1 Topic by Charlie Foxtrot (edited by Charlie Foxtrot 2012-04-13 00:03:20)

  • From: Salt Lake City
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 22

Topic: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Does anyone know which amp Joe is using for Fire And Water on the Beacon Theatre DVD?  I would guess it's probably the Category 5 with the fuzz face maybe?  I think I have heard Joe say that the Category 5 is basically a super lead and I assume that would be the most logical amp to get the Paul Kossof Free tone (although I could be wrong).

I have a Fargen Mini Plex Mark II amp and I'm running an EL34/KT66 power tube mix through a 2x12 cab with WGS Green Beret Speakers.  The closest I can seem to get to the tone that Joe has on that song is in the 60's mode which is a JTM45 circuit.  The 70's mode is a Plexi JMP circuit, but it doesn't have quite enough oomph in the low end for that Free tone.  It's close but the JTM45 setting sounds better, but it also has a little less gain.  I've yet to figure out how to get that Bonamassa low end thump out of my amp at lower volumes with a drive pedal out in front.  I'm sure the answer lies somewhere in neighborhood of more overall volume, more amp drive, and less pedal drive.  My wife and kids don't much care for that solution though. wink

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

I know this doesn't help but here is a link to what amps he used that night.  https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=19234

AD3THREE's Website

3 Reply by SgtB (edited by SgtB 2012-04-13 08:45:15)

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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

I would guess the Cat 5 and the Jub mixed with a tube screamer for the solo on both Free covers. 
Without two amps run wet/dry ( or Joe's hands smile) you might be able to get his exact tone. You should however get close to Kossof's original tone with your amp if you can get a JTM 45 sound. I know I get close with my JCM 800 but I don't play with a ton of gain.

I'll be recording a cover of Fire and Water here in a couple of weeks and will post it once it's complete.

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
  • From: Salt Lake City
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 22

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

AD3THREE wrote:

I know this doesn't help but here is a link to what amps he used that night.  https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=19234

I didn't see that thread thanks for the link!

5 Reply by Charlie Foxtrot (edited by Charlie Foxtrot 2012-04-13 13:55:50)

  • From: Salt Lake City
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 22

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

SgtB wrote:

I would guess the Cat 5 and the Jub mixed with a tube screamer for the solo on both Free covers. 
Without two amps run wet/dry ( or Joe's hands smile) you might be able to get his exact tone. You should however get close to Kossof's original tone with your amp if you can get a JTM 45 sound. I know I get close with my JCM 800 but I don't play with a ton of gain.

I'll be recording a cover of Fire and Water here in a couple of weeks and will post it once it's complete.

Unfortunately I lack the space, funds, and necessary sound proofing for a wet/dry rig.  I'm most certainly lacking in the talent category as well, but I have some fairly nice gear for a hack so I can't really complain. lol

My Fargen Mini Plex MK II also has an 80's mode which is a JCM 800 type circuit.  I should probably spend some more time in that mode using less gain and see where that gets me.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Its funny that you meantion something like that because I think this whole forum is made up of wish lists and asking suggestion to what gear people should get to sound like Joe.  If more people were thankful for what they had I'm sure they could find a way to make it work for whatever kind of sound they were trying to get.  Beautiful Single cut on your picture there I'm guessing its yours.  SC PRS?

AD3THREE's Website

7 Reply by Charlie Foxtrot (edited by Charlie Foxtrot 2012-04-13 14:36:27)

  • From: Salt Lake City
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 22

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

AD3THREE wrote:

Its funny that you meantion something like that because I think this whole forum is made up of wish lists and asking suggestion to what gear people should get to sound like Joe.  If more people were thankful for what they had I'm sure they could find a way to make it work for whatever kind of sound they were trying to get.  Beautiful Single cut on your picture there I'm guessing its yours.  SC PRS?

Yeah that is my PRS SC 245.  I've had it for a few years now and I recently decided that I need to get new pickups (it's a vicious endless cycle).  I've upgraded my other guitars with DiMarzio 36th Anny pickups and a matched set of Bare Knuckle Mules so now my stock 245 pups are leaving me a little less than satisfied.  So I'm not totally happy, but I am thankful for what I've got.  I recently weeded out dusty unused parts of my guitar horde and have pretty much only kept the stuff that gets regular playing time.

Here is a somewhat recent family gear photo:
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii24 … Family.jpg

EDIT:  Can we not imbed photos on this forum?

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Afraid we can't.  I wish I could take my own advise sometimes ;p

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

What do you think of that SE245?  It looks sharpe like the real thing made in america.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Salt Lake City
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 22

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

AD3THREE wrote:

What do you think of that SE245?  It looks sharpe like the real thing made in america.

I like it quite a bit.  I traded some of my unused gear for it and liked it enough to keep it.  The SE series usually has some decent bones, but then I switch everything else out, electronics, tuners, nut, pickups, and in this case the bridge too.  The stock bridge is ok and it works just fine, but it's cast aluminum instead of machined.  I recently replaced the bridge with a Jason Schroeder adjustable stoptail.  The only thing left stock on the guitar is the body, neck and frets.  Yeah, I'll admit I'm a nut, but it fun to upgrade and change things up on guitars and the PRS SE line is a generally a decent platform to mess around with.  My SE standard (the flat black guitar has been heavily modified as well).

Here is the SE 245 (it's not quite as nice as the SC 245 but it's not too far off either)
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii24 … G_2744.jpg

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Charlie Foxtrot wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

Its funny that you meantion something like that because I think this whole forum is made up of wish lists and asking suggestion to what gear people should get to sound like Joe.  If more people were thankful for what they had I'm sure they could find a way to make it work for whatever kind of sound they were trying to get.  Beautiful Single cut on your picture there I'm guessing its yours.  SC PRS?

Yeah that is my PRS SC 245.  I've had it for a few years now and I recently decided that I need to get new pickups (it's a vicious endless cycle).  I've upgraded my other guitars with DiMarzio 36th Anny pickups and a matched set of Bare Knuckle Mules so now my stock 245 pups are leaving me a little less than satisfied.  So I'm not totally happy, but I am thankful for what I've got.  I recently weeded out dusty unused parts of my guitar horde and have pretty much only kept the stuff that gets regular playing time.

Here is a somewhat recent family gear photo:
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii24 … Family.jpg

EDIT:  Can we not imbed photos on this forum?

good looking family

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Charlie Foxtrot wrote:
SgtB wrote:

I would guess the Cat 5 and the Jub mixed with a tube screamer for the solo on both Free covers. 
Without two amps run wet/dry ( or Joe's hands smile) you might be able to get his exact tone. You should however get close to Kossof's original tone with your amp if you can get a JTM 45 sound. I know I get close with my JCM 800 but I don't play with a ton of gain.

I'll be recording a cover of Fire and Water here in a couple of weeks and will post it once it's complete.

Unfortunately I lack the space, funds, and necessary sound proofing for a wet/dry rig.  I'm most certainly lacking in the talent category as well, but I have some fairly nice gear for a hack so I can't really complain. lol

My Fargen Mini Plex MK II also has an 80's mode which is a JCM 800 type circuit.  I should probably spend some more time in that mode using less gain and see where that gets me.

Yeah keep playing in that mode. Your amp should get you close to that sound. Working on your vibrato will help too

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

As promised, here's a recording of Fire & Water.  It was recorded with my gold top straight into a 2204 with a Sonic straight 4x12.  The vocals are a scratch vocal.  My friend will redo those later.

Hope you guys like it.

http://soundcloud.com/sgtb-2/fire-water

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Sounds Dam good to me

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

Thanks! Not the best guitarist by any means but I play because I love music

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
Joe Bonamassa Custom Shop Goldtop Unaged 1st run
Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
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Re: Amp Joe used on Fire And Water?

AD3THREE wrote:

Its funny that you meantion something like that because I think this whole forum is made up of wish lists and asking suggestion to what gear people should get to sound like Joe.  If more people were thankful for what they had I'm sure they could find a way to make it work for whatever kind of sound they were trying to get.  Beautiful Single cut on your picture there I'm guessing its yours.  SC PRS?

FINALLY some sense!  Thank you. The common mistake for players is to hyperfocus on gear as the key to a tone.  If they spent that time working on playing and maximizing what they got they would be far better off and develop their own style (how do I know? I used to be one of them gear obsessed dudes).  Now, that approach is also not for everyone and for the gear enthusiast who can afford the stuff, well, more power to them.  I just think that most of the time even though we say "so and so would sound like themselves using any gear" somehow, that conclusion evaporates in the annals of gear-related forums.  Now I do still like gear and kept all the things I need and can use.  The occasional new thing trickles in, but my unorthodox setup of an Orange Rocker 30 into a 1x15 cab was the sound that i heard in my head and that inspires the fingers of my heart.

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