need suggestions - country with a JCM800

[dstroud]

Landed a really cool country/rock gig and I've got the rock sounds covered with my JCM800 clone/Tubescreamer but I'm having issues getting the country tones. The JCM800 is set up for a mild breakup. I've tried different boost pedals at lower gain but that isn't really working. I've got a Digitech Main Squeeze that comes close, but not quite there. Any suggestions? Might just be my fingers too! working on some chicken picken but I just don't have the attack with my fingers. TIA for suggestions!

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

get a good compressor

 

[tripstan]

what he said ^ Get a good compressor and good reverb. If you are real serious about the country tones try a open back cab too.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

and a Tele

 

[Fragglerick]

What they said, good compressor and a tele.
And if ya really want to get it right, get a ten gallon hat, big belt buckle and some Wranglers too. Giiddyup!!!

 

[gtrplr71]

great playing sounded a little more jazzy to me.

 

[CaseyCor]

Definitely get a compressor (I'm fond of the Keeley 4 knob), and don't be afraid of riding your volume and tone knobs on your guitar! I used to play in a country band running a small board into a Mesa Mark II B (no EQ on board), playing a Mexican strat and my Ibanez Artcore semi hollow. Not an amp people would associate with country music, but using a compressor first in line on my board and putting a lot of work in on my vol/tone knobs got me where I needed to be.

 

[chunktone]

A tele, or something with single coils, a good compressor and a Fenderish amp is what you'll need to do it right imo.

 

[ewill52]

most have suggested a compressor - that's a good start. You might also add a quick slapback from an analog-style delay. It makes a big difference!

 

[paulyc]

Can you pull the plug on the input on songs where you need it cleaner and switch to the low sensitivity input ? That will help clean it up a lot, and maybe a higher gain boost pedal will get you back to where you need to be for more high gain sounds...

 

[4406cuda]

I am using the Wampler Ego Compressor and the Wampler Paisley Drive in my Country Rock Band.

My Amp is a Boogie Mark V

I am also using the Tweed, Edge, IIC+ modes on the amp.

We are covering everything from old school country, modern country, classic rock, and southern rock

I would be more concerned about slap back delay than reverb.

I am using a strat, tele, SG, and acoustic for this band.

Let us know when and where you are playing.

Good luck Darren!

 

[thenine]

You need this! Keep level down. Knocks down the input a tad and will get you exactly what you need. Add a comp too.

 

[dstroud]

thanks guys! I actually started getting some things I liked out of the main squeeze, but I went ahead ordered a visual sound Route 66 V3. I liked the sound of the demo's and it's got some cool features plus maybe it will replace my tubescreamer too. I got the slap back no problem - multi fx in the loop of my amp so just gotta get the front end together. If the Route66 doesn't do it' I'll probably go for the Wampler Ego. I like the features on that one too. thanks again!

 

[tripstan]

Wampler, Keeley or Barber Tone press are all great comp pedals.

 

[TrueTone500]

P90 pickups > compressor > 5751 tubes in the Marshall > set MV at 10 > control utility volume from PV control...

Nothing sounds quite like a P90 loaded (G&L) Tele through a Vox or Marshall.

 

[CaseyCor]

P90 pickups > compressor > 5751 tubes in the Marshall > set MV at 10 > control utility volume from PV control...

Nothing sounds quite like a P90 loaded (G&L) Tele through a Vox or Marshall.

P90s are a good call! I'd like to have a strat style guitar with P90s in the bridge and neck, and a single coil in the middle. 5 way switch, maybe add in a switch between series/parallel wiring for good measure

I was thinking about trying out those Duncan P-Rails pickups. They are a P90 and a single coil in one housing, so they can technically be a humbucker, P90, or single coil all in one pickup. Clips sound pretty nice, but I need to try them out in person.

I think that would be a cool pickup to use for country stuff. Single coil mode for the sparkly clean twangy stuff, P90 for the just barely broken up "time to dig in" kinda sound, and the humbucker for when all hell breaks loose. Sounds fun to me

When it comes to country stuff, I'm a fan of running an amp just on the edge of breakup, and using pedals + your guitar controls to get what you need. Starting with a simple, clean sound that breaks up just a bit when you dig in and play hard is the right place to be, IMO.

Also, a bit of reverb and slapback delay is good too!

Check out some videos of Greg Koch playing. He is one of my favorite players. I love watching him play country stuff, even though I'm not a country guy. He has great tone too. This video goes over a bit of his rig, and teaches some basicis of chickin' picking. Should be helpful!

 

[petejt]

It's definitely possible. I saw John Fogerty and his band live back at the Blues & Roots festival a few years ago. The stage was loaded with Marshall stacks, including JCM 800s. No sight of the solid-state Kustom amps I recall. The guitar tones were great! Country-ish, but well, country like Creedence and John Fogerty (which I prefer).

I'll think of some better suggestions later to post.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

go into the low input, drop the pre-amp gain, crank the master and run it through you delay/reverb/chorus of choice.

you'll be surprised on how versatile they can be if its all you got LOL. Back in the day when I only had a a single JCM800 2203 with 6550's and could get great punchy jazzy clean tones out of the thing and great cleans.

 

[petejt]

go into the low input, drop the pre-amp gain, crank the master and run it through you delay/reverb/chorus of choice.

you'll be surprised on how versatile they can be if its all you got LOL. Back in the day when I only had a a single JCM800 2203 with 6550's and could get great punchy jazzy clean tones out of the thing and great cleans.

This absolutely

 

[gtrplr71]

an EH soul preacher is a great compressor dirt cheap I see them on CL for 40 to 50 bucks, and I use one.