Suggestions on Achieving a Mike McCready Tone?

llg224 · May 2016

I'm 18 and discovered Pearl Jam 3 years ago and fell in love. I got tickets to Hartford '13 and Mike McCready blew me away. At the same time, Stone's rhythm sound is perfect. Since then, I've been on a desperate quest to achieve some kind of balance between Stone's amazing rhythm tone (ever since the Avocado tour it's stayed basically the same) and Mike McCready's ridiculous powerful lead tone. I've studied their guitars, amps and pedalboards extensively but obviously a 1959 Les Paul, Strat and 1960s Marshalls are out of reach for a number of people, including me. Currently I have a 2016 Gibson Les Paul Traditional and a 2012 American Standard Fender Stratocaster going into a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III. My pedal board goes:

Amp » DD-7 Digital Delay » TU-3 Tuner » TC Spark Booster » Green Rhino » Iron Horse Distortion » Blues Driver » CryBaby Wah (the $80 one) » Ernie Ball VP » Guitar

Does anyone have any suggestions

xtremehardy388 · May 2016

TS9 is essential (but I think the Green Rhino may do, also). Also, grab a rotary unit. I got the perfect "Ten" sound using the Marshall Guv'nor. TONS of reverb in there, too. The Blues Driver is also a good way to get the live tone from 2004-present. You've got a good pedal board/amp/guitar setup.

lotsalemon · May 2016

Check this out:

http://equipboard.com/pros/mike-mccready/#amplifiers

Keep it real simple - his tone isn't too out of reach (ie heavily modified amps etc). 2 channel Marshall or other vintage Marshall style amp. A a few key effects like a boost for solos, wah, OD boost for heavier rhythm and leads and you'll have it.

But just remember the old cliche - and it's kinda true - tone is in the fingers!

Suggestions on Achieving a Mike McCready Tone?

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