What makes a guitar sound 80s?

[Khriss Bliss]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

That's funny I spent the last two years trying to get the L.A. Metal tone of Ratt and Dokken, and that E chord JimMartin plays in Faith No More-Epic Definitely hit paydirt when I finally tried the JB. Also the SH- 6. But to sound like Mick Mars on first two Crue lps, I put the classic Dimarzio Super Distortion on an epi sg spec ( mahog) and lowered the bridge pup away from the strings near the low E. Also very Slayer. Remember, the pioneers of classic metal didn't originally use gear that was marketed as metal. I often wonder if one pickup guitars sweetened the sound because less magnets to suck down the vibrations

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

I thought it was the pointy headstocks.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Chorus.

 

[jccarmichael]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Not mentioned yet is the Soldano SLO. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that hit big the 80's too.
Much of the "80's" sound -and I think most of us assume you're talking about the metal/glam/hard rock tones instead of, say, SRV or Andy Summers - had to do with EQ. whether it was pre or post production. On the good stuff, the guitar sound was EQ'd to cut through the mix. That means mids and highs. It wasn't EQ'd to kick your subwoofer into action. Also... high output pickups, EL34's pushed to the limit, and - in the case of bands like Van Halen and Ratt - a slight amount of re-amped reverberated echo to give it a uniquely awesome sound. Also - not to be understated - the ability to play guitar.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

chorus.

this and distortion

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Gated drums.

 

[jmh151]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

I bought a Charvel Pro Mod- it's the Tele style, Floyd, maple neck. JB/'59 combo, and that guitar SCREAMS 80's through my Marshall JCM800 2210

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

That's funny I spent the last two years trying to get the L.A. Metal tone of Ratt and Dokken, and that E chord JimMartin plays in Faith No More-Epic Definitely hit paydirt when I finally tried the JB. Also the SH- 6. But to sound like Mick Mars on first two Crue lps, I put the classic Dimarzio Super Distortion on an epi sg spec ( mahog) and lowered the bridge pup away from the strings near the low E. Also very Slayer. Remember, the pioneers of classic metal didn't originally use gear that was marketed as metal. I often wonder if one pickup guitars sweetened the sound because less magnets to suck down the vibrations

LA Guns :headbang:

 

[Invader09]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

A JCM 800 Marshall (don't need a BOOST! just get some volume from the master) A Super Distortion, and turn the mids to 10! That's in the ballpark. And then the effects that other mentioned were a big part too, especially the chorus (an old Maxon does the trick well)

 

[YellowJacket]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Well, learning to play more than three power chords is definitely a step in the right direction!

Ya, I went there!

 

[ES350]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

position 2 and 4 on a Strat, esp. through a Super Reverb...
a 335 with that LA studio sausage Steely Dan thing...
Marshalls, rack gear, and EMG's...

what a horrible decade.

 

[JeffB]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

80s Outside the USA? Super Dist or T-Tops, absolutely floored Marshall NMV/JMP/800, MXR Distortion+and some delay, and slight reverb


80s USA- JB, Floyd Rose, Marshall 800 jacked with a tubescreamer and or ADA MP1 preamp with a SS power amps, Stereo Chorus, Big Reverb and Delay on ALL THE FREAKING TIME....and a Eventide Harmionizer on the other half.....yuk

 

[ACH91332]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

I only read the OP so sorry if I might resay something someone said. When I think 80's guitar I think of a Super Strat with a basswood body and a bolted on all maple neck that either has a banana headstock or a Jackson headstock. I think of a JB in a bridge and a single coil in the neck. Maybe another in the middle. So HS or HSS with the neck pickup probably being a Jackson sustainer. I think of a recessed Original Floyd rose. And I think if it all running into a hot rodded Marshall at your back almost pushing you over from the breeze when you palm mute.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

I only read the OP so sorry if I might resay something someone said. When I think 80's guitar I think of a Super Strat with a basswood body and a bolted on all maple neck that either has a banana headstock or a Jackson headstock. I think of a JB in a bridge and a single coil in the neck. Maybe another in the middle. So HS or HSS with the neck pickup probably being a Jackson sustainer. I think of a recessed Original Floyd rose. And I think if it all running into a hot rodded Marshall at your back almost pushing you over from the breeze when you palm mute.

I recall alder being the primary body wood in the 80s. Dont recall Basswood being widely used till Ibanez Rg series.

Id LOVE to feel that power hitting my back during palm mutes!!! oyeah!

 

[ACH91332]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Thats just what I think of. Basswood gives that woodiness the OP was talking bout but yea Alder was probably more mainstream.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

80s Outside the USA? Super Dist or T-Tops, absolutely floored Marshall NMV/JMP/800, MXR Distortion+and some delay, and slight reverb


80s USA- JB, Floyd Rose, Marshall 800 jacked with a tubescreamer and or ADA MP1 preamp with a SS power amps, Stereo Chorus, Big Reverb and Delay on ALL THE FREAKING TIME....and a Eventide Harmionizer on the other half.....yuk

I remember many using ADAs and the ads in mags.. never played one. What do they do??

 

[JeffB]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

I remember many using ADAs and the ads in mags.. never played one. What do they do??

Sound like $hit!





I had one-nasty compressed pre-amp(only)distortion. What a waste of $.

 

[jccarmichael]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Well, learning to play more than three power chords is definitely a step in the right direction!

Ya, I went there!

:haha: Somebody had to go there. Another forum member called the 80's "a horrible decade." If the 80's were horrible for music then how would you describe the 90's and 00's? :barf:

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

In case no one has mentioned it yet...


Spandex and makeup.

I was out of music most of the 80's and when I look and listen to what I missed I thank The Flying Spaghetti Monster for it.

 

[JaySwear]

Re: What makes a guitar sound 80s?

Spandex and makeup.

i agree, whether you're kidding or serious. if not for the spandex and makeup the bands of the 80's wouldn't have had that "i'm tough but sensitive" attitude that they did. if they didn't have that we would have lost out on either the power ballads or the great rocking singles. whether you love or hate power ballads, they definitely were hugely popular. any band worth it's weigh in hair spray had at least one power ballad. it might not help you get the tone of an 80's hair metal band, but maybe you have to think like a glam rocker to hunt glam rockers. ...i mean, sound like one...