Need More Sustain!!

[scolli]

I want to get more sustain from my MESA Roadster head and 4x12 Std Recto rig. Would a compressor help? if so which model?

One point I want to make is that using the same guitar on the bridge pickup, I can get tremendous sustain (although the tone sux) when playing metal with either a Digitech GNX3000 modeller thru a combo amp or a roland cube-30 pratice amp. Just touch the strings with either and it rings for days. The roadster just seems stiff and notes die relatively quickly even on channel 3 or 4 with the gain around 2:00 (this is with no effects just guitar plugged in and reverb on).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[Platypus]

Post your settings on all channels and switches on back.

Lots of 'wrong' settings on Rectifiers cause this issue, you don't need a compressor or anything like that, your amp should sustain for days.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I've definitely made the mistake of having the Bass & Gain too high. Instant mud!

 

[FPFL]

What kind of guitar and set up are you using? This matters a HUGE amount.
The wrong string height (too low) or pickup height (too high) will kill sustain 10X faster than any amp setting.

My Carvin CT is a string thru and set up right it plays like a violin thru my Ace if I want it to.

-P

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Settings please!

 

[scolli]

Hey, thanks for the replies

I'm using a Carvin C66 and a Gibson SG standard. While the SG has more sustain than the C66 (as expected), both have more sustain thruough the Cube-30 and GNX3000 than the roadster feel less stiff. Like I said, just touch the strings using those modelers and the notes just jump off the fretboard and sing for days (but the tone is lacking). I've tried a number of settings and the result is the same; here is one setting:

Channel-4 Vinatage
100-watts/recto tracking
Bold setting
Gain 2:00
Treble 1:00
Mid 9:00
Bass 10:00
Prec 12:00
Channel Vol 10:00
Output vol: 10:00

If I max the gain, I get more sustain (still feels stiffer than those modelers), but tone suffers.

One thing I was thinking about is that both the GNX3000 and cube are laden with effects and I'm almost sure a compressor model is in the chain which may be helping sustain.

Thanks again

I welcome any suggestions

 

[Platypus]

Try putting your gain around 1, presence at 11:30 and definetly get your output volume up to at least noon.. you're not getting sustain because you're only getting preamp distortion with that volume setting.

 

[scolli]

Try putting your gain around 1, presence at 11:30 and definetly get your output volume up to at least noon.. you're not getting sustain because you're only getting preamp distortion with that volume setting.

thanks, I'll give it a try. Do you think a hotplate would help sustain at lower vol?

 

[Platypus]

Try putting your gain around 1, presence at 11:30 and definetly get your output volume up to at least noon.. you're not getting sustain because you're only getting preamp distortion with that volume setting.

thanks, I'll give it a try. Do you think a hotplate would help sustain at lower vol?

Yes and no. You sacrafice a bit of tone for the extra sustain. As long as you're not attenuating WAY low then you should be fine. There are those who don't like them, personally I use mine all the time.

 

[tele_jas]

Try bumping your mids up to about 11:00 just to try it? As with any Rectifier on the Red channel that should have sustain for days!?!? I use the orange channel in vintage mode on my RK and can hold a note out forever.

Just for the heck of it, try this:

Channel 3
Mode: Vintage
Gain 3:00
Treb: 1:00
Mids: 12:30
Bass: 10:00
Pres: 11:30
4x6L6's (full power)
Rectifier: Tubes
Spongy setting

That's my main hard distortion and has tons of sustain. Just try it and see if you get sustain.....


If these solutions don't work, could it be a week preamp tube anyone??

 

[scolli]

thanks tele_jas. I'll give 'em a try and let you know what I find.

 

[Random Hero]

Petrucci gets LOADS of sustain. What you need is VOLUME.

 

[plan-x]

Here's my thought. I use the barber tone press. Very transparent. won't color your sound. Increases sustain for days. If you can afford a boogie. then you should be able to dial in most of what that amp can do. If you have a tube problem then swap them around and see what happens.