ksmithdc
Inspired
I've been trying to dial in a great clean sound. I know there's not a whole lot of discussion about clean tones...they're not as sexy as the wild paint-peeling tones most people are working on. Still, it's essential to have at least one really decent clean sound. (Kinda like you need at least one good suit). LOL
Anyway, I was recently watching a Robben Ford video (on rhythm guitar). And on that video he was playing an old Goldtop Les Paul straight into an old Fender Super Reverb. And his tone was really really nice. I know, I know...it's Robben Ford. He could've been playing a day old dog turd into a garbage compactor and made it sing. But anyway, I was inspired by his clean tone. One thing I noticed is he does NOT use any modulation effects in his clean sounds. No chorus, phase shifters or flangers. In his albums, I hear reverb, some echo and that's about it.
I think I'm using the USA Clean (is that a Mesa or a Fender?). And the speaker cab is the 2x12 Botique (no RW...just the straight up one). That cab/IR has a really thick almost 3-D sound to it. It's hard to describe. I spent some time dialing in the gain levels (kept it squeaky clean) and EQ. (Mostly flat but I think I did have the bright switch engaged, and the presence was ramped up to 7-8.
For effects, I added some (post amp) medium spring reverb (with the levels set low...like 1.25 & the mix around 15%). I didn't want it to wash out the sound, just add a little bit of a tail effect. Reverb's one of those effects that's easy to over-use. I added some post-amp, mono tape delay (again set to really low profile) - 400ms, 15% feedback, 18% mix). But interestingly I thought it sounded better without the delay. Perhaps reverb & delay are too much? And then I added some compressor before the amp (pedal). Attack is at 6. Other than that, it's standard.
I'm really pleased with the sound. Complex jazz chords are my litmus test. If I can't hear all the tones, something's wrong. It sounds warm, clear & bell like... No shrill highs, no ice-pick in yer ear tones. Just a really SIMPLE clean, lush sound. Does it sound like Robben Ford? Hell no. I suck too much to get close to his sound. But it's still nice and pleasing to my ears.
Thank you Cliff for providing me with a palette of colors to play with.
Kevin
Pittsburgh, PA
Anyway, I was recently watching a Robben Ford video (on rhythm guitar). And on that video he was playing an old Goldtop Les Paul straight into an old Fender Super Reverb. And his tone was really really nice. I know, I know...it's Robben Ford. He could've been playing a day old dog turd into a garbage compactor and made it sing. But anyway, I was inspired by his clean tone. One thing I noticed is he does NOT use any modulation effects in his clean sounds. No chorus, phase shifters or flangers. In his albums, I hear reverb, some echo and that's about it.
I think I'm using the USA Clean (is that a Mesa or a Fender?). And the speaker cab is the 2x12 Botique (no RW...just the straight up one). That cab/IR has a really thick almost 3-D sound to it. It's hard to describe. I spent some time dialing in the gain levels (kept it squeaky clean) and EQ. (Mostly flat but I think I did have the bright switch engaged, and the presence was ramped up to 7-8.
For effects, I added some (post amp) medium spring reverb (with the levels set low...like 1.25 & the mix around 15%). I didn't want it to wash out the sound, just add a little bit of a tail effect. Reverb's one of those effects that's easy to over-use. I added some post-amp, mono tape delay (again set to really low profile) - 400ms, 15% feedback, 18% mix). But interestingly I thought it sounded better without the delay. Perhaps reverb & delay are too much? And then I added some compressor before the amp (pedal). Attack is at 6. Other than that, it's standard.
I'm really pleased with the sound. Complex jazz chords are my litmus test. If I can't hear all the tones, something's wrong. It sounds warm, clear & bell like... No shrill highs, no ice-pick in yer ear tones. Just a really SIMPLE clean, lush sound. Does it sound like Robben Ford? Hell no. I suck too much to get close to his sound. But it's still nice and pleasing to my ears.
Thank you Cliff for providing me with a palette of colors to play with.
Kevin
Pittsburgh, PA
