Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Last night I jammed for the first time with another guitarist and a drummer. It was an eye opener in many ways. One thing that I couldn't believe was how good the other guy's Gibson LP sounded compared to my '51 and GSA60. Playing at bedroom levels as I have been for two years, the '51 has been totally fine, always sounded good to me. The GSA60 I've had only a couple of weeks and I was forming the opinion that I didn't like the sound of it much. Then last night, I plugged into a Marshall 30w, the other guy had a bigger Marshal, don't know what exactly, and we cranked up to match the drummer. God damn, the '51 sounded like {censored}. Maybe I didn't have it adjusted right or something, whatever, I switched to the 60 and it punched through much better. But the Gibson.... the tone of that thing was so fat, even clean, you could have spread it on toast, yet it was very defined. So two things I've learned: 1) playing at higher volumes changes the sound of a guitar and 2) maybe those high buck guitars aren't just flash for more cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hondro Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chevette Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 have you done anything to improve the '51 from factory setup? ie, new pups, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Boner Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by saintdel 1) playing at higher volumes changes the sound of a guitar and 2) maybe those high buck guitars aren't just flash for more cash. As you state that you typically play at bedroom levels, I'd afford more weight to the former than the latter. It takes some time and effort to get a sound at high volumes that you'd be happy with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Nice story but I'm sorry, I think the only thing that told you was, "don't run a '51 into a Marshall". I'd be willing to stick my neck out and say that if you'd played your '51 through a Fender Blues Junior next to the Gibson LP, the '51 would have been the tone winner. But in any case, guitars need the right amp. A Marshall with a Gibson LP is a classic combo since the somewhat more shallow sound of the Marshall is a great compliment to the thick tone of the LP. But the '51 needs a warm resonant amp like a classic Fender for it to shine. All IMHO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by chevette have you done anything to improve the '51 from factory setup? ie, new pups, etc. Up unitl now I never thought it needed improvement. I'm going to try it again. Last night was my first real jam and I was maybe a touch overwhelmed at first which is when I was using the '51. But, damn, that LP..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitar_played Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 ermm, if that was a marshall mg there's no question that the amp was the bigger problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ArKay Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Comparing a strat style guitar to an LP one??? Am I the only one who thinks that's odd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 P.S. Some of the vintage style Marshalls do work well with Fenders and make a good blues tone. Needed to add that before Jimi comes down and slaps me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yabba Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 are you saying the LP through the 'bigger marshall' sounded better than your guitars through the 30watt marshall or the LP through the 30watt marshall sounded better than your guitars through the 30watt marshall ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by ArKay Comparing a strat style guitar to an LP one??? Am I the only one who thinks that's odd? Probably not, but, ok, smarty pants, the '51 does have bucker... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ArKay Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by saintdel Probably not, but, ok, smarty pants, the '51 does have bucker... Well, so do some of my guitars. They still don't sound like any of my LP clones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by yabba are you saying the LP through the 'bigger marshall' sounded better than your guitars through the 30watt marshall orthe LP through the 30watt marshall sounded better than your guitars through the 30watt marshall? The first one. Duh, guess that might make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by ArKay Well, so do some of my guitars. They still don't sound like any of my LP clones. I'm not saying I expect my '51 or the Ibanez to sound like the LP, I'm saying the '51 sounded terrible and I'm complimenting the LP tone. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to take my $99 SX LP clone to the next session and see what that sounds like through that Marshall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yabba Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by saintdel The first one. Duh, guess that might make a difference. in my experience, the amp is going to make MUCH more of a difference than the guitar. maybe try plugging your guitars into the bigger marshall next time and see if you like that (EQ on the amp may have to be adjusted a bit to match your guitars) edit: too slow, you're already planning to do this good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members docjeffrey Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Here we go again. Someone challenges one of the highly touted crappy guitars that everyone around here thinks is great. First of all, I believe Saintdel. He's the first one that has the balls to tell us what it's like to put a $120 guitar up against a $2000 guitar. He called it like he heard it, and now you folks will accuse him of all kinds of stuff. Fenders sound GREAT thru Marshall amps (Hendrix?). I play my Custom Shop '56 NOS and my MIJ Jazzmaster (Duncan pups) thru my JTM and DSL Marshalls more than I do through my Fender and Vox amps (all are valve amps). They sound fabulous, and the LOUDER the BETTER. Not so with those crappy '51s with their cheap wood (I wouldn't even call it tonewood), low end electronics and soulless pickups. Even if upgraded, it's still a crappy low end guitar. And, yeah. Saitdel is correct. At bedroom levels and for recording, I'm sure they are just fine. But he's absolutely correct. The true test is to crank a good valve amp up to 100+db and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burningleaves Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 A Les Paul running through a Marshall is a great combo to play with. You were prol' just overwhelmed and caught off guard. Mabye the dude just knew what he was doing. Have him play through your rig next time and see how he sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members saintdel Posted August 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Jumpin' Jesus, so I've learned all this {censored} about guitars over the past two years and now I have learn about amps? Oh, when will it ever end? I figured the amps were a factor, but didn't think they would be THAT big of a factor. Guess I'll be going back to school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members L6Sguy Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 saintdel needs to give us more details. somebody who's played for 6mos saying that a copy thru an MG sounded not as good as a Standard thru a JMP while beingplayed by a 10+yr player, well, WTF didja expect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by saintdel ...But the Gibson.... the tone of that thing was so fat, even clean, you could have spread it on toast, yet it was very defined...An LP played through a properly dialed in Marshall in the hands of a guy that knows what he's doing is pretty much the gold standard for good tone. Not saying that's the only rig that can sound good but if you're not sure, the good old LP/Marshall rig is always a good starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yabba Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by saintdel Jumpin' Jesus, so I've learned all this {censored} about guitars over the past two years and now I have learn about amps? Oh, when will it ever end?I figured the amps were a factor, but didn't think they would be THAT big of a factor. Guess I'll be going back to school. heh, at least it's a fun education, eh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aloha Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 OH, that's an easy one... It never ends. In fact, even when you think you've got a finger on some little part of it, the weather will change or your sweat will get more acidic and everything you thought you knew will fall apart. Welcome to music...and instruments... That's why we've got boards like these. Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mighty Coogna! Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Sounds like your friend just has his combination worked out. The trick is finding your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by Burgess An LP played through a properly dialed in Marshall in the hands of a guy that knows what he's doing is pretty much the gold standard for good tone.Not saying that's the only rig that can sound good but if you're not sure, the good old LP/Marshall rig is always a good starting point. Oh and before you go rush out and buy yourself a whole new setup, there's a very good chance that guy could've taken your rig, dialed it in and made it sing. I've seen it happen too many times to keep track of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jjpistols Posted August 16, 2006 Members Share Posted August 16, 2006 Originally posted by docjeffrey Here we go again. Someone challenges one of the highly touted crappy guitars that everyone around here thinks is great.First of all, I believe Saintdel. He's the first one that has the balls to tell us what it's like to put a $120 guitar up against a $2000 guitar. He called it like he heard it, and now you folks will accuse him of all kinds of stuff.Fenders sound GREAT thru Marshall amps (Hendrix?). I play my Custom Shop '56 NOS and my MIJ Jazzmaster (Duncan pups) thru my JTM and DSL Marshalls more than I do through my Fender and Vox amps (all are valve amps). They sound fabulous, and the LOUDER the BETTER.Not so with those crappy '51s with their cheap wood (I wouldn't even call it tonewood), low end electronics and soulless pickups. Even if upgraded, it's still a crappy low end guitar.And, yeah. Saitdel is correct. At bedroom levels and for recording, I'm sure they are just fine. But he's absolutely correct. The true test is to crank a good valve amp up to 100+db and see what happens. I could make that rig sound {censored}in great - how's that for honesty and balls? and you could, too and you know it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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