Kim Thayil

[clutch71]

I'm on vacation this week and next and have committed the free time to studying Kim. HIs tunings are wacked by the way! I know Soundgarden has used Dual Rec's but are we one 100% certain on which album he used them? Kim was very Partial to the VTM-120.

Here's my best guess...without research.

Screaming for Life - Marshal SLP or Super Bass
Ultra Omega OK - Marshall JCM 800?
Loud Love - Peavy VTM 120
Bad Motor Finger - Peavey VTM 120
Superunknown - Fender/Dual Rec/ Maverick?
Down on the Upside - Dual Rec

Like to see what you guys think.

I was Jamming on Like Suicide and Superunknown yesterday and really digging the tone. My Marshall comes close but where I think it is lacking is the lower gain tones acheived on these tunes. I don't think he was running that much gain. Am I just geeking for a Rec again or a Peavey VTM 120?

 

[gambit]

I don't know for sure about time periods but I was told that soundgarden took Trem-O-Verbs on tour with them... Maybe they used them for recording but I know they at least used them live. Bottom line, their best albums were made with MESA.

 

[fluff191]

The only Mesas I ever saw them use were 2 Channel Dual Rectos.

Before that Kim was using his VTM-120 with Mesa cabs.

Superunknown is classic Recto tone. Esspecially "Mailman".

I do know in the early days he used a Music Man head through a Peavey or Marshall cab.

Either way, he was one of my guitar heroes for sure. Amazing player. Wish he did more stuff!

 

[clutch71]

Doing a little research I found these links

http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/270/38/
http://www.answers.com/topic/kim-thayil
I can not believe the first albums were a Bass Ampeg. WTF? BMF was released in 1991 which would have predated Dual Rec's. SO that WIKI post is suspect at best.

I found this picture with what appears to be a JCM 800. That's Definately Hiro who left before BMF was released.
http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/images/ultra2.jpg

 

[droptrd]

Why not? Go for it (the peavey). You can always ebay it and get something else. Besides, Kim was able to get some killer sounds out of his. However, a recto will be easier to get rid of and have a better resale value IMO.