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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2417.0. "Overdrive settings" by CHEFS::BRIGGSR (Four Flat Tyres on a Muddy Road) Fri Jan 03 1992 06:59

    
    Amongst other things I have a Fender Strat and a Fender Champ 12 amp.
    
    My problem is I cannot seem to get a consistent overdrive sound. Seems
    to me the sound I get with overdrve switched in is dependent on:
    
    1) Pickup selected
    2) Tone controls on guitar
    3) Volume on guitar (lower vol = less distortion)
    4) Treble Boost in or out
    5) Amp tone controls
    6) Amount of GAIN
    7) Amp Volume (more vol (like max!), better overdrive sound)
    9) Position of guitar wrt to amp (feedback?)
    
    ALL the above effect the degree of distortion, sustain, harshness etc I
    get from this setup with overdrive selected. I know, I have tried them
    all.
    
    The one GENERAL conclusion is that the sound is most consistent when
    everything up at maximum. Is this because its a Valve amp and at lower
    volumes the technology is just too sensitive to other factors?
    
    Because of all these variables I seem to find it impossible to recreate
    any given sound I got say the last time I played. So if I achieve a
    really nice warm overdrive for a particular number, I remember all the
    settings but next time its more like a heavy metal sound.
    
    Is this just a fact of life?
    
    Regards,
    Richard
    
    PS, the next note is a more general discussion on overdrive etc.
    
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2417.1SMURF::BENNETTMC Escher & DJ Pablo P.Fri Jan 03 1992 12:295
	Don't forget that local air pressure and will affect your tone,
	too. That amp doesn't seem to be a good amp for getting a decent
	tone. I used to have one. The only consistent tone I could get
	was "honk honk".
2417.2GOES11::G_HOUSETommy The CatFri Jan 03 1992 14:1512
    Another variable is how *you* play!  If you have a decent amp that's
    response, as many tube amps are, then that will also have a big effect.
    
    Line voltages that fluctuate can also have a big effect.
    
    I have the same problem, but I've gotten to where it doesn't bother me
    that much.  If I'm not getting the sound I want with the settings I
    used to get it the last time, I just mess with them some and am usually
    able to find something similar enough to make me happy.
    
    Greg