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Amp settings

Mike Noble

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
8
Hi all, new member here. I will be taking delivery of a new Les Paul Classic this coming week. I wanted a guitar that is very versatile and I think this fits the bill. I have 8 other guitars so I am not new at this but I have never really gotten into the settings on my amps. I have a Blackstar HT60 and a Fender Blues Junior that I will probably be using with my LP.
I know some folks keep the volume all the way up among other things. I don’t use pedals but I want to be able to use the guitar settings along with the amp settings to be able to change styles as easily as possible. I play a wide variety of genres including jazz, blues, rock, and folk rock. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 

bratpack7

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2003
Messages
246
Hi and welcome. I have a similar set up, LP Standard and Blues Junior III with a Cannabis Rex speaker.
I have had the best success with having the Master way up and use the Volume to control loudness, along with the guitar volume.
I can get some great Blues/Jazz tones with my LP and my DOT especially with the middle and neck PU's.

My biggest issue is with the treble being too harsh when I add some OD. I feel like I need to roll it all the way back, which means I have to bring the mid and bass back too.
I use a Blues Driver for some added OD (not too much gain) and it sounds nice, but again if I want some breakup occasionally it just doesn't sound "warm", a bit harsh.
 

Mike Noble

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
8
Thanks for your input. Btw I think that when Clapton goes for the overdrive he goes to the bridge pick up and turns the tone way down for that warm, creamy sound. Just a thought.
 

jrgtr42

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
all I can say is twist the knobs.
There is no one sound or setting that works for everyone. There's so many variables that go into it.
|Heck even day to day my settings will vary.
Just sit down and play around, and see what comes out.
My personal approach is to set everything at noon, see how thta sounds, and go from there. Cut the bass, boost treble, or the other way around.
explore the interplay between voume / gain and master.
And again, keep in mind that a setting that works for jazz may not work for blues or rock, and vice versa.
 

bratpack7

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2003
Messages
246
Thanks for your input. Btw I think that when Clapton goes for the overdrive he goes to the bridge pick up and turns the tone way down for that warm, creamy sound. Just a thought.
Right, plus I think when I'm playing on my own the harshness is more evident. A rhythm section would help. I like to play with just my fingers sometimes and that also makes it better.
 

Mike Noble

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
8
I like to play with a backing track. I bought a blue tooth receiver to plug in to my stereo system. I play backing tracks through my iPad and play along. Great practice. A different pick might mellow things out. Harder pick, mellower sound.
 
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