Rebel Yells

[jimm]

I thought I would write a post about my search for a better tone over the last few months.  My rig was les paul with duncan jb/jazz into a mesa boogie heartbreaker.  Uninspiring.  I started frequenting this sight and decided to try the RY in the les paul.  I also got the jimmy page wiring kit from Torres engineering.  I also learned about Robert Keeley through this site and bought some of his pedals.  My current rig:  keeley comp; java boost; keeley ts808; keeley ds1 ultra; boss eq; keeley katana preamp; boss delay; boss chorus;heartbreaker.  Now I have a tone that is thick and warm and clear and truly inspires me to play with more emotion.  Its difficult to know how much of the improvement is from the bkp's and how much is from the other changes i have made.  I only know that my previous tone didnt do much for me.  Now, I smile just thinking about it :D
I have researched several different amps as well including the new marshalls; splawn; bogner; diezel; hughes and kettner; dual rectifier; but I am happy with my tone now.  Anyway, I play in my basement studio and i rarely have a chance to crank up the volume so i really wouldnt get to use those great amps to their full potential.


jimm

[TwilightOdyssey]

Nice thread, jimm.

I have a similar story: my tone is quite different from what it was a year and half ago when my band cut our debut album. I think it's much better now!!

I was a hardcore Duncan (Screamin Demon), Rivera, Fulltone player. Now I use BKP, Splawn, and HomeBrew Electronics pedals.

It was a member of this forum (Brow) that introduced me to HBE.

There is a wealth of knowledge buried in this forum, and it's good to see people are checking out new gear because of it.

[jimm]

Twilight,

Thanks for the HBE tip.  I just ordered their wah pedal.  I also plan on getting their chorus.  My current quest is to get as many of my effects with true bypass.   Have you  heard the keeley java boost.  It is incredible.  It has 3 modes: full spectrum boost; midrange boost; and of course treble boost.  I use the full spectrum  boost before my ds1 ultra and it just makes it come alive.
Its funny now, when you hear guitarists go on and on about their awesome seymour duncan or gibson humbucker tone, you know they are in need of some pickup enlightenment

jimm

[jimm]

Well I was intrigued by the Splawn and went to their website.  I think it is just what i've been looking for: a dependable builder of awesome marshall clones.   I am thinking i will someday get the  quick rod with el34's in the jcm800 style with a full stack black with cane basket weave.  I just dont want to get it right now because i have spend a small fortune on boutique pedals(just ordered keeley BD2; Rat; HBE chorus and delay) to get a great tone through my mesa heartbreaker, and i haven't really used it much yet.  I am going to try to restrain myself for now but I am really excited about the Splawn.

jimm

[TwilightOdyssey]

Hehe, nice! I have several HBE pedals, didn't get the chorus yet, tho.

I have the Quick Rod just ast you described it, with EL34s in it. However, mine doesn't look like a JCM800!

I call this the Tower of Tone!

[jimm]

Nice!  Thanks for sharing 8)

[hunter]

I thought I would write a post about my search for a better tone over the last few months.  My rig was les paul with duncan jb/jazz into a mesa boogie heartbreaker.  Uninspiring.  I started frequenting this sight and decided to try the RY in the les paul.  I also got the jimmy page wiring kit from Torres engineering.  I also learned about Robert Keeley through this site and bought some of his pedals.  My current rig:  keeley comp; java boost; keeley ts808; keeley ds1 ultra; boss eq; keeley katana preamp; boss delay; boss chorus;heartbreaker.  Now I have a tone that is thick and warm and clear and truly inspires me to play with more emotion.  Its difficult to know how much of the improvement is from the bkp's and how much is from the other changes i have made.  I only know that my previous tone didnt do much for me.  Now, I smile just thinking about it :D
I have researched several different amps as well including the new marshalls; splawn; bogner; diezel; hughes and kettner; dual rectifier; but I am happy with my tone now.  Anyway, I play in my basement studio and i rarely have a chance to crank up the volume so i really wouldnt get to use those great amps to their full potential.



jimm

Man, for as you said a few months, that's a shiteload of pedals :o)

Congrats for your tone improvements! I agree that there is a lot of wealth and GOOD discussion in this forum. Actually, there are no spammers or dumbasses in here, which is quite refreshing compared to the outside world  :P

[jimm]

Just got the hbe delay.  What an incredibly beautiful sound.  At first i wasnt quite sure if it was a delay or chorus, then i noticed the repeats and iwas was reoriented.   Its like another realm of sound.  Cant wait to get the chorus!  By the way I was playing my santana with mules into keeley compressor and hbe chorus.  Heavenly.