Guitar Vs. Effects When Playing Live...

howmuchdifference
howmuchdifference St. Louis, MO Posts: 25
edited October 2006 in Musicians and Gearheads
I'm sure if we all played in large arenas and amphitheaters, things like picks and string gauge could be heard by the average listener. But if you're like me and play in a local originals band; you're performing in bars and city festivals most of the time. And usually with mixed results in relation to sound quality. So the question up for debate is this:

When playing at local drinking establishments what makes the greatest impact on the average listener -- Is it the quality of the instrument? Or, the effects in your arsenal? Or, maybe the amp?

With the holidays approaching it would be nice to have a good idea of places to invest for getting a better sound onstage...
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Comments

  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    It's all in the hands. But I would invest in a good tube amp!
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • Vedderlution_Baby
    Vedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    I have yet to find a effect that makes me play better but I get what you're saying. Honestly? I would focus on playing the actual instrument and the quality of it then go from there. but having some effects is always a plus.
  • Novawind
    Novawind Posts: 836
    I'm gonna agree with keeponrockin, tube amp is critical. Playing on my solid-state simply does not -feel- the same.

    A nice delay doesn't hurt either. Speaking of, has anyone used the Boss DD-20 (Giga Delay)? The sound-on-sound recording is supposed to be pretty good.
    If idle hands are the devil's workshop, he must not be very productive.

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  • Vedderlution_Baby
    Vedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    Novawind wrote:
    I'm gonna agree with keeponrockin, tube amp is critical. Playing on my solid-state simply does not -feel- the same.

    A nice delay doesn't hurt either. Speaking of, has anyone used the Boss DD-20 (Giga Delay)? The sound-on-sound recording is supposed to be pretty good.


    What exactly is a tube amp? I'm new at all of this guitar specs. I got a Fender Frontman 15G amp
  • moster78
    moster78 Posts: 1,591
    Vedderlution_Baby! wrote:
    What exactly is a tube amp? I'm new at all of this guitar specs. I got a Fender Frontman 15G amp

    Here's the highly technical explanation:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tube_amplifier

    Don't worry, I don't understand most of it myself. A tube amp is just a better sounding amp, in most people's opinion.
  • Mishral
    Mishral Posts: 211
    I would put it in this order:
    1: Your own plain. if you can´t play, the stuff doesn´t mather.
    And if you are really good, the stuff is not that imporntant either.

    2: A good Tube amp! Thats the best!

    3: A good guitar.

    4: Now you can talk about effects and stuff. I would, in my case, keep the signal as clear as possible and only go with an good amp.
    Maybe a delay, becaus I love the effect of it. :)

    Also i´m not sure about the order of guitar and amp. But thats basicly how I think.
    "The things you own will end up owning you"
  • Vedderlution_Baby
    Vedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    moster78 wrote:
    Here's the highly technical explanation:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tube_amplifier

    Don't worry, I don't understand most of it myself. A tube amp is just a better sounding amp, in most people's opinion.


    wow I gave up
  • moster78
    moster78 Posts: 1,591
    Vedderlution_Baby! wrote:
    wow I gave up

    http://guitarguru.blogspot.com/2005/02/tube-amps-vs-solid-state.html

    Try this one.
  • howmuchdifference
    howmuchdifference St. Louis, MO Posts: 25
    Thanks for the input, peoples.

    Maybe it'd also help if I went over what my setup was like now:
    I play mainly a Fender Squire. I also have a Hamer Duotone--like Stone used to play but w/o the tremelo mod. I run that into my Cry Baby Wah, Korg Toneworks Multi Effect, Ibenez TS-9 (Analogman Mod) and then into a Silvertone Tube Amp.

    I feel like the basics are there, but where to go from here? The decision's been tough...
  • MetalGod75
    MetalGod75 Posts: 262
    howmuchdifference wrote:
    Thanks for the input, peoples.

    Maybe it'd also help if I went over what my setup was like now:
    I play mainly a Fender Squire. I also have a Hamer Duotone--like Stone used to play but w/o the tremelo mod. I run that into my Cry Baby Wah, Korg Toneworks Multi Effect, Ibenez TS-9 (Analogman Mod) and then into a Silvertone Tube Amp.

    I feel like the basics are there, but where to go from here? The decision's been tough...
    my advice would be get a better guitar and amp.the next level up from what you play will probably be twice the cost but you'll def notice a difference
    Cornell pwns u
  • who's_pearljam?
    who's_pearljam? Posts: 2,104
    I've played in big places, and one thing always holds true:

    When the drummer and bass player kick in, all your effects and tone settings are out the window!.. Just try to keep up! :D

    I don't think picks and string gauges are as important as:

    Playing in time
    Playing in tune
    Playing with the best tone.
    I think it's your guitar and your amp that are most important.
    The audience isn't going to know that you have 10's on, or have a Lollar or a Fralin pickup. They're hearing the whole band.

    You have to keep your head together to play with the dynamics of the band.
    If you're standing there with your adrenaline rushing and hammering down on those strings and you're overpowering the amp, then you're tone is gone.
    If you know your amp and guitar's dynamics then you can keep your tone alive.

    The other important thing that you need is a good sound tech! It's amazing when you stand on a stage with a 100 watt amp cranking and you can't even hear it. You need a good monitor mix so you can hear yourself, and rest of the band, in the mix.

    THEN you worry about effects, but I think that's last on the list. They're important if you have a signature sound that is famous,,, for instance Andy Summers in the Police. That chorus shimmer and that bit of delay is recognizable, but if he didn't have it, he still would sound like Andy Summers because of his playing style, but there would be a bit missing.
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  • howmuchdifference
    howmuchdifference St. Louis, MO Posts: 25
    who's_pearljam? wrote:
    The audience isn't going to know that you have 10's on, or have a Lollar or a Fralin pickup. They're hearing the whole band.

    I always thought that. Well, the truth hurts, but it looks like I'm in the market for a new guitar/amp. I'll leave the Squire vs. American Fender discussion to the other thread, but what about tube amps? Anyone got any suggestions? And you gotta realize I paid $500 for my Silvertone Twin Twelve...
  • moster78
    moster78 Posts: 1,591
    howmuchdifference wrote:
    I always thought that. Well, the truth hurts, but it looks like I'm in the market for a new guitar/amp. I'll leave the Squire vs. American Fender discussion to the other thread, but what about tube amps? Anyone got any suggestions? And you gotta realize I paid $500 for my Silvertone Twin Twelve...

    That one could be a twenty page discussion. There's tons of recommendations and reviews going back in the forums, everything from Traynor, to Fender, to Orange, Peavey, Marshall, Vox... the list goes on. Your best bet, go down to your local store, plug in and play. I myself have a Fender Blues Junior, which is 15W, tube, and I love it, but thats just me personally.
  • gobrowns19
    gobrowns19 Posts: 1,447
    As stated, it's your own choice, but I would recommend a Vox. They sound quite good, especially for the price, and you can find different effects built into it, for a double whammy.
    Happiness is only real when shared
  • surferdude
    surferdude Posts: 2,057
    I'd say find your tone and build on it. My favorite live player, Jimmy Page, basically had two tones live. His normal tone and overdrive. Like in life, find what you are searching for and then treasure it.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • enharmonic
    enharmonic Posts: 1,917
    You don't need a big amp to play a smaller club...and by smaller I mean anything less than 1500 people.

    Also, something to consider that is often overlooked...just about every club has terrible power. Getting good, clean power to your rig will help you sound better, and save your amp from electrical wear and tear. Invest in a line conditioner :)
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  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    I would suggest a Traynor YCV40WR for amp (waits for HailHail to pipe in).
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • harrisonmerwin
    harrisonmerwin Posts: 766
    keeponrockin wrote:
    I would suggest a Traynor YCV40WR for amp (waits for HailHail to pipe in).

    and just to start this argument again....i honestly really apreciate what teh fender hot rod deluxe brings to the table of affordable tube amps. (also waiting for hail)
    2005.09.04
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  • All Those Yesterdays
    All Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    All in the player and the heart. Money means nothing.
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  • howmuchdifference
    howmuchdifference St. Louis, MO Posts: 25
    surferdude wrote:
    I'd say find your tone and build on it. My favorite live player, Jimmy Page, basically had two tones live. His normal tone and overdrive. Like in life, find what you are searching for and then treasure it.

    I really appreciate all the help. I guess I'm shooting for the Mike McCready "life wasted" tone. I've got another guitarist in my band with a cleaner tone and my bass player has a good thick tone. The three together seem to converge really well. But, there always seems to be something a little lacking -- especially in my solos.

    If you want to give me a listen (sans rythm guitar) -- I've got some stuff up on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/dearcalamity...

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