Has perfect high gain guitar tone been achieved?

I've done the ss amps, tubes, hybrids, software only and modelers so I'll just echo the tool word.

I can see now though that once I get into my 60's, the loud tube amp thing will be less important. Small package and saving my hearing will take precedence.


Dan Gleesak said:
Here ya go @Geo they are well into their 20s for this version. Maybe you can listen to the guitar without being distracted

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Is that your perfect high gain sound? Where is the guitarist? You say don't get distracted, but it is literally 3 girls on a stage. Also, I want that 1 minute back that I wasted on a very boring intro. I do like their song 'Chocolate' but not sure why.
 
Hiwatts-n-Gibsons said:
And tbt one of the biggest advantages they have is social media. Whether or not it is; unbiased reviews from members on forums who don't have to worry about ad revenue, product announcements and play throughs on FB, Instagram, You Tube, etc..., all of it helps new players make far better informed choices with a vast increase in options compared to those of us who started playing well before the internet.
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This is true too, but the flip is that it is a very crowded market (ie too much choice can be polarizing)
 
I like many classic guitar tones from the '60s to the '90s, and some since '00; mostly Marshall, Vox and Fender tones.

For what I consider my favorite modern tones, I just need three main sounds, Clean, Rhythm, Lead; with some effects variations on each. This really capture is, and why I have JP-2C, and use HX-Effects in 4CM with it...and to do it all in one, I have a VHX.




I can get all these tones in my computer software rig these days, even though I have amps, preamps, effects for some of my favorite tones.
 
311boogieman said:
I've done the ss amps, tubes, hybrids, software only and modelers so I'll just echo the tool word.

I can see now though that once I get into my 60's, the loud tube amp thing will be less important. Small package and saving my hearing will take precedence.





Is that your perfect high gain sound? Where is the guitarist? You say don't get distracted, but it is literally 3 girls on a stage. Also, I want that 1 minute back that I wasted on a very boring intro. I do like their song 'Chocolate' but not sure why.
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I think it’s a great high gain sound. No one sound will work for all types of metal, but I think that tone is perfect for that riff and song. It’s full, it cuts, and it’s clear.

As for not seeing the band, that’s just a thing they do for a couple shows per tour that they do for official videos and releases. The band is after all, the girls.

But honestly if 3 women are on stage, fully clothed and doing nothing even remotely suggestive… it’s on the individual if they think it’s sexual. One of my favorite things about them is that my girls love watching them and watching rock stars play to huge crowds without being skanks about it.

Their older sound I think is the perfect rock tone , maybe not for metal though

 
Firstly, we examine the term, "Perfect."

Long ago, it simply meant "Finished," or "Completed."

For example, one might have "Perfected" their technique or some skill, or "Perfected" a technology, or tool to achive a desired result.

Today, "Perfect" simply means "Ideal," or how it should be, that is, to my taste.

So what is a perfect tone? It is one that gets a result I like. There are innumerable perfect tones for expression.

King Edwards tones were perfect for each and every record he released. Similarly, Toni Iommi's, Zakk's, James and Kirk, Jones, Roman from Jinjer, King and Hanneman from Slayer, even Vernon Reid from Living Coloür.

I have heard my own perfected tone, and will have to do a bit more R&D to get it finished. I am over 80% there in a stable form that doesn't melt down within a half an hour, and can use high voltage to get 90% there for takes using a simple Rivera M series.

This is a great thread. Thanks for creating it.
 
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I personally think Metallica's Black Album was the benchmark for things to come, from a tone/recording standpoint. Load & RE-Load were up there as well.

But, many have developed their own thing. Bands like Lamb Of God.. You instantly recognize their sound. I've seen them live 3 times, and you just can't deny that Lamb Of God aggressive tone, be it album, or live. And, it's a perfect example of "modern metal" tone, to me. Atleast my idea of it. Same with Petrucci - Yeah, they're Progressive, but John's tone is insanely good, and also what I'd consider a "modern metal" tone. I guess the common theme here is Mesa Boogie..
 
napalmdeath said:
I personally think Metallica's Black Album was the benchmark for things to come, from a tone/recording standpoint. Load & RE-Load were up there as well.

But, many have developed their own thing. Bands like Lamb Of God.. You instantly recognize their sound. I've seen them live 3 times, and you just can't deny that Lamb Of God aggressive tone, be it album, or live. And, it's a perfect example of "modern metal" tone, to me. Atleast my idea of it. Same with Petrucci - Yeah, they're Progressive, but John's tone is insanely good, and also what I'd consider a "modern metal" tone. I guess the common theme here is Mesa Boogie..
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Meattalica killed 80's guitar.
 
Geo said:
Meattalica killed 80's guitar.
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I wouldn't blame a band for it, it's just been an evolution in gear, recording processes, technology, tastes, etc. The 80's are alive and well in my house, I still live in that thrash tone era. Many do.

If anything, Grunge killed 80's guitar.
 
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napalmdeath said:
Lamb Of God.
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While I dig a lot of their tones (especially the remix of Palaces) I think their last couple albums lacked a bit. The tones on Omens are OK though... Just wish they would record a more organic sounding album, something where the drums sound like real drums.
 
For me, the balance is always between gain, clarity, and polish. Too much distortion and notes lose definition, too much production and it loses the immediacy of the room sound. The players with the best tone usually know how to find that equilibrium, but I still hear guitar parts (usually older recordings) that shouldn't work but sound great in the context of the song. It's an eternal challenge
 
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