getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

C

charvel model 2

New member
Can anyone suggest a halfstack and pedal to get as close to the zakk wylde sound as poss, for under $1,000? I have a charvel with a pearly gates pu, also have a turbo dx tube screamer. but need to know what amps to check out. thanks for your help.
 
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Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

... ampwise... a cheap JCM-800 clone like a Bulgera 1990 or Peavey Windsor & BOSS SD-1. Not sure about the Strat scale Charvel though... smaller scale = better Zakk harmonic squeals. Also you might want to switch to active pups - EMG 81s & the previous amp suggestions w/ do Zakk riffs/licks nicely.
 
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Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

If you're going Tube halfstack ... even on a budget you'd probably be breaking the 1G mark.

But I'd look for the following used

Bugera (heresay I know ... but with that budget mark I don't know of any cheaper) 1990 or 1960
Well made 4x12 with decent speakers
Boss Chorus Ensemble

Even then you're going to need an attenuator which is another added expense
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

Actually I'm starting to wonder if you could get close to JCM800 (or just Marshally in general) tones in a low watt format by sticking JJ 6V6's in the Egnater Tweaker. I've always felt that they sounded and acted closer to EL34's than 6V6's IMHO.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

Honestly, and as much as usually I don't recommend signature models for signature tones (which seems funny on it's own).

Peavey Windsor
Peavey Windsor 4x12
Wylde Overdrive
Black Label Chorus

That will get you close, in that price range for sure. Bonus points for the EMG set.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

I see a lot of Marshall DSL 50 and 100 halfstacks on Craigslist for around $1000.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

If you cant find a jcm800 .....check out a Marshall jcm900 Master Volume MKIII...epic sounding amps which are pretty much a jcm800 with an extra dirt circuit. They are cheap because jcm900s are not the tonehounds amp of choice right now...but the MKIII is a totally different animal to the jcm900 dual reverb that everyone seems to hate.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

you want an EMG81 and a lot of dirt.

and don't forget to dress up like one of the village people, and pinch a harmonic out of every other note
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

dr. ad said:
you want an EMG81 and a lot of dirt.

and don't forget to dress up like one of the village people, and pinch a harmonic out of every other note
Click to expand...

Don't forget to create a legion of biker wannabe's ... who have no idea of how centre and top and bottom rockers are applied/earned
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

Gearjoneser said:
I see a lot of Marshall DSL 50 and 100 halfstacks on Craigslist for around $1000.
Click to expand...

i was thinking the same thing... great amps for that style of playing! to me these sound better then my old 800 with a pedal in front of it... but the 800 is great too but to get that style of distortion it takes some volume... my TSL-100 is great at lower volumes for metal as it has a ton of pregain on tap... i want a DSL oneday too... and i also use a Charvel... a USA So-Cal
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

If you could snatch a Marshall JCM800/900 combo for a decent price it would take you a long way.
A Boss SD-1 or MXR Wylde overdrive is kind of an epic ingredient too. The right amp with one of these pedals in front and you'd get real close with the right chops.

You could go out and see how that Behringer 1990 amp sounds, it is meant to be modeled after a JCM800 at least, I never heard this particular amp in person, and a lot of people would automaticaly say no because it's a Behringer. But I would check out if the thing is able to pump out some decent JCM-style sounds, and if so, you could have found a nice deal for the sound you are after, since the Behringers sell cheap both new and used. But of course you need to go out to a shop or so, ask to put one of the two pedals in front and see what it gives. You will not spend anything by going out and trying one of these Behringer 1990, you can only gain from it, you either find out that it is a piece of crap and move on with the search knowing that for sure now, or you find the bargain you are looking for right there under your nose! ;)

Of course some other effects such as a fitting chorus and wah would be nice to to have a complete Wylde set-up, but a fitting amp and fitting drive in front of it is crucial if you ask me.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

Don't forget the beer...if you're 21 or older that is.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

your approaching it from the wrong angle. Get a Wylde Epi Les Paul. Put in Blackouts. Get a Wylde OD, and most amps will get you in the same league.
 
Re: getting close to zakk wylde's sound without going broke?

Practice.


Seriously, pickup any decent tube head with an OD channel (Tweaker, Jet City 20H, Blackstar watt, Bugera, etc), a good 4X12, and just practice.

I'm not implying that you haven't done the practice thing, but with a capable rig, a player with chops and a good understanding of how to dial-in tone can get 99% of the way to emulating their favorite player. VERY few people would be able to tell the difference between the gear in a blind test -- mostly just the playing.
 
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