Help with Amp Settings: Getting the right tones

[tjb4233]

Hey I searched all over the web and ap.net, but no one really has any definite non-sarcastic pop-punk amp settings. I'm really stuck on the new Hit The Lights' tones rhythm and lead both are stellar. I'm really digging what Four Year Strong has going on too. I know they both play straight through their Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifiers. I'm hoping to attain those tones with my POD X3 Live (it has pretty much any amp simulation i've seen any pop punk band play with)..I'm pretty sure noise gates and compressors are gonna need to be used so if anyone has advice on what levels to set those I would gladly appreciate it too..Thanks

[tellmycaster]

Actually
Hit the Lights plays mesa single recs with a beefy mid, idk any other way to put it, Ive played with them and I was checkin out their shit. FYS guitarists play through 2 different heads at the same time, they play emporer cabs. I know they both play orange(not sure which) out of the top 2 speakers of the cab. Dan plays a Bogner Umbershell(something like that) out of the bottom 4 speakers of his cab. As for Alan, im not quite sure what he plays out of his bottom 4 speakers. With that POD, youll get the sound, but not really the feel of those amps. You wont get the vintage crunch. It will just sound like a fake amp. But I guess if your really set on using that pump a little bass(12 o'clock) Mids you can mess around with, mids is really all on prefernce. The lower you go with mids, the tighter it will sound, if you really drop the highs, itll sound like metal. The higher you go, the more rock/ punk it sounds, something like Midtown's This time Next year. and for the treble i usually set mine anywhere between 12 to 2 o clock, ive been messing around with different amps so i havent really come up with a good set level. Honestly dont listen to anyone though, dont take anyones advice about settings. its all preference, and a good way to find this is to turn all your knobs down as far as possible. and turn each on slowly until youve found the sound your want.
And on a side note, maybe its just me. But i absolutly despise HTL's guitar tone on the new cd. But FYS's tone defffinitly is tight

[thecretinisback]

both those bands play orange

[patrickhowell]

They achieve tones like that with high output humbucking bridge pickups into high gain tube preamps and pushed tube power amps through multiple 12" closed-back speaker cabs. There are a lot of amp models on that pedal with this kind of sound:

2002 Angel P-Ball (ENGL Powerball)
2002 Bomber Uber (Bogner Uberschall)
1990 J-800 (Marshall JCM 800)
1992 J-900 Dist (Marshall JCM900)
2002 Criminal (Peavey 5150II)
2003 Deity Lead (Diezel VH4)
2001 Diamond Plate (Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier)
1993 Solo 100 Head (Soldano SLO-100)
2001 Treadplate Dual (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier)

and I'd run one of those amps through either of these cabs:

4x12 96 Brit Celest V30 (Marshall 4x12 cab loaded with Celestion Vintage 30's)
4x12 01 Treadplate (Mesa 4x12 cabinet)

I wouldn't mess with compression, and I wouldn't use the noise gate unless you're getting uncontrollable feedback (although that'd probably just be a symptom of too much gain or microphonic pickups)

Use a lot of mids. A lot of guitarists make the mistake of going for a lot of bass to sound "heavy" but that will only make your guitar sound muddy. That's why basses exist. Emphasize the midrange frequencies on your guitar and let your bass player take care of the low end.

What amp are you playing this system through ?

both those bands play orange

No, in Hit The Lights Kevin and Omar both plays Mesa Boogie Single Rectifiers through Mesa 4x12 cabs. I've seen Four Year Strong play with Orange, Hughes and Kettner, Bogner, Soldano, and Marshall amps. It looks like with their most recent setup Alan plays an Orange and a Soldano through an Emperor 6x12 (http://a533.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_bb1afcc75ccb67a72962da52f73636fc. jpg) cab and Dan plays an Orange and a Bogner through another Emperor 6x12 (http://a370.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_d7cf52b3d2c4fd6785a126eb5432a2e9. jpg).

[tellmycaster]

No, in Hit The Lights Kevin and Omar both plays Mesa Boogie Single Rectifiers through Mesa 4x12 cabs. I've seen Four Year Strong play with Orange, Hughes and Kettner, Bogner, Soldano, and Marshall amps. It looks like with their most recent setup Alan plays an Orange and a Soldano through an Emperor 6x12 (http://a533.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_bb1afcc75ccb67a72962da52f73636fc. jpg) cab and Dan plays an Orange and a Bogner through another Emperor 6x12 (http://a370.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_d7cf52b3d2c4fd6785a126eb5432a2e9. jpg).

Thats what it was, it was soldano. Thanks lol, its been buggin me.

[steviestare]

What type of guitar and pick ups?

Also, didn't see it in the post (probably missed it) what type of amp?

[sinktylersink]

What type of guitar and pick ups?

Also, didn't see it in the post (probably missed it) what type of amp?

I think Hit The Lights plays mostly Epiphones (Les Paul Standards, Black Beauty and/or Customs, and a Dot). I've seen Omar play a Gibson SG before (a while ago though) as well as a Gibson Semi-Hollowbody (also a while ago). I think FYS has a Gibson Les Paul Studio (Faded) and a Gibson SG Standard for sure, not sure about what else. My memories a little rusty on these. Also, not sure about any pickup modifications either.

[tjb4233]

They achieve tones like that with high output humbucking bridge pickups into high gain tube preamps and pushed tube power amps through multiple 12" closed-back speaker cabs. There are a lot of amp models on that pedal with this kind of sound:

2002 Angel P-Ball (ENGL Powerball)
2002 Bomber Uber (Bogner Uberschall)
1990 J-800 (Marshall JCM 800)
1992 J-900 Dist (Marshall JCM900)
2002 Criminal (Peavey 5150II)
2003 Deity Lead (Diezel VH4)
2001 Diamond Plate (Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier)
1993 Solo 100 Head (Soldano SLO-100)
2001 Treadplate Dual (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier)

and I'd run one of those amps through either of these cabs:

4x12 96 Brit Celest V30 (Marshall 4x12 cab loaded with Celestion Vintage 30's)
4x12 01 Treadplate (Mesa 4x12 cabinet)

I wouldn't mess with compression, and I wouldn't use the noise gate unless you're getting uncontrollable feedback (although that'd probably just be a symptom of too much gain or microphonic pickups)

Use a lot of mids. A lot of guitarists make the mistake of going for a lot of bass to sound "heavy" but that will only make your guitar sound muddy. That's why basses exist. Emphasize the midrange frequencies on your guitar and let your bass player take care of the low end.

What amp are you playing this system through ?



No, in Hit The Lights Kevin and Omar both plays Mesa Boogie Single Rectifiers through Mesa 4x12 cabs. I've seen Four Year Strong play with Orange, Hughes and Kettner, Bogner, Soldano, and Marshall amps. It looks like with their most recent setup Alan plays an Orange and a Soldano through an Emperor 6x12 (http://a533.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_bb1afcc75ccb67a72962da52f73636fc. jpg) cab and Dan plays an Orange and a Bogner through another Emperor 6x12 (http://a370.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_d7cf52b3d2c4fd6785a126eb5432a2e9. jpg).

Thanks that helps a great deal...I'm playing with an Epiphone Les Paul...Whenever I play I was thinking I would maybe plug it straight into the PA..but I just got it...I'll try all those amps you suggested...I know its not the real deal, wish it was...but that is $$$$$...and I gots none

[tjb4233]

Actually
Hit the Lights plays mesa single recs with a beefy mid, idk any other way to put it, Ive played with them and I was checkin out their shit. FYS guitarists play through 2 different heads at the same time, they play emporer cabs. I know they both play orange(not sure which) out of the top 2 speakers of the cab. Dan plays a Bogner Umbershell(something like that) out of the bottom 4 speakers of his cab. As for Alan, im not quite sure what he plays out of his bottom 4 speakers. With that POD, youll get the sound, but not really the feel of those amps. You wont get the vintage crunch. It will just sound like a fake amp. But I guess if your really set on using that pump a little bass(12 o'clock) Mids you can mess around with, mids is really all on prefernce. The lower you go with mids, the tighter it will sound, if you really drop the highs, itll sound like metal. The higher you go, the more rock/ punk it sounds, something like Midtown's This time Next year. and for the treble i usually set mine anywhere between 12 to 2 o clock, ive been messing around with different amps so i havent really come up with a good set level. Honestly dont listen to anyone though, dont take anyones advice about settings. its all preference, and a good way to find this is to turn all your knobs down as far as possible. and turn each on slowly until youve found the sound your want.
And on a side note, maybe its just me. But i absolutly despise HTL's guitar tone on the new cd. But FYS's tone defffinitly is tight

I'm just a sucker for HTL's lows...and the songs were extremely catchy...still can't stop listening to that record

[tjb4233]

also...what kind of pickups do you guys suggest....Duncans are usually pretty standard for pop punk...but anything else?

[patrickhowell]

Thanks that helps a great deal...I'm playing with an Epiphone Les Paul...Whenever I play I was thinking I would maybe plug it straight into the PA..but I just got it...I'll try all those amps you suggested...I know its not the real deal, wish it was...but that is $$$$$...and I gots none

No problem. Line 6 stuff is really meant to go straight to the PA, so you should be set. And yeah, it's not ideal, but if you work with it, you should be able to get decent enough sounds for now. Good luck.

also...what kind of pickups do you guys suggest....Duncans are usually pretty standard for pop punk...but anything else?

Seymour Duncan JB

[MatthiasEllis]

also...what kind of pickups do you guys suggest....Duncans are usually pretty standard for pop punk...but anything else?


when i saw fys at warped tour their lead player had one of the worn cherry Les Paul Studios that come with gibson burstbucker pickups. They are insanely loud pickups that still have some warm mids and dont sound dead like EMGs. check em out they are loudddd!

[tellmycaster]

I use Hotrails, they do the job
in my second guitar i use emgs, and once i used hot rails i realized that the emgs dont really sound as good as i thought, they are so tinny/metaly

[Jourdan]

hotrails are quality for that pop punk sound... that is if you're using a guitar that's single coiled.
i slapped one into my telecaster back when i was playing that sort of stuff, and it did the job.

[mylastflight]

if you wanna play safe jcm 800 is easier to work with. Bonger uberschall, youll need to fuck around a little and get used to it. its pretty hard to use in my opinion. Soldano, no opinion, never played it before but im assuming its similar to splawn/marshall. i also like vox ac30 w/ blues for pop punk sound

[tednugent]

a little gain goes a long way

[The Boathouse]

a little gain goes a long way

Wiser words were never spoken.

[AbandonMachines]

hey guys
maybe you can help me out
right now im playing a gibson sg with the stock pick-ups, going into a 6505+ and out through an orange 4x12
im looking for a sound thats nice, round, punchy and thick..but not muddy
something along the lines of, or in between four year strong and daggermouth
usually not many people know who daggermouth are, check them out
www.myspace.com/daggermouth (http://www.myspace.com/daggermouth)

any help at all will be awesome

[patrickhowell]

hey guys
maybe you can help me out
right now im playing a gibson sg with the stock pick-ups, going into a 6505+ and out through an orange 4x12
im looking for a sound thats nice, round, punchy and thick..but not muddy
something along the lines of, or in between four year strong and daggermouth
usually not many people know who daggermouth are, check them out
www.myspace.com/daggermouth (http://www.myspace.com/daggermouth)

any help at all will be awesome

Guitar: Volume and tone all the way up to 10, pickup selector on Treble

Amp: "Lead" channel, keep the pre gain low, around 3... This amp has more gain on tap than you could ever need, and if you take it up too high you'll only lose note definition. The post volume will probably sound best if you can take it up above 4 or so, but try to match with the levels of the rest of your band. If you set everything else around 5 you should be alright. Add some bass/treble if you need it and take out some mids if they're overpowering. But make sure to remember that you play guitar, and the "heavy" low end should be left to the bassist. If you add too much bass in your tone, you will not be able to cut through the mix. The amp settings that sound good when you're alone probably won't sound as good as a full band.

Cab: If it's a new cab, the speakers need at least 30 hours of playing at loud volumes before they'll really sound right. Before that they will probably sound stiff and lack in the low end. Just keep playing and they'll loosen up.

Good luck.

[theguy77]

i always say you cant beat a les paul bridge humbucker and a british amp but its all preference. i get fucking awesome pop-punk tone out of my JCM900, this is going to sound really stupid but trust me it works, i actually turn the presence, bass, mid, and preamp volume all the way up, with treble at about 2/3s (treble on marshall amps tends to be harsh) and gain about halfway (i have the master volume model with the tube screamer between the preamp and power amp, so lots of gain)

if you ask me the presence knob is key, it really emphasizes the mids, which essentially is what separates sharp pop-punk tone and like mushy metal tone, and also without it if you played leads in between chords they'd kind of get lost in the blend of gain but the presence knob adds so much clarity to those leads mixed in.

[theguy77]

But make sure to remember that you play guitar, and the "heavy" low end should be left to the bassist. If you add too much bass in your tone, you will not be able to cut through the mix. The amp settings that sound good when you're alone probably won't sound as good as a full band.

if you're playing at a legit venue that mic's your amp wouldnt they fix that on the mixing board? and would the same apply to an older (80s/early 90s) marshall, because even with the bass turned all the way up its still a very treble/mid based sound, i turn that low end all the way up on my 900 just so it sounds balanced and isnt too harsh.

[patrickhowell]

if you're playing at a legit venue that mic's your amp wouldnt they fix that on the mixing board? and would the same apply to an older (80s/early 90s) marshall, because even with the bass turned all the way up its still a very treble/mid based sound, i turn that low end all the way up on my 900 just so it sounds balanced and isnt too harsh.

If you're a legit guitarist, you should have your tone figured out and you shouldn't have to rely on someone else to fix your mistakes. It doesn't really matter what settings the knobs are on though, what matters is the sound coming out of the speakers. But just FYI, what sounds balanced when you're alone with your guitar at low volumes will sound completely different in a full band mix at stage volume. When you are playing at home, it will sound better to have more bass in your sound because there is no bass guitar to cover those frequencies. Also, the way the human ear works, we are much more sensitive to high and low frequencies at higher volumes. This means that the same settings on an amp, when you jump from bedroom volumes to live volumes, will sound like they have more bass and treble, but less mids.

[theguy77]

yeah i noticed that when i bumped up the volume. i already play rather loud at my house, i have it set to 25 watts but volume is about 2/3s, but i turned it up full blast and it changed the way it sounded pretty dramatically, i heard so much more bass in it to the point where i can definitely see it interfering with the bass guitar.

[dondiego21]

im looking for pop punk settings and/or settings similar to bands such as title fight, the wonder years, polar bear club, set your goals, the movielife.
i play a gibson sg special 490r and 490t alnico pick ups through a line 6 15 watt amp. im short on cash so buying new equipment is really out of the question at the moment. can anyone help ?

[BrettVsShark]

Dude... Four Year Strong has a lot of different gear. When I seen them live one of the guitarist had an Orange Rockerverb 50 and a Bogner Uberschall in a road case, the other guy had an Orange OR50 and a Soldano SLO... Honestly, I think they just had the Orange heads because of an endorsement as neither of them were using the Oranges.

But, of those set-ups are pretty high dollar... And they both had Emperor 6x12 cabs with god knows what in them (although, I would bet they are Celestion Vintage-30 equipped... That is what it sounded like to me). When I was running a Rockerverb 50 and an Orange 4x12 w/ Vintage-30s it was pretty easy to get that FYS tone, so that leads me to believe those speakers are a pretty large part of the equation.


Just saying... There is a lot more to guitar tone than "modeling." Your not gonna get anywhere close through a modeler. On those records your hearing the woods the guitars are made out of, the pick-ups, the amps, cabs, speakers, strings.. etc.




My advice? Find a cheap Marshall JCM/TSL/DSL and a Vintage-30 equipped cab of your choice (the Oranges are great if you can afford them or find a used one). You'll get close enough and not break the bank.

Hope this helped! :)

[rawkandrowl]

No problem. Line 6 stuff is really meant to go straight to the PA, so you should be set. And yeah, it's not ideal, but if you work with it, you should be able to get decent enough sounds for now. Good luck.



Seymour Duncan JB

I thought the JB was awesome in a big thick mahogony bodied guitar like a Paul but one time I dropped one in my SG and it sounded like an old man coughing up glass! My personal favorite humbucker is the Duncan Custom such a good pickup but it is kind of dark. If you have ever heard the Glasseater album "Everything is Beautiful When You Don't Look Down" that is the sound you get.

BUT....my favorite pickup overall is the Duncan Li'l 59 for Tele! Not that I'm a pickup expert or anything but against anything I've tried I just can't get enough of a Tele with a Li'l 59 in it.

[rawkandrowl]

im looking for pop punk settings and/or settings similar to bands such as title fight, the wonder years, polar bear club, set your goals, the movielife.
i play a gibson sg special 490r and 490t alnico pick ups through a line 6 15 watt amp. im short on cash so buying new equipment is really out of the question at the moment. can anyone help ?

I have a Line 6 amp like that and it just boils down to lots of time in trial and error.

[dondiego21]

I have a Line 6 amp like that and it just boils down to lots of time in trial and error.

yeh ive noticed it sucks, and even with all the time i ahve put in its hard to find something im truly satisfied with.
whut settings do you typically use?

[fishguts182]

I think one of the best pop punk tones was Tom Delonges old tone when he was still using mesa amps and fender strats. That tone was so unbelievable imo

[rawkandrowl]

yeh ive noticed it sucks, and even with all the time i ahve put in its hard to find something im truly satisfied with.
whut settings do you typically use?

Well I actually seem to fiddle with it every time I play! But right now I am using the crunch channel with the gain about 70% and I'll have to look at my settings tonight to tell you where everything else is.