1 Topic by sameoldblues (edited by sameoldblues 2012-03-21 08:18:06)

  • From: The Park Bench
  • Registered: 2012-02-23
  • Posts: 39

Topic: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

What would be the cheapest set of gear which could get a tone somewhat similar to Joe's classic lead tone (meaning of the blues, blacknight...). Guitar, amp, effects, etc...  I know it's impossible to simulate his tone completely (especially without spending much) but as close and cheap as possible. He has once told "you can get a cool tone like that (referring to his own)with an epi and a small practice amp in your bedroom" during one of his interviews regarding his gear.

Any ideas? 

P.S.: Please dont limit the list to lps and marshalls, anything that really sounds similar tonewise is acceptable.

2 Reply by Jlowther (edited by Jlowther 2012-03-21 09:20:27)

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

My overdrive tone comes from 2 main pedals - TS808 and a blackstar overdrive...with these 2 coupled together I promise you you will get into the ballpark no matter what amp you use...Okay in this video I used a marshall half stack but I used the same pedals with a cheap VOX solidstate amp and I was very pleasantly surprised... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IfZXjwjdO4

Add a big delay...long reverb...some chorus (which makes a big difference I have recently discovered) and you will be there.

edit: the quality of the video does not do justice to what the amp sounded like in the room..believe me there was a lot more bass and it just sounded a lot more full but I think the tone came pretty close considering it was on minimal volume!

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 135

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

An Epi JB Les Paul and a Marshall Class 5 gets pretty close.  Now, you will need a delay or reverb pedal as the Class 5 doesn't have any effects on it.  But, I use a Tube Screamer also with the Class 5 and it gets really great tone out of it.

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

What is cheap to you? Compared to Joe B's rigs a 500-600 dollar amp would be considered cheap.

You could probably find a Marshall DSL for around that price. That and a DD3 Delay would get you fairly close.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee

5 Reply by sameoldblues (edited by sameoldblues 2012-03-21 15:31:32)

  • From: The Park Bench
  • Registered: 2012-02-23
  • Posts: 39

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

Jlowther wrote:

My overdrive tone comes from 2 main pedals - TS808 and a blackstar overdrive...with these 2 coupled together I promise you you will get into the ballpark no matter what amp you use...Okay in this video I used a marshall half stack but I used the same pedals with a cheap VOX solidstate amp and I was very pleasantly surprised... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IfZXjwjdO4

Add a big delay...long reverb...some chorus (which makes a big difference I have recently discovered) and you will be there.

edit: the quality of the video does not do justice to what the amp sounded like in the room..believe me there was a lot more bass and it just sounded a lot more full but I think the tone came pretty close considering it was on minimal volume!

Thats what I mean man, good job! What model is this Vox?

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

sameoldblues wrote:
Jlowther wrote:

My overdrive tone comes from 2 main pedals - TS808 and a blackstar overdrive...with these 2 coupled together I promise you you will get into the ballpark no matter what amp you use...Okay in this video I used a marshall half stack but I used the same pedals with a cheap VOX solidstate amp and I was very pleasantly surprised... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IfZXjwjdO4

Add a big delay...long reverb...some chorus (which makes a big difference I have recently discovered) and you will be there.

edit: the quality of the video does not do justice to what the amp sounded like in the room..believe me there was a lot more bass and it just sounded a lot more full but I think the tone came pretty close considering it was on minimal volume!

Thats what I mean man, good job! What model is this Vox?

Thanks! It was just a VOX AD30VT ...bought it a few years ago and its just a backup at home really if my marshall's tubes blow out or something...the trick is to set the amp you have on the clean channel and then use the pedals for the overdrive

Also...you wanna keep the treble down low and the mids and bass up high

good luck man!

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic

7 Reply by sameoldblues (edited by sameoldblues 2012-03-21 15:47:44)

  • From: The Park Bench
  • Registered: 2012-02-23
  • Posts: 39

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

I`ll try something similar, Ive a fender amp with similar specs and currently looking for a good lp with a reasonable price maybe a high end epi as JB signature is out of stock everywhere. I really get some nice tones with my modified strat but definitely not that classic JB stuff.

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

sameoldblues wrote:

I`ll try something similar, Ive a fender amp with similar specs and currently looking for a good lp with a reasonable price maybe a high end epi as JB signature is out of stock everywhere. I really get some nice tones with my modified strat but definitely not that classic JB stuff.

Yeah for the 'new' JB sound (his tone on his most recent albums) you really need a LP ... A strat won't produce those big grizzly chords quite as well as a LP

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

Heres a neat way to get close...
     A twin and a tubescreamer  run with a DSL-2000 on the crunch channel..  Avoid speakers that collapse or are two low wattage.   That'll get you close..
Joe B

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Heres a neat way to get close...
     A twin and a tubescreamer  run with a DSL-2000 on the crunch channel..  Avoid speakers that collapse or are two low wattage.   That'll get you close..
Joe B

Cool idea Joe, will have to try that one once I scratch my pennies together haha!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

I was thinking pairing a warm plexi style amp with a 6505 would be an interesting sound.

Or for a cheap option I've heard the Ceriatone 2555 clone is pretty awesome and only $1200!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

12 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-03-21 19:49:16)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

Joe used to do shows with a Silver Jub and a Line6 set to twin reverb.

Line 6 amps can get you close and the Flextone amps have nice effects so you wont have to spend too much.

1. Under budget, i'd say Line 6 Flextone II ($250 or so)
It has Plexi, Dumble, Twin, and Budda simulators that can do Joe a la 2003-2005.

2. and some humbucking guitar.... take your pick

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: The Park Bench
  • Registered: 2012-02-23
  • Posts: 39

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

hi guys thanks for the replies, these are some nice options... I just dont enjoy modelling amps much so I'll go for pedals and reverb trick. I also wonder if I can get something close with a HH tele instead of a lp...

Of course I'd like to sell my car, get that jubilee and a gibby custom but as an amateur gotta keep my obsession in moderation smile

  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

sameoldblues wrote:

hi guys thanks for the replies, these are some nice options... I just dont enjoy modelling amps much so I'll go for pedals and reverb trick. I also wonder if I can get something close with a HH tele instead of a lp...

Of course I'd like to sell my car, get that jubilee and a gibby custom but as an amateur gotta keep my obsession in moderation smile

You might want to check the Baked Potato gig threads. Joe shows up with his minimal grabngo rig that he can toss in the car and gets his usual with a variety of guitars, including Fenders, not just LP's. Given some of his historic amps are out of your reach, but he does it with just a couple of pedals.

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: Gizycko, Poland
  • Registered: 2010-04-03
  • Posts: 116

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

sameoldblues wrote:

I`ll try something similar, Ive a fender amp with similar specs and currently looking for a good lp with a reasonable price maybe a high end epi as JB signature is out of stock everywhere. I really get some nice tones with my modified strat but definitely not that classic JB stuff.

I was in the "rock and roll" guitar store in Warsaw march 2 2012 after Joe's show and I've played the JB Epi so call them smile

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

I would say a used DRRI, one of those Giggity pedals by Voodoo labs (great pedal with silly names on the knobs), a fuzz face of sorts will get you close enough at a reasonably low volume.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint

17 Reply by tag2 (edited by tag2 2012-03-22 18:45:03)

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Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

Here is one of my latest setups. 1966 Blackface Pro Reverb with a Weber Attenuator, 50W 2x12 Silver Jubilee combo, Tubescreamer, Boss Delay (on the Marshall FX Loop) and PAF Les Paul.

Right now, that is my fav. setup. Not cheap by any means really, but I can get about any tone I want or need. Pure THUNDER!

I just picked up a vintage Blackface Vibrolux Reverb that I am going to pair up with something. Not sure yet. Those older curcuit Fender amps sound really great! Even by themselves, but the Marshall brings the gasoline to the fire.

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Experimental: Cheapest way to get the JB tone

tag2 wrote:

Here is one of my latest setups. 1966 Blackface Pro Reverb with a Weber Attenuator, 50W 2x12 Silver Jubilee combo, Tubescreamer, Boss Delay (on the Marshall FX Loop) and PAF Les Paul.

Right now, that is my fav. setup. Not cheap by any means really, but I can get about any tone I want or need. Pure THUNDER!

I just picked up a vintage Blackface Vibrolux Reverb that I am going to pair up with something. Not sure yet. Those older curcuit Fender amps sound really great! Even by themselves, but the Marshall brings the gasoline to the fire.

That sounds like a killer set up.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee