Tone pairings for doubled guitar tracks - what do you like?

[ratherdashing]

Studio guitarists!

If you're doubling a part, do you always play it with the exact same tone, or do you like to mix it up?

I like to give each part a different tone myself. I think it makes the overall sound much more full and interesting. The key is to find tones that complement each other.

Here are some examples of what I've used recently (all amps are modelled on the PodXT):

For a funky clean part
Track 1: Strat single coil bridge into Deluxe Reverb
Track 2: LP bridge into JC-120

The Strat provides chime and sparkle, while the LP adds a bit of heft and balance.

For a heavy hard rock part
Track 1: LP neck into JCM-800 (low end fatness)
Track 2: Tele bridge into Variac'd Plexi (chunky mids and sizzling highs)

For a chimey but rockin' U2-like part
Track 1: Strat bridge-middle into AC30
Track 2: LP bridge into Matchless Chieftain

In the above example, the Strat was playing open chords and the LP was playing higher up the neck.

What do you like? Let's share and gain inspiration from each other.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Tone pairings for doubled guitar tracks - what do you like?

well when i double track a riff ,i mostly just change the EQ ,but not the gain structure.It gives me a better control over the saturation ,and fulness.
But that's just metal ,i am shure i would try extreme different settings on Jazz/Fusion Parts.

 

[CGord]

Re: Tone pairings for doubled guitar tracks - what do you like?

I fooled around with 4 tracks of heavy rhythm on a few clips. I'd use the same guitar through 2 different amp models, & it didn't sound too bad. One sounded pretty scooped (though it wasn't), lots of bottom & top end sizzle, & one with a more gritty midrangey sound.

I think I'm going to go back to two tracks, just because I'm sloppy. I don't know how that'd sound with two different amp models, but I'll try it & see.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Tone pairings for doubled guitar tracks - what do you like?

For me my only real option is to use different guitars, but I like the effect alot - you get the bright midrange sound of the strat, and behind it the thick scooped chunk of the les paul to round it all out.