Strat doesn't record well...

[nightwing122087]

I've had my early 90's strat for a few years now. Its not in the best shape but it is the most reliable guitar I've owned so far..never lets me down. I always thought I had a pretty decent tone but I find that my strat sounds like total garbage when we're recording. I find my Les Paul records a lot better. I even borrowed a strat from a friend of mine and I found that it had the same character. I love strats, but is there anything I can do to make it sound a bit more.."full" when recording? Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Strat doesn't record well...

In my experience recording strats, it depends on your pickup output and how you EQ everything. I have a set of singles in one strat (6k ish) and a JB/SDS-1/SDS-1 set in another and just as you may suspect, they're totally different animals. I found that to get a full sound out of vintage output singles, run the guitar volume at full, the tones at 70%, and stay away from the bridge only position. From there, run your amp EQ somewhat like this: Bass 8, Mid 8, Treble 4-5. If it still sounds weak and thin to you, run a boost such as the SD Pickup Booster, or even the Electro Harmonix Nano LPB1 at the end of your chain. If for some reason it's still thin, move the mic all around the cone till you get the warmth you're looking for. There are so many variables to work with here. Just keep at it, and you'll find what you're after. I should have asked from the start...what type of music are you doing, and what's the guitar/amp/pedal/microphone setup?

 

[nightwing122087]

Re: Strat doesn't record well...

We're a rock band. Based mostly in 70's and 80's rock. So the general tone that I have is fairly distorted but it doesn't get crazy. Generally I do use a Boss SD-1 as a boost and it helps. I play through a Marshall Silver Jubilee and a got a strat with a JBJr in the bridge. Usually when we record we throw a 57 on the cab for guitars. Maybe next I should probably boost the mids a little more, I usually keep that around 5 or 6.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Strat doesn't record well...

The mids will fill out the sound a little, and help it cut through the mix in a live setting. I have an SD-1 as well, and I found it wasn't quite enough for me as a boost. Bought the LPB1 for 40 bucks, and have been smiling ever since. When you use the 57 to record, try keeping it off axis, that is, more to the side of the cone than on it, at a slight angle pointed in.