The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

[moshpit817]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

Evh 5150-3 50 watt head,Red channel,gain at 2 o'clock..pickups are SD Black Winter bridge..SD Dimebucker..SD Nazgul bridge..
This is at any volume low to high. 6 strings tuned to standard tuning..rarely drop d.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

This is really a tough question as not all distortion is created equal. I feel like I have to crank a more transparent Klon type overdrive more so than a mid-focused OD like a Tubescreamer.

I've found with my Seafoam Trident that if I distort only the upper midrange frequencies, I get a much more usable distortion for heavier and high gain applications than if I use a higher level of distortion across a broader frequency range.

I tend to use as little distortion as I can get away with for a desired tone. That way it is less compressed, the notes blend together better, plus the bass doesn't get fuzzy and highs don't get raspy.

 

[chadd]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

This is really a tough question as not all distortion is created equal. I feel like I have to crank a more transparent Klon type overdrive more so than a mid-focused OD like a Tubescreamer.

I've found with my Seafoam Trident that if I distort only the upper midrange frequencies, I get a much more usable distortion for heavier and high gain applications than if I use a higher level of distortion across a broader frequency range.

I tend to use as little distortion as I can get away with for a desired tone. That way it is less compressed, the notes blend together better, plus the bass doesn't get fuzzy and highs don't get raspy.

I tend to go light with my gain tones. Way too often I feel like I'm on the verge of using too much distortion and I need to back off a bit until I play with the other guy in my band and my amp sounds like it's clean compared to the gobs of OD and fuzz he uses.

 

[Mincer]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

As long as I can still have dynamics with minimal compression, I'm good. I use lots of dynamics, and need whatever gain source (pedal or amp) to translate that. Usually it isn't a lot of gain until I start to feel the compression.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

The JB is made for that style of amp. IMO it totally sucks in lower wattage amps – no clarity, no treble. It just sounds like someone blowing their nose. But put it in an amp with some headroom, and you can dial in plenty of crunch while retaining some clarity. It's a great pickup for light pickers too. I am too heavy handed to use it.

I had a similar experience with my JB equipped Hamer and a 50 watt Hiwatt that I used years ago. Never got on with the JB until it went straight into the Hiwatt, and a 4x12. Wow! It was a killer old school hard rock sound for sure!

To the OP: A Marshall type circuit up as loud as I can get away with for the venue, and a guitar with low or Medium output humbuckers, straight in, does it for me. I use single coils as well, but it's the humbuckers that push it. These days I'm using a JTM 45 clone and an 18 clone, with a 2x10 or two, or 1x12 for cabs. I try to keep the speakers inefficient.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

I know I run too much gain.. I like hard rock and metal. Most all of my guitars have hot pickups such as a JB, several with Custom 8s, etc.. Run thru my Splawn on gear 3 with the gain dimed most of the time. Been trying to use gear 2 or at least less gain more as Im sure I use to much.

 

[Demanic]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

I know I run too much gain.. I like hard rock and metal. Most all of my guitars have hot pickups such as a JB, several with Custom 8s, etc.. Run thru my Splawn on gear 3 with the gain dimed most of the time. Been trying to use gear 2 or at least less gain more as Im sure I use to much.

Why are you sure that you use too much? Do you like the way it sounds? If so, then it's not too much.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

 

[Diego]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

Whatever amount of gain they had in Metallica's Load is more than enough for me.
That album's guitar tone is absolutely perfect.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

For me it is usually a lot =D. But it depends on how I'm feeling that day and what I'm doing. I will say high output pups and high gain is my comfort zone. Just due to what I play but mostly what I grew up with.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

As a benchmark, usually something like a SLO type amp gain structure with the preamp gain at 50%. I can cover most everything I need to with the right guitar setup. At home I tend to play with less than I would in the band settings as it forces me to clean up my technique.

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: The Maximum Gain/Dist Point For Your Needs

AMT SS-20 crunch channel cranked is enough for me 90% of the time. Listen to this work in progress, 2008 MIM Strat Bridge, no overdrive or boost pedal, single track. I usually play with my Charvel that has a Duncan Distortion in the bridge, that sound even better, dual tracking gives me big sound. If I ever need a thicker sound for soloin I switch to the lead channel but that is to me too much gain for a rhythm track.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=16V4bjjkP2VHJvtpqA2ELiIxvMysdEgkw

Roll back the volume knob and it cleans up very well, with a Strat or low output humbucker I can do classic rock. It also has a clean channel. I love this preamp, I no longer need any distortion/overdive/boost pedal.