What's the point of chasing someone else's tone?

[MadAsAHatter]

Let me start off by saying I'm not knocking anyone for chasing a particular artists' tone. If that's what you want to model your sound after there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

In my mind and in all the years I've been playing I've never wanted to sound like someone else. I may be inspired by an artists' tone, but I never aspired to achieve it exactly. In the end I always wanted to sound like me, not someone else.

Before I start rambling I'll get to the point/main question. Do you have a particular tone in your head that has nothing to do with anyone else and are trying to nail it down? Or are you chasing a particular artist's tone; and if so what is your reasoning / what's the point for doing so?

PS. I took a half day off work and have been day drinking which results in contemplating random shit.

 

[Nigel]

For me it's about creating a sound that inspires exhilaration/bliss as a feedback loop.

 

[DanTravis62]

It's the dividing line for those who aspire to be artists in their own right and people that don't.

It isn't about talent or technical ability really - it's about who thinks the end goal is making their own music and who, deep down, know they can't

That isn't a dig btw at the people who see music as a hobby to play in cover bands - that's a worthy thing to do as well. It's just a different thing.

And it's why some people are obsessed with copping other guitar players sounds, and others are obsessed with making their own

 

[japetus]

Never have, I just make my own tone.

 

[Beyond Black]

I’ve never chased anybody else’s tone, but I’d trade both balls for an amp that could nail Accept’s “Balls to the Wall.”
I’m snipped anyway, they wouldn’t be missed…

 

[Beyond Black]

Never have, I just make my own tone.

Many men like your tone.

 

[tallcoolone]

I suppose because it makes them happy?

 

[DanTravis62]

I’ve never chased anybody else’s tone, but I’d trade both balls for an amp that could nail Accept’s “Balls to the Wall.”
I’m snipped anyway, they wouldn’t be missed…

I mean it's literally an MXR distortion+ and a super lead And judging from the sound, probably a 57 or 58 as the mic

The key with that tone IMO is the lower output pickup and the distortion +

 

[Beyond Black]

I mean it's literally an MXR distortion+ and a super lead And judging from the sound, probably a 57 or 58 as the mic

The key with that tone IMO is the lower output pickup and the distortion +

I’ve played an MXR distortion + into my 72 SL with a variety of low to high output pickups and couldn’t even get in the ballpark. Lol
I saw a YT vid awhile ago where the guy got a somewhat similar tone, then layered it about a dozen times, getting closer and thicker every time, and got damn close to nailing it in the end.
I’m gonna take another YT dive and see what I can find. Not that I’m chasing their tone or anything.

 

[VonBonfire]

It's easy to bash guys chasing someone else's tone and maybe it's worth laughing at but seriously one day I will basicallly become Eddie then you'll get it.

 

[sandman]

If one is trying to play songs by a guitarist they like then I can understand wanting to dial in that tone for the fun of it or especially in cover band etc…
But for someone doing their own songs etc…a certain artists tone could be inspiring but if i’m trying to play my own stuff, i dial in a tone/sound that is geared more for what compliments what i am playing. But my hands make any guitar amp or dialed in tone sound like so whatever

 

[DanTravis62]

I’ve played an MXR distortion + into my 72 SL with a variety of low to high output pickups and couldn’t even get in the ballpark. Lol
I saw a YT vid awhile ago where the guy got a somewhat similar tone, then layered it about a dozen times, getting closer and thicker every time, and got damn close to nailing it in the end.
I’m gonna take another YT dive and see what I can find. Not that I’m chasing their tone or anything.

I don't have the gear to get it exact, but if I had a distortion + I could probably get really close

I did this in like 30 seconds (don't even have the levels right and the bass is farting out a bit) but this is just a kemper profile of a plexi and a greenback IR



I imagine with a distortion plus and then maybe some added room mics basically anyone can get really close with some effort since the gear is all widely available - and that means you too! I would mess around with mic placement and the tone stack settings more than anything else

 

[romanianreaper]

I have chased tones and tried to nail tones, for two different scenarios.

Back when I had my Axe-FX and wasn't in a band, it was great playing to backing tracks with a copy of the tone for fun.

To me, chasing tones is to have a sound you want to get just like someone getting a certain type of car, etc. For me, that has been chasing the ultimate modded Marshall tone.

 

[Beyond Black]

I don't have the gear to get it exact, but if I had a distortion + I could probably get really close

I did this in like 30 seconds (don't even have the levels right and the bass is farting out a bit) but this is just a kemper profile of a plexi and a greenback IR



I imagine with a distortion plus and then maybe some added room mics basically anyone can get really close with some effort since the gear is all widely available - and that means you too! I would mess around with mic placement and the tone stack settings more than anything else

That sounds really good and close!
I did read that they had a room full of NMV Marshalls, so I would imagine their was many amps and mics at play.

 

[DanTravis62]

That sounds really good and close!
I did read that they had a room full of NMV Marshalls, so I would imagine their was many amps and mics at play.

For sure - it's probably more in the technique than the gear though

Like, they probably miced up one speaker with the 57, but had a full stack going and then augmented it with room mics or something; that was a common practice in the time period. Maybe a U67 or U87 in the room or something

I would guess that technique part is the most difficult part of copping that tone though, not really the guitar gear

 

[TheBiggestJerk]

Some of us when playing a zeppelin tune, prefer to sound more like Jimmy Page, and not Larry Page.

 

[311boogieman]

sometimes it is fun to chase down a tone
sometimes it is fun to chase my own

 

[ChurchHill]

Let me start off by saying I'm not knocking anyone for chasing a particular artists' tone. If that's what you want to model your sound after there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

In my mind and in all the years I've been playing I've never wanted to sound like someone else. I may be inspired by an artists' tone, but I never aspired to achieve it exactly. In the end I always wanted to sound like me, not someone else.

Before I start rambling I'll get to the point/main question. Do you have a particular tone in your head that has nothing to do with anyone else and are trying to nail it down? Or are you chasing a particular artist's tone; and if so what is your reasoning / what's the point for doing so?

PS. I took a half day off work and have been day drinking which results in contemplating random shit.

Certainly admired many tones, but I've never tried to replicate or even come close to anyone else's tone.

I started playing because I wasn't hearing anyone else make the sounds I wanted to hear. Not saying I'm any good at it, but for better or worse, it's always been my tone. Don't even really care what anyone else thinks of it, either, as long as it inspires me and it fits what I'm trying to do musically.

The only thing that comes close is, if I really like someone's sound, I might pay attention to what amp, guitar, pickup, effects, etc., that they used and be inspired to play around with the same gear, see what I could do with it.

 

[RaceU4her]

The only thing that comes close is, if I really like someone's sound, I might pay attention to what amp, guitar, pickup, effects, etc., that they used and be inspired to play around with the same gear, see what I could do with it.

Thats why i bought my RG100es, i dug what Dime, Crowbar and Acid Bath got out of theres, i figured if they could get good tones out of them than so should i, i wasnt really looking to sound like them though

 

[BlueParfait]

It uh gets the mind going, thinking about this or that and about what substitutes I can use, even knowing it doesn't really matter because I won't be playing their licks or try to play like them at all