Author Topic: Nailbomb + Ibanez SA260FML (Tool/ISIS tone seeking!) (Read 3852 times)

Acolmiztli · « **on:** April 08, 2008, 02:55:16 PM »

Hey guys. My Ibanez SA260FML (lefty) is from 2004. I have a nailbomb in it at the bridge. I find the sound to be a bit too trebly. I like quite a bass-heavy muddy tone - think TOOL/ISIS/PELICAN/CULT OF LUNA.

Do you think its my guitar and the construction of it, or is the Nailbomb not really suited to these types of sound?

I can get quite a decent metal tone. But it sounds more Soundgarden than Tool, more Pantera than Pelican, and doesn't really resemble anything you hear on an ISIS record.

Could also be my pedals too maybe? I have a ProCo RAT and a Big Muff, and a Metal Muff. I've stopped using the Big Muff to be honest, it lacks definition in the sound. Good for solo's, a bit pants for riffs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YwrYVaeoN4 - Excuse the shitee playing.

Any advice for nailing an Adam Jones style sound (I'm thinking the Aenima album as a reference) and a more ISIS style?

ilÿti · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2008, 03:08:06 PM »

One word:

Mule.

Acolmiztli · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2008, 03:34:10 PM »

Forgive me for saying so, but that isn't really helpful. Man, when I was talking to Tim, he advised me on getting a Holy Diver. But at the time I was short on cash, so I bought the Nailbomb second hand.

I guess I'm looking for advice on getting the tone I want from the current setup I have... or is it not possible do you think?

ilÿti · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2008, 04:05:24 PM »

Alright, sorry. You didn't say anything about it having to be with your current setup though.

Turning down the tone knob doesn't do the job?

Acolmiztli · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2008, 04:08:34 PM »

Quote from: ilyti

Alright, sorry. You didn't say anything about it having to be with your current setup though.

Turning down the tone knob doesn't do the job?

Not really. Maybe I could get the pots replaced with higher resistance ones? I know naff all about electronics though.

badgermark · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2008, 04:15:20 PM »

Try a 250k volume pot, might take out some highs. Or just sell the Nailbomb and buy a Holydiver, which should do what you originally want.

ailean · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2008, 07:34:05 PM »

I'm out of my depth here, but the NB doesn't sound like the pup for the tones you want.

I'm a bit surprised by the HD too in truth, but Tim is the expert.

Changing the resistance and capacitance might tame your 'bomb a little, but other heads will need to advise on that, sorry. :(

shaman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2008, 02:41:25 AM »

-you need a big chunk of mahogany and lots o' tubes to get that Jones Tone!I get it with my Rebs,and especially my Mule, BUT it is in a Les Paul....the Mule really nails it-has an edge to it that really helps get that HUGE wall of sound...you gotta back off that gain and decompress a little,and pump the master volume!no doubt,however, that it simply takes a PAUL for that bottom-good luck in your tonal quest!
btw,good to hear from another southpaw!

Acolmiztli · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2008, 12:16:34 PM »

hehe. I figured as much. Actually, I've been lusting for a LP for years now, never had the scratch. I'm going to Japan in June, so that might yeild a Les Paul. Maybe a Tokai or Greco.

gwEm · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2008, 03:00:17 PM »

i saw a comment or two on here that holy diver does a cool Tool-esque tone. maybe not that surprising.

Lazy_McDoesnothing · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2008, 08:24:14 PM »

Quote from: shaman

-you need a big chunk of mahogany and lots o' tubes to get that Jones Tone!I get it with my Rebs,and especially my Mule, BUT it is in a Les Paul....the Mule really nails it-has an edge to it that really helps get that HUGE wall of sound...you gotta back off that gain and decompress a little,and pump the master volume!no doubt,however, that it simply takes a PAUL for that bottom-good luck in your tonal quest!
btw,good to hear from another southpaw!

AIV or AV Mules? I struggle to get a heavy sound from my AIV bridge Mule even after boosting the cr@p out of it. I'm thinking of doing an AV magnet swap.

sgmypod · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2008, 10:14:21 PM »

these guitars ain't bad..but somehing heavier like a LP style would yeald the sound your after...as others have said

gwEm · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2008, 11:47:39 AM »

Quote from: Lazy_McDoesnothing

AIV or AV Mules? I struggle to get a heavy sound from my AIV bridge Mule even after boosting the cr@p out of it. I'm thinking of doing an AV magnet swap.

The AV adds a bit of extra output and bite... but tim changes the wind a bit, its not just a magnet swap. if you need to boost an A4 mule, you will with a A5 mule too... its only like 5 or 10% hotter. you notice it, but its still a PAF.

I guess you might like something alot higher gain...

shaman · « **Reply #13 on:** April 10, 2008, 03:45:39 PM »

mine is AV-I blend my Mark IIC Boogie with a triple rec(about 70% MKII/30 % rec) via an aby box-gets the rec bottom without overdoing it-the Mule really reacts well when I go for the TOOL drool tone-has a nice abrasive quality that really gives those dropped D licks some sizzle

Lazy_McDoesnothing · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2008, 07:58:11 PM »

Quote from: gwEm

The AV adds a bit of extra output and bite... but tim changes the wind a bit, its not just a magnet swap. if you need to boost an A4 mule, you will with a A5 mule too... its only like 5 or 10% hotter. you notice it, but its still a PAF.

I guess you might like something alot higher gain...

Thanks, good to know. I really like the Mule neck but the bridge needs more bite for me. I want this guitar to be slightly vintage sounding but with more oomph in the bridge. I've heard medium output isn't ideal for SG's but I like medium output and am thinking something vintage hot or Crawler. I have Warpigs for high gain things in another guitar.

Sorry Acolmiztli, I don't mean to hijack your thread.