Question of Overdrive

[TNT]

I think the problem players encounter quite often, is that when they do "roll" back volume, everything else rolls back with it (dynamics, punch, drive etc. . .)

They want to maintain that "dynamic punch" but just at a reduced volume.

Volume should just be about volume - nothing else!

That's why it is often mentioned that when you roll back the volume it cleans up nicely, and, I always say, "I don't want it cleaned up", I just want lower volume. If I want it cleaned up, etc. . .I would employ "other" methods.

Yet, that is the challenge.

Great answers by the way!

 

[beej]

What amp you giggin' with these days?? What "troops" in the "loop"??

My Guytron 100W 2-ch head or the little Suhr Badger 18W power scaling head. Both great at what they do. In the loop I stick with just delay, verb, chorus and a volume pedal. Depending on the setup I use the VP as a blend for the FX or as an overall volume.

The Badger gets a lot of its tone from the power tubes so it's most sensitive to FX in the loop. Whereas the loop in the Guytron is more transparent. I'm guessing Koogie's JSX is like that since he's getting his gain from the preamp, he'd have no problem using the loop.

I think the problem players encounter quite often, is that when they do "roll" back volume, everything else rolls back with it (dynamics, punch, drive etc. . .)

Everybodys setup is different. If you need to have specific settings at all volume levels, then having a channel switching amp works great. If you have an amp that doesn't rely so much on power tube saturation then the volume pedal in the loop trick works great. With an old Marshall or something that relies on power tubes for tone and doesn't have a loop ... well then you need a multiple amp setup or really have to use the volume control.

I'm so blown away by great players that show up with a single amp, no FX, and get all their tone with their fingers and volume control (Jeff Beck does it for me). But honestly, as guitar players most of us play with too much distortion anyway. Cleaning up a bit when we're not soloing often makes a huge difference.

There's an old vid from Steve Morse kicking around where he talks about pickup selection. His advice when you're not soloing is to sit back and fit into the mix. Turn down your tone control and not be so trebly. You sill move a lot of air and contribute to the mix, but you let other instruments through as well. Then when it's solo time you change your tone or pickups and cut through. Great advice and it doesn't rely so much on volume changes as tonal ones.

So lots of ways to skin the cat.

 

[fbecir]

So lots of ways to skin the cat.

Beej you are a monster

More seriously : you are totally right when you talk about Steve Morse. You can really change your presence in the mix just by changing the pickup or by using the Tone knob.
I was playing in a big band (19 musicians : brass section, Leslie organ). In such a case, when you want to solo and to be heard, well the volume is not enough. The Leslie organ takes so much frequencies that you have to choose carefully your sound. In fact you need a sound with a lot of treble (the Leslie sound is more spongy). Just changing the volume is not enough.

 

[Ponch]

very cool and serious discussion on this thread, I love it !

 

[koogie2k]

Awesome Beej....I love your tech knowledge....

Anywho....I think I have it figured out with your help and the help of others here. I do have one other piece to try before I decide on the route I am going to go.

As of now, I am looking at the volume pedal to do what I need it to do.

However, I have tried an OD pedal and a Tubescreamer just to see the differences in each. I actually liked them as well. I don't normally play with the gain pegged out....too much for my taste.

But, I am looking for the pedal Jeffrey suggested and will give it a whirl to make sure.

Thanks a million for the inputs from everyone. It is a world of change going from a Vetta to a tube amp. I am still doing research as a have a specific tone in mind...as we all do. I could be on this search forever....lol

 

[sixa]

Hey koogie2k.

If you are running the G-Major in the effects loop, do not change anything, if you dont want to. To get some sort of volume boost for leads, try adding the compressor on the G-Major and up the gain on the compressor, OR try adding the EQ and bump the mids and also the gain on the EQ.

Hope this helps.

 

[Slingy]

Alot of good suggestions here. I have another reason for using the pedal in the loop. The clean channel on my HRD has no master so it works like a master volume plus its great for volume swells. If I had a three channel amp I'd probably use one of the other methods mentioned, but I'd still have the volume pedal there too. I've tried the eq pedal in the loop too which is fantastic for sculpting sounds, much different then an eq before the amp.