Hey folks, I'm wondering if someone has advice for me...My rig is BF Bandmaster 2x12, reverb unit, AVRI Jag w/12chromes ...My issue is that sometimes i feel like my tone is too thin with little punch compared to other surf players i see similar rigs...I like my tone hot and with some break up like the Nebulas and Ghastly Ones ..Is it just a matter of playing at high volumes or could a EQ or boost pedal help...I've tried the old tube screamer with the drive at 9 o'clock trick but lost all the good surf tone with that.
any tips?
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
EQ pedals and getting a BIGGER sound
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Joined: Feb 01, 2010 Posts: 106 MA 
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 01:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2065 Virginia, USA
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:12 PM
Both the Nebulas and the Ghastly ones had Mosrites for the lead, which do tend to sound a bit hotter due to the tight wound single coils. I do like to use a boost pedal to switch between lead and rhythm, it's basically just a clean volume boost but it does beef up the tone a bit. Paul |
Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1305 
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:16 PM
High volume definitely helps. Amps like that don't really open up till about 6 or so. —https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger |
Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 580 San Antone, TX
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:19 PM
I would look into a boost pedal like the Xotic EP Boost, I use one and can't recommend it enough. And at the price, it's definitely worth grabbing one just to try it. —The Phantomatics on Facebook |
Joined: Jan 04, 2011 Posts: 1588 Berlin L-Berg 
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:22 PM
My rig differs from yours, but I had the same idea so I bought MXR 10Band EQ. The pedal is still on my board, but only to switch to an 'old time radio' sound for 1-2 songs. It did not add the missing growl to my sound. For punch, bass and balls get hotter pups or - like skeeter suggested - a simple booster. There's another post on this forum that deals with all the boost pedals that should be mentioned click. I've seen the MXR Micro Amp quite often and use it myself. —Last edited: Aug 28, 2012 14:25:55 |
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Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1305
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:23 PM
davidphantomatic wrote:
I use an Echoplex ep3, which is what that pedal is based on. I'm always going through it even if the echo isn't on. It definitely gives everything a good kick. —https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger |
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Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 580 San Antone, TX
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 02:32 PM
Yep, it definitely makes everything sound better. At this point I don't think I'd run any rig without one. —The Phantomatics on Facebook |
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Joined: Feb 01, 2010 Posts: 106 MA
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 03:10 PM
Thanks for the info, I might take a crack at the exotic ep boost,the only thing I'm concerned about is getting that clicky sound when you hit the strings, like the the sound i get from the mxr dyna comp |
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2065 Virginia, USA
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 03:15 PM
That's a compressor, a completely different thing. WetBandit wrote: — Paul |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 06:23 PM
I use an EQ myself, that isn't going to get you that sound. Volume 5.5-8 plus maybe a little tubescreamer depends, that will just season to taste. And by "a little" i mean very very little. |
Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2391 San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 06:40 PM
All good advice from the posts above. This may be ridiculously obvious, or maybe even inappropriate, but sometimes a power tube change will bring an anemic amp back to life. Is this amp a recent acquisition, out of action for a long time, or has it always sounded this way through power tube changes? —Bob |
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Joined: Feb 01, 2010 Posts: 106 MA
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 06:50 PM
It's been pretty much the same through power tube changes. I think the best thing I can do is take a crack at a boost pedal...I think it's just a matter or cranking my amp to get the tone I'm looking for |
Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11077 Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 08:16 PM
Also, check the bias on your amp, you may want to make it hotter. —Danny Snyder I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF |
Joined: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 507 |
Posted on Aug 28 2012 09:49 PM
+1 on the Xotic EP Booster, really adds some punch to your tone |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 10:33 PM
WetBandit wrote:
Boost won't do it. Boost is good for adding extra volume such as if you need a louder solo, to compensate for a quiet pedal, or to switch from rhythm to lead. Just turn the volume up on your amp, it will sound better than a boost. And try different picking techniques/strings/picks. They will all make a difference. |
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Joined: Oct 12, 2008 Posts: 580 San Antone, TX
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Posted on Aug 28 2012 10:50 PM
I should elaborate on the EP Boost, it's essentially a clone of the preamp from an Echoplex with a volume control. So, yes, it will make your sound better. —The Phantomatics on Facebook |
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Joined: Jan 04, 2011 Posts: 1588 Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 12:01 AM
My mileage varied. The booster gave my amp the missing punch and brought it a little closer to the sound I'm after. The EQ didn't. In the end, a boost pedal isn't an investment you will regret...I bet 90% here use one and more than 50% of those 90% use it as an 'always on' pedal. — |
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Joined: Feb 01, 2010 Posts: 106 MA
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 12:53 PM
Here's the tone I seek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpjcCfMLhl4&feature=youtube_gdata_player Your text to link here... |
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Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1305
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 01:33 PM
You just need to turn the amp UP plain and simple. That's just a Jag with vintage style pick-ups, through a tank, into a showman turned up to a healthy level. Nothing else really, no boost or anything like that with those guys. All non-master volume vintage tube amps have a sweet spot where they really open up tone-wise https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger Last edited: Aug 29, 2012 13:36:22 |
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Joined: Feb 01, 2010 Posts: 106 MA
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 01:42 PM
I love the simple advice JUST CRANK IT! love it |
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