Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

[Adieu]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Huh???

I'm confused myself!!! LOL!!! Arch Enemy is FANTASTIC. Agreed. (Just got some stuff of theirs on Blu-ray and it is AWESOME).

Agreeing with you on the rest too (sorry if my post was confusing).

Regards,

Dale.

Is??? ...try WAS.

And in all truth very Dio-like in being quite 50/50 about their dubious filler material

Without their vocalist --- who I wasn't actually too keen on, but still --- they're just another generic metal outfit. Seems to happen to girl-fronted outfits a lot... Theatre of Tragedy, Nightwish, Xandria.... it's like a damn syndrome. Gotta wonder what actually happens, is it a "dump your solid but now middle-aged frontwoman for some young thing with boobs" metal midlife crisis on the guys' part, or an urge to quit settle down and seek white picket fences on the ladies' part???

Somehow only Dutch bands are mostly immune?

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Is??? ...try WAS.

And in all truth very Dio-like in being quite 50/50 about their dubious filler material

Without their vocalist --- who I wasn't actually too keen on, but still --- they're just another generic metal outfit. Seems to happen to girl-fronted outfits a lot... Theatre of Tragedy, Nightwish, Xandria.... it's like a damn syndrome

Somehow only Dutch bands are mostly immune?

What do you mean by "WAS"??? I hope you're not saying that there's something going on with Alissa!!! Unless you're referring to Angela being the "WAS" (in which case: each to their own!!! LOL!!!).

And yeh: must say you're right (again). On this Blu-ray thing (my latest "fad") there's only really about four songs that jump out. The rest pretty much sound the same (but then Alissa makes up for the boredom I guess).

I am, however, impressed that you've mentioned one of my OTHER favs. (well USED to be or "WAS") i.e. Xandria. But Michelle had a bit of a "hissy fit" and she's no longer so there goes that!!! Dunno what's up with these people (a lot of them anyway). As soon as they're "winning" then they start throwing tantrums!!!

Nightwish. As I noted before: something "special" about the Tarja/Nightwish era ("End Of An Era"). Floor doesn't "do it" for me in Nightwish. But she was FANTASTIC with her own band (After Forever). But I know that MILLIONS will disagree with me on all of this of course. The Tarja/Annette/Floor (did I leave anybody out??? LOL!!!) debate will rage forevermore.

While were on the subject: Within Temptation??? Delain (new album coming out in Feb. next year FINALLY)???

It's alright. I sometimes listen to opera and Bach too!!! And some country??? LOL!!! Oddly enough: never had the desire to play any of this (above) stuff though. Go figure. Might be easier to play though. There's a thought!!!

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

What do you mean by "WAS"??? I hope you're not saying that there's something going on with Alissa!!! Unless you're referring to Angela being the "WAS" (in which case: each to their own!!! LOL!!!).

And yeh: must say you're right (again). On this Blu-ray thing (my latest "fad") there's only really about four songs that jump out. The rest pretty much sound the same (but then Alissa makes up for the boredom I guess).

I am, however, impressed that you've mentioned one of my OTHER favs. (well USED to be or "WAS") i.e. Xandria. But Michelle had a bit of a "hissy fit" and she's no longer so there goes that!!! Dunno what's up with these people (a lot of them anyway). As soon as they're "winning" then they start throwing tantrums!!!

Nightwish. As I noted before: something "special" about the Tarja/Nightwish era ("End Of An Era"). Floor doesn't "do it" for me in Nightwish. But she was FANTASTIC with her own band (After Forever). But I know that MILLIONS will disagree with me on all of this of course. The Tarja/Annette/Floor (did I leave anybody out??? LOL!!!) debate will rage forevermore.

While were on the subject: Within Temptation??? Delain (new album coming out in Feb. next year FINALLY)???

It's alright. I'm weird I know. I sometimes listen to opera and Bach too!!! LOL!!!

Regards,

Dale.

Tell the truth, did you hack that old phone I use for a car MP3 player???

And yeah, I thought Angela growled waaay too much, but she really owned a few good old Arch Enemy songs.

New Arch Enemy, otoh...is just an essentially unrelated metal band that shares the name and a couple instrumentalists from the old Arch Enemy, I guess? Not feeling the continuity


PS also, pretty much simultaneously swapping in freakin Loomis with his Blackout Schecters instead of the previous hot-passives guitarist? NOT HELPING....same name, unrecognizable band

 

[Jacew]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Is??? ...try WAS.

And in all truth very Dio-like in being quite 50/50 about their dubious filler material

Without their vocalist --- who I wasn't actually too keen on, but still --- they're just another generic metal outfit. Seems to happen to girl-fronted outfits a lot... Theatre of Tragedy, Nightwish, Xandria.... it's like a damn syndrome. Gotta wonder what actually happens, is it a "dump your solid but now middle-aged frontwoman for some young thing with boobs" metal midlife crisis on the guys' part, or an urge to quit settle down and seek white picket fences on the ladies' part???

Somehow only Dutch bands are mostly immune?

You do realize Nightwish is actually the band countless female fronted metal bands copy in 21st century?

 

[Adieu]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

You do realize Nightwish is actually the band countless female fronted metal bands copy in 21st century?

Yeah...do YOU realize we're talking about Arch Enemy not Nightwish here, though?

Although, yeah, Nightwish without Tarja ---- this all kinda applies too... Without the hella impressive pipes on that lady, they too are just another keyboard music geek and hotshot shredder pair who used to really really like Dungeons and Dragons, plus some random people they hired to fill out the band for shows

Cause, yeah, they ain't copying Nightwish per se, just Tarja's operatic vocals

 

[Jacew]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Yeah...do YOU realize we're talking about Arch Enemy not Nightwish here, though?

Although, yeah, Nightwish without Tarja ---- this all kinda applies too... Without the hella impressive pipes on that lady, they too are just another keyboard music geek and hotshot shredder pair who used to really really like Dungeons and Dragons, plus some random people they hired to fill out the band for shows

Cause, yeah, they ain't copying Nightwish per se, just Tarja's operatic vocals

Ok. I already regret commenting that... Once again you have now idea what you're talking about.

Sit down, listen Oceanborn, Once and Imaginaerum through...

I'm out.

EDIT: Tarja is overrated singer BTW...

 

[Adieu]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Ok. I already regret commenting that... Once again you have now idea what you're talking about.

Sit down, listen Oceanborn, Once and Imaginaerum through...

I'm out.

EDIT: Tarja is overrated singer BTW...

Name somebody else in the rock/metal community with such range, power, and highly technical vocals. In very vocals-cetnric songs?

Btw not just on one showboating bragging rights studio track recorded through hundreds of takes, but throughout the band's musical output.

OTHER genres have demonstrated some impressive vocal skils, true... but somehow you never do see rock and metal artists poaching big fat gals from deep south black churches to front their bands (which they actually really should consider sometime).so yeah, in the european rock/metal context? Tarja's pretty damn top of the line

 

[Jacew]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Name somebody else in the rock/metal community with such range, power, and highly technical vocals. In very vocals-cetnric songs?

Btw not just on one showboating bragging rights studio track recorded through hundreds of takes, but throughout the band's musical output.

OTHER genres have demonstrated some impressive vocal skils, true... but somehow you never do see rock and metal artists poaching big fat gals from deep south black churches to front their bands (which they actually really should consider sometime).so yeah, in the european rock/metal context? Tarja's pretty damn top of the line

I'm not saying she isn't great vocalist. Just a bit one dimensional. Her very clean very operatic style of singing, which is all she does, gets really weary after a while.

Nightwish took a leap to next level for me when Marco joined the band. Greatest duo of vocalists I can name.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Name somebody else in the rock/metal community with such range, power, and highly technical vocals. In very vocals-cetnric songs?

Btw not just on one showboating bragging rights studio track recorded through hundreds of takes, but throughout the band's musical output.

OTHER genres have demonstrated some impressive vocal skils, true... but somehow you never do see rock and metal artists poaching big fat gals from deep south black churches to front their bands (which they actually really should consider sometime).so yeah, in the european rock/metal context? Tarja's pretty damn top of the line

Dafuq? Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Vince Neil, David Lee Roth, Axl Rose, Christina Aquilera, I can go and on...

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Good morning both of you!!! LOL!!! (Now all THREE of you i.e. Obsessive Compulsive posted while I was composing the "essay" below!!! LOL!!!).

Nice discussion. Please don't get upset with each other. There's been enough mudslinging on this thread (earlier) to last a lifetime to begin with. And I'd hate for us to get banned or the thread to be closed by mods. Besides: I don't have that many friends!!! LOL!!! At least not friends like you guys that I can have an EDUCATED discussion on music such that we've all been discussing on this thread.

My take on all this:

I went on a "female fronted metal band" excursion (obsession???) at some point i.e. Nightwish, Evanescence, After Forever, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Sirenia ("the usual suspects") (Arch Enemy, Xandria, and Delain came a while after for me). Guess I kinda "studied" them for a (good) while. For me: Tarja/Nightwish is the same as Dio/Campbell in the sense that there will never be another Tarja/Nighwish or Dio/Campbell i.e. those were the "originals". That's not to say that these artists didn't go on to do OTHER great things and albums etc. (although not sure, for me anyway, that this truly applies to Tarja and Vivian!!! LOL!!!). For me the problem with Nightwish comes in when you have changed vocalists and then try to cover previous original material. Annette/Nightwish I think was fantastic just as long as that lineup didn't try performing Tarja/Nightwish. Floor/Nightwish is fantastic just as long as this lineup doesn't try performing Annette/Nightwish or Tarja/Nightwish. Does that make sense??? I honestly do believe that the songs from the Tarja era were written specifically for that lineup. Same with Annette and same with Floor. When you start trying to overlap songs/lineups then that's where things start to go pearshaped. Annette and Floor will NEVER come up to scratch when trying to sing the Tarja era songs. But in their respective Nightwish eras (Annette past and Floor current): flipping amazing stuff. This almost the same thing as anybody that tries to cover Dio (although in Dio's case there's just simply no point i.e. it's NEVER GONNA HAPPEN) (which sure doesn't help me and my aspirations let's face it i.e. all of these discussions have really made me wonder if I've just not set the bar too high given this relatively late stage in life).

Must say that of all the great disappointments: Evanescence!!! She/they let people down badly in my opinion. They were fantastic. Then all of a sudden: "nothing". And then to add insult to injury: they go and release (she goes and releases) a "new" album that has like two new tracks on it and a rehash of some of the older original stuff. To me that's a simple "f**k you" to the fans. And yeh: it's "personal" to me this lot too i.e. they cost me TENS of thousands of ZAR too!!! LOL!!! Was going to see them in the UK, bought concert tickets, plane tickets, train tickets, accommodation, and whatever else. And then couldn't go for personal reasons (and couldn't get anything refunded). As it turns out: even HAD I gone she just decided to cancel the second concert for personal reasons. So even had I actually made it to the UK: the end result would have been the same. There's pages and pages of "rant" somewhere around on "Evthreads"!!! LOL!!! (You all know by now how I can "go on" about things and this thread is NOTHING i.e. you should see what happens when I get "pis*ed off" about something!!! LOL!!!).

Within Temptation: "steady as she goes" i.e. really good and quality stuff in my opinion.

Sirenia: some of the nicest people you will ever interact with (long story). One of the few that are not opinionated or "full of themselves" (although I see that Ailyn is no more which is a great pity).

Xandria: as I said it's a pity about Michelle!!! Nothing more to say!!! LOL!!!

Delain: they just keep pumping out the good stuff year after year and album after album!!!

Anyways. There's my take of "female fronted metal bands"!!! LOL!!!

On the other hand: let's never forget about Lordi and Slipknot!!!

But I shall leave you with this:

There's actually still some VERY good music out there let's face it. Do yourself a favor and look up "Masters Of Rock 2015" (never mind i.e. link below). If you have the time watch it or just scroll through. Some pretty amazing stuff on there in my opinion. U.D.O. (Dirk Schneider) comes to mind (I call him "my brother" i.e. apparently him and I look alike!!! LOL!!!). Avatar??? Gus G??? I'd better stop now!!! LOL!!!

Regards,

Dale.

 

[DonP]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

FWIW, I have a Full Shred set in a Charvel 750XL, and it does a great Dio era Vivian tone.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Good morning.

FWIW, I have a Full Shred set in a Charvel 750XL, and it does a great Dio era Vivian tone.

Oh I will BET it does!!! LOL!!!

I looked up your guitar. It's a rarity so far as I can tell. How much do you know about it??? I found the site below (maybe you've seen it). Apparently the solid color models were supposed to have a Mahogany body but apparently they were actually made with Alder??? Based on my recent few weeks of delving into all of this: that sure would explain a lot (that white Charvel of Vivian's had an Alder body i.e. of this I'm 100% sure as I checked with somebody close to Vivian).

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/charvel-750xl-guitar.htm

Very nice site actually i.e. loads of useful stuff on there for the Charvel/Jackson enthusiast anyway.

Regards,

Dale.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Dale, here ya go..
https://www.guitarworld.com/artists...rd-and-last-in-line-guitarist-vivian-campbell

 

[DonP]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Good morning.

Oh I will BET it does!!! LOL!!!

I looked up your guitar. It's a rarity so far as I can tell. How much do you know about it???

Just about everything.

I found the site below (maybe you've seen it). Apparently the solid color models were supposed to have a Mahogany body but apparently they were actually made with Alder??? Based on my recent few weeks of delving into all of this: that sure would explain a lot (that white Charvel of Vivian's had an Alder body i.e. of this I'm 100% sure as I checked with somebody close to Vivian).

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/charvel-750xl-guitar.htm

Very nice site actually i.e. loads of useful stuff on there for the Charvel/Jackson enthusiast anyway.

Regards,

Dale.

Mine is listed on that site. C904828. I think the picture comparing the 750XL to the AT Pro is a picture of mine before I owned it. Vivian used light weight / flashy Charvels live, but in the studio I believe he recorded with Les Pauls. My R0 Historic Les Paul with BB1 & 2 does Vivian's tone even better, FWIW. I'm playing thru a 1998 DSL100 1/2 stack FWIW.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Good morning.

Dale, here ya go..
https://www.guitarworld.com/artists...rd-and-last-in-line-guitarist-vivian-campbell

I actually cancelled all subscription notifications from these forums last night. You know: just to give it a break for a little. Couldn't help myself this morning of course so checked in. And hey presto!!! Look what I find!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for this. You are a good man you are. For sure am going to try this avenue. Will have to keep my email short though (cannot see them wading through a "five pager"!!! LOL!!!). I guess (and in short) all I want to know is: where is that white Charvel, will he part with it (if it still exists and is still in one piece), what was its configuration during the 1983/1984 live shows, what was the real story behind it, and what was his rig (setup) for the 1983/1984 live shows. (Maybe also want to know if that long feathered earring and red spandex in any way contributed toward the live tone!!! LOL!!!). Unless anybody can think of anything else: that's what I'm going for i.e. answers to those questions will sum up 99.5% of the (my) queries on this "epic" thread I think??? OK maybe also (pushing my luck here): what guitar(s) were used for the studio recordings of the first three albums and what was the studio rig setup (really want to know if the amps. were micd. up in the studio or something else). Think I'll have to send a little bit of a "pleading" though i.e. not interested in my questions being published or anything like that (to "impress my amigos" as they put it i.e. I'm real serious about these questions and their answers).

Mine is listed on that site. C904828. I think the picture comparing the 750XL to the AT Pro is a picture of mine before I owned it. Vivian used light weight / flashy Charvels live, but in the studio I believe he recorded with Les Pauls. My R0 Historic Les Paul with BB1 & 2 does Vivian's tone even better, FWIW. I'm playing thru a 1998 DSL100 1/2 stack FWIW.

Very VERY nice. And you too for sure have some really really nice guitars!!!

As you can see: it's those "light weight / flashy Charvels" that I'm after (well: one in particular anyway) as well as the live tone in 1983/1984 that I believe those (that) same guitar(s) had a lot to do with. The studio tone, thanks again and all credit to @LLL, seems to be achievable through VSTs etc. (and I have to now say pretty much independently of guitar i.e. I'm still mucking about with @LLL's setup, that he so very kindly shared with everyone, and I must say that I'm almost there and with enough "in the box" tweaking I can get any one of my three guitars pretty close to the studio tone) (although yeh: you can only tweak so much i.e. a Gibson LP has a unique tone that you're not just going to replicate electronically no matter how much "in the box" tweaking you do).

Regards,

Dale.

P.S.

DonP. I "found you" on the link. But the pic. is not working???

P.P.S.

I found the pic. you were referring to. It would appear they're revamping the site so some of the other pic. links are not working is all.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Now we're talking business here!!!

Thanks for all the info.

I'll just pop out and buy some JCM800 heads and cabs. then shall I??? LOL??? (FORTUNATELY I already have the SD-1!!! LOL!!!).

The Peavey Windsor Head does a pretty damn good JCM800 impression. They are stupid cheap on the used market.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Oh no!!! The thread is back!!! LOL!!!

Been doing some little bit of work with my poor bastardised black Jackson with its Dimarzio Super Distortion. In my humble opinion: I'm managing to come close to what I was looking for when starting the thread. Unfortunately this NOT with my amps. i.e. the below was done with software and a hell of a lot of processing (which really is defeating the object for me to be honest). NO EQ though. Still: it's a step closer FINALLY. At least it makes me wanna play. At very least it's kinda giving me a bit of faith in amp. sim. software after all this time and $$$!!!

Anyway. Point is: I'm ALMOST getting to that "gnarly, woody, Charvely, live" tone I think. Also getting a bit of a "midrange honk" I think (and this I'm able to duplicate on my amps. now). Oh well. Sloppy and hurried playing aside (not to mention the first time abortive attempt at the solo): sounds alright to me (and of course it helps to have a fantastic backing band!!! LOL!!!) (and not to mention my "crowd" of course!!! LOL!!!).



STILL no Invaders (STILL in Customs!!! It's a flipping joke actually!!!). But so far as I can tell: if they sound anything like I think they're going to sound then I should be home free.

Regards,

Dale.

P.S.

Here's the backing track (just in case anybody thinks I'm taking the p*ss):



AMAZING what you can do with software huh!!! LOL!!!

You gotta admit: if there's one thing I am good at it's creating that "live atmosphere"!!! LOL!!!

 

[LLL]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Oh no!!! The thread is back!!! LOL!!!

Been doing some little bit of work with my poor bastardised black Jackson with its Dimarzio Super Distortion. In my humble opinion: I'm managing to come close to what I was looking for when starting the thread. Unfortunately this NOT with my amps. i.e. the below was done with software and a hell of a lot of processing (which really is defeating the object for me to be honest). NO EQ though. Still: it's a step closer FINALLY. At least it makes me wanna play. At very least it's kinda giving me a bit of faith in amp. sim. software after all this time and $$$!!!

Anyway. Point is: I'm ALMOST getting to that "gnarly, woody, Charvely, live" tone I think. Also getting a bit of a "midrange honk" I think (and this I'm able to duplicate on my amps. now). Oh well. Sloppy and hurried playing aside (not to mention the first time abortive attempt at the solo): sounds alright to me (and of course it helps to have a fantastic backing band!!! LOL!!!) (and not to mention my "crowd" of course!!! LOL!!!).



STILL no Invaders (STILL in Customs!!! It's a flipping joke actually!!!). But so far as I can tell: if they sound anything like I think they're going to sound then I should be home free.

Regards,

Dale.

P.S.

Here's the backing track (just in case anybody thinks I'm taking the p*ss):



AMAZING what you can do with software huh!!! LOL!!!

You gotta admit: if there's one thing I am good at it's creating that "live atmosphere"!!! LOL!!!

Pretty cool... but it's hard to hear. Less low mids, a little more mids, just a hair more top end.

Plus the audience noise detracts.

 

[LLL]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

I took your backing track (I have one without the keys; thank you)... see what you think:

I Can Haz Viv Tone?

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups

Good morning.

Not sure where to respond i.e. here or on YOUR thread (on the link above). But figure I'll limit myself to here (so as not to pollute YOUR thread!!! LOL!!!).

TOO funny that SoundCloud blocked the upload!!! That means you are GOOD my good man!!! Well done!!! And I like your version too. Very much.

And by the way: thanks again. Were it not for you I'd never ever have even bothered with amp. sim. software ever again. This being said: my recording wasn't done with the BIAS stuff though (even although I ended up buying BIAS FX Pro. as well). It was done with JamVOX using the presets sent to me so kindly by the other dude on this thread (his real surname is "Iommi" would you believe) that covered "One Night In The City". I just cannot get BIAS to sound good WITHOUT double tracking (but I have to admit didn't spend too much time with it). Also: I think that fancy (expensive) pre-amp. of yours does something (nice) to your tone.

Your tips on my recording are noted!!! LOL!!! But hey: my "crowd" of mine covers up my mistakes!!! LOL!!!. But you're right i.e. I reckon my "crowd" could do with a bit of compression and some dialing back!!! LOL!!!

But I shall get there (love your solo on YOUR thread by the way).

Interesting to note though: my "live" version is modeled on the live version as found on "Intermission" (the tone and style anyway). On Intermission: you'll note that the rhythm has a sort of "midrange honk" or "midrange quack or quarck" to it and it's more staccato (as opposed to the smoother, more legato, studio version).

I need to get this out of my amps. now (this tone). I'm getting there. Must say I've spent a lot of time with them and I've discovered that this Boss GE-7 is VERY sensitive to even the slightest bit of movement (with my guitars and amps. anyway). With the DM SD I can indeed get a nice "midrange honk" and I'm betting the Invaders are gonna round all off and do the trick (and HOPEFULLY I'll hear something about them today).

I've got loads of Dio/Campbell backing tracks (some extremely good and some not that great). I have to pop out to the shops quick but when I get back I'll upload to somewhere for download (no point in even trying SoundCloud).

Anyways. Thanks again. In spite of my rather "raw" attempt it's the closest I've come to what I'm looking for and that could be life changing for me lemme tell ya!!! I owe you (and everyone else on this thread) big time!!!

Regards,

Dale.