JCM 800 EQ settings for lead tone (Norum's tone)

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JohnSykes

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I'll be recording in the next couple of weeks with a 800 (100w, horizontal inputs). I tried it yesterday, actually. Great amp, very "playable" even without a boost, especially or some Angus / Slash style of playing. Used it cranked with a 2x12 (one Greenback, one Classic Lead).

But i'd like to get a tone closer to Norum's tone on "Another Destination". I think i definetly need a boost for this saturated tone and i know he played Cameron amps.

Im playing a Les Paul (medium output pickups) and i could borrow these pedals:

TS-9
SD-1 Keeley Mod
Marshall Guv'Nor
Marshall Drivemaster
CAE Line Driver


THANKS!
 
SD-1 with the controls practically anywhere would be my choice. I like to run the CAE boost in front to send it completely over the top.
 
I know that at one point, i think it was during the Don Dokken tour.. John Norum was using Soldano's on the Crunch channel and slamming the front end with the old Marshall Guvnor pedal... Gary Moore style.

Since the JCM800's gain levels are maybe on par with the Soldano's Crunch channel, you could probably achieve a similar tone by hitting the front end of the 800 with the Guvnor pedal. It will probably be closer to Norum's 'Face The Truth' album tone than 'Another Destination', but it should sound great. Add the cocked wah during solos and it should get you even closer :rock:
 
New Guv'nors won't be as good as the old ones but they have the gain to get you ballpark. For sure an SD-1 can get you in the ballpark too. I read he used to slam his older pre channel switching Marshalls with two TS-9's or a combo of an SD-1 and TS-9. Essentially boosting has always been my preferred method too. Keeps everything tighter. As mentioned, get on that wah too. Essentially, don't obsess over every minute detail. John sounds great on anything and he would sound awesome on an 800 with an SD-1 and a shitty cry baby he got for 40$ on craig's list. It is his vibrato which gives his playing so much character. Total monsta!
 
Wow, some really cool advice here!

I do have an old Guvnor, is should try it.

Man, Norum is so awesome. I hear some Gary Moore in his style, some EVH, some Sykes.
 
You also hear a bit of Yngwie in the older stuff and a lot of Shenker as well in the new stuff! Vibrato to diiiiiiiie for. :gay: :rock:
 
Kapo_Polenton":vuo5785q said:
You also hear a bit of Yngwie in the older stuff and a lot of Shenker as well in the new stuff! Vibrato to diiiiiiiie for. :gay: :rock:
Click to expand...

Indeed!

His early "Yngwie-esque" stuff was great but i prefer his style during Dokken / Face the Truth days.
 
JohnSykes":368e97w2 said:
I hear some Gary Moore in his style...
Click to expand...

Gary is definitely an influence, here's John doing a cover of Gary's slow version of Don't Believe A Word.

 
Norum's tone on more recent solo and Europe albums is great too. It's heavier than a stock 800, so either he has modded his amps or uses some pedals for extra gain.

I built a 10-watt amp recently with lots of gain; if I turn down the gain a bit, I can get in the vicinity of recent Norum tone, as in these clips:



 
V2a":mt7qcxb2 said:
Norum's tone on more recent solo and Europe albums is great too. It's heavier than a stock 800, so either he has modded his amps or uses some pedals for extra gain.

I built a 10-watt amp recently with lots of gain; if I turn down the gain a bit, I can get in the vicinity of recent Norum tone, as in these clips:



Click to expand...


Some great stuff
 
I'm not sure what amp he played on Slipped. It sounded a bit fizzier than on other albums, either because it was higher gain (and unfiltered) or perhaps the mic placement was different.

For Another Destination, I think he used his USA Schecter 'S' guitars, but I'm not sure the stock single coils were in there. Also, I imagine that he had Vintage 30s in his cabs rather than greenbacks. I think the V30s would help get the tone. The JCM800 would need some boosting, for sure. There is a YT video with a Norum rig rundown, if that helps the OP:



And some good live tone from the Another Destination era:

 
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