Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones.

[big kurka]

Looking for some insight on how people SET there pickups and knobs(LP style guitar) and ADJUST there amp settings when using a SINGLE channel amp to get 3 or more tones (clean, rhythm and lead???) with out pedals. I know if you want crazy distortion your gonna need a pedal, but I'm not asking about that.

I know people still do this type of setup but when trying to research it there is not a whole lot of info about. It seems that this type of setup is being lost to time, especially with all the modern technology and this new modern sound. I find this to be kinda funny and sad because from reading numerous threads and post on many different sites there are so many people that want that sound and are trying duplicate it with modern equipment and they can never get it quite right. It's like every month some company is making a new pedal to replicate a sound of a artist from back in the day. I can just see it 30 years from now there is going to be a micro chip or something to replicate a sound from a artist of today. Oops getting off subject here.

Anyways when I would set my pickups I would adjust my bridge pickup to where I liked it and then kinda mess with the neck pickup a little (don't use it much) and use a variety of pedals and a effects unit to go from clean to insane distortion. Now after thinking about it, the way I've setup my guitar would be kinda backwards for this kinda use. So how do you guys and gals go about setting up your guitar and your single channel amp??????
Also if you have any tips or recommendations about this lets here them.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

If I'm using ONLY my Les Paul and a single channel amp (note, mine have master volume), I typically do this:

- with bridge PUP on full vol/tone, set the amp so it's a) too loud; b) too trebly; and c) driving at the point of sustain.

- wind back the bridge volume to around 4-5 for my regular clean tone.

- the neck will be at about 4-5 volume as well, and my LP is setup so that this will sound about the same level as the bridge.

This allows me to have great rhythm tones, with plenty of oomph on tap for solos, etc.

On the tone pots, I do use them, to suit the song/part in question, but typically they're wide open.

- note: my LP is wired Gibson 50s style, so doesn't lose treble so much as volume is reduced. My middle position is wired out of phase (Peter Green), so with both volumes up, that cuts through the mix but it means I don't use the blend position as much as I do on, say, my 335. Finally, it's fitted with SD 59s in Triple Shots giving me LOTS of tonal options.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

With my Allston amps AOC MKII, which has a Fender Pro clean and then Dumble style ODS and HRM modes all in one, I sometimes switch to the Dumble style OD, turn the gain up to the point of saturation and good feedback, and then ride the volume and tone knobs. I'll use the tone knob to go back and forth from a smooth lead tone with the volume near full, to a crisp crunch tone with the tone knob open all the way and volume backed further off. Neck pickup will usually mid point on volume and tone. Also, your touch/dynamics play a huge roll in being able to do this.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I run the amp on the point of breakup, then add a boost or mild overdrive for a brighter tone that's breaking up but still not really crunching unless I hit REALLY hard. I then use a second boost or drive for leads and heavy crunch bits.
Currently my live rig uses a BB Preamp for the first stage and an MXR distortion+ for the second stage into a Bumbox Cielo (JMP 50 clone). No effects loop, so modulation and delay go into the front of the amp as well.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

With a single-channel amp and no pedals, I dime the gain, ride the guitar's volume knob, and modulate my pick attack.

In actual practice, I have only channel-switching amps and about thirty-five pedals.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I use a Mesa Blue Angel (sometimes), and without a pedal, it is difficult. It is onlt 18 watts in 6v6 setting, but too loud to really be in the same room with when it is turned up to the point of breakup. If I am playing with a band, I can get it up to about '4' on the volume before it starts sounding tubby, so I might reduce the mids a bit. After that, it is all volume knob and picking dynamics. I use vintage output pickups, as I don't like the signal to start out compressed.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Plug guitar into amp via OD or booster pedal and then just play the damn guitar. It's how things were done on most classic rock recordings and it still works just fine now. Indeed we have reached a point where people over-complicate simple things due to the plethora of technological junk we are now surrounded with.

Just get a good, old-school amp and a decent instrument, plug 'em together and YOU take charge of what is heard by the way you play. It's really very simple once you step away from the technojunk and ludicrous internet 'wisdoms'.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Lead - amp all volumes up to 10 with plenty of mids and treble
Rhythm - Same as lead but played with a lighter touch and/or a bit less mids and treble
Clean - Turn the volume down so that it doesn't distort anymore and play soft.

That's all doable, but if I want to "cheat" I just dial in a clean tone and use the Bogner pedals, and it basically feels like adding two extra channels to your amp (rhythm and lead).

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

It's like Crusty said, you set the amp up for a good tone, and then play the guitar differently to get different sounds. On a good amp, you really can make the sound cleaner or dirtier than the base line tone just by how you pick. Also, don't forget to use both pickups in the middle position, with varying volume levels between them...there are lots of shades of tone from mellow to screaming just in that middle position. It's important to keep the amp brighter than you might think, and then use the tone controls on the guitar. That will give you a bigger range to work with.

I greatly prefer having an OD there, then set the amp for crunch with the guitar volumes up, and hit the pedal for lead. Having the amp set to a lower gain like this makes it easier to clean it all up with picking or by rolling the guitar volumes back.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Neck pickup turned down for cleans, neck pickup turned up for rhythm, bridge pickup on 10 for leads and heavier parts. Rocknroll 101

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I set the amp for moderate to the low side of higher gain, and then use the volume control(s) on the guitar to clean it up and use dirtboxes to slam the front end for higher gain.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I set my amp for the best possible rhythm tone since 95% of almost any song depends on a good rhythm tone.

When it's time for a solo I just turn the guitar all the way up, pick deeply to get the single strings moving, work with my finger vibrato to coax as much sustain as possible out of the note and do the best I can.

That's about it. Old school. BB King style.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I can tell you, I've learned in my 50 years of playing guitar, everybody has a different way of doing things...even with the same gear. The song says there are 1,352 geetar pickers in Nashville--so that means at LEAST that many ways of doing things. You have to just find the way that fits you.

After years of using single channel amps and almost always playing clean rhythm parts, I joined a band where I started doing more lead work. I really don't care for OD or distortion boxes--they just don't sound natural to me. So when I found a deal on a used Mesa Mark III half-stack I jumped on it and haven't looked back. Sold my vintage Fenders and Marshall. The Mesa cleans were just as good as the other amps, and the lead tones were amazing. I kept the Real Tube 901 on my board, but I only rarely use it...probably will take it off soon.

The one thing I did keep from my old SS SUNN setup was using a DOD FX-10 preamp as an always on moderate boost to drive my effects better. These days I use it to match the levels of my G&L Legacy (on) to my LP (off)....but not always. With the Mark V amps I also have a solo boost available too...handy if I want to do a louder super clean solo, or better match my lead solo. I do enjoy, and use, the features of these amps.

Sometimes I'll use the crunch channel for LP solos with the FX-10, and set up the lead channel for the Legacy. Depends on my mood and the weather, I guess. I've also done blues jams where I take my Mark IV and play all night on the edge of distortion using only the clean channel with the amp on the 15 watt setting. But there's more there if I need it, and I like that.

While some players can take a single channel Dr. Z amp and make it sound glorious (Brad Paisley), he's not in a cover band where he's going from Santana to Clapton to Creedence to a ballad to AC/DC in one set. At that point, your choice is a bunch of pedals on the floor, a modeler like the Fractal AXE-FX, or a channel switcher like my Mesas.

Keep searching, you'll find it. And don't be afraid to throw out the rule book. Even us old dogs who are set in our ways have to do that from time to time.

Bill

 

[big kurka]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Wow thanks for all the info there everyone. I look forward to trying all your recommendations.
Question regarding the your guitar pickups adjustment. Are you guys setting your neck pu first and finding it's sweet spot and then adjusting the bridge pu to balance, or are you adjusting the bridge pu first?
Second do you prefer using the neck pu or the bridge pu for rhythm?
Thanks again everyone

 

[Diego]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

For clean-ish rhythm work the neck pickup might work from time to time, but most of the time I'll use the bridge pickup for that.
You won't see me playing Metallica's Battery on a neck pickup, ok?

I do use a single channel amp, set for a smooth, slightly crunchy tone when picking hard and clean when picking soft.
Then I use my Jet City OD pedal for a total of three levels of saturation, since it has an extra boost stage.
So I'll have a "Plexi" sound when off (as clean as I'll ever use), a "AC/DC Plus" sound with the OD on, and then adding the boost as an extra it's all hot flaming sh**balls.
That's it, really.

I tried very hard to get all my tones without a pedal and only relying on the guitar volume, but my amp won't deliver all the gain variety I use on its own.
It also sounds ****ing badass with an OD in front.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Wow thanks for all the info there everyone. I look forward to trying all your recommendations.
Question regarding the your guitar pickups adjustment. Are you guys setting your neck pu first and finding it's sweet spot and then adjusting the bridge pu to balance, or are you adjusting the bridge pu first?
Second do you prefer using the neck pu or the bridge pu for rhythm?
Thanks again everyone

I set my MARK III, IV and V rigs up for my G&L Legacy. Bridge pickup is highest; neck and middle lower for equal volume and good quack in positions 2 and 4. I adjust my Mesa amps' clean eq for the bridge pickup for a solid bottom and to have the maximum amount of treble cut and twang that I will need for a couple of rockabilly or country songs. The CRUNCH and LEAD channels are then set for the lead tone. I'm using the FX-10 preamp, so my channel gains are around 6 to 7. The Legacy will now give me Santana lead tone...fluid, smooth, singing and sustaining. The gem in this is the Legacy's Passive Treble and Bass tone controls. I can roll off treble without things getting muddy, or add a little more bass to punch up a solo. I love this feature on my G&Ls. My target tone is Clapton/Cray, rather than SRV.

This is a pretty neutral tone setup...so when I switch to my LP or 335 I don't have to run back to change things at the amp. I like my 2HB guitars to have pickup SETS, so bridge and neck have similar tone profiles. (I HATE the Gibson 490r/498t...they don't work well together.) Bridge pickup is close to the strings; neck pickup is lowered for equal volume. I often solo on the neck pickup, and play clean rhythms with both pickups on. Crunch is usually the bridge pickup. LP players often find that the best LP tones are found with both pickups on and making subtle adjustments to the blend of the pickups. I usually take off the FX-10 with the hotter guitars but it is there if I need a moderate boost.

Now keep in mind that I'm playing in a do-all cover band. I'm not doing chug-a-chug metal. YMMV.

I hope this helps.

Bill

 

[Jacew]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

I use single coils, but I think this is applicable to humbuckers as well: The combination of separate volume control, and single/halved/parallel/series switching gets you a long way.
To further smooth out the cleans: adjust volume, pick soft and use volume pedal to smoothen out the attack.

With Tiny Terror, I don't really need to touch the knobs on amp. I set them right tone-wise and leave it there.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

If you are going for the guitar/lead/amp kind of vibe, then roll the guitar volume back to where it has just dropped off the back of the "treble roll off" that most players usually notice when you roll back the volume, but still up pretty loud, so that would be around 7 or 8 on a humbucker and 8 or nine on a single coil. Dial your amp in for a crunchy rhythm tone.
Roll volume back further for clean, roll up to full for leads and use your tone control to taste. The rest comes from how you touch the strings.
Re: insane distortion...i reckon most guys leave everything up full on their guitar and let either the amp or pedals do the rest. That sound is really in a different palette than what you get by using the guitar/amp guitar knobs approach. No guitar/amp combination does all things for all people, so in the end you have to prioritize which sounds you need the most and go from there.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Listen to the guysz here , they know their shiz! Seems like others have said, it's all mostly about the guitar tone settings.
You can google some videos..I recently found this video how a master, Eric Clapton, was able to get multiple tones out of his Humbucking guitars through his single channel amps ( Marshall amps, and there are weighs to get Marshall sound form Non Marshalls,like pedals, but thats a different topic) . I really had no idea of how to even approach this like the OP, so good post. With single coils you just gotta read what others have said;

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Single channel amp users how do you adjust your guitar and amp for mutliple tones

Question regarding the your guitar pickups adjustment. Are you guys setting your neck pu first and finding it's sweet spot and then adjusting the bridge pu to balance, or are you adjusting the bridge pu first?

Second do you prefer using the neck pu or the bridge pu for rhythm?
Thanks again everyone

Sometimes if I'm playing on one pickup, I will adjust the other pickup for what I'll need when I flip to the middle and then it's set. Other times, I just have to flip the switch and adjust from there. It happens quickly enough. In any case, it's not a set-it-and-forget-it type thing. It's always on the fly and subject to change depending on what I need.

As for which I use for rhythm, it depends. One rhythm tone won't work for all the parts in all the songs, so I'll use the pickup or combination of both pickups that works best for a particular part.