorusing) -> HH IC-100 combo amp (costs abotu 400 bucks for the combo).

Now, this is not to say that this is the exact gear Gibbons used, and it likely isn't, but the fact that the combination nails the tone is undeniable.

Now, I play very different gear, and I am more about my own thing, but it is cool to see these happy accidents.

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