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How does one get their own tone?

Heritage 80

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If you truly want to get your own tone you get it from your own fingers. You don't get it from pedals. Pedals are meant to add a little here and there....or.......to sound like someone else.

I think the OP siad that his co-guitarist would like him to have some more tonal flexibility. And no matter how hard you try you're not going to get delay, chorus, flange, etc. "from your own fingers". If these guys are doing covers he most likely needs a few effects.
 

Pat Boyack

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How does one get their own tone?

If you truly want to get your own tone you get it from your own fingers. You don't get it from pedals.

If these guys are doing covers he most likely needs a few effects.

Pedals are meant to add a little here and there....or.......to sound like someone else.
 

Heritage 80

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Whatever dude. I guess that explains the fact that the majority of electric guitarists use effects. Can they be overused? Of course. But tastefully used they add a lot of color to a guitarists palette.
 

Pat Boyack

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Whatever dude. I guess that explains the fact that the majority of electric guitarists use effects. Can they be overused? Of course. But tastefully used they add a lot of color to a guitarists palette.

Dude, I was giving my opinion to Musicman's question, "How does one get their own tone?" No amount of pedal usage is going to give someone a good basic tone that they can call their own. If you think otherwise then fine.

I have a pedal board, *I* use pedals. IN MY OPINION - "Pedals are meant to add a little here and there....or.......to sound like someone else."

I think we are in agreement....or maybe not, whatever.
 

Wilko

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IMNSHO, the question isn't quite right for the situation spelled out.

"...his co-guitarist would like him to have some more tonal flexibility."

Maybe the question should be not about "get their own tone" but "get different tones."

Musicman,
Since you want to try different "pedals" but don't want to break the bank, I strongly recommend a digitech multi-effect pedal like the RDS-255. I have a few reasons why that particular brand/pedal would be great for the job.

If you buy it used it shouldn't cost more than one or two of the pedals already mentioned.

And before everyone gets all bent out of shape I must add that when you get the pedal, the first thing to do is IGNORE the factory presets as they sound pretty lame. Well, maybe play with them to try out a bunch of different sounds. You already mentioned it may be overwhelming is another reason to ignore them and start with using just one or two effects at time to learn what they do.

With this pedal you can use as little or as many effects as you want. You can try all kinds of pedals and if there's some sound that you really like, buy the "real" pedal--or just use the rds-255.

NOTE: I am a "tone nazi." I won the Marshall JCM800 4010 (converted to a head), a '79 JMP MkII, a JTM45RI, and an 18 Watt clone. I also own about a dozen other amps. I play the RDS-355 and still own most of my original effects that I bought in the late 70s and 80s.
 

Wilko

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The other HUGE consideration is what the other guitarist plays and sounds like. If you both use similar rigs, the overall sound can suffer a lot. There will be cancellation frequencies and it will be real hard for either guitarist to stand out when needed.

If you'd like to talk about this stuff, message me for a number.
 

Ryan Givhan

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i found my "unique" tone by cranking up a plexi, strapping on a LP with nothing but a wah in between the 2. LOL super original. but i will say this, a few turns of eq nobs and you can sound completely different. not to mention the tone/volume nobs and pickups selector on your guitar.
 

Elmore

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My advice is to get it as articulate as possible. Then your playing will really be heard. You can get it articulate with or without much gain. Great PAF clones really help. Record yourself and analyze it like you were listening to someone else. Do not make it too complicated. Get a cool sound and then let it flow. No one sounds like you.
 
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Progrocker111

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The simpler the better. My best tone is always achieved with cranked Hiwatt DR103 amp and good mood with lust to play. The classic 60s or 70s amps will deliver you more dynamics and detail, so your playing nuanses will go through better than with modern higain amps. The guitar will shine better through too with its own character.
 

Wilko

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That 800 is a fine amp. It'll do all you need in the overdrive department.
 

Musicman

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I think the OP siad that his co-guitarist would like him to have some more tonal flexibility. And no matter how hard you try you're not going to get delay, chorus, flange, etc. "from your own fingers". If these guys are doing covers he most likely needs a few effects.

This is what I was talking about regarding pedals. As for the "tone" maybe I used the wrong word or maybe I call it style. I have my own style of playing down as far as finger useage and strumming etc.. I guess I'm just trying to find a sound that will fit in better with this band.

Also, since Wilko suggested the digitech RDS-255 I should state that I have tried a few pedals recently in my quest for tonal flexabilty. One of them is the Yamaha Magic Stomp which correct me if I'm wrong is similar to the RDS-255. The problem with that I'm told is that this kind of pedal zaps away some of the "tone" from the amp. But it has given me ideas of what kind of effects I should be looking for.

Also, at the moment I'm trying out a Digitech Hot Rod Distortion pedal. This seems like a good start for boosting my signal and giving it some more grit when necessary. I'm looking at a Boss Super Chorus CH-1 right now, any opinions on these?

I really like where this thread is going and appreciate all of you taking the time to enlighten me. :peace2
 

Triburst

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fingers-006.jpg
:ganz
 

Wilko

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T... The problem with that I'm told is that this kind of pedal zaps away some of the "tone" from the amp.

"I'm told" doesn't mean much to me. I use my gear and my ears.

does zap away the tone of your amp?

most of these have bypass, and adjustments. If you're thinking of buying any digitech pedal, they are almost all inside the 255, 355, etc. You buy one used for 100-200 bucks and you're golden. Plus all the other effects are there if you want to check them out. Has very good TS9, 808, etc.
 

jrr

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I'll relate my experience when i sarted doing a lot of gigs.Do original music,not covers.Collaberate writing songs where you have to come up with your parts.When you play with your band original tunes,your own voice will start to emerge.Don't go the pedal route just because.You'll end up sounding like everyone else.Use pedals to flesh out and add texture to the original tunes you help to write,not just because they are there.Use them sparingly for maximum effect.
....Then,try as many amps as you can get your hands on.I used to have a used music shop i'd go to and if i had a gig that night,i'd take out an amp for sale for a loaner,and bring it back the next day.Sort-of try out to maybe buy.
...finally,the more live playing you do the better.Playing an amp at gig volume with the band in front of an audience is THE way to refine your sound into somthing that is uniquely you.If your band folds(they always do,at this level)immediately go out and seek guitarwork with another band,anyway you can,keep playing live.Your tone will mature.It worked for me.:)
 

bluesforstevie

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"how does one get their own tone".....How does one get their own tone?....wait for it.......









....they STEAL it from someone else!!!!!
 

frazettafan

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"how does one get their own tone".....How does one get their own tone?....wait for it.......









....they STEAL it from someone else!!!!!

So.......we all might as well just pack it in and go home then? It's all been for nothing - is that what you're sayin' ?
 

Cogswell

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I didn't read it that way. The way I see it- you take stuff (ideas, licks, technique & sounds) from players you like, consciously or unconsciously. But being a human being, you can't really nail the whole package so you end up w/a crazy quilt of stuff. If you're lucky you get a mix that turns out to be something cool & interesting.
 

jrr

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subconciously,Jimi H's vibrato has always been in the back of my mind...that beautiful way he can make a note waver in mid air,at any pitch or speed he wanted with his fingers...vibrato like that helps with individual tone.There is a toronto musician i've been playing with recently who was my drummer years ago in another band(he was 18 at the time).Today he is a hard working pro musician,too many credits to his years in the music biz to even begin telling, and me no credits,except 2 grown beautiful daughters:wah ...but i'm playing again and he credits me with teaching him vibrato....thank you Jimi!
 
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