Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Esteban's Hat

Esteban's Hat

New member
I have fallen for that Jeff Beck sound where the midrange sounds are lightly compressed almost honk-y but very lively

For a simple rig with a single coil guitar is a Klon the type of pedal to use? I tried the Soul Food since it supposedly sounds so Klon like but it was not it, would the real thing work better?

I run a Deluxe Reverb style amp with a TS9 pedal and I have a strange old compressor (no name maybe handmade only one dial says more/less) that is vaguely like the sound but clearly a pale horse compared to Geoffrey.



http://www.guitarplayer.com/artist-lessons/1026/10-things-you-gotta-do-to-play-like-jeff-beck/15009
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

I know he does use a Klon. However, I would think that IF the key to copping Beck's tone was all Klon, the Soul Food would get you close enough to know. If that makes sense.

For what it's worth ...

 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

He has also used a Rat a lot over the years, speaking of which, Beck always sounds like Beck, but what era tones are you looking for?
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Beck has been my favorite rock guitarist since about 1965. Whenever I first heard the Yardbirds with him in it.

He got those "squeezy" mids out of every guitar and every amp I've ever heard him play!

He got it out of a Les Paul 50 years ago and gets it today out of a Strat.

I think it's just him.

I can get it to some degree...that sound like I'm peeling out and burning rubber.

But really, I think it's because I've internalized that sound to such a degree that it's become a part of me.

I do own a Klon. But I don't think that's the secret because he's always had that quality about his playing.
 
Last edited:
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

I agree Lew, Jeff Beck approaches the guitar completely differently than most other guitarist. His use of the bar, volume and tone controls and right hand attack is that of a true master of his instrument.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

I think this is a result of the player being mightier than the gear. It is like John McLaughlin...gear choice is irrelevant. Beck does what he does. I don't like everything he does, but I like more stuff than I don't.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Well thank you for the input.

I guess what I am hoping for is Jeff's talent more than anything but I'll try a Klon someday.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Equipment aside, a light touch with the right hand may be part of it. With a less aggressive attack, the initial peak is not as pronounced and there's less of a trough before transitioning to the string's natural sustain. You might try a thin pick and see if you hear a difference at volume.

Just to be clear- I have no idea what kind of pick Beck uses, or how his picking looks up close. But I tend to have a pretty heavy right hand myself, and using a thin pick instead of my usual medium-heavy has helped me to be more gentle when it was called for.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

eclecticsynergy said:
Equipment aside, a light touch with the right hand may be part of it. With a less aggressive attack, the initial peak is not as pronounced and there's less of a trough before transitioning to the string's natural sustain. You might try a thin pick and see if you hear a difference at volume.

Just to be clear- I have no idea what kind of pick Beck uses, or how his picking looks up close. But I tend to have a pretty heavy right hand myself, and using a thin pick instead of my usual medium-heavy has helped me to be more gentle when it was called for.
Click to expand...

He doesn't use a pick. He plays with his thumb.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Yeah, I think he has loud amps, but doesn't really play loudly...I mean his right hand is imbued with some sort of magical power. It looks like it should be uncomfortable to play like that, but he seems to do just fine.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

devastone said:
Didn't he use a pick back in the Yardbirds, early JBG/JB days?
Click to expand...

He sure did.

For me to get that JB sound with a pick I use the side of the pick (I hold the pick backwards and use the side when I'm playing solos anyway) and kind of squeeze it across the string. I'm consciously trying to squeeze those notes out.

I feel like I'm squeezing them out.

With a heavily calloused thumb, there's no sharp point like a pick has, and there's more surface area contacting the string so the thumb kind of drags across the string and remains in contact with the string a little longer than with a pick.

I get a similar effect playing with the side of a Fender medium pick.

But you have to get that sound into yourself so that it becomes part of you.

Then it's easy and natural. You're just being yourself.
 
Last edited:
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Beck does break out the pick from time to time, like when he does the Cliff Gallup rockabilly stuff:


Of course, the emotive tones OP is talking about come from thumb/fingers on a Strat with lots of vibrato arm. I am not a vibrato arm user, but one day, to see if I could get into the Jeff Beck "space", I ditched the pick and made it a point to use the vibrato arm for pitching notes both up and down. I found that indeed I could do a very poor man's Jeff Beck imitation.

There's something about approaching the Strat with fingers only and using the vibrato arm fully. You sort of become one with the instrument - ideally - and really explore the space and possibility of each note, as Beck so ably demonstrates.

A Klon may be what he uses, but since a Klon is a not-heavily-colored overdrive, it's by no means the secret sauce. The secret sauce is Beck's fingers!
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

I noticed after watching him Live at Ronnie Scotts and also the Les Paul tribute that he sets his tone hot, then he backs off his volume for rhythm tones and dimes it for chirps, squeels, and solo's. He uses his tone pot too. He is one of the few players that really work the guitar controls as much as he does. This really compliments the Klon tone he is using to get his full on distortion stuff. not sure what he uses exactly for clean tones. He seems to switch off. One time I saw him playing some modded bassman combo's with 12's in them. Other times different Fender amps or what ever. Someone here knows more about that then me.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Thing about him is that he has used many different guitars over the years, and you can pretty much tell it is him every time. Seriously different types of music, too. I dig more of his fusion stuff, but the essence of his tone is always there.
 
Re: Jeff Beck squeezy mids?

Luvs sum Meezy squids.

squid-in-cuisine.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

idsnowdog
NPD - Send in the clones!
Replies
5
Views
465
idsnowdog
idsnowdog
Francois
Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)
Replies
12
Views
650
Jacew
Jacew
Coma
Gimmie some boost options
2 3
Replies
52
Views
4K
Coma
Coma
Lewguitar
Hey guys - want to read my latest column for the Colorado Blues Society magazine?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Scott Olson
Scott Olson
T
Fender Mustang Floor Review: Check this out!
Replies
8
Views
10K
Top-L
T
Back
Top