Steve Morse Signature - Can it get that strat "quack" sound?

[neo]

I am coming over to EBMM after being a long-time Fender guy.
I recently tried a Steve Morse Signature and fell in LOVE!! The only thing that is holding me back from purchasing this guitar is that I need to be able to get that strat "quack" sound. (Some people call this the "out-of-phase" tone, but I think this is a wrong way to describe the sound.) I am able to get this sound on my strat when I put my 5-way selector switch in position 2 or 4.

Since I did not have a chance to go through all the tonal capabilities when I originally tried SM Signature, I was wondering if anyone here can answer this question.

Thanks!!

 

[beej]

Hey there- lots of love for the Morse 'round here.

Short answer is no, you can't really get the typical strat quacky sound. The two single coils together aren't bad, but they're not quite it. If you split the bridge humbucker, you can get close with it and the neck single. But again, it's not the same thing.

Still, an incredibly versatile guitar and that might be close enough for your needs.

 

[Roubster]

Welcome and yes, the Morse is freakin awesome! Like beej said, it wont exactly give you those strat tones, but its much more versatile and I still think you can get a very good quack tone. Check it out for yourself below.

YouTube - Steve Morse Band - Ice Cakes

 

[neo]

Let me preface my comments by saying this is probably the best forum I've ever encountered. The breadth of knowledge displayed and the willingness to share knowledge that is displayed here is awesome.

Now regarding my posted question - I am somewhat disappointed that I cannot get that exact strat "quack" sound. But after considering everything I've read and all the clips I've listened to, I am willing to take a "leap of faith". So I ordered a Morse today.

I have to say that the Youtube clip that Roubster shared with me put me over the edge. I was both humbled and inspired by Steve Morse's musicianship. And the variety of tones he gets on his guitar for this one tune is just insane.

Now don't laugh - I do have some side projects with friends, playing a mixture of jazz, fusion and rock - but I mostly play in a wedding band. (It helps pay the bills.) I have to do cocktail hours playing jazz standards and mellow pop tunes as a trio quite often and I am hoping to use the Morse for this and the entire wedding gig. Of course I cannot wait to use it with my other side projects. (I also play in pit orchestras for local community theaters and high school productions. I am thinking I can use it there too.)

Aside from not getting that "strat quack" the Morse appears to be a tone monster. I am very excited about owning this guitar. I have not felt this way in a longtime about a guitar.

Thanks!

 

[fbecir]

Congratulations for your new guitar !

By the way Steve Morse also plays for wedding :

 

[banjoplayer]

why do own an Alber Lee? Because the SM does not do the "quack sounds"
You have to own more than one guitar! No one does it all

 

[guitfiddle]

You'll be very happy with it Neo. I've used my Morse for entire cover band gigs. It's crazy the amount of very different sounds that can be coaxed out of it.

You'll end up with an Albert Lee as well I'm betting. I did. And then a bunch more. These EBMMs are just awesome guitars.

 

[heka313]

why do own an Alber Lee? Because the SM does not do the "quack sounds"
You have to own more than one guitar! No one does it all

This actually applies to the Gamechanger idea, unfortunately. For example I had to get strat-type guitar (not mentioning any brands, although I can tell that it didn't start with a letter F) to get certain sounds, and the one I got has single coils with alnico V (for low strings) and alnico III (for high strings) magnets. Even though I can get good sounds with my JP6 (with added push-pull pot to be able to use only one humbucker in single coil mode) the balance is just not the same as with those alnico V/III PU's.

 

[banjoplayer]

This actually applies to the Gamechanger idea, unfortunately. For example I had to get strat-type guitar (not mentioning any brands, although I can tell that it didn't start with a letter F) to get certain sounds, and the one I got has single coils with alnico V (for low strings) and alnico III (for high strings) magnets. Even though I can get good sounds with my JP6 (with added push-pull pot to be able to use only one humbucker in single coil mode) the balance is just not the same as with those alnico V/III PU's.

Yes, I think you are right. There are other components important to get a specific sound than just the pickups. There is the wood, the bridge, the way the strings are held on the body (Morse=toploader), the way the neck and body are connected (set-neck /bolt-on)....
The Gamechanger for sure is a great thing and it opens new dimensions but most of us enjoy owning more than 1 guitar