Hendrix Tone

Gunny47

Gunny47

New member
Just out of curiosity...

Which reissue amps and guitars would get me closest to Hendrix's tone? I know it would be a strat with a Marshall... but which ones (reissue ones) would get me closest to his tone not including his new signature Marshall stack? I would guess that it would be the '69 Custom Shop Reissue Strat (olympic white with rosewood board), but I'm not exactly sure. And I don't know which Marshall would get one closest to the Hendrix sound. Thanks.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

I woldn't sweat getting it too exact. Hendrix would have played Marshalls from the cleaner 66-67's up to aggresive 69,70 circuits. I bet if you took a reissue plexi and a new strat back in time to him and listened it would sound almost identical because it would be him.
He also used Fender and other amps in the studio. Some of your favorite recorded tones may have been a twin or super or even a supro?
I thnk going with the right guitar/pickup combo would be more effective than which era of "plexi" you got into. Some of those re-issue strats have great pickups.
If you want to nail down the amp there are guys at the PlexiPalace and Metroamp forums that live and die by what years ('66-'70) give you what sounds and what phases of Jimi match up with those sounds.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

If you mean, none of the Handwired Marshalls...i.e. not his sig stack..not the JMP45/100, and not the hand wired 1959...then just your basic run-o the mill 1959 reissue will be "closest" stock. Alot of people mod them to taste (i.e. the tone they hear in their heads) but I think they sound pretty good stock as -is. But the handwired stuff DEF sounds better (VERY expensive though)

As for Strats...no clue...Most classic "Stratty" sounding strat I ever has was my YJM model believe it or not......the DiMarzios made it a little less toppy...but man did it still sound great...(note that I only use neck and bridge on strats..I never use the OOP positions and drop the middle pup cos it gets in my way)

a 62 Closet Classic RI was the runner up (and a $1000 more)
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Agreed, a 1959 RI and a good 60's RI Strat will get you the closest. Don't forget speakers come in to the equation as well. My guess would be classic Celestion Greenbacks.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

ErikH said:
Don't forget speakers come in to the equation as well. My guess would be classic Celestion Greenbacks.
Click to expand...

true Dat! *very* important..:bigthumb:

BTW..you get my email this mornin bro?
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

SRV sounded a lot like Hendrix usind Vibroverbs. I believe the vast majority of Jimi's tone was in his hands. (Please don't flame me for the comment)
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Any Strat with vintage style single coils.

Any Plexi... Also look into a Bassman.

I think as long as you have a good fat clean sound, throwing an OD into it should really get you that tone.

I can use my Bassman, Matchless and Marshall JMP models on my Roland to get very close to a Hendrixish tone.

Even my Mesa with the fat knob pulled out and oD on gets me close with my Strat.

I think its really more his style that will get you his tone.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

bungalowbill said:
I believe the vast majority of Jimi's tone was in his hands. (Please don't flame me for the comment)
Click to expand...

You know BB, I get more and more respect for you everyday. I wasn't coming from a lack of respect though.

No flaming here. ;)

Hard to purchase Hendrix's fingers. But, you never know what you will find on Ebay. :)

How about a stock Fender Strat, a stock 67'-69' Plexi, reisssue is fine, and a Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz. Your gonna need the volume pedal also. :)
 
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Re: Hendrix Tone

wixedmords said:
You know BB, I get more and more respect for you everyday. I wasn't coming from a lack of respect though.

No flaming here. ;)

Hard to purchase Hendrix's fingers. But, you never know what you will find on Ebay. :)

How about a stock Fender Strat, a stock 67'-69' Plexi, reisssue is fine, and a Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz. Your gonna need the volume pedal also. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment. :) If you check ebay, Hendrix's fingers are probably up for auction. :27:
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Im just curious... I am a Tweed guy really, I'm not a big fan of Marshalls (even tho tweeds act a lot like them). I'm looking into a strat and was just looking to get some ideas. I'll probably wind up with a NOS '56 in surf green or something... I was just wondering what he used and how you would get it at a modern point of view. Thanks a lot for the replies.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Ok, since you're a tweed type guy, Fender Bassman open full bore. :) The Bassman was the starting foundation of Marshalls, but not really the Marshalls Jimi used. But, open all the way, a Bassman is really sweet and has a nice snarl to it.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Don't worry, I'm getting a Low Power Twin. I emailed Bruce at Mission for a price quote on the most historically accurate Lo Po Tweed Twin (narrow panel '55 - '57 model) that he can make and told him what speakers I wanted. I sent him a week ago or so and he hasn't had a chance to get back yet (Im NOT complaining, I know he's busy, just giving some info). I really want him to do a good job on it if I decide to go with his amps (according to some other info from Mission customers, the Twin shouldn't be so expensive that I cannot afford it. I actually heard that they have pretty low prices). But anyway, I might get another Tweed amp after I get my Lo Po Twin, probably a Clark Tyger (Bandmaster) with the built in reverb and attenuator.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

ErikH said:
Agreed, a 1959 RI and a good 60's RI Strat will get you the closest. Don't forget speakers come in to the equation as well. My guess would be classic Celestion Greenbacks.
Click to expand...
G12H30's actually. That is what is in the Jimi HW stack. and don't forget Da FUZZ!!!!:laugh2:
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Bruce does great work. I don't own one yet but I've played and heard the Aurora, 18 watt and 30 watt. It is an excellent amp with wonderful tone. I cannot wait until I can order one, a 30 watter with reverb.

One more thing, the Bassman/Marshall connection is the Marshall JTM45 (original). Same circuit, lots of tweaks.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

I am pretty certain that Jimi Hendrix is known for his greenbacks though... I just checked his signature amp too and they are G12C Greenbacks specially made for Marshall, but for Hendrix tones directly from celestion, the best is the G12M.
 
Re: Hendrix Tone

Also i think a part of Jimis strat sound is the upside down staggered pickups and the angle of the bridge pickup is reverse too... A custom pickguard and some lefthanded staggered pickups may get you close... Some say the upside down headstock has an effect as well.... I myself use a standard stock strat and can get sounds close to jimi's, but i can't play like him....
 
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