Unpopular Rig-pinions

[Racerxrated]

Either Racer was still asleep when he wrote that or he's talking to Ghosty..

Yes talking to Ghosty....clearly I'm familiar with Jeremy and his gear...I'm responsible for a couple of his rigs!

 

[braintheory]

Racer, what's your favorite upper-mid boost pedal?

OD1X. I’ve had the Savage Drive(noisy), Cusack Screamer(too transparent lol), Maxon(too much compression), MiJ SD1 (still have) and a few others..all are good but the OD1X doesn’t ‘narrow’ the tone, still stays big and open while adding some upper mid color. The MIJ SD1 is nice but still adds too much compression imo.

I typically boost amps that can work well with some added compression (and sometimes also tightness) such as a stock jmp2203, Hiwatt, VH4, or a iic+ (if set with less gain). The boosts I’ve kept (of the 100+ I’ve owned, including the ones Racer mentioned) have been an original Klon Centaur, Furman PQ-3, TC Electronic 1140, Fulltone Ranger, Coppersound Broadway and Jauernig Kollmanation. All of them can potentially add great upper mid presence, but can definitely be too much if the existing tone is already very compressed or has tons of gain. With amps like my CCV or most Engls boosts have been a no go. I also just got an Audioarts 4100 PQ, but won’t get to properly test it until I’m back in NY, but seems very promising so far

I think of adding a boost as being like adding sauce or seasoning to meat (the amp). Some can benefit from different amounts of it and some may be better off without it. The Klon to me is like the best sauce ever, but can be too much or not agreeable with some amps

The problem with the boosts I’ve had that don’t add much compression is that they didn’t really help tighten things up as much either, but can still fill in other ways like certain mid presence, growl, grit, nice textures, etc

I agree overall with Racer’s take on the OS1X, but I returned mine because I still preferred others I had at the time and also, it’s subtle, but my ears detected something artificial/inorganic in its tone that irked me. I think if you hear it, it’s hard to let it go

 

[GJgo]

I agree overall with Racer’s take on the OD1X, but I returned mine because I still preferred others I had at the time and also, it’s subtle, but my ears detected something artificial/inorganic in its tone that irked me. I think if you hear it, it’s hard to let it go

While I very much respect Racer's opinion, that's the exact same reason I returned my OD1X. That said, it sounded killer in my bass player's rig!

 

[braintheory]

I agree overall with Racer’s take on the OD1X, but I returned mine because I still preferred others I had at the time and also, it’s subtle, but my ears detected something artificial/inorganic in its tone that irked me. I think if you hear it, it’s hard to let it go

While I very much respect Racer's opinion, that's the exact same reason I returned my OD1X. That said, it sounded killer in my bass player's rig!

Yeah it was almost a keeper for me at the time because it still had a lot of very good qualities going for it. I think I remember also preferring it to a Buxom Boost I had at the time

I’m really liking though using my rack pq’s as boosts lately though like Furman PQ-3 and TC 1140 and the Audioarts 4100 seems very promising. They’re super versatile and have sent the vast majority of boosts I had packing. I’m hoping the Audioarts may send even a few more packing. I’ve only tried it a little bit with my Vox and it seems like it may tick the box doing most of what I want out a boost while still being open and low noise, but I can’t say for sure until I try it through a high gain amp. The amount of output on it is also insane. Unity gain on it is at like 9 ‘o clock or so, but I like that because it gives more flexibility

 

[LordThurisaz]

Here's something that I'm willing to bet has been said, but bears repeating: Less gear, more practice. Can we stop with the top jacks? Side jacks are fine; they take up more space, sure, but you do not need to fit a 5th drive pedal on your board anyways. Too many options on one board are not healthy, folks. If you need another board for your second band, good. No board should be all things to all situations anyways. More stuff on the board = more things to go wrong in the middle of a show.

 

[ghosty999]

Ok Here's one for you. The Mark IIC+ doesn't sound good in a live situation, and the average guy will never be able to get "that" tone out of it. It's also in tonal trouble if the second guitarist has anything British voiced.

Agree! It works much better in a studio environment. Live it get's woofy very quickly especially if going for a Brit vibe and post EQ is useful.

Have you played a real C+? Not a JP, Mark III with a mod, studio/quad pre, Mark V/25 etc..a read deal vintage 2C+?

Because the aforementioned are NOT a C+, no matter what anyone here says.

It was a friend of mines, I have no idea it's history. It was paired with 1 4x12 and couldn't get it cutting in the jam room. Could be anecdotal! But I didn't get to push it as hard as I liked.

 

[ghosty999]

Here's something that I'm willing to bet has been said, but bears repeating: Less gear, more practice. Can we stop with the top jacks? Side jacks are fine; they take up more space, sure, but you do not need to fit a 5th drive pedal on your board anyways. Too many options on one board are not healthy, folks. If you need another board for your second band, good. No board should be all things to all situations anyways. More stuff on the board = more things to go wrong in the middle of a show.

Less Gear, More Practice - Absolutely, I'm down to 1 digital rig, 1 valve rig, 1 mini practice rig and never played more guitar! I've also ditched almost all my pedals except for essential boosts. Probably not the place to show off how little gear I use now haha

 

[SpiderWars]

I used to be able to have several short jumpers to go from pedal to pedal but now I have to have extra short jumpers where the jacks point in opposite directions for when I have to connect a side jack pedal to an adjacent top jack pedal. That's the only thing I don't like about top jacks.

Lol, I'm just now re-visiting my pedalboard and adding to it, new Vibe, new Wah, new Para EQ. I have three more open power supply jacks!

And lately my correlation with practice and gear has been more of both.

 

[Racerxrated]

Ok Here's one for you. The Mark IIC+ doesn't sound good in a live situation, and the average guy will never be able to get "that" tone out of it. It's also in tonal trouble if the second guitarist has anything British voiced.

Agree! It works much better in a studio environment. Live it get's woofy very quickly especially if going for a Brit vibe and post EQ is useful.

Have you played a real C+? Not a JP, Mark III with a mod, studio/quad pre, Mark V/25 etc..a read deal vintage 2C+?

Because the aforementioned are NOT a C+, no matter what anyone here says.

It was a friend of mines, I have no idea it's history. It was paired with 1 4x12 and couldn't get it cutting in the jam room. Could be anecdotal! But I didn't get to push it as hard as I liked.

I’ve always thrown an upper mid boost pedal in front, it’ll cut fine in a 1 guitar setting. All Marks have the same tonal nature, with the C+ having way more clarity than any other Mark plus a feel that no other amp has. But I usually gigged with one of my Marshalls. No other amp cuts as well.

 

[Racerxrated]

I agree overall with Racer’s take on the OD1X, but I returned mine because I still preferred others I had at the time and also, it’s subtle, but my ears detected something artificial/inorganic in its tone that irked me. I think if you hear it, it’s hard to let it go

While I very much respect Racer's opinion, that's the exact same reason I returned my OD1X. That said, it sounded killer in my bass player's rig!

I hear I high end ‘detail’ or something that I like; as I turn up it diminishes a bit. That may be what you hear. The Cusack is probably the best pedal at leaving your tone intact but I don’t like the ‘narrowing’ or ‘smaller’ sound with most pedals. OD 1X leaves my sound as big or ‘wide’ as before while adding upper mids that don’t get nasally.
But my TC 1140 is the most transparent and effective boost. Just easier to use the pedal.

 

[GreatRedDragon]

I don't know if it's unpopular or not, but I can't fucking stand recessed Floyd Roses and I hate their ubiquity, especially on Charvels.

 

[Zachman]

Opinions...

Some say, 'They're like A-holes'... Everybody has one and...

I say,

'They're like orgasms... Mine is more important than theirs, and I don't care if they have one'
___________________

The Real stuff is Better than the modelers.

___________________

Good tone only matters if you can play something interesting enough for people to want to listen in the 1st place, and 'Good' tone-- is only 'Good tone' in context with the rest of the mix.

___________________

If Hendrix would've had the chance, he'd have used a Bradshaw rig.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Suicidal Tendencies was better than most bands that everyone listened to in the 80s and 90s.

Diezels are not fun amps to play.

David Draiman has a perfect voice for rock music.

I liked Devil Without A Cause. I played that shit nonstop for like 2 straight months cause I thought it was funnier than shit.

PRSi can play metal.

Son House was better than Hubert and Clapton put together.

SD-1s kick the shit out of most boutique ODs/distortion pedals.

I like Pink. A lot. As a consequence, I like Justin Derrico a lot too.

I can't listen to glam rock from the 80s.....nothing from Dokken or any of the bands like that; it's just cheese metal to me. It's like the Beatles, I can appreciate what they did, I just don't want to hear it.

 

[thegame]

Dio fronted Sabbath is superior to the Ozzy era Sabbath in every conceivable way.

Devin Townsend is an amazing all around musician who borders on genius at times (no argument there I'm sure) but for every brilliant song he puts out, there's another 10 absolute filler tracks that bookend them. Please Devin, take your time and save your best stuff for a release every 2 - 3 years instead of bombarding us with a 60+ minute album every 6 months.

Mesa Mark amps don't just cut through the mix, they can effortlessly slice and dice right through it, provided they are dialed in correctly. I've jammed on a C+ alongside drums and bass many times and dominated the mix with ease, even with a moderate mid scoop dialed in.

Boost and overdrive pedals are much too overused these days, especially into already highly compressed and gained out amps. Working on right AND left hand muting and picking techniques can go a long way towards tightening up an amp you think needs a pedal for the same purpose.

Headless guitars and neon colored 80's throwback superstrats are abominations.

 

[japetus]

David Draiman has a perfect voice for rock music.

And is legit one of the coolest, nicest, most authentic guys in the music industry.

 

[ghosty999]

Dio fronted Sabbath is superior to the Ozzy era Sabbath in every conceivable way.

Devin Townsend is an amazing all around musician who borders on genius at times (no argument there I'm sure) but for every brilliant song he puts out, there's another 10 absolute filler tracks that bookend them. Please Devin, take your time and save your best stuff for a release every 2 - 3 years instead of bombarding us with a 60+ minute album every 6 months.

Mesa Mark amps don't just cut through the mix, they can effortlessly slice and dice right through it, provided they are dialed in correctly. I've jammed on a C+ alongside drums and bass many times and dominated the mix with ease, even with a moderate mid scoop dialed in.

Boost and overdrive pedals are much too overused these days, especially into already highly compressed and gained out amps. Working on right AND left hand muting and picking techniques can go a long way towards tightening up an amp you think needs a pedal for the same purpose.

Headless guitars and neon colored 80's throwback superstrats are abominations.

Ooo that Dio opinion is spicy, I like!

100% agree on Hevy Devy, his "Best Of" would be more epic than his best album. Sad but true. But with all the mental health problems and genius... no wonder he churns out the music.

 

[SpiderWars]

Totally agree on boost/OD pedals, it's rare that I don't quickly turn it back off when trying to somehow improve an already good tone.

 

[ZEEGLER]

Dio fronted Sabbath is superior to the Ozzy era Sabbath in every conceivable way.

100% agree. Ozzy Sabbath was great, but Heaven & Hell is a goddamn masterpiece and stomps all over anything Sabbath recorded with Ozzy.

 

[sandman]

Dimebag's tone wasn't the best to me but after meeting him and hanging for a bit.....you just couldn't help but like the guy...so down to earth and humble...kinda made me like his tone more after meeting him...haha

Sammy Hagar was the best fit for Van Halen to me and Balance album was Ed's best tone to me.

axe fx iii is badass with a friedman asc-12 cab and is replacing my tube amps and pedals (i know the tube vs digital debate will go on forever lol)

Jake E Lee was my favorite Ozzy guitarist...then Zakk...then Randy

I never cared for Metallica much. Megadeth and Testament I love

 

[saxxamafone]

- Adam Jones' tone is really good, but not the holy grail or anything that special and unique.
- Tube amps are still better than modelling gear (..which is trying to obviously copy the tube tone anyway).
- Modern digital effect pedals are still no match for quality rack gear.
- Spending more on an amp doesn't always mean better tone...BUT it can often mean better features and more flexibility.
- AxeFXs sounded 'like the real thing!' back in the Ultra days, so that means we don't need anything new then yes?