Gear setup and settings?

BigMike

Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 24
Atlantic Beach, Florida
United States

Posted on Jan 01 2008 07:54 PM

I am new here and have been enjoying this site very much but my searching skills like my guitar chops need improvement. My current set-up is an G&L Comanche into either a 68 Deluxe or an early seventies Super reverb. Both amps have reverb and vibrato and I use delay (DL4) quit a bit. Now with this set-up why am I not getting the surf rock guitar tone I want? Would an outboard unit make a huge difference and if so is it run before the amp with a line out into the amp? Lastly, how much vibrato (what setting) do I use? Thanks in advance, Big Mike

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2253
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Jan 01 2008 08:11 PM

BigMike
I am new here and have been enjoying this site very much but my searching skills like my guitar chops need improvement. My current set-up is an G&L Comanche into either a 68 Deluxe or an early seventies Super reverb. Both amps have reverb and vibrato and I use delay (DL4) quit a bit. Now with this set-up why am I not getting the surf rock guitar tone I want? Would an outboard unit make a huge difference and if so is it run before the amp with a line out into the amp? Lastly, how much vibrato (what setting) do I use? Thanks in advance, Big Mike

Welcome to the group Big Mike!

Running an outboard reverb unit before the amp is the key (reverb
output into amp input). Vibrato/tremolo is merely a matter of taste.
Most guys here don't use it that much: selectively for parts of songs,
or occasionally for a whole song. There are a lot of threads here cover-
ing outboard reverb units. Once you go to the outboard reverb, you'll
never go back!

Glad to have you here.

Bob

—

Bob

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JoshHeartless

Joined: Jun 17, 2006
Posts: 1010
Bay City, Michigan
United States

Posted on Jan 01 2008 08:28 PM

yes, i agree. the outboard tank DOES make that much of a difference, it's unbelievable. it basically works like a huge pedal with a power cable instead of batteries, input/output and all.

—

The Tremblors on Facebook!

The Tremblors on MySpace!

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BigMike

Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 24
Atlantic Beach, Florida
United States

Posted on Jan 03 2008 07:30 AM

Thank you! This will help in me quest! Cheers..BigMike

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SURFmole

Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
United States

Posted on Jan 07 2008 07:35 AM

Does the outboard reverb suck tone or is it in parallel with the guitar signal? I don't know why, but I just picture it rolling off massive treble...

—

www.apollo4.com

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11011
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Jan 07 2008 07:56 AM

SURFmole
Does the outboard reverb suck tone or is it in parallel with the guitar signal? I don't know why, but I just picture it rolling off massive treble...

In my experience it doesn't suck tone at all. If you listen to surf music then you're hearing an outboard reverb. Sounds pretty good to me.

—

Danny Snyder

Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
_
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:04 AM

I think Danny hit on the point that it doesn't matter if the tank sucks tone. Personally I don't really remember what something not running through the tank sounds. When playing non-surf I still run it through the tank although on 2-2-2- or so.

Even if it did affect your tone 'negatively' the tank would still be the proper effect for surf.

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ShaunNecro

Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 524
Bay City (Michigan)

Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:10 AM

I don't think it sucks tone if all the controls are turned down, since it is still run through some tubes, it's not like a crappy pedal.

—

I am super sweet
www.myspace.com/thetremblors

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WR

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
2 Link Pins

Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:16 AM

you cant really discuss it in terms of tone sucking, it processes 100% of the signal (even with all controls at 0). it's basically a preamp. it affects tone for sure, I think it does make the tone a bit darker (when turned dry) but the reverb (when turned up) adds mucho highs so it's for the better. I do what Jake does, most of the time, and Im alsways surprized how different my amps sound when I hear them without the tank in line.

—

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

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spy

Joined: Mar 29, 2007
Posts: 815
Athens, Greece

Posted on Jan 07 2008 10:44 AM

........if you need reverb you can't avoid the tank!

—

Every word is like an unecessary stain on silence and nothingness.

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SURFmole

Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
United States

Posted on Jan 07 2008 10:46 AM

JakeDobner
Even if it did affect your tone 'negatively' the tank would still be the proper effect for surf.

True...I was just wondering if it would be worthwhile to run the tank in parallel with the straight guitar signal to retain the highs.

—

www.apollo4.com

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dp

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3545
mojave desert, california
United States

Posted on Jan 07 2008 11:01 AM

WR
... it processes 100% of the signal (even with all controls at 0). it's basically a preamp. it affects tone for sure, I think it does make the tone a bit darker (when turned dry) but the reverb (when turned up) adds mucho highs so it's for the better...

hmmmm...so, why even have a reverb unit if you're going to turn the controls to "0"???

the reason i utilize a reverb unit is because i want to effect the signal...

i don't even think about playing unless my reverb controls are all at least at "5"

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19195
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Jan 07 2008 11:28 AM

I've never heard anyone complain it sucks the highs. On the contrary, I've heard more complaints about ice-pick treble.

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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BigMike Joined: Jan 01, 2008 Posts: 24 Atlantic Beach, Florida	Posted on Jan 01 2008 07:54 PM I am new here and have been enjoying this site very much but my searching skills like my guitar chops need improvement. My current set-up is an G&L Comanche into either a 68 Deluxe or an early seventies Super reverb. Both amps have reverb and vibrato and I use delay (DL4) quit a bit. Now with this set-up why am I not getting the surf rock guitar tone I want? Would an outboard unit make a huge difference and if so is it run before the amp with a line out into the amp? Lastly, how much vibrato (what setting) do I use? Thanks in advance, Big Mike Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2253 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Jan 01 2008 08:11 PM BigMike I am new here and have been enjoying this site very much but my searching skills like my guitar chops need improvement. My current set-up is an G&L Comanche into either a 68 Deluxe or an early seventies Super reverb. Both amps have reverb and vibrato and I use delay (DL4) quit a bit. Now with this set-up why am I not getting the surf rock guitar tone I want? Would an outboard unit make a huge difference and if so is it run before the amp with a line out into the amp? Lastly, how much vibrato (what setting) do I use? Thanks in advance, Big Mike Welcome to the group Big Mike! Running an outboard reverb unit before the amp is the key (reverb output into amp input). Vibrato/tremolo is merely a matter of taste. Most guys here don't use it that much: selectively for parts of songs, or occasionally for a whole song. There are a lot of threads here cover- ing outboard reverb units. Once you go to the outboard reverb, you'll never go back! Glad to have you here. Bob — Bob Top
JoshHeartless Joined: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 1010 Bay City, Michigan	Posted on Jan 01 2008 08:28 PM yes, i agree. the outboard tank DOES make that much of a difference, it's unbelievable. it basically works like a huge pedal with a power cable instead of batteries, input/output and all. — The Tremblors on Facebook! The Tremblors on MySpace! Top
BigMike Joined: Jan 01, 2008 Posts: 24 Atlantic Beach, Florida	Posted on Jan 03 2008 07:30 AM Thank you! This will help in me quest! Cheers..BigMike Top
SURFmole Joined: Nov 22, 2007 Posts: 901 Portland, OR	Posted on Jan 07 2008 07:35 AM Does the outboard reverb suck tone or is it in parallel with the guitar signal? I don't know why, but I just picture it rolling off massive treble... — www.apollo4.com Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11011 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Jan 07 2008 07:56 AM SURFmole Does the outboard reverb suck tone or is it in parallel with the guitar signal? I don't know why, but I just picture it rolling off massive treble... In my experience it doesn't suck tone at all. If you listen to surf music then you're hearing an outboard reverb. Sounds pretty good to me. — Danny Snyder Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF _ "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:04 AM I think Danny hit on the point that it doesn't matter if the tank sucks tone. Personally I don't really remember what something not running through the tank sounds. When playing non-surf I still run it through the tank although on 2-2-2- or so. Even if it did affect your tone 'negatively' the tank would still be the proper effect for surf. Top
ShaunNecro Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 524 Bay City (Michigan)	Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:10 AM I don't think it sucks tone if all the controls are turned down, since it is still run through some tubes, it's not like a crappy pedal. — I am super sweet www.myspace.com/thetremblors Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Jan 07 2008 09:16 AM you cant really discuss it in terms of tone sucking, it processes 100% of the signal (even with all controls at 0). it's basically a preamp. it affects tone for sure, I think it does make the tone a bit darker (when turned dry) but the reverb (when turned up) adds mucho highs so it's for the better. I do what Jake does, most of the time, and Im alsways surprized how different my amps sound when I hear them without the tank in line. — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
spy Joined: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 815 Athens, Greece	Posted on Jan 07 2008 10:44 AM ........if you need reverb you can't avoid the tank! — Every word is like an unecessary stain on silence and nothingness. Top
SURFmole Joined: Nov 22, 2007 Posts: 901 Portland, OR	Posted on Jan 07 2008 10:46 AM JakeDobner Even if it did affect your tone 'negatively' the tank would still be the proper effect for surf. True...I was just wondering if it would be worthwhile to run the tank in parallel with the straight guitar signal to retain the highs. — www.apollo4.com Top
dp Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3545 mojave desert, california	Posted on Jan 07 2008 11:01 AM WR ... it processes 100% of the signal (even with all controls at 0). it's basically a preamp. it affects tone for sure, I think it does make the tone a bit darker (when turned dry) but the reverb (when turned up) adds mucho highs so it's for the better... hmmmm...so, why even have a reverb unit if you're going to turn the controls to "0"??? the reason i utilize a reverb unit is because i want to effect the signal... i don't even think about playing unless my reverb controls are all at least at "5" Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19195 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Jan 07 2008 11:28 AM I've never heard anyone complain it sucks the highs. On the contrary, I've heard more complaints about ice-pick treble. — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top

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Gear setup and settings?