Do not like my guitar tone

[Gtrjunior]

Do not like my guitar tone

I haven’t seen anybody address this yet:
How old are the power tubes in this amp? When was the last time they were changed and biased?
If you are getting a weak sound when plugged directly into the amp, the power tubes may be suspect.

Also, I read earlier that you have head some negatives about the Blackstar amps and maybe feel that now you don’t want one.
I have a Marshall, a Splawn and a Blackstar... they all sound amazing.
Not every amp is suitable for every player....if you have played through a Blackstar and you liked it, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what I, or anyone else thinks.
I’m not a Fender amp type of guy, so I would tell you that I don’t like them....doesn’t necessarily mean that is a true statement for everyone.
But I will repeat what has been said already...you’ve got to get some volume in that amp (DSL) to get the tone you’re looking for. I’ve played that amp a few times....you definitely, 100% can get some Iron Maiden type tones out of it....Pantera...maybe not. Dime’s amp is a completely different beast.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

dump all your pedals. Even switched off they suck liveliness from your sound - especially the noise reduction pedal. Plug straight in.
As mentioned in the previous post, make sure you have fresh strong new tubes. For high gain, EHX in the preamp and JJs in the power section is a great combo. Make sure it is biased correctly.
Try a vintage 30 or an eminence wizard as your speaker to tighten the bass and add wicked presence.
If that doesn't give you wicked tone then not much will.
If that does sort it out, then have a look at perhaps using your delay and reverb in the fx loop, but don't do that until you have got used to the dry basic tone for a few weeks and learned what you can create by using all that extra touch response.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

The EVH is the BOMB!!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

First things first, TURN THE AMP UP HIGHER THAN 2. Once again, what we regard as "good" tube sound is POWER tube distortion. Running that Marshall with the master on 2 is giving you all PREAMP tube distortion, which sounds bad. Get some earplugs, run it wide open and see what you think.

 

[RandyRhoads]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Thanks a lot, getting told that this isn't for me really helps

 

[Plessure]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

First things first, TURN THE AMP UP HIGHER THAN 2. Once again, what we regard as "good" tube sound is POWER tube distortion. Running that Marshall with the master on 2 is giving you all PREAMP tube distortion, which sounds bad. Get some earplugs, run it wide open and see what you think.

Some plugs for the neighbors too i suppose.

Preamp distortion sounds bad now?

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Hey man, dont get too down. Hook it back up and get to jammin. Just know you have a sound in your head, and you havent found it yet. I am wondering, you have the gain all the way down on the OD? Use all volume,NO GAIN on that overdrive and see if that helps. I really agree with the post about the reverb and delay. Metal and alot of reverb dont really gel for me. Leave all that stuff in your loop, you had it right. Maybe try losing the noise suppressor too. Save up for the Blackstar if you want it. Your opinion is all that matters. And all this stuff you are reading are only suggestions, if you learn 1 or 2 things, than the better for you. Again, you are 15, hone those chops, play cleaner and cleaner and in time you will know how to get the sounds you want. Its a lifetime journey, have fun and enjoy it. One last point, I cant tell you how many times I went to bed and thinking my tone was killer, wake up the next morning and I am like WTH? Where is the amp? Like how far into the middle if the room, sidewalls, flooring or whatever? In audio, speaker placement is a HUGE parameter for sounds. Like closer to the back wall adds base,into the room makes the bass seem smaller. Thats another thing to try. Move that amp around and see if you can get more of what you want. Long post, sorry, have fun!!

 

[Gtrjunior]

Do not like my guitar tone

Thanks a lot, getting told that this isn't for me really helps

Hang on...don’t go down that road just yet.
As previously mentioned, you have all the gear you need to get a great tone. You owe it to yourself to FULLY explore what you already have.
The couple of times I played a DSL 40, I had great tone. It was a friends amp and his band was playing a gig. He called and asked if I wanted to come sit in. I brought my guitar and played his DSL....it sounded really good. 100% stock too.
Swapping preamp tubes makes a difference too. Which ones work best is highly subjective. One of the above posts suggested JJ power and EHX pre...:I agree with JJ in the power section but for ME....EHX are too bright....but that’s just me. The average preamp tube is about $15. Cheap enough to do some tube rolling.
Your setup is capable of a lot of great tones. Don’t give up just yet.
I read above some suggested settings....again subjective but I run my Marshall completely different.
Bass:4-5
Mids:4
Treble: start at 5 and experiment
Presence: start at 5 and experiment.
My JCM800 is bright, so I run it treble off and bring in the highs with the presence knob.
Also, as suggested....
Dial it in with your ears and not where your eyes tell you he knobs are “ supposed” to be.
I used to play in a band with a guy who just couldn’t do that. He was dead set on putting the knobs where he “thought” they were supposed to be. Then he would say, “I wish I could get more bass from this amp”....and I’d say “well you have the knob on 4....turn it up if you want more bass”....but he just wouldn’t.....

 

[Jacew]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

First things first, TURN THE AMP UP HIGHER THAN 2. Once again, what we regard as "good" tube sound is POWER tube distortion. Running that Marshall with the master on 2 is giving you all PREAMP tube distortion, which sounds bad. Get some earplugs, run it wide open and see what you think.

Two bladed thing really. Tweak it to sound great with earplugs and you get obnoxiously harsh tone that sounds awful without them. Most of the time you'll be playing non-earprotection levels anyway, so if amp can't handle that, better to get another that can.

Of course I'm not saying DSL cannot...

Start by changing you strings. Try couple of different brands and see what works. And yes, plug straight into amp without effects when you're searching your tone, except if you happen to have some preamp or booster that's always on anyway.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Two bladed thing really. Tweak it to sound great with earplugs and you get obnoxiously harsh tone that sounds awful without them. Most of the time you'll be playing non-earprotection levels anyway, so if amp can't handle that, better to get another that can.

I agree, was just trying to point out that he needs to understand that tone he's looking for comes from getting the power tubes cooking.

 

[ken361]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

I didnt read all of this but pickup is very important and get the dsl biased at 32 trust me much smoother most at 40 or give or take

 

[Wattage]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

"Slayer, Megadeth, Venom, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhoads era only) and Pantera"


Finding the right stuff and how to use it takes some patience, practice and skill so don't frustrate yourself unnecessarily. Getting to "your" sound takes time, to have that wrapped up at 15 would be pretty amazing. Getting to the approximate tone of others is great for a roadmap but even that takes some time. Learning that your hands and ears make as much if not more of an impact than your gear is huge!

You also have a lot of amp for home use, that thing is made to blast and it takes some tweaking and dialing in that even seriously experienced players take some time to do, don't be too fast to dismiss what you have. That is some crazy good gear you have, exhaust all it's possibilities and you will know how to get a multitude of tones and ultimately yours.

 

[RandyRhoads]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Thanks for the advice ben I really appreciate it! I had the gain on the od a little bit up, but it was pretty close to zero. I turned the gain on it all the way down yesterday and It didn't feel as heavy. Also why do you recommed ditching the noise suppresor?

 

[Plessure]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

I agree, was just trying to point out that he needs to understand that tone he's looking for comes from getting the power tubes cooking.

Your statement that preamp tubes sound bad is an arrogant fabulation. You belong to the class of people who lazily surmise that pain must mean gain, for lack of intrinsic compass.

Sorry to be harsh, but this is relevant. Your advice brings only confusion. And ear damage. And angry neighbors.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Your statement that preamp tubes sound bad is an arrogant fabulation. You belong to the class of people who lazily surmise that pain must mean gain, for lack of intrinsic compass.

Sorry to be harsh, but this is relevant. Your advice brings only confusion. And ear damage. And angry neighbors.

If you think gain derived primarily from preamp tube distortion sounds good, you belong to the class of people who think guitars should sound like bees in a can.

Seriously, I told him to get some earplugs and crank up the master volume on the amp when he gets a chance. He's going for a tone that's gotten by cranking an amplifier such as his. Pantera is pretty much the only example he listed that's not a cranked Marshall.

In your opinion, who has a good guitar tone that's from cranking the preamp gain and keeping the master volume really low?

 

[LLL]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

If you think gain derived primarily from preamp tube distortion sounds good, you belong to the class of people who think guitars should sound like bees in a can.

In your opinion, who has a good guitar tone that's from cranking the preamp gain and keeping the master volume really low?

I used to do that way back when (decades ago)... then I saw/heard the light.

 

[LLL]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

The PI (phase inverter) tube/valve needs to be cookin' to get all the greasy goods.

These amps don't give it up until you turn it up.

Now, that introduces a new issue: extreme volume level.

There's ways around this, but that is a lengthy discussion for another thread.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Just trying to eliminate all variables> not sure what you mean by "as heavy"? Not enough gain?

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Seriously, give it up man. Maybe it's not for you. How about drums?

Thanks a lot, getting told that this isn't for me really helps

Ignore him. The sound you want is not unattainable, and there are many ways to get there. You will figure this out, but it might take more than a few days. It might take weeks or months of messing around.

And since you did mention Pantera, if you can find one a late 1970s/early 1980s Randall RG100ES is what Dimebag played. I have been using one for a very, very different tone since around 1988 or so. It is all solid state and it sounds great at very low volume. I sometimes play at home with the master volume at zero, and for me the sweet spot is around 2 or 3. Dime didn't need tubes, maybe you don't either?

 

[B2D]

Re: Do not like my guitar tone

Seriously, give it up man. Maybe it's not for you. How about drums?

Ignore this guy.