• Registered: 2014-01-11
  • Posts: 37

Topic: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

Do you consider the guitar or the amp the centerpiece of your sound? I know a lot of people would say "both", but if you could pick just one, what would it be?

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

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

Love this post
For me it starts with the guitar. If I pick up a electric I play it without plugging it in. If it sounds good acoustically and resonates then you are more then halfway there. Next its in your fingers and how much of your soul you can project into it.
The amp is last. A good player with the other two attributes in hand can make the worst amp sound great. So the guitar then the projection of your soul through the guitar. The amps pedals and everything else are just tools to enhance what you already have brought to the table.
My two cents
Cheers Ron

"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
  • Registered: 2010-11-26
  • Posts: 51

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

Ron,
      Couldn't agree more. I usually play an electric for at least 10 to 15 minutes un-plugged. If the guitar
sounds good, and resonates on it's own merits, 9 times out of 10 it will be outstanding thru an amp. At
that point, pick-ups,cables, pedals, ad nauseaum just enhance the experience. I bet at this point in my
life (40+ years as a player) no matter what amp I plug into, with just a minimum of knob twisting, I
sound like me. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me. Don't get me wrong, I still
haven't completely got to the tone I hear in my head, but close enough to make me smile when the right
note just floors me. (Just lucky I guess…..)
Cheers
Fred

Guitars..'07 Custom shop 58 flametop, '11 JB studio goldtop, Nash custom aged 63 strat, Breedlove custom shop quilted Jumbo.
Amps etc: Fuchs, Blackjack 21 Head, Retro Channel RR1 Retro wreck head, Marshall 2601 Cabs loaded with eminence
Lady Luck 75 watt 12's. J.B sig Wah, J.B. FET driver, Keeley modded TS9, Boss DD3, CE2, Tu2
Pickboy 1.50 pix, EB power slinkys.
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

ace1962 wrote:

Ron,
      Couldn't agree more. I usually play an electric for at least 10 to 15 minutes un-plugged. If the guitar
sounds good, and resonates on it's own merits, 9 times out of 10 it will be outstanding thru an amp. At
that point, pick-ups,cables, pedals, ad nauseaum just enhance the experience. I bet at this point in my
life (40+ years as a player) no matter what amp I plug into, with just a minimum of knob twisting, I
sound like me. That may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me. Don't get me wrong, I still
haven't completely got to the tone I hear in my head, but close enough to make me smile when the right
note just floors me. (Just lucky I guess…..)
Cheers
Fred

Yup I am with you we are on the same page.
Cheers Ron

"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
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

+1  for sure

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

I have some 70's Gibsons I've been playing since my teens. They're like an old pair of sneakers, and I feel like playing is more effortless and "my sound" when I'm using them. All other guitars are like a compromise or necessary evil (since I don't play out with them).

Over the years, I have tried to darken & clean my tone, clearsonic baffle, GRAMMA, and EVMs have slowly become staples of my tone no matter what is between them and my guitar.

- 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: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

Without question: guitar. I'm still comfortable with my guitar through anyone else's rig. It all still feels the same even though it may sound a bit different tonally. Picking up a guitar that's not mine feels like cheating.

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

Definitely the guitar.  If I go to a music store to try out amps and/or pedals, I always take my #1 guitar.  I always play a guitar unplugged for awhile too before I buy one to test the resonance.  I did buy a Gibson Custom Shop guitar through Wildwood Guitars awhile back without playing it first.  I would not have bought it if the salesman had not assured me that is was very resonant unplugged.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

I jump all over the place with guitars and amps these days, so I'm not sure I have "a sound" anymore.  It depends on the song and my mood.  The amp makes a broader, more easily-recognizable change in sound than guitar, so in that sense it's more important to sound... but not to the music.  The guitar is the connection to my hands.  There are certain things I just prefer in guitars, and given the choice, I'd always want a guitar I bond with over an amp I like.  I will also be happy with some guitars no matter what amp they're going through.  The frequencies that come out aren't as important to me as the rhythm, phrasing, melody and harmony I'm creating.  I guitar I really love will help me be free with those.  It is a feedback loop though - tone will affect what I play, and what and how I play affects the tone.  You can't truly separate.

Not really an answer...

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

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

ZeyerGTR wrote:

I jump all over the place with guitars and amps these days, so I'm not sure I have "a sound" anymore.  It depends on the song and my mood.  The amp makes a broader, more easily-recognizable change in sound than guitar, so in that sense it's more important to sound... but not to the music.  The guitar is the connection to my hands.  There are certain things I just prefer in guitars, and given the choice, I'd always want a guitar I bond with over an amp I like.  I will also be happy with some guitars no matter what amp they're going through.  The frequencies that come out aren't as important to me as the rhythm, phrasing, melody and harmony I'm creating.  I guitar I really love will help me be free with those.  It is a feedback loop though - tone will affect what I play, and what and how I play affects the tone.  You can't truly separate.

Not really an answer...

I am with you I understand

"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
  • Registered: 2014-01-11
  • Posts: 37

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

I guess I'll be the only one who feels kinda opposite. While everything in the "tone chain" has an effect, either major or minor, I find it to be the amps that set the foundation for my overall sound. I don't really have too many guitars, but they're very different from each other. However, they all get played through the same amps, so there's a bit of an inherent "sameness" in the sound with each instrument.
I personally have found that if you have a relatively decent guitar but played thru a good amp, you're gonna be ok. But you can have a multi-thousand dollar dream guitar and if it's played thru a sub-par amp, the sound suffers a lot.

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

The guitar. I just recently picked up the one guitar to rule them all: a 1964 Gibson Firebird III. If I told you guys what I paid for it, you would hate me. Total luck. That guitar made me sell 3 others. It is just amazing and everyone who hears it just stand there looking at it with jaws dropped. Kind of funny to watch.

The amp is second. There are some amps I can really work, and those are generally brit-voiced amps. I have a Trainwreck Express inspired amp that and another one with EL84's built for me by a company out of Hudson MA (Firebird Musical Amplifiers). I have played shows with just guitar into amp with that gear.

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

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

macg1 wrote:

The guitar. I just recently picked up the one guitar to rule them all: a 1964 Gibson Firebird III. If I told you guys what I paid for it, you would hate me. Total luck.

I'm in the same boat with my '79 Explorer E2. Why do extremely valuable yet bought for a deal guitars play sooo much nicer? big_smile

- 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
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
macg1 wrote:

The guitar. I just recently picked up the one guitar to rule them all: a 1964 Gibson Firebird III. If I told you guys what I paid for it, you would hate me. Total luck.

I'm in the same boat with my '79 Explorer E2. Why do extremely valuable yet bought for a deal guitars play sooo much nicer? big_smile

Nic, It's the "free food effect." Free food always tastes better! big_smile

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
  • Registered: 2011-02-25
  • Posts: 127

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

I'm gonna guess the guitar is 2/3, amp the rest.
I play a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Strat. Both totally different tone.
I've heard plenty of "dead" sounding electrics unplugged that sound awesome through an amp.
It's taken me years to find the tone I want.
I like hotter pickups.
I prefer my Marshall 1986 and JTM50 clones through Celestion Heritage G12-65 speakers.

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

SlyStrat wrote:

I'm gonna guess the guitar is 2/3, amp the rest.
I play a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Strat. Both totally different tone.
I've heard plenty of "dead" sounding electrics unplugged that sound awesome through an amp.
It's taken me years to find the tone I want.
I like hotter pickups.
I prefer my Marshall 1986 and JTM50 clones through Celestion Heritage G12-65 speakers.

I'll agree to disagree on this.  I have never had luck with a non-resonant guitar but I prefer lower output pickups.  They let the actual tone of the guitar come through more and are more touch sensitive. They also enhance the "feel" of the guitar.  Get on you-tube and watch Joe play Blues Deluxe back in 2007.  Video was posted by Alrunerod or something like that.  I don't believe those are very high output pickups but I may be wrong.  Ultimate Les Paul tone.

  • Registered: 2014-01-11
  • Posts: 37

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

that's for sure. Joe knows about ultimate Les Paul tone

  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: What's the centerpiece of your overall sound?

For me its the guitar. My JB LP has become my favorite guitar of the six electrics I own. I use the pedals less, or turned down, from what I was used to before I got the Les Paul. That and my Marshall amp and I'm a happy man.

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
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