My tone!?

  • Thread starter Thread starter richedie
  • Start date Start date
R

richedie

New member
OK, don't laugh if you don't like this band or player. It is not necessarily about that.

You know how we all hear a tone in our heads that is our tone? The tone that speaks to you and makes you want to play?

I love playing a variety of music, but when I sit and write music or work with an original band, there is a tone that is always in my head.

I popped this CD in today and realized, there it is again. Carl Bell of Fuel. I love, love his tone. It just does it for me. Thick, rich, drippy, chewy, and yet still has articulation with chords. Years ago, we saw them on the Something Like Human tour and I recall thinking this is one of the best live tones I have ever heard. He was playing his Les pauls through Hughes & Kettner Triamps. I like his more Marshally tone going back to the first CD but the tone on Something Like Human and Natural Selection speak to me.

That song, "No Quarter" is so me. The second song again has that thick tone, yet as he rings out some chords, I still hear the notes. I think that is why I lean toward things like Bogners, the EG3/4 module and the MHG. Maybe that is why I favor EL34s. I know many players say 5881s, 6L6s, and 6550s will sound bigger than EL34s, but I am guessing he uses mostly EL34s. I could be wrong.

Anyway, there you have it. Do I need my flame suit?
 
I used to really like Fuel actually. I played the hell out of Sunburn and Something Like Human. But by the time Natural Selection came out I was done with them. That album did nothing really new for me and the songwriting was weak IMO. Then, Bell went and kicked out Scallions and I really was done with them. I always like Bret Scallions' raspy rock voice. IMO he was just as important to Fuel as Bell's songswriting. Those guys just always seemed like the biggest douches. I saw them live at my college actually back on the Something Like Human tour. They were very good live. I was surprised. Bell was using a PRS. Scallions was acting the part of a total rock star and was spitting all over the stage. It was interesting.

I never thought the tone was anything to write home about. It sounds like a Rectifier w/ EL34s to me. Which makes sense because thats what a H&K Triamp basically sounds like. It sounded a little thinner on Natural Selection and the lead tone on that song you mentioned "Quarter" is really thin sounding for me. Using E-Rect and EL34s in your MOD 50 should get you really close... but you were running that for awhile before switching to 5881s, right?

I dont know. I guess my point is that I like the early stuff, but have no interest in them now and think the tone is mediocre at best. ;)
 
There were some great tones on some of those Fuel albums, and some catchy tunes too.

My problem has to do with the vice-grip that I'm ASSUMING Carl Bell had on Brett Scallion, which is probably why he left. Didn't Carl Bell write ALL the lyrics and ALL the songs? From Wiki:

"...It wasn’t an enjoyable environment for me, and I don’t think for any of us really, except for Carl maybe – because Carl’s mind was set into his songs, his music, and that’s the way it was. For me, growing up and being a fan of music, being a fan of creativity, you wanna be a part of things, you wanna actually feel like you are in a band, and it just wasn’t feeling like that anymore."[9]

Sometimes I hate finding out about the dirt behind the songs, cuz it makes me like a band less... :no:

All that being said, I still rock out the Jesus or a Gun on a regular basis. Killer, killer tune. :rock:
 
No interest in Fuel at all. Not going to flame but merely comment that I never understood tone chasing. I know that I personally do not want to sound like anyone else. In fact I tend to dislike being compared to anyone else be it vocally, as a guitarist, or especially songwriter. This is what ultimately led me to this brand and the modular system. I know that some folks specialize in one type of playing and you hear them and know it's them instantly (Page, Clapton, Gilmour, EVH, SRV, etc.). I'm a chameleon in that respect and play more for the song whether it be keys, guitar, bass, percussion, whatever instrument I think is needed.

I guess what I'm driving at is that you can get an approximation of his tone with this system but it will never quite be dead on as technique plays a huge role. The main thing to do would be to grab a bunch of live vids and study his hands. If you watch how he is playing rather than what he is playing through I think you'll ultimately be more satisfied in your search. :thumbsup:
 
I can totally hear your points, I do prefer the tone on Something like Human. I guess I just like darkeer tones, also in the realm of Tool, APC, bands like that. I know, I do not like the lead tone on that song as well.

You know it changes, and my mood changes. Heck, I was in love with Mark Tremonti's tone for the longest time on Alter Bridge's first CD.

I am also a huge George Lynch tone freak! Alex Lifeson tone freak! Heck, the influences are endless I guess, LOL! Good thing I have something versatile like the Egnater!

So what tones get your goat, Matt?

Excellent points Chode? I think in the end....my OWN style and tone comes through no matter what. I hear guys all the time I like but in the end I know what I like personally. One week I am all about Lynch, the next Page, haha.
I just know my own personal style and tone is a thicker, syrupy sound, smooth, far from stiff. It is funny, because I will try to grab ideas from influences when writing songs or leads but in the end...I do my best writing when I forget all that and let flow whatever is in me.
 
richedie":5igq6gae said:
I can totally hear your points, I do prefer the tone on Something like Human. I guess I just like darkeer tones, also in the realm of Tool, APC, bands like that. I know, I do not like the lead tone on that song as well.

You know it changes, and my mood changes. Heck, I was in love with Mark Tremonti's tone for the longest time on Alter Bridge's first CD.

I am also a huge George Lynch tone freak! Alex Lifeson tone freak! Heck, the influences are endless I guess, LOL! Good thing I have something versatile like the Egnater!

So what tones get your goat, Matt?

Excellent points Chode? I think in the end....my OWN style and tone comes through no matter what. I hear guys all the time I like but in the end I know what I like personally. One week I am all about Lynch, the next Page, haha.
I just know my own personal style and tone is a thicker, syrupy sound, smooth, far from stiff. It is funny, because I will try to grab ideas from influences when writing songs or leads but in the end...I do my best writing when I forget all that and let flow whatever is in me.
Click to expand...

Rich Im in the same boat dude. I like way too much stuff and way too many tones and whatever Im listening to I think "This is It!!!" Some of my favorite tones are:

Steve Vai "Alien Love Secrets"
George Lynch "Sacred Groove"
Injected "Burn it Black"
Chevelle "This Type of Thinking"
Richie Kotzen
Andy Timmons
Mark Tremonti
Splender "To Whom It May Concern"

Im all over the place. This list would probably change alot from week to week. Thank god for modules.
 
Two of my favorite recorded tones of all time.

Stone Temple Pilots: Purple. Interstate Love song. It's on the lighter side of heavy, but just waw, ripping P90 tone. Just doesnt get any better than that.

Injected: Pure Les Paul thru Bogner greatness.

It's funny, now that I'm scrolling thru my iTunes collection, alot of my FAVORITE recorded tones of all time are cleaner tones... I'm still searching for a heavy tone that I can say is my "goal".

Splender TWIMC is amazing. Tones AND production.
Darkness tones are awesome.
Andy Timmons Tone is amazing.
Slash's tone is awesome most of the time.
Heck, some of the tones that Butch Walker recorded/produced on some of Avril Lavigne's records are downright awesome.
 
I saw fuel 3-4 times...and at the end he was using Rectumfriers, and his tone sucked live! Good on the first two albums, but hell was he a hack live! I always felt Scallions was the biggest talent in the band honestly.

I saw Revis open up for them once, and they blew Fuel off the stage!!!

Rich...you just need to get more modules and KEEP THEM!! :) So when you are in a MHG day....pop it in...when you are in a rectumfrier day...pop the E-rect in...when you are in a whatever day...pop in another module!!!

There's no excuse for not having enough tones with a modular system! If you don't like the tone of the module, then mod it :)!!!

That's my perogative....oh man...that brings back a song in my head I would MUCH RATHER NOT HAVE!!

Eric
 
RockStarNick":2dc31tb7 said:
Two of my favorite recorded tones of all time.

Stone Temple Pilots: Purple. Interstate Love song. It's on the lighter side of heavy, but just waw, ripping P90 tone. Just doesnt get any better than that.

Injected: Pure Les Paul thru Bogner greatness.

It's funny, now that I'm scrolling thru my iTunes collection, alot of my FAVORITE recorded tones of all time are cleaner tones... I'm still searching for a heavy tone that I can say is my "goal".

Splender TWIMC is amazing. Tones AND production.
Darkness tones are awesome.
Andy Timmons Tone is amazing.
Slash's tone is awesome most of the time.
Heck, some of the tones that Butch Walker recorded/produced on some of Avril Lavigne's records are downright awesome.
Click to expand...

Injected...great band that disappeared off of the face of the earth!!!

Gotta love Deleo's tone off of Purple. Take a Demeter, a VHT 2100 amp, and a Vox AC30...bam...there you go!!!

I have always been a fan of Dean Deleo and Robert Deleo. Rob's bass tone on that album is one of my favorite's next to Geddy Lee and Doug Pinnick!

Eric
 
aeroic":3sia1d76 said:
Gotta love Deleo's tone off of Purple. Take a Demeter, a VHT 2100 amp, and a Vox AC30...bam...there you go!!!

I have always been a fan of Dean Deleo and Robert Deleo. Rob's bass tone on that album is one of my favorite's next to Geddy Lee and Doug Pinnick!

Eric
Click to expand...

Dude, Rob DeLeo is one of the best, best best bass player's out there today. Hugely under-appreciated. And Dean's tones are never bad. Even on "tiny music...", they're ratty, but still awesome.
 
RockStarNick":2cvhlnsq said:
aeroic":2cvhlnsq said:
Gotta love Deleo's tone off of Purple. Take a Demeter, a VHT 2100 amp, and a Vox AC30...bam...there you go!!!

I have always been a fan of Dean Deleo and Robert Deleo. Rob's bass tone on that album is one of my favorite's next to Geddy Lee and Doug Pinnick!

Eric
Click to expand...

Dude, Rob DeLeo is one of the best, best best bass player's out there today. Hugely under-appreciated. And Dean's tones are never bad. Even on "tiny music...", they're ratty, but still awesome.
Click to expand...

Yeah...I agree with Rob. Definitely one of my Favorite bass players of all time. He'd probably be my #1 pick if I could choose any bass player to play with. What an undeniable groove he has!

I wasn't a big fan of STP after No.4. It was ok...not their best work at all. Mostly because of Weiland moreso than the rest of the guys. The Deleo brothers are definitely awesome...and Dean is a big influcence on me for sure!
 
I think Dean DeLeo is a fantastic guitarist and a little underrated.

He & Robert's tandem smack on "No Way Out" just flat out rocks.

As far as "my" tone, it's ever-elusive, but I'd be happy
achieving some mixture of these:

VH-Best of Both Worlds (Single coils & over-processed and all...);
Nuno-Cynical/Hip Today
Lynch--Wicked Sensation
 
That Injected album stands up today over 10 years later as one of my favorite records.

As for STP and the DeLeo's I still cant figure out who the real talent was in that band. Velvet Revolver was just OK for me and everything the DeLeo's have done outside the first two STP albums I think is mediocre at best.
 
EWSEthan":28gbv0j6 said:
As for STP and the DeLeo's I still cant figure out who the real talent was in that band. Velvet Revolver was just OK for me and everything the DeLeo's have done outside the first two STP albums I think is mediocre at best.
Click to expand...

Sometimes, its just the right combination of people. Chemistry is everything.

It's why Velvet Revolver is just OK, and STP is awesome.
It's why Audioslave is kinda lame, but Cornell in his heydey with Soundgarden is awesome, and Rage Against the Machine is amazing.
It's why no one bought the Van Halen album with Gary Cherone on it.

:lol: :LOL:
 
Injected? Who?

LOVE STP, Love em! Those guys are great. Saw em live and loved Dean's tone. Lots of LPs, I believe one with P-90s and a McCarty hollow body. Another example of how my tonal desires change, LOL.
His LPs sounded great. I wanded what he had under the hood, stock or what.

Speaking of Lynch I love, love his tone on the covers CD he did, Furious George. The Lynch solo on Darkness gives me chills.

Eric, I think my EC BB needs to go bye-bye so I can get some other gear to get me closer to nirvana. Not really my cup of tea.

Yes, Rage!
 
richedie":1crwl7rj said:
Injected? Who?

LOVE STP, Love em! Those guys are great. Saw em live and loved Dean's tone. Lots of LPs, I believe one with P-90s and a McCarty hollow body. Another example of how my tonal desires change, LOL.
His LPs sounded great. I wanded what he had under the hood, stock or what.

Speaking of Lynch I love, love his tone on the covers CD he did, Furious George. The Lynch solo on Darkness gives me chills.

Eric, I think my EC BB needs to go bye-bye so I can get some other gear to get me closer to nirvana. Not really my cup of tea.

Yes, Rage!
Click to expand...

Rich, get the album "Burn It Black" by Injected. Just awesome raw rock, with some of the best Les Paul into Bogner XTC I have ever heard. That album is stellar all around. Suck so bad those guys got lost in the shuffle.
 
Listening to Used UP live right now. Nice tone! I need to get that tone from the Egnater! Maybe a modded EG3/4. Hehe

I checked the samples, great! So, that is an XTC? Didn't you own one Nick? You don't miss it?

Don't forget Jerry Cantrel and his Bogners.

I realize I also don't have any King's X.
 
Totally agreed on Deleo. Adam and Billy's tones are standouts as well IMO. Dean's tone on Core is all time. I agree that No.4 was their last great album. Absolutely love Atlanta. The Superunknown tone was stellar also. I think Chris' opinion of himself as a guitarist at the time was pretty poor but the tone achieved on that album is pretty legendary IMO. :thumbsup:

I'm eager to do some "tone chasing" tomorrow. :D Getting sounds for the release together. I guess I was full of it. That's what this system is all about. :lol: :LOL: Chasing MY tone. :rock:
 
I like the tone of many many many guitarist and like to be able to get as close to there tone when im playing there songs. As for my tone and style I am happily in luv with it, which makes playing even more enjoyable. When I write it is usually a Jazzy blues style with a Bman / DLX/ COD clean and a EG3/4 SL lead tone. Sort of a SRV snappy rhythm with a Jazzy, Gilmour, 70's leads. :loco: And if you heard me play you wouldnt hear any of those influences. My own style and not much of what I listen to everyday :D
 
Wow, you guys are talking now. I am a HUGE STP fan. They are just AWESOME!!!


That is all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top