Amp sounds stiff- means what??
- Thread starter BloodRose
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That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
It usually means it's very "quick" sounding. There's less of a "bloom" kinda of vibe to the notes. Another amp I would characterize as being very stiff is the Mesa Tremoverb. For metal players, I think the stiffness is actually a good thing (the instant response for technical playing is probably preferred). For more of the bluesy kinda guys, some sag and bloom to the notes is a good thing (and what I generally look for in an amplifier).
It usually means it's very "quick" sounding. There's less of a "bloom" kinda of vibe to the notes. Another amp I would characterize as being very stiff is the Mesa Tremoverb. For metal players, I think the stiffness is actually a good thing (the instant response for technical playing is probably preferred). For more of the bluesy kinda guys, some sag and bloom to the notes is a good thing (and what I generally look for in an amplifier).
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
it means the amp has got a very immediate response to it. kinda like how pickups with a2 are very soft feeling as opposed to a8 or ceramic pickups which feel stiffer.
it means the amp has got a very immediate response to it. kinda like how pickups with a2 are very soft feeling as opposed to a8 or ceramic pickups which feel stiffer.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
All good examples!
SS rectified amps with lots of filtering tend to be stiff...Dumbles and their clones come to mind...to a lesser degree, bigger BF/SF Fender amps, Twins and such then SS rectified Marshalls and their clones.
Real soft amps would be most tweed Fenders, JTM-45's and JTM-50's, AC30's and loads and loads of small combo amps form the 50's and 60's...
A lot of times it's more of a feel thing to...most of the time I can hear an amp thats SS rectified and/or heavily filtered but I can tell it when I play though one ALL the time...makes for a really differnet feel from a players stand point.
All good examples!
SS rectified amps with lots of filtering tend to be stiff...Dumbles and their clones come to mind...to a lesser degree, bigger BF/SF Fender amps, Twins and such then SS rectified Marshalls and their clones.
Real soft amps would be most tweed Fenders, JTM-45's and JTM-50's, AC30's and loads and loads of small combo amps form the 50's and 60's...
A lot of times it's more of a feel thing to...most of the time I can hear an amp thats SS rectified and/or heavily filtered but I can tell it when I play though one ALL the time...makes for a really differnet feel from a players stand point.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
+1.
The first time I plugged into a tube rectified amp and gunned it I felt like Jimmy Page.
I like tube rectifiers on cleans and leads. On cleans it softens the edges of it so it's more pleasant and less abrupt. On leads it kind of smears and greases everything up and gives you more of that out of control, electric guitar feel.
On rhythm I prefer solid state rectifiers. They have a tighter, more solid bottom end and generally seem to have a little more top end detail.
+1.
The first time I plugged into a tube rectified amp and gunned it I felt like Jimmy Page.
I like tube rectifiers on cleans and leads. On cleans it softens the edges of it so it's more pleasant and less abrupt. On leads it kind of smears and greases everything up and gives you more of that out of control, electric guitar feel.
On rhythm I prefer solid state rectifiers. They have a tighter, more solid bottom end and generally seem to have a little more top end detail.
JeffB
Let it B
James Rock
Active member
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
I find it kinda strange in some amps that are soft and stiff sounding. My amp for example uses 5YG rectifier and it gives a kinda fuzzier softer tone but the speakers sound a little stiff at times to its a balance of pickups and attack etc. I generally like to have a quicker attack with some nice harmonic bloom which I find ac30 are great for with a tele they can hit hard but have nice harmonic bloom. It all has to do with response time and the envelope really and depends on lots of factors (more gain has more sustain but can still be very stiff sound) I think the dirtier you get the stiffer it can be to work except in maybe doom where you want a loose murkier dirty sound.
I find it kinda strange in some amps that are soft and stiff sounding. My amp for example uses 5YG rectifier and it gives a kinda fuzzier softer tone but the speakers sound a little stiff at times to its a balance of pickups and attack etc. I generally like to have a quicker attack with some nice harmonic bloom which I find ac30 are great for with a tele they can hit hard but have nice harmonic bloom. It all has to do with response time and the envelope really and depends on lots of factors (more gain has more sustain but can still be very stiff sound) I think the dirtier you get the stiffer it can be to work except in maybe doom where you want a loose murkier dirty sound.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Amp sounds stiff- means what??
Reverse that.
Generally when people say an amp tone is "tight," it's a positive thing. Examples of very tight amps are the aforementioned Splawn, VHT/Fryette, etc.
When folks say "stiff," that conjures a different impression.
To me, a "tight" amp is responsive, reacts immediately to your input as a player, and can expose your sloppy technique due to its transparency.
A "stiff" amp is brittle and 1-dimensional, and generally difficult to play due to its lack of response.
But that's just me..... we go round and round trying to use written words to describe intricacies of tone and timbre; much of it pointless.
edit: I think I misunderstood your post - rereading it, it seems like I agree with what you meant in the first place. Sorry - hadn't had my coffee yet.
Reverse that.
Generally when people say an amp tone is "tight," it's a positive thing. Examples of very tight amps are the aforementioned Splawn, VHT/Fryette, etc.
When folks say "stiff," that conjures a different impression.
To me, a "tight" amp is responsive, reacts immediately to your input as a player, and can expose your sloppy technique due to its transparency.
A "stiff" amp is brittle and 1-dimensional, and generally difficult to play due to its lack of response.
But that's just me..... we go round and round trying to use written words to describe intricacies of tone and timbre; much of it pointless.
edit: I think I misunderstood your post - rereading it, it seems like I agree with what you meant in the first place. Sorry - hadn't had my coffee yet.
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