I have a dual rec and love it. Of course it has that beefie modern tone. However, I am trying to get a more Marshall-ish tone with some sizzle. I have it set up on the vintage setting. I want to add a little sizzle to it. I am using a Fulltone Full Drive 2 or a Fat Boost for overdrive but I'm wondering if I need to add a distortion pedal. Any advice?
Need Distortion Help
- Thread starter josephz
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UnderJollyRoger
Well-known member
Maybe stick some EL34's in it ?
Forgot to mention that I've already done that. Love the tone with the EL34s. I guess I'm trying to get that Doug Aldrich style tone. Maybe not quite so much high end sizzle but in that vein. I have Suhr Doug Aldrich PUPs in my guitars so taken care of in that dept.
The closest I get to a Marshall tone is running channel one pushed with the gain at 1 o'clock and a good tube screamer. However, this is more of an old school Aerosmith/ZZ Top type of sound. I'm guessing your looking for a more shredding tone?
Chris McKinley
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joseph,
You won't get there with either the Fulldrive 2 or the Fat Boost. Both are darker toned OD's and the Recto is already a darker amp when it comes to the mids. You're going to want something that emphasizes the mids and upper mids and adds some harmonic content. This is one of the reasons why the Tubescreamer clones are such popular OD's with Recto owners. You might also consider trying a treble booster in front of the OD as well for some sorely-needed harmonics when playing lead.
Another important piece of the puzzle can be a good graphic EQ in the effects loop. Reducing the 200Hz by 4 to 6 db and boosting the 100Hz by 2 to 4 db can get rid of the nasty mud and give you back some truly thumping bass. You can also simultaneously boost the 800Hz by 2 to 4 db and it will give you back a little of the singing mid harmonics.
You won't get there with either the Fulldrive 2 or the Fat Boost. Both are darker toned OD's and the Recto is already a darker amp when it comes to the mids. You're going to want something that emphasizes the mids and upper mids and adds some harmonic content. This is one of the reasons why the Tubescreamer clones are such popular OD's with Recto owners. You might also consider trying a treble booster in front of the OD as well for some sorely-needed harmonics when playing lead.
Another important piece of the puzzle can be a good graphic EQ in the effects loop. Reducing the 200Hz by 4 to 6 db and boosting the 100Hz by 2 to 4 db can get rid of the nasty mud and give you back some truly thumping bass. You can also simultaneously boost the 800Hz by 2 to 4 db and it will give you back a little of the singing mid harmonics.
fluff191
Well-known member
Using good Chinese tubes as opposed to Russian ones is a good start too. They give you that Marshall break up.
Hey Fluff,
Any particular brand you like. I have "mesa" el37's in it right now. They sound pretty good - a lot better than the 6l6's that came in it. One thing I'm going to try also is because I want to get that beefy but sizzle tone a la Doug Aldrich is go to a heavier gauge string - like 11-50 Dunlops. I notice when I do some faster licks on the B and E strings I miss the string sometimes - it's a feel thing I guess. I have a guitar that I built 3 weeks ago from Warmoth that has a warm sounding body with a brighter sounding neck and plus it is set up like a Les Paul's features. I like to experiment alot. It seems the more I do the more I get closer to a tone that suits my ear.
Any particular brand you like. I have "mesa" el37's in it right now. They sound pretty good - a lot better than the 6l6's that came in it. One thing I'm going to try also is because I want to get that beefy but sizzle tone a la Doug Aldrich is go to a heavier gauge string - like 11-50 Dunlops. I notice when I do some faster licks on the B and E strings I miss the string sometimes - it's a feel thing I guess. I have a guitar that I built 3 weeks ago from Warmoth that has a warm sounding body with a brighter sounding neck and plus it is set up like a Les Paul's features. I like to experiment alot. It seems the more I do the more I get closer to a tone that suits my ear.
YellowJacket
Well-known member
Different speakers / speaker cabs will help too. It all depends on what it is exactly that you want to capture about the marshall tone.
Speakers: If you want that generic sizzly scratchy grindy marshall sound you need to look into Celestion G12T 75s. If you want the woody creamy crunch, G12m - 25s. If you want that hendrix vibe, you can try G12H - 30.
Of course, you don't need to use celestion drivers. I was recommended to try WGS speakers. YOU may want to do this instead as you can save $$$s for high quality guitar drivers that sound great nonetheless.
Of course you could also just buy a Marshall . . .
Speakers: If you want that generic sizzly scratchy grindy marshall sound you need to look into Celestion G12T 75s. If you want the woody creamy crunch, G12m - 25s. If you want that hendrix vibe, you can try G12H - 30.
Of course, you don't need to use celestion drivers. I was recommended to try WGS speakers. YOU may want to do this instead as you can save $$$s for high quality guitar drivers that sound great nonetheless.
Of course you could also just buy a Marshall . . .
