Aw
@Freds55 you're too nice to me, man. I know it isn't very good;
but it is a lot of fun. It's hopefully good practice re-learning my way around my DAW. Also, I just re-read that, and I am sorry I don't take compliments better! Like many players I get hung up on the stuff I can't play (yet!) and I
hate my voice. But I have recorded more tunes in the last month than I did in the last several years, thanks to these convenient backing tracks that I put the guitars and vocals over. And thanks to the Axe3, and
@FractalAudio.
Best music move I have ever made bar none.
"Jimmy's tone" is my 2017 Strat Elite in the middle position with the volume switch engaged, which the v4 Noiseless Pickups chart told me was the mid and bridge singles together in series. It sounded closest to the studio cut to my ears. I ran through an SRV preset that was inspired by Cliff's posts about getting a closer SRV tone by using a little cab smoothing. I just took those two amps from his SRV example preset and started over, and added some YA and Redwirez cabs. Jimmy's part gets a Leslie and a fairly wide room reverb from my DAW to spread it out like an organ pad. The amps are a SuperVerb Vibrato and a Deluxe Verb Vibrato in full stereo, each with their own cab blocks; with the AiTR FR blended in, too; in addition to the ambiences I added in my DAW. I used the YA Vibrato Lux Room FR IRs for this and I can hear them in all the right places.
The Lead guitar is the same preset and guitar, using the neck, neck+middle, and middle pickups at various times. but with no rotary on. I used three levels of gain on the lead guitar part: The intro is amps set to breakup+volume knob rolled back. The verses/chorus are same but with the volume open. Then the solo is still the same but with the addition of the Maxoff 808. The signal chain does start with a compressor. I dunno, seems like every time I have gotten a decent SRV tone (I think the Amplitube Fender pack had some good sounds in it) I always found a little compression+tiny bit of boost just seems to make that sound come alive. Some. I don't think Stevie needed to do that but it seems to help me.
I can share the preset but I will need to substitute in appropriate factory cabinets first. But it's no different than probably any other two-amp SRV setup. I wanted to make one with e Twin and a Super, but I liked this better and ran with it.
I have almost finished that version of Empty Arms for Dad as well, but I am saving it for word from home that Dad has gotten to this one. He has a little trouble getting his gear to play nice with him nowadays and sometimes needs a little assistance. Hopefully I can upload it tonight or tomorrow.
Big old disclaimer: Since there will be more SRV posted here I must address the love some of us have for the guy:
Yes, I picked up guitar after hearing SRV (and EVH) play.
Yes I worshiped the guy and miss him like crazy, guilty as charged. What I am not is a guy who wants to be him. There was only the one Stevie Ray. This old blues material is compelling to me because a) I am already familiar with it so there is less to learn and b) The Axe3 lets me get close to the sounds I have been wanting to get for 36 years since I first heard these albums.
I would hate for anyone to think I am
that guy with the Stevie Ray stuff. I play so many JEMs/RGs people already expect me to sound like Steve Vai all the time just on sight. Book by its cover, etc.
I say all of that because when people butcher his material as I am doing I have feelings about it, so if anyone reading this feels that way I understand completely. I just hope no one feels negatively about me aping one of my guitar heroes, I do it out of love and yeah, I do get to feel pretty cool if I play a good turnaround.