Please recommend me a Guitar/Pickup, Amp/pedal to get this guitar tone...

[harukanoayu]

Quick backstory:
I use to play guitar a bit and learned how to do runs on and play some songs years ago, but I've only ever used a Strat and I always wanted to get great metal tones but didn't know how. I mostly played on a practice amp back in the day.
I'm gunna list the tones from light to heaviest lol

1: biting/crunchy/thick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEJK5aUz9Ps
(this guitar tone, it's like biting, thick)
I like both the Lead playing, and the rythme guitar tone in back (see 4th song for similar rythm tone)

2: heavier/more distortion/biting
https://youtu.be/i73GVDCpeA4?t=18
(this is similar, but more distortion / heavyer compression?, it's like a metal version of the top tone?)

3: heaviest/thick/compressed/chugging
https://youtu.be/vCRbwD29AAw?t=47
(this is heaviest tone out of the lot, seems like an even more heavier version? lol)

4:
(this is SAME rhythme guitar tone as top song but in a different song)
https://youtu.be/ZpE06cBgwag?t=41
Are these songs all using similar amps?

any idea what Amps / Pedals would be used to get these tones? Or what kind of guitar / pickups I'd need?

Like, are they using a harmonizer for the lead tone in first song? An OD pedal?
Are they using OD or Distortion pedals for any of the tones?

Which amp does this sound similar too? Marshal amp, Peavy?

I'm thinking of buying an alderwood yamaha pacifica guitar with Seymour custom 5 pickups in bridge, and a P90 in neck. I got a good deal on it thats why...
but would something like a Mahogony body with a SD JB4 be better?

do pickups make that much of a difference, maybe replacing the SD Custom 5 with a SD JB4 in the yamaha alderwood guitar would do it, or SD Nazgul pickup (or would that be too brutal?)

I'm under the impression that different woods / pickups sound different together

I just want to make sure I pick a good guitar that can get me the tones I want this time. I'm up for any brand, Ibanez/ESP is cool.
But I'm thinking the Wood used and the Pickups make a major difference in the sound?

I'm also thinking of getting a ToneX Pedal, but not sure yet, everyones raving about it lol

 

[Aceman]

I know the Pacifica you speak of. Great guitar.

Those are four notably different tones, from rock/pop to chug.

I'm feeling a multi fx / modeler to do all of that....

Ola England would have better advice for #2 and #3. But a JB in that Yamaha through a Boss Kata should be easily get the 1st and 3rd.

 

[elelpe]

That Pacifica and a multifx combo is a good start.

 

[Solarflares]

Necro reply.
My advice would be to buy an affordable Jem Junior, and everything you seek will be a result of playing around with varying degrees of pre and post mid-range EQ, with an amp that has sufficient gain.
A drive pedal with mid-range might well help, but the amp or pedal should have two channels, since some of it is heavily mid-scooped, and the rest is mid-heavy.

 

[Artie]

Thanks for those links. I started getting into JPOP / KPOP about 30-something years ago.

I don't know if this guy would be of interest to you. Similar tone to some of what you listed. And there's whole webpage dedicated to the equipment he uses.

https://thrillofthetone.net/#info

 

[Solarflares]

I don't know if this guy would be of interest to you. Similar tone to some of what you listed. And there's whole webpage dedicated to the equipment he uses.

Seriously NO, NO ,NO.
That is Boy Band meets Vangelis, with Blondie’s drummer and Kirk Hammett somehow joining the band.
That guitar sound is seriously dreadful.

The clips he originally posted are of either a seasoned session guitarist, or a guy that knows his mid-range, and has worked on his chops and execution.
It’s in the hands, all the time. Listen to him ffs. All the gear in the world can’t make up for that.

As I said, a Jem Junior and perhaps a Laney Ironheart Studio 15W with better valves - that gets you all the way, if you add a little mid-boost.

 

[Artie]

Seriously NO, NO ,NO.
That is Boy Band meets Vangelis, with Blondie’s drummer and Kirk Hammett somehow joining the band.

I probably shoulda picked a sample other than the "Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2" theme, but his band is called Crush40. Not really a "boy band", but I get what you're saying with that track.

 

[Solarflares]

I probably shoulda picked a sample other than the "Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2" theme, but his band is called Crush40. Not really a "boy band", but I get what you're saying with that track.

I listened to 3 different clips of Crush40 from different albums.
The guitar sound is dead, flat, and lifeless. The execution boring and tedious. From start to finish.
You’re in the studio. You should be at the top of your game, bristling with energy, and in this genre - prepared to leap out of the speakers with all you’ve got.
It sounds like there just wasn’t time to develop parts into anything exciting, or that the guy is just plain incapable.
Maybe fine for 80’s Judas Priest, but when you put yourself on the spot with fast-moving material like that - you really have to deliver.
I’m hearing a lot of Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion influence in there, but without the flair.

 

[Artie]

I'll listen to some VVI clips for comparison.

 

[BlackhawkRise]

I'll listen to some VVI clips for comparison.

I'd say don't bother. Vinnie plays like he’s in a personal arms race with his own ego and his guitar sounds like a dental drill.

 

[Solarflares]

I'd say don't bother. Vinnie plays like he’s in a personal arms race with his own ego and his guitar sounds like a dental drill.

Undoubtably.
It was all very quickly downhill after the recording of “Creatures of the Night”.
So much musicality and melodic potential pissed up the wall, and he could have owned the world at that point leading up to joining Kiss.
Could have been the ultimate go-to studio rat of the late 70’s and 80’s, and backed any of the great solo artists out there.
But it was in one ear and out the other with Vinnie, and nobody could save him from himself, once he hit the notoriety and big stages with Kiss.

 

[Chistopher]

I've always wondered about Vinnie. Especially nowadays. With his $200 singles and $2M album

 

[Artie]

I listened to a few tracks from his first album. I immediately recognized it from the radio many moons ago. I just didn't place the name with the music. Definitely better than what I posted.

 

[Solarflares]

I've always wondered about Vinnie. Especially nowadays. With his $200 singles and $2M album

I could talk all day about the essential dynamics of honing your craft, and gearing up for the big-time.

Truth is - Vinnie put himself in a very difficult financial position by not having a working contract. He was broke, virtually homeless, and in the midst of all that - in the top live act of the decade.
If he had been capable of consistently touring the Creatures album without undue drama, then he was perfect for the job. I’m sure Kiss would have advanced him 6 months wages to buy a flat for his girlfriend, and give him down-time stability.
I believe the initial contract they offered was justifiably defensive, but surely the wages were good, and existing songwriting credit should have seen him comfortably off for the next 3 years.
Having a good personal manager that knows how to talk to people helps, and I think Vinnie could have easily had an open-ended contract with Kiss. One where he would be compensated if they ditched him, but at the same time - one that would reward him with the correct lifestyle his new appointment warranted, so long as he took guidance, and studiously contributed to the musical output and direction whilst with them.
Like I said - he could have had the world.

Basically, if you want me to commit to 18 months of touring. Then I will commit, so long as I am paid a basic retainer, performance wages, and all expenses paid. If it falls apart then I still expect the full 18 months retainer, but can immediately move on.
If you start selling mugs and other merch with my face on them, then a small percentage of that is also due.
If you sell albums with my songwriting on them, then I expect royalty payments from the get-go.

I believe that Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons were a fucking brick wall to deal with financially, and I would not negotiate with either of them. This is purely a management issue. Something is seriously wrong if a manager has to ask the artists how much should we pay this guy.
Yes they built up the band’s reputation and success, and I am a relative newcomer - so how could I expect equal financial status. But all the same, I am expected to sit in the limo’s and grin at everybody - so see me alright and I’ll do the job you want, and more. That’s all he had to say, and a revised contract would have seen him a wealthy man, had he been able to control himself, and toe the line, in a relatively easy job.
I presume communication broke down totally, Vinnie wouldn’t sign anything, and the band were left with no choice.

 

[Securb]

I'd say don't bother. Vinnie plays like he’s in a personal arms race with his own ego and his guitar sounds like a dental drill.

He always has been. He kept pressuring Paul and Gene for an equal share of the profits and royalties. He would also ignore the arrangements live and take solos as long as he wanted. KISS gave him the biggest opportunity of his life, and his ego destroyed it.

 

[Mincer]

I remember seeing the first VVI video on MTV after liking his work with Kiss. I laughed for days at how absurd it is. Once in awhile I will watch a video to remind myself how bad music got in the 80s.

 

[Securb]

Working beside Gene is a master class in music and marketing. He could have learned a lot if he shut his mouth and opened his ears. Say what you want about KISS, their music, or Gene himself, but any reasonable person has to admit Gene knows how to market a band.

I saw VV in the first row on the Lick It Up tour. He was an amazing talent. Accept opened, what a great show.

 

[Solarflares]

There’s no denying that this is Vinnie at his best.
Great songwriting, a commanding but reserved performance, with a superb image and seriously belonging on that video sound-stage.
This is what happens when you allow the song to be itself
Credit to Bob Rock and Dana Strum, but Vinnie is standout here.
And he looks gorgeous!

 

[Solarflares]

Working beside Gene is a master class in music and marketing. He could have learned a lot if he shut his mouth and opened his ears. Say what you want about KISS, their music, or Gene himself, but any reasonable person has to admit Gene knows how to market a band.

I saw VV in the first row on the Lick It Up tour. He was an amazing talent. Accept opened, what a great show.

In ‘75 my local university bar had a Kiss pinball machine.
So I knew of them long before I ever heard them.
Gene probably raked a penny for every 10 I put in.

I honestly have a soft spot for Vinnie, as you can probably tell.
Awesome melodic player before Kiss.
But the more stories you read from former bandmates and fans - you realise he just wasn’t geared to run or deal with his own business, and be a consistent player/songwriter.

 

[Binnerscot]

I know the Pacifica you speak of. Great guitar.

Those are four notably different tones, from rock/pop to chug.

I'm feeling a multi fx / modeler to do all of that....

Ola England would have better advice for #2 and #3. But a JB in that Yamaha through a Boss Kata should be easily get the 1st and 3rd.

I second the JB, as I listened to those clips, all of those tones are squarely in that wheelhouse.