Chime, Glassy, Crunch

[FAC]

Folks,

I see the following terms used to describe various amps pretty much all the time: chimey, glassy, and crunchy. I see them attached to vox, fender, and marshall, respectively. Can a fender not chime and a vox not crunch?

The scientist in me says "go and listen". Is it worth trying to define these with words? Are there some readily available amps--not vintage unattainable amps--that could be used as benchmarks?

I apologize if this is a naive question...just curious...

Thanks,

FAC

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

Also would like to know.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

Chime is usually associated with the EL-84 Vox AC-30 sound. It's a narrower sounding clean tone than a Fender amp, and harder rather than warmer. When pushed, it crunches more than compresses.

Glass is something I associate with a high headroom amp like a Twin or plexi/JMP played extremely clean, where you feel like you can actually hear the current flowing through the power tubes. It's like a fatter version of chime.

Crunch is usually more associated with a preamp section that's doing the typical Marshall JCM800/900 sound. When that type of amp is turned up, it crunches. When a non master volume amp is turned up, it gets more woody and compressed sounding, which is more of a woody chunk than a metal crunch tone.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

How would you describe Michael Schenker's lead tone on the first MSG album?

 

[FAC]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

It just occurred to me that some of you probably have sound clips...is a clip worth 1000 words? Clips would be much appreciated!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

How would you describe Michael Schenker's lead tone on the first MSG album?

Gibson/highgain Marshall, overdriven into violin like sustain.

 

[Dr. Lo]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

These terms can be hard to grasp until you've actually heard the tones in question. Once you get a chance to play through amps that others describe as having these tonal characteristics, the terms will probably make more sense to you.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

My favorite incomprehesible tone-term is "chewy", usually applied to chorus or phasers. It took me years to get that one.

 

[FAC]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

Chewy, Woody, Chimey, Crunchy, Glassy, Hard, Warm, Spongy, Bloom...??!!

Here are some amps that are likely available in most cities:

Fender Twin Reverb
Fender Hot rod deluxe
Vox AC30 and/or AC15 reissue
Marshall????? there are so many now I've completely lost track--pick one that the local megamart is likely to have (tube).
Other benchmark amps? Fender Bassman reissue, perhaps?

Using "tone terminology", how might you describe the sounds of these amps to use as a "tone tutorial" since many of us might have access to these common models at a local store.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

Tones from songs we've all probably heard:
Glassy: That clean muted Strat part in "Lady in Red". Andy Summer's clean chords in "Walking on the Moon".
Chimey: That electric 12 string tone in "Turn Turn Turn" by the Byrds.
Crunchy: The distorted power chords in most 80's metal tunes. Everything from Dio and Iron Maiden to the Scorpions and Motley Crue. Those chain saw-sounding overtones = crunch.

And since you guys have brought up spongey and bloom, I believe if you listen to Robben Ford's tones on "The Blue Line", listen to how the clean notes and chords seem to swell a bit after he picks them, and the sound of the attack on the notes in his overdriven solos, and you'll understand spongey and bloom a little better.

 

[FAC]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

Tones from songs we've all probably heard:
Glassy: That clean muted Strat part in "Lady in Red". Andy Summer's clean chords in "Walking on the Moon".
Chimey: That electric 12 string tone in "Turn Turn Turn" by the Byrds.
Crunchy: The distorted power chords in most 80's metal tunes. Everything from Dio and Iron Maiden to the Scorpions and Motley Crue. Those chain saw-sounding overtones = crunch.

And since you guys have brought up spongey and bloom, I believe if you listen to Robben Ford's tones on "The Blue Line", listen to how the clean notes and chords seem to swell a bit after he picks them, and the sound of the attack on the notes in his overdriven solos, and you'll understand spongey and bloom a little better.

THANKS!!! this is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for!

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

On the Zep DVD I got from Netflix, he used a 50(?) watt Marshall when they did "How Many More Times" for a TV show, in black and white, and that tone was so spongy as to be furry...and each note really did bloom after he picked it. Great example of two of these terms.

 

[FAC]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

On the Zep DVD I got from Netflix, he used a 50(?) watt Marshall when they did "How Many More Times" for a TV show, in black and white, and that tone was so spongy as to be furry...and each note really did bloom after he picked it. Great example of two of these terms.

Furry!!!! Another one! I think I've heard the term "hair" used for that sound one gets right on the edge of clean and distorted. Is this proper use of the term: Crank it up until there's a bit of hair on it....?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Chime, Glassy, Crunch

I think pictures would help understanding a lot better.

My tone is kinda like this:

y'dig?