Live solo sound - how do you make yours?

[Cammi]

An EQ in effects loop. It's the only thing you need for a boost to make sure your solo comes to the front of the mix

+1. I'm thinking of adding a slight bit of delay or reverb though. Depending on the room some leads can sound really dry and cr@p without it.

+1 Yh I agree with that too. I think they both should be used within moderation when going for that clean cut solo. A small amount of delay can give it a slight reverb effect already, so you don't want to add too much delay. Then you just add a tiny bit of reverb.

Of course if you're going to be playing Adagio by Yngwie, then go nuts haha

[asianaxeman]

Digitech RP pedal in the loop works surprisingly well for solo settings, one stomp and i switch from rhythm to lead which adds delay, reverb if u like,  (also controllable with expression pedal), volume boost, +/- chorus/ detune/phaser or midboost. I also use this pedal's noisegate function which can be varied depending which patch you use. If you want better quality then check out TC nova system, but it's bigger and more complex to use.

[Brow]

I just stomp on the "solo" switch on my Splawn's footswitch :D

Yep, same for me  :D

[witeter]

wow a cool range of techniques and styles going on-interesting point made about using the guitar tone control, i personally wouldnt find this offers enough of a boost to cut through loud guitars/bass/drums. I find that my rig has changed since i started gigging- for example i sometimes dont even bother with my effects loop simply to minimise the amount of cables on stage, hence i tend to use a phase 90 in front of the amp for solos (in conjunction with my solo boost). I would like to begin to incorporate my effects loop in more though as i do miss using delay for solos and cleans.
Do u guys use only your neck pup to solo? i find again for ease of execution i just tend to stick with the bridge-however when recording i would aim to use a combination of neck and bridge as they can offer different attack options for certain solo parts.

[Twinfan]

I use all positions for soloing, varying tone and volume settings too...

[dragonfire709]

My main lead patch is a boosted version of my crunch rhythm patch, with a wee bit of delay. One stomp is all it takes!

[AJM]

My preferred method is to dial in my SG. I set one pick up for a Rhythm sound (most often the bridge pickup so I get more clarity when I play complex chords) and dial in the tone and volume to taste. Then for leads I swap to my other pick up usually with the volume maxed and play with the tone depending the type of solo I'm doing. Depending on your amp running a boost in your chain can be a big help. I find when I over drive my amp with my boost pedals the cut when I roll off the volume is a bit more gradual especially if you runs a treble booster it really helps compensate for the tone loss when you back off your volume at your guitar.

[Zaned]

Two approaches, first the more usual one.

An overdrive pedal to the rhythm tone, and usually a bit more volume from the amp too (my amp has dual master volumes). I don't use a TON of gain, but usually I like a little more volume boost than what just the overdrive pedal gives me. A guitar lead is like the lead singer; it should be heard above everything else.

Second; make your rhythm tone with the volume rolled to 5-7. For leads, turn it up full. In this case too, I often use the second master volume too.

I like the first approach usually, as I like to have a tad more mids on my lead tone, as well as a bit more compression. But I don't want them on my rhythm tone all the time.

-Zaned

[stonevibe]

I use my Klon as a boost into one of the overdriven channels on either my Mesa or my Jet City amps.

It adds enough volume without messing with the tone I've already dialled in. Just more when I need it.