Guitar Questions
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From: St. Libory
Guitar Questions
So I've been picking around on an old Fender Mustang for about 2 1/2 years. I think it sounds pretty good and clean with my amp (Fender Princeton Reverb). Everything works pretty well considering it was my dad's from back in the 70's. My question is what do I need to get a heavier sound? I mean, if I try and play Metallica or something, it doesn't even sound close. Now I'm sitting here playing Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath and it sounds pretty close. On the songs with more strumming it sounds closer, but when you get into more chords it doesn't. I'm not sure if I can really explain what I want, I just want something to distort the sound and make it "heavier". Thanks
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A Telecaster has more of a twang to it than a Strat. With the right effects, you can make most anything sound like anything else. However, I do believe Metallica mostly uses ESP guitars and Mesa Boogie amps. They do also use Gibson, as does Black Sabbath I believe. Overall, while I am very partial to Fender, I think a Gibson Les Paul is usually the instrument of choice for metal bands.
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From: Borensberg, Sweden
What kind of pickups do you use? I have two Stratocasters and both of them came with standard fender pickups. I wanted a sound with more punch to it then stardard so I bought a new set. I bought Fender Custom Shop Texas Specials and the difference in sound was unbelievable. I also changed the strings to heavier gauge and now I got the sound I was looking for. It takes a little time to get used to heavier strings but it does pay off. This could be one way to - it worked for me. / Hans
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From: Travelers Rest SC
Distortion is mostly a function of over-driving the amp- sending in so much signal that it can't handle it all. Hotter pick-ups will definitely do this. The location of the pick-ups is important, too. If you have 2 or more pick-ups, you can play with the mix to get the sound you want. Most solid body guitars can be made to sound like almost anything with the right pick-ups and right location. The rest of it is just a solid hunk of wood. Different woods, of course, produce different sounds, but the differences are subtle. As the others have said, though, a distortion pedal is the easiest, and probably cheapest way to get what you want.
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From: Borensberg, Sweden
I agree that the easiest way is a distortion pedal, I will probably buy me a BOSS BD-2 or an Ibanez Tube Screamer to get the Blues sound I like so much. The reason for me going the pickup way is that I just enjoy expermenting with my guitars and creating different sounds. / Hans
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From: Borensberg, Sweden
Originally Posted by rednekrailroader
I have one of those Tube Screamers and it's an awesome pedal. You could also look into a Digitech effects board, which would just about cover the entire spectrum of potential sounds.
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From: St. Libory
So what do I need to know about pedals? What's good for what I want and what isn't? I really don't know a whole lot about guitars so all this help is greatly appreciated. My guess is it probably just has the standard pickups in it. I can change the sound alittle by messing with how they're set, etc. I just can't quite get what I want though. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money (read: a new guitar) but if I can get what I want a few bucks would be alright. I'll have to try and get to the music store in town when it's open and browse around. Thanks again guys!!!
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