Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

[St_Genesius]

Okay, Monster ain't my favorite record ever, but the whole "Peter bought a distortion pedal!" thing did lead to some cool tones, this one being one of the best (imo). How do you think he's makign it happen.

I'm 90% sure it's an AC30, as that's what he was favoring at the time. I'm 100% it's a Les Paul, since every time I've seen them perform that song he played his LP.

Pickup possibilities? EQ settings? Other effects?

 

[proxy]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

AC30 would make sense, when I've seen Mr.Buck play live its most Vox's and I think I saw a matchless as well.

I can't tell you how to nail the tone tho, sorry.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I've actually just now come up with a very good approximation using my V-amp's "Modern Class A" amp, lots of gain, the bridge pup on my Paul copy and the EQ settings of Bass-1, Mid-5, high-9. Honeslty, it seems to work for most of that record. Throw in a little tremolo where needed and I can't readily tell whether I'm hearing me or him (playing both through my Event TR5Ns). I knew I could find the sound in here somewhere; I was just getting too hung up on using the "British Class A" setting. But it didn't have the right honk.

 

[Chaos]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I'm 100% it's a Les Paul, since every time I've seen them perform that song he played his LP.

Peter used a Les Paul on WTFK last time I saw REM.
He also uses it on the DVD "Perfect square".
However he 'used' Kurt Cobain's Jagstang in the video for WTFK...

As far as the rest of his set-up I know you need several plastic dinosaurs to cover the top of your amplier...

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

i know the trem effect is done with the toggle switch by flipping it back and forth with the neck pickup volume all the way off. same thing could be done using a kill switch. good luck

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I saw them on that tour and IIRC he was going LP->Vox.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I think I've got it. I 'll see if I can post a couple of short clips when I get home from work.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

Woops. Forgot to come back and post clips. I've got one up at the site in my sig: a few seconds of the real thing followed my a few seconds of my rough approximation. The file is called "Kenneth Comparo."

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

As far as the rest of his set-up I know you need several plastic dinosaurs to cover the top of your amplier...

Aaaah, the secret tone ingredient I have been overlooking!

 

[MCG]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I could well be mistaken but I think I remeber reading that he used a Mesa for that song.

MCG

 

[mrid]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I bet dollars to donuts that it's some type of germanium boost.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

Really? That would surprise me.

I could well be mistaken but I think I remeber reading that he used a Mesa for that song.

MCG

 

[Imp]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

rangemaster treble pedal or something... its amazing just how many old pros use this kind of pedal.. (brian may, clapton i think... maybe rory g?)

though the idea of a treble booster isn't one of something i'd use.. i'd rather have mud than excess treble, anyday

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

Yeah, I remember seeing mesa tremoverbs onstage for that tour, though I dunno if he used them on the album.

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Les Paul + AC30 + ? (+?+?) = What's the Frequency Kenneth?

rangemaster treble pedal or something... its amazing just how many old pros use this kind of pedal.. (brian may, clapton i think... maybe rory g?)

though the idea of a treble booster isn't one of something i'd use.. i'd rather have mud than excess treble, anyday

The term "treble booster" is a bit misleading, its more of an all round boost in my experience, Toni Iommi used one on a lot of Black Sabbath records, he can hardly be accused of having an overtly bright sound.