Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

[Donuts]

Can anyone identify the type of pup and maybe recommend a SD model to get the sound of the opening chords of the song Empire??

I was watching the video and it appears the guitar player is using a Les Paul Custom but it doesn't sound like a Les Paul to me. It could be a bridge humbucker but it the opening chords are very crisp and have a clear crunch that I wonder if it isn't something like a P90 on steroids. Whatever it is, I like to have that sound in my arsenal.

So pop in the CD and let me know how you would get that type of attack.

thanks!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

This song sounds so 80s
For the amp I'd guess an ADA MP1 or a Marshall of some sort. Maybe even a JCM800 or one of the preamps? I get close enough with the POD's 800 model. This could be what's bringing most of the crush.
The leads seem to also have this JB type of high mid spike, though a little more tamed down... Distortion maybe?... though my ear sucks so don't mind me if I'm wrong.

 

[devastone]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

Videos aren't a good judge of what was used on the recording, they also "play" strats and teles in videos for songs that were definitely recorded with humbuckers.

You're right, it doesn't sound like a LP, they probably used their custom ESPs, it kinda has that alder body, strat w/Floyd, guitar sound. Of course, that doesn't mean it isn't a LP after you factor in amps, cabinets, and everything else in the chain.

I remember reading that they had custom Duncan pickups called Screaming Eagles or something in those days. Maybe someone at SD can give you more info.

So pop in the CD and let me know how you would get that type of attack.

It'll take more than just a pickup, I also remember that they went through quite a few Marshalls to find the ones with what they called the right "Aunch". I think they also may have been modified too.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

I had a Gallien Krueger 250ML amp in the late 80's that nailed the Empire tone, I think it was the same amp they recorded with. Wish they still made that amp.

 

[Majestic]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

"Empyre" is a 90's tune. They used EMGs, I believe. It's been a while, so I can't recall.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

Empire.

Buy Today Install Tomorrow

Empire.

800-588-2300.

Empire.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

Michael Wilton's sig guitar has a JB, so that'd probably be a good place to start.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

The JB and the DD nail almost 90% of their sound. Add to that a mp-1 or marshall fascimile your in business. What was kind of interesting on that album is that they used tuned and ported monitor cabs with a celestion in them, inside an isolation cabinet. I remember the issue of GW where they talked about recording that album and at that time both guitarists were playing with the idea of a single cranked speaker in isolation.

 

[Manachild]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

Queensryche is such a great prog band.

 

[FPFL]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

If I remember right Wilton used a Bogner Fish for a chunk of that album and DeGarmo had a wall of amps and toys to pick from... it was not a one amp album by any means!

Love the vintage Queensryche.

They used a lot of custom ESPs if you google around I'll bet you can find a lot of dirt.

 

[Ibanezrgonfire]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

wilton uses,

* Michael Wilton / Queensryche,
Pickup Models : APH-1b, SH-1n, SH-11, SH-2n, SH-5, SFX-02, SFX-03, SH-14, APS-1

 

[Donuts]

Re: Canyou take a listen to Queensryche's Empire and comment

thanks for the comments but...

I think Wilton played the leads and fills....I'm looking for the tone of the intro rhythm parts....if you believe the video then it's the other guy playing it.

Someone pointed me to and later live version and it sounds different (IMO rather unspectacular) than the CD version.

I don't know...I put on the headphones and concentrated on those opening chords and thought it was a very unique and dynamic crunch which I hadn't really appreciated before. I find it a really complex, proabably layed guitar sound.