Mesa Roadster EVH Sound

[Mercury25]

Well here goes for my first soundclip post...

I'm sure this has been done before, but here is my attempt on the EVH sound on my Roadster.

Let me know what you think...sorry in advance for the crappy playing!

M25
h
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=674815

 

[soundpurist]

Well here goes for my first soundclip post...

I'm sure this has been done before, but here is my attempt an the EVH sound on my Roadster.

Let me know what you think...sorry in advance for the crappy playing!

M25
h
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=674815

Funny... how did you achieve this sound? (setting) Thanks.

 

[masque]

well i got good news and bad news; the good news-pretty good tone, nice sounding.....the bad news-it don't sound like EVH tone to me in my humble opinion...but don't feel bad....that tone is one of the Holy Grail tones in my opinion but your sample does sound good!

 

[Schmoog]

EXCELLENT tone. but your gonna need to thin it up if you want VH. if you listen to vh's tone critically rather than just being like duuuuuuh thats awesome duuuuu-ooooood. you'll see his sound is all mid and treb, yours is good, but too full, try turning down the bass a little. you dont really want the thump for VH

 

[Mercury25]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Schmoog: I'll try thinning it out and post another clip later, thanks for the suggestion.

I was listening to VHoholics clips, especially the 5150 sounds found here:
http://www.jasonjosephphotography.com/soundclips.html
I think he has some great tones, but again, a lot of that is in the hands.

I was trying more for the 5150 sound obviously, but I only seem to know older VH tunes to play :roll: --might have to experiment with some EL-34's, but I hate to sacrifice the other three channels.

Also, I'm using a SM57 right into my laptop with Guitar Tracks Pro, but it is amazing how sensitive the placement is on that mic!

Thanks

 

[Mercury25]

OK,

I have a new clip posted...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=674815

M25

 

[Schmoog]

now thats a great EVH style tone!

 

[Russ]

First, I would like to say that I enjoyed your clips. I had always admired EVH back in the day if for nothing else his innovative approach. Though I know that for a roadster this is a good approximation of EVH, the sound to my ears is not quite right. I think it might just be the amp itself. From personal experience I have learned that in order to nail that early tone you should use an old Marshall. Also, is it just me or does it sound a little too tense like the recording is rushed? I would suggest relaxing a little more too and having more fun just playing the riffs than trying to be as technically correct. It will help your sound flow better. Feel it and the tone will come out. Trust me. I can hear that you know the notes and you technically can play them. You have nice gear. Now feel what you are playing while you play it.

 

[Mercury25]

Thanks for the feedback Schmoog and Russ.

Russ: I agree with you on the Marshall thing--I certainly didn't buy the Roadster to play VH, but I am also a big fan of Eddie's so I'm just trying to get close enough.

As far as the "rushed" part, I was just trying to get some clips recorded to post so not a lot of time went into it--thanks for the suggestion, I agree that it is important to relax and enjoy it!!

M25

 

[Russ]

I can totally understand you wanting to get an approximation. I have been eyeballing those new MXR pedals lately.

I knew I could hear a little of that let's hurry up and lay this down and just go through the motions sound. I was beginning to second guess myself though and think that maybe it was something else. I am glad that you came forward with that. I would have been wondering about that for a while.

 

[Talus]

Wow, that second clip was pretty **** good, what settings were you using to get that?

 

[Mercury25]

Thanks Talus!

I used Channel 2 in Brit mode 50W/Tube setting

Gain @ 3:00
Treb @ 1:00
Mid @ 11:00
Bass @ 12:00
Pres @ 11:00

The key I found is using a Boss SD-1 (Keeley modded, not that it matters) in front--it adds that extra something to the sound.

Russ: I posted a newer clip that I hope will not keep you up at night worrying! :wink:

 

[mxr2000]

Nice clips.... heyyyy somebody know if i can do the same and get close to the VH sound using a mark IV?? if so!! Can you post the setting? 8)

 

[disassembled]

Ya know what got me a great EVH tone? I modded my little EPI valve jr combo with about $8 in parts and swore I was playing through a very close model of an old Plexi. What did it for me was the extreme high end I was getting through my Mesa Mark series 212 with EV 12L and MC90 speakers.

That's what it seems like you clips are lacking- that piercing high end. Your amp is pretty dark by nature but I am sure you can brighten it up a bit. Or you can just buy a valve jr head and mod it for a marshall type tone

Greg

 

[Russ]

Thanks Talus!

I used Channel 2 in Brit mode 50W/Tube setting

Gain @ 3:00
Treb @ 1:00
Mid @ 11:00
Bass @ 12:00
Pres @ 11:00

The key I found is using a Boss SD-1 (Keeley modded, not that it matters) in front--it adds that extra something to the sound.

Russ: I posted a newer clip that I hope will not keep you up at night worrying! :wink:

Hey that sounds more natural and less forced. Good job man. I thought the 2nd clip had slightly better settings though.

Nevermind me, I have helped friends to improve their live sound and look beyond their believed boundaries always resulting in improvement and thanks. Now I would like to hear you playing out live.

 

[Mercury25]

Thanks for the follow-up Russ!

Now I can sleep better tonight! :wink:

The amp setting were the same, but I'm sure the SM57 was probably off by 1/4"-1/2" from the last recording...

 

[Talus]

Thanks Talus!

I used Channel 2 in Brit mode 50W/Tube setting

Gain @ 3:00
Treb @ 1:00
Mid @ 11:00
Bass @ 12:00
Pres @ 11:00

The key I found is using a Boss SD-1 (Keeley modded, not that it matters) in front--it adds that extra something to the sound.

No kidding, and you've still got the stock 6l6's in there? I love the Brit mode, but I've always found that I have to turn the treble way down and the prescence completely off otherwise the amp is very bright and brittle feeling.

Although I've only really had a chance to play around at bedroom volumes, so I really don't know how it sounds cranked. Did you have it all that loud when you recorded these clips?

 

[Mercury25]

Talus,

Yes, I am using the stock Mesa 6L6's. I tried a set of JJ EL34's, but it didn't make enough of a difference to me, and I lost the really clean channel 1 sounds and super chunky channel 3 & 4.

It was louder than bedroom volume but not as loud as full blown practice with the band. Channel master about 9-10:00 and overall output about 9:00.

I agree about the brightness. After you have been playing in "recto mode" it sounds very bright, but after a while your ears seem to get used to it and it doesn't seem so brittle.
I'm also using a Peavey Wolfgang with the bridge pickup.

Enjoy...