Testament/Alex Skolnick tones

[gingataff]

I just got some CDs from my local dvd/cd rental shop; Dio, Carcass and Testament and I'm listening to Trail By Fire (by the latter). I remember buying it as a 7" single back in '88 and haven't heard for such a long time.

The rhythm tone is awesome, so tight and dry and crunchy- what BKP for that? The lead tone is so nice, its neck pickup but it sounds like a low output pickup, the solo also remids me of pat Metheny in places- Go figure!

I want these tones!!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Oh man, I love Testament!!!

I've seen Skolnick a million times, he lives very close to my house.

Anyway, I would say that tone is easy with:
Ibanez > Nailbomb > Marshall stack

The older stuff has a fair amount of 'verb, and is also compressed. The mids are slighly scooped.

PS- do yourself a favour and get First Strike Still Deadly.

Edit #2; on some stuff, Skolnick also used a hollow bodied Ibie.

[gingataff]

Cheers! Funnily enough, the CD I got is indeed First Strike Still Deadly!
I've just been on his website, and am watching a video of his jazz trio doing Electric Eye. Slick 8)

EDIT: Ahhhh..... Its a re-recorded version of early tracks!!!! Sounds great.

[Sekhmet]

Aww man Testament rule so much :-D

I've got First strike still deadly aswell, such a good album.

As for sound emulation i'm not really sure, it just wanted to further afirm that Testament rule :-)

[Muso]

Testament were really awesome when they had Alex in the band. I managed to see them in their original line up last week and it was cool. Nailbomb would definately be your right choice as his tone is definately in that tone realm.
I think his best solo is on "over the wall" its got killer phrasing, its weird he decided to do Jazz just as he was becoming really big in the metal scene.

[dave_mc]

Aww man Testament rule so much :-D

I've got First strike still deadly aswell, such a good album.

As for sound emulation i'm not really sure, it just wanted to further afirm that Testament rule :-)

haha, +1!

:lol:

[Tol]

I just got a bunch of their CDs used..... Score!!!

[fatbob]

+1 Alex Skolnick, I only own 'The Ritual', but his solos on there have been a big influence on my playing, "So Many Lies" & "Return To Serenity" are two of my fave all time solos. Its not often you hear lydian dominant in rock music!   :twisted:

[maliciousteve]

I would say either Nailbomb of Miracle Man for the bridge and a Holy Diver for the neck. A holy diver in the neck is really liquidy and has loads of clarity and doesn't get too bassy. Which is what Skolnick's neck pickup lead tone sounds like to my ears.

[HTH AMPS]

Not sure what BKP would do the job but seymour duncan JBs always remind me of Testament's tone for some reason.  The 'Live At Eindhoven' live EP is a total classic  :twisted:

I see that Testament are touring too, anyone going?

 :twisted:

[Davey]

you also need an ibanez 540PII



(good luck finding one BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

[gingataff]

Actually there was a video on the CD I rented that shows the recording sessions for the album (First Strike...) and he's using a Les Paul Gold Top with what looks like white DiMarzios. Of course he did promote the 540PII back in the day. I used to want one of those, they somehow don't look as cool to me anymore though :?