why do players play through soo much gear?
- Thread starter xerxes
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sweet_lou
New member
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
I am an old guy just starting out. But I had other hobies and guys get crazy with stuff. Like Archery you have some really top shooter endorse a gadget and a bunch of people who don't understand good form run out and buy it thinking they can buy a better score, golfers do this as well. I try to check my self with the GAS attacks buy remembering the old cowboy expression " beware of the guy with only one gun"
Don't I sound like an old guy? :smack:
I am an old guy just starting out. But I had other hobies and guys get crazy with stuff. Like Archery you have some really top shooter endorse a gadget and a bunch of people who don't understand good form run out and buy it thinking they can buy a better score, golfers do this as well. I try to check my self with the GAS attacks buy remembering the old cowboy expression " beware of the guy with only one gun"
Don't I sound like an old guy? :smack:
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Chi3f
Member
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
i went 6-7 years with only my vox wah. Right into the amp most of the time from the guitar. past year or two i have been running a pedal board because i feel i have maxed out what i can do atm with just a guitar so i did it to attempt to get to the next level of guitar playing.
i went 6-7 years with only my vox wah. Right into the amp most of the time from the guitar. past year or two i have been running a pedal board because i feel i have maxed out what i can do atm with just a guitar so i did it to attempt to get to the next level of guitar playing.
PUCKBOY99
Irish Flagologist
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
I've got a Digitech 2112 that has all the effects in the world, but I really don't use it a lot. I also have a Vox wah, Mesa Boogie Bottle Rocket, & a Boss EQ-20 on a pedal board, which I do use.
I think it's all about versatility & finding your own sound. Along the way, it's fun to play around with different toys.
And the guys with the wall of effects...a lot of them are back-ups in case the main takes a nose dive.
I read an article on Jonny Lang a few years back (when he was a blues guy!)...his rig was Tele-wah-TS9-H&K Rotosphere-amp. IMO his tone on that 1st album was fantastic. Sometimes simple is better!
I've got a Digitech 2112 that has all the effects in the world, but I really don't use it a lot. I also have a Vox wah, Mesa Boogie Bottle Rocket, & a Boss EQ-20 on a pedal board, which I do use.
I think it's all about versatility & finding your own sound. Along the way, it's fun to play around with different toys.
And the guys with the wall of effects...a lot of them are back-ups in case the main takes a nose dive.
I read an article on Jonny Lang a few years back (when he was a blues guy!)...his rig was Tele-wah-TS9-H&K Rotosphere-amp. IMO his tone on that 1st album was fantastic. Sometimes simple is better!
Jonny R
Volcano Fireologist
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
3 hour set on the Dream Theater Metropolis DVD
I only heard a couple of obvious effects being used though. Most of the time it just sounded like he was just using his Mesa gain sound and wah.
I remember reading a Dan Huff interview, where he was saying that going into the studio each time he just had to have the sounds on hand that producers were used to and wanted to have on their albums. Sounded like that was the purpose of his rack gear. Later when he moved to Nashville it appeared he trimmed his rig a little.
Gearjoneser said:
3 hour set on the Dream Theater Metropolis DVD
I only heard a couple of obvious effects being used though. Most of the time it just sounded like he was just using his Mesa gain sound and wah.
I remember reading a Dan Huff interview, where he was saying that going into the studio each time he just had to have the sounds on hand that producers were used to and wanted to have on their albums. Sounded like that was the purpose of his rack gear. Later when he moved to Nashville it appeared he trimmed his rig a little.
Mr Wolf
New member
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
Well after my first gig i found simplicity was the best thing. Less hassle, no worrying about all your gear etc. In my band i need my usual clean, metal rhythm and lead sounds. So my rig comprises of the tuner and noise surpressor that goes to the amp, then an EQ in for lead in the effects loop. I found the wiring hassle at first, finding jacks behind the amp in the dark on stage. These experiences killed my GAS to get more pedals to complicate my rig. Im considering getting a Tech21 TRI AC though since it should give me my 3 channels in one unit which can go directly into a PA or clean amp. Seems sweet to me.
I'm thinking some people get loads of effects and racks etc is because they have their guitar techs who take the hassle away from them, or they dont have a problem with it themselves, or there are the people who have the genuine need for them to achieve the sounds they require.
Well after my first gig i found simplicity was the best thing. Less hassle, no worrying about all your gear etc. In my band i need my usual clean, metal rhythm and lead sounds. So my rig comprises of the tuner and noise surpressor that goes to the amp, then an EQ in for lead in the effects loop. I found the wiring hassle at first, finding jacks behind the amp in the dark on stage. These experiences killed my GAS to get more pedals to complicate my rig. Im considering getting a Tech21 TRI AC though since it should give me my 3 channels in one unit which can go directly into a PA or clean amp. Seems sweet to me.
I'm thinking some people get loads of effects and racks etc is because they have their guitar techs who take the hassle away from them, or they dont have a problem with it themselves, or there are the people who have the genuine need for them to achieve the sounds they require.
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
I have my rack stuff in a 6 pace rack, with a 12 channel mixer on top- everything is pre-wired, I just take the lids off, plug in my stereo cable, and 13 pin cable and go. Pretty easy. I don't have someone helping me, and my rig is lighter than most amps. The big guys have lots more stuff because getting your sound right in a big room is a lot harder than in a small club...it isn't just a case of adding more amps.
I have my rack stuff in a 6 pace rack, with a 12 channel mixer on top- everything is pre-wired, I just take the lids off, plug in my stereo cable, and 13 pin cable and go. Pretty easy. I don't have someone helping me, and my rig is lighter than most amps. The big guys have lots more stuff because getting your sound right in a big room is a lot harder than in a small club...it isn't just a case of adding more amps.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
i just think it's funny when a kid has a cheap 15 watt solid state combo amp, and a $5000 pedalboard with every thing you can imagine on it.
Sure you get lots of DIFFERENT sounds but not a single GOOD one.
as for myself, I only use a distortion pedal 'cuz my amp doesn't have a distortion channel. I kinda want a chorus pedal but that's just 'cuz i'm a stoner and I love the way that "wowowowowow" sounds...
-X
i just think it's funny when a kid has a cheap 15 watt solid state combo amp, and a $5000 pedalboard with every thing you can imagine on it.
Sure you get lots of DIFFERENT sounds but not a single GOOD one.
as for myself, I only use a distortion pedal 'cuz my amp doesn't have a distortion channel. I kinda want a chorus pedal but that's just 'cuz i'm a stoner and I love the way that "wowowowowow" sounds...
-X
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Nightburst
New member
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
Aren't good rackmount units all true bypass?
I will get myself a nice rack unit in time. Equalizer, noise gate, tuner, backup rackmount amp, midi switch, backup pre-amp. Nothing over the top IMHO.
Options is the word.
Aren't good rackmount units all true bypass?
I will get myself a nice rack unit in time. Equalizer, noise gate, tuner, backup rackmount amp, midi switch, backup pre-amp. Nothing over the top IMHO.
Options is the word.
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
I can see having a few effects to create more tonal variation, but if you base tone sucks, it's not going to help.
My dream rig would be-
Jackson guitar-Cord-VHT Pitbull Ultralead head with my digitech 2101 Artist effect rack hooked in the effects loop .
(I have everything but the VHT Halfstack)
I like a little chorus, reverb , maybe a little delay on my leads..that's about it really. A noise gate, maybe for the high gain sounds.
Plus, I have all the effects I could ever need if I EVER so desired them.
I don't see a reason to have anything beyond a SMALL rack unless you were touring and needed backups.
I can see having a few effects to create more tonal variation, but if you base tone sucks, it's not going to help.
My dream rig would be-
Jackson guitar-Cord-VHT Pitbull Ultralead head with my digitech 2101 Artist effect rack hooked in the effects loop .
(I have everything but the VHT Halfstack)
I like a little chorus, reverb , maybe a little delay on my leads..that's about it really. A noise gate, maybe for the high gain sounds.
Plus, I have all the effects I could ever need if I EVER so desired them.
I don't see a reason to have anything beyond a SMALL rack unless you were touring and needed backups.
Bludave
New member
Re: why do players play through soo much gear?
The primary reason why so many effects are used in clubs is due to a lack of volume that you can play at. If you are playing through a Fender amp, or a Marshall that needs to be cranked to get it to sound good. Once the volume is up high enough the rest can be controlled from your guitar volume. At lower volume the effects are necessary to get the desired tone. Why the major bands use so much stuff is beyond me. I just don't think its necessary. Last summer I saw BB King with Jeff Beck. BB played straight in to a Fender Twin, Beck had 3 Marshall heads running in to 2 Cabinets. I believe he had each head set for different volume settings and different levels of gain. So again is it really necessary to have all the effects????
The primary reason why so many effects are used in clubs is due to a lack of volume that you can play at. If you are playing through a Fender amp, or a Marshall that needs to be cranked to get it to sound good. Once the volume is up high enough the rest can be controlled from your guitar volume. At lower volume the effects are necessary to get the desired tone. Why the major bands use so much stuff is beyond me. I just don't think its necessary. Last summer I saw BB King with Jeff Beck. BB played straight in to a Fender Twin, Beck had 3 Marshall heads running in to 2 Cabinets. I believe he had each head set for different volume settings and different levels of gain. So again is it really necessary to have all the effects????
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