This one has been bugging me for a long while. I'm looking for a Prince-ish tone, both clean (as in the end of 1999), and his overdriven tone (Lets go Crazy, When Doves Cry, etc). I don't think its my amp (Crate Vintage Club 60). Like wise I have a Wah, DOD Milkbox Compressor, Ibanez TS9, MXR EVH Flanger, and Line 6 Delay to work with. For my Tele-ish tone I use the middle position on my Jackson or the Single coils on my S540. I really have no clue when it comes to funk. So what kind of EQ settings should I try to use on my amp, along with what effects? I'm really stumped and would love some help. Thanks.
Prince Tone?
- Thread starter CJRocker
- Start date
A
alashredder
Guest
Re: Prince Tone?
I'll ask Prince's ex-guitar tech, when I get my guitar tuned there next time. I'm as stumped as you are.
I'll ask Prince's ex-guitar tech, when I get my guitar tuned there next time. I'm as stumped as you are.
Re: Prince Tone?
Clean amp, tons of compression and a tele will work pretty well for the tracks you mention, at least the rhythm parts, the leads are a bit tricker as I'm not sure exactly how he gets that singing sustain ala Purple Rain solo, maybe something like a big muff style box and compressor really cranked.
I've been using a qtron for some Prince style stuff lately and really have been liking that, stuff like "Kiss" which is already funky really takes off with a bit of bandpass filter making the high end extra resounant and cutting.
Probably would really help you out as it will help thin out your Jackson
Clean amp, tons of compression and a tele will work pretty well for the tracks you mention, at least the rhythm parts, the leads are a bit tricker as I'm not sure exactly how he gets that singing sustain ala Purple Rain solo, maybe something like a big muff style box and compressor really cranked.
I've been using a qtron for some Prince style stuff lately and really have been liking that, stuff like "Kiss" which is already funky really takes off with a bit of bandpass filter making the high end extra resounant and cutting.
Probably would really help you out as it will help thin out your Jackson
Re: Prince Tone?
i found it funny when for years i thought that tele Prince used a lot was a custom made guitar but only find out later it was a dirt cheap Hofner copy that he bought because the pickguard matched his stage suit...
I would assume Prince had some nice Fender amps or a JC 120 around for clean tones.... and some nice pedals and or Marshalls for distortion....
i found it funny when for years i thought that tele Prince used a lot was a custom made guitar but only find out later it was a dirt cheap Hofner copy that he bought because the pickguard matched his stage suit...
I would assume Prince had some nice Fender amps or a JC 120 around for clean tones.... and some nice pedals and or Marshalls for distortion....
Re: Prince Tone?
While a Hohner, it wasn't exactly a dirt cheap guitar. It was a pretty nice maple tele which was very very bright, even for a tele, with a nice figured top and with a cool inlaid stripe. Leopard print pickguard as well mind you.
Hohner did later try to cash in on the guitar making two copies, neither of which Prince endorsed, thusly they were called Prinze
There was a The Prinze, and then following that a much cheaper Prinze TE. They are fairly close to the original but lacking some details such as the width of the skunk stripe up the middle, no doubt cheaper wood, perhaps different electronics etc. Still cool guitars though and they got the essense of the tone. You can pick them up for around $1000 or less on ebay usually
While a Hohner, it wasn't exactly a dirt cheap guitar. It was a pretty nice maple tele which was very very bright, even for a tele, with a nice figured top and with a cool inlaid stripe. Leopard print pickguard as well mind you.
Hohner did later try to cash in on the guitar making two copies, neither of which Prince endorsed, thusly they were called Prinze
There was a The Prinze, and then following that a much cheaper Prinze TE. They are fairly close to the original but lacking some details such as the width of the skunk stripe up the middle, no doubt cheaper wood, perhaps different electronics etc. Still cool guitars though and they got the essense of the tone. You can pick them up for around $1000 or less on ebay usually
Re: Prince Tone?
Thanks for the suggestion all. I'll give a Qtron a shot. As for the EMGs, I also thought they were more or less for live work and he did most of his recording with the Hohner Tele. That said I tried my Squier with EMGs (81 neck, 85 Bridge) and while it helps, I don't think its quite there, but its close. I think I need to tweak my amp more to get it in that sweet spot so to speak.
Thanks for the suggestion all. I'll give a Qtron a shot. As for the EMGs, I also thought they were more or less for live work and he did most of his recording with the Hohner Tele. That said I tried my Squier with EMGs (81 neck, 85 Bridge) and while it helps, I don't think its quite there, but its close. I think I need to tweak my amp more to get it in that sweet spot so to speak.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Prince Tone?
I think it was a Mesa Lonestar.
I could see his pedalboard from the stage, and you could clearly see the assorted colors of BOSS pedals.
Earcandy also built a Buzzbomb 2x12 for him recently as well, with speakers hand wound by Tom Scholtz- very expensive. It was on their web site for a while, but I guess with Prince cracking down on the internet they may have been forced to take it off their web site.
I think it was a Mesa Lonestar.
I could see his pedalboard from the stage, and you could clearly see the assorted colors of BOSS pedals.
Earcandy also built a Buzzbomb 2x12 for him recently as well, with speakers hand wound by Tom Scholtz- very expensive. It was on their web site for a while, but I guess with Prince cracking down on the internet they may have been forced to take it off their web site.
Re: Prince Tone?
I don't know what amp Prince uses, but he does use boss pedals. I am, actually, a bit surprised, because Boss pedals do not preserve your tone well.
Nevertheless, I remember attending Prince's concert in Madison Square Garden about two years ago. He played the Prince symbol guitar, and the tone is all about mid. It cut through with thick raw mid frequency.
I wouldn't be surprised of the amp is SLO-100.
I don't know what amp Prince uses, but he does use boss pedals. I am, actually, a bit surprised, because Boss pedals do not preserve your tone well.
Nevertheless, I remember attending Prince's concert in Madison Square Garden about two years ago. He played the Prince symbol guitar, and the tone is all about mid. It cut through with thick raw mid frequency.
I wouldn't be surprised of the amp is SLO-100.
Re: Prince Tone?
Yeah he has gone thru Soldanos and Soldano/Caswells, Mesa Heartbreakers, and then LoneStars AND Orange amps but thats all lately.
The CLASSIC Prince sound was all about using SS amps and Boss pedals OR for cleans esp - going STRAIGHT into the board. He liked a funky tone mixed with a flat response that worked with the 80s synths and New Wave influences on top of all the funk.
MY FAVE ALL TIME MUSICIAN!!!!!
Yeah he has gone thru Soldanos and Soldano/Caswells, Mesa Heartbreakers, and then LoneStars AND Orange amps but thats all lately.
The CLASSIC Prince sound was all about using SS amps and Boss pedals OR for cleans esp - going STRAIGHT into the board. He liked a funky tone mixed with a flat response that worked with the 80s synths and New Wave influences on top of all the funk.
MY FAVE ALL TIME MUSICIAN!!!!!
Re: Prince Tone?
i heard he got it from a pawn shop for $100 or something in the late 70's early 80's sometime
maybe the Ebay prices refelt the fact Prince played that model.. the price sounds high for the guitar in question
i heard he got it from a pawn shop for $100 or something in the late 70's early 80's sometime
maybe the Ebay prices refelt the fact Prince played that model.. the price sounds high for the guitar in question
Re: Prince Tone?
Many people call that Hohner crappy. Prince has upgraded the electronics to Kinmans as of late, and he has refretted it.
I played one and its decent, and has a good feel, esp for his style. As far as Teles go I would much rather have the new HOT ROD TELE or a NOCASTER.
Many people call that Hohner crappy. Prince has upgraded the electronics to Kinmans as of late, and he has refretted it.
I played one and its decent, and has a good feel, esp for his style. As far as Teles go I would much rather have the new HOT ROD TELE or a NOCASTER.
