More Volume and Sustain

[rockinangus]

Hey everyone! I am a young player that doesn't know much about technical stuff. I have a Jackson RR3 guitar with a Marshall AVT150H amp and the VS412A and B cabinets for a full stack. I have a Boss Metal Zone pedal and a Digi-Tech Screamin Blues pedal. My problem is I can't get the volume and sustain I want for shredding leads. What pickups should I put in the Jackson? I have been told to put in a Distortion Mayhem Set. What pedal or pedals should I use to achieve what I am looking for. I play classic rock and metal mainly. I think my amp is fine I just need to fine tune my set up. I also have a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Fender MIM Strat. What pickups should I put in the Strat? Everything axe set or what? I appreciate any information! Thanks!

 

[Matt Blackett]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Honestly, you should be able to get sustain for days with that rig. You don't mention how you're running your Marshall but you could try this: I used to use two distortion pedals into a clean amp, one set for just a touch of distortion, the other set for a little more distortion. But then for leads I would turn them both on and the tone was big, fat, and would sustain all day long. You might have to mess with the controls a bit to get all the balances right but that should do the trick. Also, you can run your amp slightly dirty and experiment with kicking the pedals in and out in front of it.

 

[rockinangus]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

What distortion pedals did you use? Would a SFX-01 pick-up booster help? Would the Distortion Mayhem Pickups help the Jackson? The stock Detonator pickups seem weak. Where would you set the controls to start with? Thanks!

 

[Matt Blackett]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

What distortion pedals did you use? Would a SFX-01 pick-up booster help? Would the Distortion Mayhem Pickups help the Jackson? The stock Detonator pickups seem weak. Where would you set the controls to start with? Thanks!

I used two Turbo Rats and I set one for very little gain, and the other about half way up. With a little tweaking I got the volume levels and the distortion just where I wanted it and then I marked them with tape and never touched them They're still on my pedalboard but I'm using the Twin Tube Classic for most of my dirty tones these days.
New pickups would definitely help the Jackson.
An SFX-01 will give you more gain and sustain if you put it before tthe distortion for sure, and it will give you a volume boost if you place it after.

 

[rockinangus]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Would the Twin Tube Classic be a help? Or would you lean toward the SFX-01 or both maybe? Does the pre-amp tube in the Marshall Amp need to be replaced often? The amp is only 2 years old. Thanks!

 

[ErikH]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

The Metal Zone has sustain out the nose. Not the best sounding box IMO but it adds so much gain it's not funny. It's really hard to get good sustain out of a SS amp. Some have it, some don't. The hybrids are a bit better but not much.

I'd almost have to hear what your rig sounds like now and play through it with different guitars to give a honest assessment but you should have some decent sustain already. Not great, but decent.

 

[rockinangus]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

How about a TSL100 Marshall Amp? Would that give me what I'm looking for?

 

[jackieTHEjokeman]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Use heavier picks. :dance:

 

[ErikH]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

How about a TSL100 Marshall Amp? Would that give me what I'm looking for?

The only way to know for sure is to take your guitar to a store that has one and try it out.

 

[Liquid]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

I used two Turbo Rats and I set one for very little gain, and the other about half way up.

:eek5: God that must have been harsh as all he11. Just from my expirence with rats.

 

[larry_emder]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Sustain....play LOUDLY with the guitar in front of the amp.....a held note should sustain for quite a while

 

[jony]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

DId you say Detonator pickups?

Those are Invader copies I believe.. How high have you set them?

If they are too high, that could be killing you

 

[WhoFan]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Honestly, you should be able to get sustain for days with that rig. You don't mention how you're running your Marshall but you could try this: I used to use two distortion pedals into a clean amp, one set for just a touch of distortion, the other set for a little more distortion. But then for leads I would turn them both on and the tone was big, fat, and would sustain all day long. You might have to mess with the controls a bit to get all the balances right but that should do the trick. Also, you can run your amp slightly dirty and experiment with kicking the pedals in and out in front of it.

My current small combo rig is along the same lines... pedals thru a Classic 30's Clean channel... but to switch between the 2 Distortion pedals i use a Boss Line Selector... Different distortion pedals in each loop and 1 loop set louder and more distorted for solos.... works great and makes me feel like i have a multi amp set up in a small package!!!! Sometimes i use more then one OD or Distortion unit in each loop and pick and choose what tones i want......

 

[rockinangus]

Re: More Volume and Sustain

Thanks for the suggestions. Last night I went and tried a TSL100 Marshall Amp and that thing kicks butt. Erik H. was right a SS amp can't hold a candle to the tube amps. That amp is awesome with the volume on 2 it would hurt ears but sounded like a million bucks. Volume and sustain no problem there. Anyone want to buy a AVT150H Marshall Head? . I did take my guitar to the store with me and never did it sound like it did last night through that power house. What a difference. I guess if you want volume and sustain you need big power. Thanks again everyone for the help.