Does AL do distortion well?

[Jay]

I've seen a LOT of posts about AL-lusting, but am curious as to how those of you who own one actually play it. I'm guessing it's clean chicken-pickin' style, but my sound seems to be full-gain distortion. How does an AL measure up in that way, or is it not the right tool for the job? Not intending any offense. Just wondering how you dudes are playing it. Thanks,

Jay

 

[dfrady]

From what i've heard everyone say, Yes. Someone will go into more detail shortly i'm sure.

 

[grumpyoldman]

Hey Jay

I've only had my Pinkburst SSS AL for a short time, but I can tell you that it sounds deadly in positions 2 and 4 with distortion. I'm not much for a pure single coil distortion sound per se (except soapbar singles - MM90 on the horizon....?), but that blend of middle pickup and either bridge or neck is just killer. I play through a Line 6 Flextone III XL (okay tube snobs, start lobbing the salvos at me), and not only do the clean tones from the AL sparkle, but the distortion.....wow!

Now, if only they could match the sonic level of single coils with humbuckers, I'd never have anything to wish for again (guitar related, of course ).

 

[Purple ASS]

I've seen a LOT of posts about AL-lusting, but am curious as to how those of you who own one actually play it. I'm guessing it's clean chicken-pickin' style, but my sound seems to be full-gain distortion. How does an AL measure up in that way, or is it not the right tool for the job? Not intending any offense. Just wondering how you dudes are playing it. Thanks,

Jay

Don't 'pigeon hole' it because of the Albert Lee connection, although it'll do the 'clean' stuff better than any other in my opinion . Only had mine a few days but I reckon it'll do everything a Strat will do plus more.

 

[mbgreene]

Norrin just posted a thread with some high gain AL action
Check it out


http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/22423-al-some-dirt.html

 

[Jay]

Thanks for that link. It must have passed me by in my lurking mode. Who woulda thunk it? Appreciate your quick responses.

Jay

 

[robelinda2]

yep, its deadly with gain. GET AN AL!

 

[grumpyoldman]

I was wondering where Rob was for this thread - must be early morning down under...

 

[robelinda2]

yep its 12:35pm, i just got home from my morning teaching stint, lunch time! damn students who want lessons at 7:30am. gotta work hard to pay for more balls, ie Albert's!

 

[JMB27]

yep, its deadly with gain. GET AN AL!

I gotta stop readin' these AL threads .... seems I keep thinking about the honey-burst I saw last week .... hmmm

 

[PugNinjas]

When Keith lent me his SSS AL I did not like how it sounded through my high gain amp, but that's probably because I'm used to my MM90 AL.

 

[robelinda2]

certainly the AL's best feature is its crystal clean tones, if you are buying a clean tone guitar you shouldnt really expect it to REALLY high gain, thats dumb. Sure the AL can do gain, but not like a humbucker equipped axe. Personally i dont play mega gain stuff, overdrive all the way baby!

 

[PugNinjas]

I've seen a LOT of posts about AL-lusting, but am curious as to how those of you who own one actually play it. I'm guessing it's clean chicken-pickin' style, but my sound seems to be full-gain distortion. How does an AL measure up in that way, or is it not the right tool for the job? Not intending any offense. Just wondering how you dudes are playing it. Thanks,

Jay

Hey Now,

I use my AL w/mm90s with plenty of high gain and it sounds amazing and can handle whatever I want it to. Personally, I did not like how the AL with the SSS configuration sounded through a high gain setting, but that's just me. There are plenty of cats out there who can and have found ways to make single coils sound amazing. Whether buying an AL and plugging it into a gain saturated stack is dumb, well that remains to be seen.

Try em out....either way you won't be disappointed

 

[candid_x]

"High gain" is a relative term, no? I've had plenty of single coil guitars that distort tastefully, but that isn't the same as world domination mode. I imagine the AL, at least those equipped with standard pickups, falls into this category. P90s may be another story - dunno.

 

[brentrocks]

al and m90s sound great distorted!!!

 

[KungFu Grip]

I use my AL (SSS) overdriven all the time. Granted, I'm not a high gain player, but the Alnico 2 pickups round out the tone really nicely, so you don't get the ol' icepick-in-the-ear syndrome.

 

[Pablo]

Well, you'd be hard pressed to do modern metal with an AL - that sound simply IS humbuckers through a high gain amp... But for classic heavy metal (think Maiden or Yngwie), the AL will do amazingly well. As much as I love the AL, I'd really advice against getting one for balls to the wall metal mayhem... Especially as so many other Balls go much better with that particular wall... Unless, of course, you feel like routing an AL for a bridge 'bucker and fitting that bad boy with the PU of your choice - I know a lot of you guys are probably shaking your heads right now, but that's probably what I'd do...

Cheers

Eske

 

[Norrin Radd]

Well, you'd be hard pressed to do modern metal with an AL - that sound simply IS humbuckers through a high gain amp... But for classic heavy metal (think Maiden or Yngwie), the AL will do amazingly well. As much as I love the AL, I'd really advice against getting one for balls to the wall metal mayhem... Especially as so many other Balls go much better with that particular wall... Unless, of course, you feel like routing an AL for a bridge 'bucker and fitting that bad boy with the PU of your choice - I know a lot of you guys are probably shaking your heads right now, but that's probably what I'd do...

Cheers

Eske

Don't they make HB pickups that fit in a SC space these days?

 

[Pablo]

Don't they make HB pickups that fit in a SC space these days?

Yeah... but I still prefer the big'uns - but I haven't looked into the latest Strat sized humbuckers... That's why I bought a router in the first place