Going old school

metropolis4 · 08-23-2008, 11:37 AM

So I've always been a guy who uses a pretty processed tone: compressor, Sonic Stomp, reverb, delay, modulation, multi channel amps, effects loops etc. I always processed a tone on top of the amp. Well, I recently got an OCD and had heard a lot about how it responds just like a tube amp in that you can leave it on all night and adjust your gain with the volume knob and pick attack.
I thought it would be fun to try this so I played a gig last nigt using nothing but my Tele into the OCD and direct into my Pro Jr. I left the OCD on almost all night and set the Pro Jr so that it was clean when I played soft and got a little hair to it when I dug in. It was so much fun! I realized I've gotten so used to the processed sound I'd forgotten the beatiful tone of the guitar and amp together. I also found there are so many subtleties and complex textures that are lost through all that processing. It challenges you as a player to really think about how you're attacking the strings to get different tones and shades of dirt. Also, I learned how to use my volume knob better in one night than I ever have learned to use it in the last 13 years

It makes you work harder to play if you're used to things like compression and reverb that cover things and make it easier to play, but the reward is worth it. Now, I couldn't do every gig this way due to the need to create different sounds, but for some things its great. If you've never tried this you should, it's really an interesting thing. We modern guitar players have forgotten about the basics, we're too spoiled by technology

S.B.Nichols · 08-23-2008, 10:14 PM

This is how I play near every gig now. Guitar - boost - ac30.

**bread man** · 08-23-2008, 11:56 PM

I always try to do this when I play Sunday mornings or at our childrens service. Just guitar > tuner > amp. It really forces you to get the most out of what you've got.

**nbfan** · 08-24-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread man

I always try to do this when I play Sunday mornings or at our childrens service. Just guitar > tuner > amp. It really forces you to get the most out of what you've got.

I agree... I noticed this when I got rid of my Spider and got a big Peavey tube amp. I began to think to myself... "Gee, I guess I really don't NEED delay, or don't really NEED flange, or chorus, or tremolo..." Now that I have a Toneport I use effects more often, but that got me to appreciate what I had.

FenderFrankster · 08-26-2008, 03:51 PM

even though i use alot of different pedals, Rever/Delay/EQ, only one song during a set will get the delay, mostly its just my Fender Twin's bluesy tone. like someone said, it makes you bring more out of your playing rather than rely on effects.

Bro Shane · 08-26-2008, 11:34 PM

Most of my effects are for recording, and then when working on something for someone else. When I gig, I use a wah, boost, amp. I might, if the mood strikes me, use a chorus or phase, but not much. If you've got the right amp, you don't need it.

**akaukal** · 08-27-2008, 09:34 AM

When I play sunday mornings I just do this:

Guitar > Tuner > DD-3 > Traynor TS-140

I couldn't live without delay to be honest, but I don't need any chorus or anything.

GROOVADELIC · 08-30-2008, 09:06 AM

I've got a board with the whole 9 yards, but yesterday night it was mostly a strat klon AC30tbx and the occasional tube screamer. The tone was awesome.

Major Tom · 08-30-2008, 07:48 PM

I have done that in the past on a few occasions, but it has been a while. I agree that it can be good for learning / growth, I guess it forces you to approach it wilh a slightly different perspective, which I think is always a good thing. I will admit that I need the amp to have reverb though, it just doesn't sound "right" to me without a touch of 'verb. Now that you brought it up, I'll have to do that again....soon.