B Tuning and Gain?

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TX6Strings

TX6Strings

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So I"ve been real happy with my DSL 50 lately but Friday I restrung my old Ibanez S Series with 13's and tuned it down to B and noticed that the DSL souneded like it had a lot less gain that before. I picked up one of my EC-1000's with 10's tuned to E and whamo....plenty of gain...anybody notice this? It's weird! :confused:
 
Radial differences in tuning generally require you to adjust your amp settings. What works well in one tuning might not work well in another.
 
Try using a boost with the DSL if you're tuning down. I really liked how my DSL sounded in low tunings as well as standard.
 
Code001":1ju121ch said:
Radial differences in tuning generally require you to adjust your amp settings. What works well in one tuning might not work well in another.

I've tried that and while it does help with the mud it doesn't add gain
 
mrp5150":szotcekb said:
Try using a boost with the DSL if you're tuning down. I really liked how my DSL sounded in low tunings as well as standard.

Yeah I hit it with my OCD and it works fine it's just a pain when I need to quickly switch to a cleaner sound.
 
Maybe a different pickup is in order to bring the tones between the guitars to a happy mediums. A pickup and maybe some amp tweaking? I would say if you feel like you're lacking gain try a hotter, brighter pickup. Hotter to add the boost in gain, brighter to keep the B tuning from being muddy.
 
vchizzle":1qr337ra said:
Maybe a different pickup is in order to bring the tones between the guitars to a happy mediums. A pickup and maybe some amp tweaking? I would say if you feel like you're lacking gain try a hotter, brighter pickup. Hotter to add the boost in gain, brighter to keep the B tuning from being muddy.


+1 to what Vaughn said. I play exclusively in B and A#, and hotter, brighter pickups are the way to go to keep things nice and clear. Of course, with those tunings, you don't want to use too much gain. The way I judge my gain is if I can get a pinch harmonic to sound nice and full with just a little bit of work, then I've got enough gain....it's usually less gain then most people would think.

BTW, I use passive pickups.
 
I play bunch of different tunings with my Herbert, from A# to F#, and I don't have to change a thing on the amp.

My point is - buy a Herbert :D
 
Not a fan of drop B tuning at all. IMO that tuning just takes over your whole tone. I really can't stand that gonk gonk sound of the open 6th string.
 
It's all about how you play it, and the tension on the strings. I can get that djenty, gonky sound if i want, but usually it's not there. Most people who hear my band live or recorded don't notice the low tuning, because we don't use it in the "let's play detuned metal" way, but find it just fits some of the songs/vocals better.
 
Well what passive pups would you guys recommend to replace the stock Ibanez pups? I'd like to stick to passive, maybe a DiMazio Blackout or Super Distortion? Maybe an Air Norton?
 
nbarts":334h0ulu said:
I play bunch of different tunings with my Herbert, from A# to F#, and I don't have to change a thing on the amp.

My point is - buy a Herbert :D

Loan me $4k and I will! :lol: :LOL:
 
TX6Strings":16vrhgn5 said:
nbarts":16vrhgn5 said:
I play bunch of different tunings with my Herbert, from A# to F#, and I don't have to change a thing on the amp.

My point is - buy a Herbert :D

Loan me $4k and I will! :lol: :LOL:

Haven't paid mine off yet, buddy :)
 
D-Rock":w3ujjft2 said:
Not a fan of drop B tuning at all. IMO that tuning just takes over your whole tone. I really can't stand that gonk gonk sound of the open 6th string.

It's taken me two days to get used to it at all, but it's what the band uses that I'm auditioning for...
 
TX6Strings":zy7p7i3f said:
Well what passive pups would you guys recommend to replace the stock Ibanez pups? I'd like to stick to passive, maybe a DiMazio Blackout or Super Distortion? Maybe an Air Norton?


Duncan Custom Custom, Custom 5 and PRS Tremonti Treble (or whatever this pickup is based off) Suhr Aldrich. Vaughn lent me a PRS Tremonti and this pickup is now my all time favorite. I'd like to grab a set of the Aldrich pickups to throw into my CU22 at some point, though.

I have a Tremonti Treble/Dragon II Bass combo in the CU22, and a SD Custom Custom/Jazz combo in my Ibanez SZ720.
 
nbarts":3o76j25e said:
How thick is your Ibanez? What wood?

Very thin...not sure which wood and I can't seem to find it on the net as they don't make 'em any more...at least the S470 model I have
 
nbarts":1niccj02 said:
Duncan in a thin Ibanez sounds like ass IMO.


With the Custom Custom's tight bass response and smooth highs, I dont see how it could be a bad fit. I put that and a Custom 5 in an Ibanez SA160 (thin mahogany guitar) and it sounded very nice. The Custom 5 ended up staying in the guitar, but that's cause I wanted the Custom Custom in a different guitar.
 
I have Duncan Custom in my LP & I find it not thick enough sometimes. I guess it's a matter of taste. I'm ditching all my Duncans, they don't have the magic of a good pickup for me, but then I hate Ibanez guitars too.
Your guitars sound good, it must be your hands.
 
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