Less is more (back to basic set up)

[awel]

Yesterday, I had a rehearsal with my blues rock band and I don't know why but I was feeling that it was time for change.

So I had this Warwick pedalboard with an OCD, a BB Preamp, a Polytune, my old VOX wha, a Carbon Copy, and a Dunlop Hendrix Vibe, my JVM-410 Marshall head and a 2X12 Celestion Vintage 30 box; and I was thinking 'f..k! I don't need all of that', so I removoved from the pedalboard my wha and the BB preamp, put that in a bag and went to the rehearsal.

Waowww, such a pleasure to play almost straight from the Les Paul Custom to the Marshall head (only the wha and the BB Pream in between), just playing, ZZ Top, Clapton, SRV, Gary Moore, Kenny Wayne Shepherd ..., it is been a long time since I didn't enjoy so much playing, just the music no gears or tone worried.

Even my tuner Polytune, I dropped it and use a headstock tuner instead.

So if I have an advice ... keep it simple

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

There's always something refreshing just plugging straight into the amp, turning up, and controlling everything with your guitar knobs and playing technique!

 

[awel]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

Exactly, it is like discovering a whole new world

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

Exactly, it is like discovering a whole new world

Or, for someone of my vintage .... it's like all the other ways of doing it are 'new worlds', and the simplicity route is simply how things were when i was young (early '70s). There weren't many options then. Non master-volume amp, guitar, and some kind of booster, maybe a wah. The onus was on the player to provide everything else.

It's funny .... now some people think i'm a vintage gear snob, but that's not true at all. I simply like using the kind of gear i started with, it just happened that that gear went on to become extremely valuable vintage, collectible stuff. I can no longer afford the guitars and amps i used back then, i have to build clones.

I like the simple ways. It keeps the onus on me to provide something good, and if it ain't good, i have to take the responsibility. Nowhere to hide. It's very real, and it has more impact (let's face it, there's so much technology on stages, some audience members can probably barely distinguish between human skill and technological enhancement any more).

I never use more than two pedals (o/d and delay usually) into non-m/v amps without channel switching. The rest is up to me. I've dabbled with more complex technologies but always return to the basics. If i can manage to do something memorable, i'd prefer it to be about what my heart, hands and guitar can create, not about a wall of stuff i bought in a shop with a lot of money.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I'm currently in love with the OD1 channel on my Marshall (<= I LOVE saying that, "Marshall"). I can really feel the pickups.

I'm sure there will eventually be a bloated fx loop...but until then. These things run in cycles with me.

I'm jazzin' some scale work on just the Pro Jr straight from the guitar too.

That said - the acoustic is running through six pedals....

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

You guys make me feel weird with my pedalboard complete with 9 pedals ..... thing is I use them all quite frequently

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

You guys make me feel weird with my pedalboard complete with 9 pedals ..... thing is I use them all quite frequently

Sure.
The idea is not that you don't use them, but rather, you don't need them and would not miss them once they are gone.....(after a while).
best

 

[everdrone]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

So if I have an advice ... keep it simple

If I keep goin that route I will be singing in an acapella group :banana:

srsly guitar stuff has only been around for 60 years or so; some new technology is a blessing if one knows how to use it. I am not much of a pedal dancer tweaker acrobat, so I will not be a guitar-DJ in rage against the machine or anything

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

From time to time I will do a gig with out all but a tuner and a Wah and I find it quite liberating. I also enjoy the fact that you are exposed, you have to be on your game.

 

[awel]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I didn't say that I don't like or hate pedals, thing is that I am pissed to have so many thing to carry, head, box, pedalboard, so many cables to plug in (even if all my pedals were on a pedalboard, if I use the crunch channel of the Marshall and want to use the delay then I have to use the effect loop or else the sound is a bit 'muddy', so that means 2 cables more, ...). Of course I like a nice smooth lead sound with just a bit of delay, or a vibe if I am going for some SRV, Hendrix stuff, but thing is for blues rock (what I am doing ) it is not mandatory.
Of course no need to say that if I was in a U2 covers band then I will need every effects knows on earth but if it was the case I think I will go for all in one (Line 6, AXE FX ...)
but this is just my humble opinion.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I say this: Paint a pretty picture. Do not worry about the number of colors you use. This applies to many things.

When you see a beautiful woman, does it matter if she has no makeup, or has a lot? What matters is she is beautiful regardless of how much makeup she has on. Now granted, it is easy to go wrong the more goop she piles on. But I have known women who use a pound and a half of foundation, mascara, eye liner, shadow, blush, lipstick and more . And they were stunning.

So don't pride yourself on your guitar cord amp setup, nor your 47 pedals on a shipping crate sized pedalboard. Instead, take pride in knowing that whatever you use, or don't use, that you have done it well and that it sounds good.

 

[awel]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I am not proud of this, it was just an observation I've made, and of course I don't need everyone agree with my point of view, sooner or later I will reconnect my pedalboard, it was just a topic in this forum, not the absolute truth

 

[awel]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

just want to add that for now, it is working for me, but it is for me

 

[Aceman]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I am not proud of this, it was just an observation I've made, and of course I don't need everyone agree with my point of view, sooner or later I will reconnect my pedalboard, it was just a topic in this forum, not the absolute truth

And let's be honest, as cool as guitar to amp is, if that's how you are playing, where is the excuse to buy more gear?!?!?!?

But I absolutely agree. When you change sounds, in whatever way, it is - refreshing.

Then, when you finally DO put just one little effect in the path, say a Flanger, you'll have a whole new appreciation for that too.

 

[awel]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

And let's be honest, as cool as guitar to amp is, if that's how you are playing, where is the excuse to buy more gear?!?!?!?

But I absolutely agree. When you change sounds, in whatever way, it is - refreshing.

Then, when you finally DO put just one little effect in the path, say a Flanger, you'll have a whole new appreciation for that too.

I totally agree with you, of course I am a gears addict like almost everyone here I guess , always try to find something new to achieve the quest of every guitar player the 'holy' tone quest

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

To quote Marc Ford..... "They don’t get it. It’s not the gear. They’re like Trekkies…they’re just geeks. They have nothing better to do all day than argue on the website forums."

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

You're off to a good start. Now ditch that BB pre-amp and you'll be rocking it old skool for sure!

(j/k - the BB Pre is a great pedal.)

 

[Matt42]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

You guys make me feel weird with my pedalboard complete with 9 pedals ..... thing is I use them all quite frequently

I have 10 pedals, plus an acoustic preamp on my board. Don't feel weird .

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

Whatever gets the job done. Most of what I play can be played straight in, unless I need a crunch pedal because I'm using a very clean amp like a Fender Twin.

However, I have somehow become inspired to play in the style that the lead player for artists such as Tim Finn or Natalie Merchant might play. I'm finding that a delay and maybe a modulation device is helpful in sculpting a sound. However, even then, I do not see more than four pedals at the most.

 

[Kramer Guy]

Re: Less is more (back to basic set up)

I agree . Since I got my Fender Studio 85 the other day , I got rid of my Digitech RP-50 and have been using just a Danelectro Fab Tone Flanger as the only effect . It's added a whole new dimension to my sound considering I play Blues and Classic rock with my band.