Twinfan's top 10 guitar tone 'wisdoms'

[Philly Q]

A good point, If I spent my hours of internet browsing for the perfect tone on actually playing, I'd be sh!t hot now.

If I did that I'd be Buckethead by now (in terms of playing, not being barking mad, covered in chickensh!t and living in a henhouse). 

I've probably spent more cumulative time on the internet than some of you guys have been alive.

I'd also have a lot of complaints from the neighbours.

[noodleplugerine]

Some good, solid, common sense ideas there, which I agree with. Thanks for taking the trouble to put it down in writing for us all! :)

And I particularly want to highlight the point about ClearTone cables - they really are superb quality and amazing value for money. Of course, this point does directly contradict Paul Reed Smith's (otherwise accurate) statement, and point 3 (because they're CHEAP!), but hey I guess that's why they deserve a point on their own :D

Also MDV's point about talking to people is exceptionally good advice. I made this very mistake when I decided to go for a Randall RG200G3 (200W solid state 2 x12 combo amp). It just wasn't up to scratch, and had I taken the time I should have done to play through many amps and talk to people about them, I would have ended up at my 5150-II a lot sooner! That said, I was lucky not to be financially burned over that one.

Roo

+1.

Cleartone cables is my new religion.

[MDV]

Some good, solid, common sense ideas there, which I agree with. Thanks for taking the trouble to put it down in writing for us all! :)

And I particularly want to highlight the point about ClearTone cables - they really are superb quality and amazing value for money. Of course, this point does directly contradict Paul Reed Smith's (otherwise accurate) statement, and point 3 (because they're CHEAP!), but hey I guess that's why they deserve a point on their own :D

Also MDV's point about talking to people is exceptionally good advice. I made this very mistake when I decided to go for a Randall RG200G3 (200W solid state 2 x12 combo amp). It just wasn't up to scratch, and had I taken the time I should have done to play through many amps and talk to people about them, I would have ended up at my 5150-II a lot sooner! That said, I was lucky not to be financially burned over that one.

Roo

+1.

Cleartone cables is my new religion.

I've replaed every single one of my cables with cleartone. They're such an improvment, I need to know that my entire signal chain has them in. I have something like 4 20ft, 3 or 4 10ft, 4 mic cables, 5 or 6 patch cables and 5 or 6 1m or 1.5m cables. And that lot still costs less than a third of the number in planet waves and hosas (that I used to use and now look on with disgust).

Its not that they sound better. Its that they dont have a sound - they let your gears full clarity come through. Its awesome. Perfect partner for BKs.

[Philly Q]

This thread is turning into an Infomercial for Cleartone cables.  :lol:

I think I shuld buy some before they realise how good they are and put the price up.  Or go out of business.

[_tom_]

Are these cleartone cables really worth getting? All my cables are made with unbranded cable (as far as I can tell) with neutrik jacks on the ends. Is it going to be worth the switch? These have been great to me for a few years now..

[hamfist]

Good list, Dave.  Although you already know that I disagree completely with your comment about old valves. I find good old valves so superior to JJ's and any current production valve that I doubt that I will never use a current production again. And no more expensive than modern valves once you've educated yourslef a bit. It does also depend a lot on the amp circuit though. Some amps will benefit more than others with good valves.

  I'd also like to add another point which I have been very guilty of at times, which is ......

......don't forget to adjust your amp's EQ knobs, even if you think you've got your amp sussed. It can make a huge difference between very poor and outstanding tone. I have been guilty many times of moaning about my poor tone all night, and yet forgetting to try adjusting my amp's EQ.  I had made an assumption that, as I knew the amp well, I had the EQ set perfectly already. I guess it's just that I'm a bit lazy really, and very stubborn !

 I am now realising that each venue might well need completely different settings.

Which leads onto my last point ...... remember that guitar amps/cabs can sound different from day to day, dependant on acoustics, electrical supply, electrical interference, and sheer sorcery !

[nfe]

I would have three points of "wisdom".

They would be;

If your fingers don't sound good, spending a million pounds on gear will make fuck all difference.

Expense absolutely is not an automatic badge of quality.

Paying too much attention to the opinions of strangers on forums is more often than not immensely counter productive.

[Philly Q]

Paying too much attention to the opinions of strangers on forums is more often than not immensely counter productive.

And potentially expensive. 

[nfe]

Paying too much attention to the opinions of strangers on forums is more often than not immensely counter productive.

And potentially expensive. 

True dat. :lol:

[sgmypod]

very expensive

[Tellboy]

I would have three points of "wisdom".

They would be;

If your fingers don't sound good, spending a million pounds on gear will make fuck all difference.

Expense absolutely is not an automatic badge of quality.

Paying too much attention to the opinions of strangers on forums is more often than not immensely counter productive.

Yep - have to agree - the most important 'wisdom' in guitar playing/tone is usually 'you'.

[38thBeatle]

Well I wouldn't argue with much of what you say. I would add that whenever you add effects and twiddle away to get the sound, consider backing every setting off by a third and it'll probably sound better.

Get the best gear that you can but don't buy for the name.

Listen to what your band mates are doing and leave space for them to do their thing. I think all the elements in your chain, guitar, amp, cables etc are of equal importance but the most crucial things are your hands and your ears.

[Fourth Feline]

Well I wouldn't argue with much of what you say. I would add that whenever you add effects and twiddle away to get the sound, consider backing every setting off by a third and it'll probably sound better.

Get the best gear that you can but don't buy for the name.

Listen to what your band mates are doing and leave space for them to do their thing. I think all the elements in your chain, guitar, amp, cables etc are of equal importance but the most crucial things are your hands and your ears.

Amen to that !  ( especially point 3 ).  :)

[sgmypod]

Listen to what your band mates are doing and leave space for them to do their thing. I think all the elements in your chain, guitar, amp, cables etc are of equal importance but the most crucial things are your hands and your ears.

...but why...I only want to hear me...*L*

[Fourth Feline]

Listen to what your band mates are doing and leave space for them to do their thing. I think all the elements in your chain, guitar, amp, cables etc are of equal importance but the most crucial things are your hands and your ears.

...but why...I only want to hear me...*L*

 :lol:

It's time we locked you in a room with Larry Carlton's  '335 Blues' tutorial media ...