Audioholic
New member
As you have gotten older, have your desired amps and tone chasing changed? Mine has, I find myself looking at amps that I would of not before, less gain, simpler. Has your opinions and tone quest changed permanantly?
glassjaw7
Well-known member
For sure. When I was 15 or so I bought a TS9 and returned it the next day(for a DOD Death Metal Pedal 
) because it didn't have oodles of gain for me to hide behind.
When Line 6 Pods and Flextones became popular I loved them because I could hide behind the over-the-top gain and effects.
Same thing when I bought my Dual Rec. But NOW I love a defined and responsive gain structure, and am really digging the Mark series Boogies and Marshalls (and the butt-loads of companies that base their tone on em!)
Funny thing is, the first guitar sounds I really loved on records and tapes were Marshalls. I just had to learn to actually play to come full circle
) because it didn't have oodles of gain for me to hide behind. When Line 6 Pods and Flextones became popular I loved them because I could hide behind the over-the-top gain and effects.
Same thing when I bought my Dual Rec. But NOW I love a defined and responsive gain structure, and am really digging the Mark series Boogies and Marshalls (and the butt-loads of companies that base their tone on em!)
Funny thing is, the first guitar sounds I really loved on records and tapes were Marshalls. I just had to learn to actually play to come full circle
A
Anonymous
Guest
Less Gain/More Mids biggest changes in my old age.
glassjaw7
Well-known member
I guess I could've just said thatkurtsstuff":xxp2ttnu said:
Shark Diver
New member
I'm not sure my taste have changed as much as I'm able to afford the amps now that give me the tone that has always been in my head.
glpg80
Well-known member
not really.
it helps when you dislike 100% of the amplifiers that exist
it helps when you dislike 100% of the amplifiers that exist
crwnedblasphemy
Well-known member
Marshall Law
Well-known member
this is very true, as you are maturing as a player, where you use to hide behind distortion, you find you are listening to different textures and nuances of your playing, everyone will go through this, not that you won't want to rock out now and again, you will 
but the older you get, the more your pre amp or gain pot goes counter clockwise. plus you will want to start playing strats (single coil PU's) it's true, I can't prove it to you, just wait, you will prove it to yourself
remember LESS IS MORE
but the older you get, the more your pre amp or gain pot goes counter clockwise. plus you will want to start playing strats (single coil PU's) it's true, I can't prove it to you, just wait, you will prove it to yourself remember LESS IS MORE
OldSkoolNJ
Active member
Same 2 heads & 2 cabinets for 15 years or so..
Same settings too
Same settings too
Nigel Tufnel
New member
The older I get I let my ears and instincts lead me much more than my eyes. This goes for the gear as well as how I utilize it.
S
Shiny_Surface
Active member
What time has done to me:
Floyd superstrats exchanged for fixed bridge Fenders and Gibsons and/or copies of them. Still keep a few 7 strings in the fold for when I'm feeling the brootz though.
Play clean alot, learning chord melody type of stuff. Like to use "mid gain" tones more often.
Appreciate boost pedals driving mid gain more than a high gain amp that has the boosted sound built in.
I still love high gain though, I just seem to appreciate alot more scenario's now.
Floyd superstrats exchanged for fixed bridge Fenders and Gibsons and/or copies of them. Still keep a few 7 strings in the fold for when I'm feeling the brootz though.
Play clean alot, learning chord melody type of stuff. Like to use "mid gain" tones more often.
Appreciate boost pedals driving mid gain more than a high gain amp that has the boosted sound built in.
I still love high gain though, I just seem to appreciate alot more scenario's now.
JTyson
Well-known member
I think when I was younger, I wanted as much gain as I could get my hands on because I was sloppier and it hid some of my mistakes Now, I like a little less gain and more tone, but I still love high-gain 
Now, I like a little less gain and more tone, but I still love high-gain 
Juggernaut
Well-known member
kurtsstuff":3ljn2mi7 said:
this... plus moving on to tube amps from my trusty old Randall SS. although I still have one in the stable.
PeteLaramee
Well-known member
About 6 or 7 years ago I went through a less gain/more mids stage, but I think I went overboard and my tone suffered for it. I'm 41 now and I use more gain than ever. My mids are moderate now, but probably still higher than the youngsters who use as much gain as I do.
My mids are moderate now, but probably still higher than the youngsters who use as much gain as I do. 
Atropos_Project
New member
Less gain, more mids, distorted tones that don't sound abysmal with complex chords going on. Wanting tones that have some dynamic to them.
It's not so much getting older, it's about becoming a better player and not needing the "crutches" so to speak. Still wanting certain effects is another issue altogether.
I know for me, learning how to record was an eye opening and time consuming situation with regards to tone and how guitar is approached. (and still a learning process).
It's not so much getting older, it's about becoming a better player and not needing the "crutches" so to speak. Still wanting certain effects is another issue altogether.
I know for me, learning how to record was an eye opening and time consuming situation with regards to tone and how guitar is approached. (and still a learning process).
johnny q
Active member
Big time...
In my youth, it was clean amp w/ a distortion pedal in front maxed out. Lightest strings possible, highest output pickups possible.
These days - low output paf's, gain from the amp only (JCM 800 or 1972 Super Lead) and heavier strings!
In my youth, it was clean amp w/ a distortion pedal in front maxed out. Lightest strings possible, highest output pickups possible.
These days - low output paf's, gain from the amp only (JCM 800 or 1972 Super Lead) and heavier strings!
Death by Uberschall
Active member
Shark Diver":1ap30h1i said:I'm not sure my taste have changed as much as I'm able to afford the amps now that give me the tone that has always been in my head.
+1
I'm a rock/hard rock/progressive/metal head, always have been, always will be.
But in saying that, I do have a well balanced collection of amps because I like many different tones for what ever I'm currently into.
Greazygeo
Well-known member
I still have most of the gear I've always had.....tone is not much different really. Still don't play strats, teles are cool though (as long as they aren't Fender).
I play alot more country licks now
I play alot more country licks now
headlessdeadguy
Well-known member
kurtsstuff":1sirb45d said:
Me too
M
MichaelG
Member
Oh, absolutely!
I used to be a real treble monger and now I back the treble off quite a bit from where it used to be. I also use more gain now, but I'm not happy unless the gain structure is very clear and well articulated and has the mids that I like. Typically this involves a boost pedal of some sort.
Being able to afford some nice gear now has also gotten me closer to the tone in my head. These days I also find that I prefer the sound of my mahogany guitars over the alder guitars. I've also discovered that a walnut bodied guitar gives me a VERY satisfying tone!
I used to be a real treble monger and now I back the treble off quite a bit from where it used to be. I also use more gain now, but I'm not happy unless the gain structure is very clear and well articulated and has the mids that I like. Typically this involves a boost pedal of some sort.
Being able to afford some nice gear now has also gotten me closer to the tone in my head. These days I also find that I prefer the sound of my mahogany guitars over the alder guitars. I've also discovered that a walnut bodied guitar gives me a VERY satisfying tone!