*Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

[BigAndyW]

I'll list my current rig at then end of the post, but basically I'm really worked up about this, I can't get a decent classic metal/true metal tone at all!! I'm looking for a Judas Priest/Iron Maiden distortion. The sound I get from my rig, despite all manner of tweaking settings on everything, and trying different combo's, can get no-where near.. What's gone wrong?

Ok from guitar to amp, I have:

Aria Pro II Magna series (vaguely jackson/charvel copy)
bridge: SH-5 Duncan Custom
mid: Hot Rails
neck: JB Jr
-->
Zoom 606 multi-fx (I'll explain in a minute why I need this)
-->
Marshall JCM 800 2205 (year: 1987)
with 1960AC cab

The SH-5 is my most used pickup, but I can't get a good sound out of the amp on any setting, I'm using the dirty channel, but without the pedal involved, I can't get anywhere near the amount of overdrive needed, I still think there's something wrong with guitar or amp, but can't find a problem. The sounds I get seem to have too much treble, and yet not enough. A strange treble or mid spike? Presence? I'm not too hot on the function of presence as opposed to treble.. But I'm also getting boomy bass, and the mids make everything crappy as soon as they're above 0 on the amp. I have a feeling somethings dreadfully wrong, I should be able to get a good tone from the amp without the pedal, but I just can't, I don't seem to get any saturation or distortion from the amp without the pedal, and serious tone problems with the pedal in use..? HELP!!

I'll record some sounds if I can, to let you hear what the problem is, but I'm not sure if I can yet.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

First of all, the Marshall 2205 and Jackson type guitar with a Custom in it
is a good start. When's the last time the tubes were changes?
If it's over 2 years, contact revolutionguitar.com and buy some Teslas
or Svetlanas and at least one preamp tube, to replace the 1st position tube.

Next. Zoom is crap. Sell it, trade, throw it into the ocean! :laugh2:

Buy a better analog overdrive unit like a Marshall Govn'r, jackhammer,
Boss OD, or preferably a more expensive one with high ratings on harmony
central.com. Most guys here will steer you right, in regards to OD pedals. Spend the money on this vital piece of your tonal aresenal.

On a Marshall, the bass should be around 9 or 10, mids 6, treb 4, pres 5.
Set the gain to the point where it's distorted, but still not muddy. like 5 -6
and use the OD pedal to bolster that gain, like a balance beam effect.

If this doesn't work, save up for a better guitar, but keep that Custom!

 

[heavydutysg135]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

First of all, the Marshall 2205 and Jackson type guitar with a Custom in it
is a good start. When's the last time the tubes were changes?
If it's over 2 years, contact revolutionguitar.com and buy some Teslas
or Svetlanas and at least one preamp tube, to replace the 1st position tube.

Next. Zoom is crap. Sell it, trade, throw it into the ocean! :laugh2:

Buy a better analog overdrive unit like a Marshall Govn'r, jackhammer,
Boss OD, or preferably a more expensive one with high ratings on harmony
central.com. Most guys here will steer you right, in regards to OD pedals. Spend the money on this vital piece of your tonal aresenal.

On a Marshall, the bass should be around 9 or 10, mids 6, treb 4, pres 5.
Set the gain to the point where it's distorted, but still not muddy. like 5 -6
and use the OD pedal to bolster that gain, like a balance beam effect.

If this doesn't work, save up for a better guitar, but keep that Custom!

I agree with Gearjoneser's advice.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

A JB will help.

 

[Ken]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

I'm with GJ. My first guess would be a need for some fresh tubes. That's a rig that should sound pretty awesome, especially for what you're after. The OD pedal should be used for a little boost and not necessarily generate the majority of the distortion, IMO.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

Next. Zoom is crap. Sell it, trade, throw it into the ocean! :laugh2:

HAhahahahahahaaha the ocean will start playing guitar :laugh2:

That guitar and amp combo, pickups and all, should be pretty rockin.

 

[slash857]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

i agree with gearjoneser on the pedal situation, ive got the guv'nor and man that thing kicks ass! it would probably be able to get a good metal sound frmo it. it has a good eq built into the pedal it is nice.

 

[BigAndyW]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

OK, the Marshall was retubed COMPLETELY two months ago at most. It also had new filter caps and one or two pots changed. I'll look into a good OD pedal, would an EQ pedal be useful too? I was looking at the Boss GE-7 (I think that's what it's called). I might drop into my local music store and see if I can borrow a couple of pedals to test.

Guvnor
Jackhammer
Tubescreamer(Will it give a good metal sound or a softer overdrive sound?)
can any of you guys add to that list, of really good OD pedals, I don't mind if they're a bit pricey, I've got some money to burn (not literally!).

I'm going to get the innards of the guitar replaced soon, new pots (CTS), cap and input. Maybe it'll help a bit too?

 

[RiffGuy]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

Look into maybe a Fulltone pedal. I bought a Fulltone Fat Boost and it's really nice. Haven't tried their overdrive pedals (I'd like to since I bought the boost pedal), but the Fat Boost is really good quality--hand built (signed on the back by the owner of the company) and true bypass. Cost me $160 from http://www.gtrheaven.com.

Fulltone site: http://www.fulltone.com

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: *Sob* What could be wrong with my set-up?

I wasn't joking about Zoom products. Almost every post on here about bad tone includes the name Zoom, somewhere!

Most of the Marshall pedals are well worth the money.
The new Ibanez TS-808 looks like a very worthy pedal.
The Tonebone Hotbritish will put an instant smile on your face.
The banzaieffects.com FIreball is a dual mode OD/Distortion that's great.
Same with the Fulltone FDII.
If you can find an old Rat pedal, those work great on Marshalls.

Overall, I'd say the Fireball, Tonebone, and Marshall Gov'nr will be the best for your needs.

Have a guy who's played a bunch of Marshalls check out your head.
It's probably fine, but it could be biased too cold, have a bad preamp tube, or something simple to fix.