Finding your own sound

Re: Finding your own sound

I think I got my own sound but it came after years of chasing my own style.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

In all seriousness, most guitar players would not be comfortable with my tone. I run my amp very bassy with a ton of gain. I dial it in very gravelly and buzzy. I hate compression, so my tone is very loose and organic. Think of bees in a tin can. When I play a lead, I use a Harmonic Energizer in most cases to cut the bass and let the lead cut through. My tone would not work for most guitar players, but it works for my band. We play all originals, so I am not trying to dial in someone else's tone but trying to find what sounds best for our music. For the record I use a Les Paul Traditional with SD WLHs through a Marshall JCM 2000 and a Decible 11 Dirt Clod.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

That is ok, I don't think most guitarists would be comfortable with my sound either. I only use gain for sustain, and that's it. It is probably from most of my practicing happening on the clean channel.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

The most important thing I've cultivated is my own style of playing, which is unmistakeable. I'm a hybrid picker, rooted in blues, but more creative sounding because it's got a lot of country, Latin, and bluegrass ideas thrown in, sorta like John 5, Johnny Hiland, Lindsey Buckingham, Page, and Gibbons..

Then, I don't have a signature guitar, amp, or tone. It's all over the map.
 
Last edited:
Re: Finding your own sound

What don't you like about the Vox? The AC4C1 *needs* new tubes, otherwise the EQ is absolutely useless and the whole thing is hopelessly bright. Even after the tube change you're best off putting it through some sort of cabinet that can handle a bit more bass once its there.

As for my own tone... I know when it's there and when it's not. I might sound different each time though. I either feel I can make something sound good or I can't. The only "chasing" I tend to do is with Jaguars and Jazzmasters, which have to sound a very specific way to me, since they're my choice guitars and what inspired me to play in the first place.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

The most important thing I've cultivated is my own style of playing, which is unmistakeable. I'm a hybrid picker, rooted in blues, but more creative sounding because it's got a lot of country, Latin, and shred ideas thrown in, sorta like John 5, Johnny Hiland, Lindsey Buckingham, and Gibbons..

Then, I don't have a signature guitar, amp, or tone. It's all over the map.

I think that's pretty much what I've done as well. Don't really like being limited to a particular tone or sound (more like the opposite). I just try to have a more distinctive style of playing instead (my own licks, bends, techniques & other tricks) that I can apply across different styles/genres of music & try out with different gear & different tones. That's what I do all the time...
 
Re: Finding your own sound

In all seriousness, most guitar players would not be comfortable with my tone. I run my amp very bassy with a ton of gain. I dial it in very gravelly and buzzy. I hate compression, so my tone is very loose and organic. Think of bees in a tin can. When I play a lead, I use a Harmonic Energizer in most cases to cut the bass and let the lead cut through. My tone would not work for most guitar players, but it works for my band. We play all originals, so I am not trying to dial in someone else's tone but trying to find what sounds best for our music. For the record I use a Les Paul Traditional with SD WLHs through a Marshall JCM 2000 and a Decible 11 Dirt Clod.

Kind of reminds me of Matthew Bellamy...

I would like hear that, I always like to hear unique sounding guitar players.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

what speakers and amps have you tried? have you tried closed or vented cabinets? i heard some online comparisons between celestion and eminance speakers-all 12", and the celestions are clearly better as well.

there will always be the minority who claim that playing through a string of yarn from the guitar jack to a empty soup can sounds great too. for that, to each their own. i'm just talking from personal experience and facts. perhaps the professionals are all wrong and should be using smaller speakers from johnny-come-lately "guitar" speaker makers.

I don't honestly have that much personal experience with 12": AC15, some Hughes & Kettner, ENGL, Mustang II... I can get better tone out of Tiny Terror with those 8" Eminences though, but that's probably just because I've spent lot of more time tweaking everything to the way I like.

My point wasn't that smaller speakers are anyway better of course. Just that they aren't necessarily worse. It all depends what you're after. Smaller speakers do yield faster response and more highs compared to larger ones that add more punch, which is one thing I think they pair up so nicely with TT, that does lack the sparkling high end.

Point I brought that up was really that there's is no wrong when searching your tone. Thinking guitar speaker has to be 12" you're just pointlessly limiting your options.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

my sound was found using an amp sim that i still use now. But now i want the real amp it is simming (haha a new word) when I win the Lotto
 
Re: Finding your own sound

Well took my time on picking an amp. Tried many amps in 40 watt range majority SS. Finally I found the amp for my use for practice and small gigs. This amp does everything I want and more. I ordered the Orange Crush 35RT this amp impressed me big time more than any other amp in its class. The reverb sounds as good as a tube amp. The clean sounds are great. This thing packs a punch, gain and dirty is awesome. There will be no problem playing with a drummer for practice this amp pumps out more volume than you would expect . The sounds are sweet that come from the 10 inch speaker you would think it is 12 inch . It is exactly what I was looking for if I want those other sounds like phazar etc etc I will use pedals. I can definitely see why the reviews are so highly rated on this amp. Should have it this week ordered the black one over the traditional orange.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

Now that I have been playing a few yrs now, I am still looking for the sound that appeals to my hearing. I have had 4 amps working on my 5th. I will be keeping the Vox Rhythm 5 for sure now looking at selling off my Vox AC4C1 Not in the market for anything large just a solid practice amp. Something to just crank up at my buddies place. I believe I have finally found the one I'm looking for, wont know for sure till I find one to try out. Saw the demos from Sweetwater and others really liked the sound the Strat produced from the Orange 20RT. I was impressed also with the punch it packed from the World 8 inch speaker. I will wait to try one out before I make my final decision, I have noticed reviews are very very good. Time will tell if its the one for me if it sounds as good as the demos, I will have finally found the sounds I'm looking for.

What type of stuff do you play?

I like the Orange Crush series but I thought the 8" speaker was a bit boxy and small-ish. Doesn't work for me but that means little to your sound. I would strongly consider the 35 with the 10" speaker. Try it at least, it is gig-able too if you ever want to go that way.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

What type of stuff do you play?

I like the Orange Crush series but I thought the 8" speaker was a bit boxy and small-ish. Doesn't work for me but that means little to your sound. I would strongly consider the 35 with the 10" speaker. Try it at least, it is gig-able too if you ever want to go that way.

If you read my last post I did purchase the 35Rt. The only reason I went with the 35 over the 20 was for the reason of keeping up with drums. The 20 is very good for anyone just wanting a small bedroom amp and surprisingly puts out a lot of volume with great sound. Not sure if you tried the Rt versions if you haven't give them a try. If you want to get back to having an amp that gets back to being just a great amp without all those synthetic sounds this is the one. I play Classical Rock, Blues, Hillbilly Country. My Strats and Archtop sing with this amp. There was no other amp in its class that could compete with this one for my liking. I finally have the sounds that I am looking for from an amp. It took me two and a half years and 4 amps later to find it.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

It's funny that post hadn't shown up for me, refresh issue I guess.

I really liked the 35 and it was one of the amps I was down to when I got my Mustang III, good luck with it. There were just too many things the Mustang did that I wanted or needed out of a grab and go combo.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

Just received it today. This amp does everything I want and more. The quality is high. This one is a keeper I can see why the reviews are so good. I tried many amps in the 40 to 50 watts, Katana, Cube, Peavey, Black star just to name a few nothing IMO compared to this Orange Crush 35RT for quality, sounds, Price. But like I say, everyone has their own sound and the gadgets they like on their amp. Good luck to those that are searching. I have found the one that I like, finally I have it.DSC00056.jpg
 
Re: Finding your own sound

Will try to put through a couple more pics that are smaller.DSC00057.jpgDSC00058.jpg
I couldn't get the Orange one at the time of order so opted to go with the black. I am definitely happy either way.
 
Re: Finding your own sound

I'd love to hear your impressions after a few weeks of testing. I am looking for another small amp.
 
Back
Top