The tone chase stops here..., or does it?!

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:06 pm

When I started playing electric guitar again in 2007..., I bought an MLX, plugged into a multi-FX pedal, and dialed in a good tone thru my Trace Elliott bass amp..., much room for tone improvement.

I gotta say..., after trying, , jamming, gigging, buying, selling, and researching tons of gear, I'm pretty much done with the tone chase. My rig has everything I need.

This thread is not an open invitation to the "holier-than-thou / self righteous" comments that we've all read here, tone is in the hands, stop chasing tone, blah-blah..., it's more of a "have you found a tone that works 100% for you" yet, or does the tone chase ever stop. We all want that sound in our head to come out of the speakers, when you get there, are you done Question

Or does your taste evolve and the chase for a new sound continues Idea

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6629 Location: Minnesota

I think the 'taste' continually evolves.

Sometimes I switch amps, just for the sake of switching.

Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 816 Location: South wales, uk

Last year I thought my tone was amazing, watched a video earlier of my old band in practice... Couldn't believe how terrible my tone sounded.. I've tweaked over the space of a year, but I didn't realise how much. Needless to say, my tone has changed for the better.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

I stopped chasing tone a long, long time ago. Mostly because I have found so many great amps that I loved and then sold just to try other amps that I ended up loving and selling. I thought it was for the tone but the reality is I really liked the tone of quite a few of them. Now I have one amp that I have had for a long time that sounds awesome that I love and I have tried out a few others that I have rotated for fun. When I look for an amp now I look for a "Serviceable" tone on an amp that is reliable and fun to play. I don't care about chasing the dragon anymore. I think I used to overanalyze what I wanted in an amp. 80% of the ones I have owned sounded great and I only swapped them out to please my own insanity for G.A.S.

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:08 pm

the closer i get to the tone in my head the more im starting to feel "meh close enough, doesnt have to be perfect". its been a hell of a ride but whether i nail my "head tone" or not, however close i get i know ill still experiment. i love taking tried and true tones and saying "ok, what would this sound like if it were darker? brighter? grittier, etc.".

im legitimately satisfied with my rig and i dont feel like i NEED anything for it but like i said. ill keep experimenting. but not cause im on the hunt, its just for kicks now

Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 3201 Location: UK

Hi my name's Tom and i am a toneaholic

It's been 12 days since my last tweak ... haha just kidding but honestly i think we've all been there picturing ourself with guitar in hand rocking out perfectly to our heroes songs. Times change though and for me i've found myself dialling stuff back to the point where i'll take practical solutions over tone.

For me i just want to play in the style of "rock" tonight and not so much a particular song or riff so my rig is simple at the moment.

I sometimes think it would be better off selling all my rig and getting just a really god amp that suits my needs better. it would cut down the time tweaking but for tone chasing thats half the fun of it.

Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 1050 Location: charlottle nc

There is no "magic amp" I have had people pull into my rig and I go, WTF is that mess Confused

It sounds great when im playing it though. Just buy a good quality amp/processor that can do what you want it to. The rest is in your hands... figuratively and metaphorically speaking.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

kingoflight wrote:

I sometimes think it would be better off selling all my rig and getting just a really god amp that suits my needs better. it would cut down the time tweaking but for tone chasing thats half the fun of it.

That's what everyone should do. There is no ONE amp that's the best but there are better amps for a person's individual needs if they save up some money. Too many dudes spend time trying to force themselves to settle and after a year or two of seeing them try and fail to find an amp they like you realize they could have just saved for their dream amp. Buy a $80 Roland Cube and save your pennies. Not saying an expensive amp is the answer.

I realized the dudes I idolized sounded amazing no matter what rig they were on. Playing is 80% of the tone. (oops I said it but it's true). Most people that don't want to put the time into the playing spend a lot of time complaining that it's their amp that's not making them happy. Then they post videos of certain players and say "Well that's the tone I want" not factoring in the hours and hour of playing that guy has put into sound that way.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10203 Location: New Jersey USA

I think the chase keeps going. I have between 15 and 20 amps at any given time and like them all. And one pedal might sound great with one amp and sound like ass through another that sounds killer with a different pedal, and vice versa. A good bit of the fun for me is constantly mixing up the formula. Even if you don't have a boat load of gear, you can still buy a couple of different dirt pedals for example and get a variety of sounds and tones.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

BradWorld wrote:

I think the chase keeps going. I have between 15 and 20 amps at any given time and like them all. And one pedal might sound great with one amp and sound like ass through another that sounds killer with a different pedal, and vice versa. A good bit of the fun for me is constantly mixing up the formula. Even if you don't have a boat load of gear, you can still buy a couple of different dirt pedals for example and get a variety of sounds and tones.

My thoughts exactly... It's less tone chasing and more having fun. I remember, years ago in ST they used to make fun of me for always showing up at a gig with new gear. I dunno, for me it was part of the experience and the fun. It all sounded good to me. lol If I was endorsed to play a specific brand I would likely have less variety to choose from. Even the pros do it. It seems Lamb Of God change amps with the blowing wind these days. All Mesa but different models. If I were at the point where I had to stick with just one amp then I'm sure I wouldn't be upset about it. But as it stands right now, no one is telling me I can't swap around and have fun. My Marshall has been my rock for a long time and I could never sell it, but the others will likely keep rotating. I'm really into this H&K I just bought so instead of trading it in for the next new toy I'll likely just save up some cash to cover the next purchase.

Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 2740 Location: Southeast MI

I'd agree with what a lot of people here say. I think I've found "my tone". My Sig:X just does it for me...I plug into that and its the sound I've been searching for; however, I love trying out new stuff. Love plugging into Boogies and having fun with those and am really digging the Marshall I just picked up. Always searching for new tones to have fun with. I'll probably stop buying stuff when I'm dead! Laughing

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:28 am

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

I think the chase keeps going. I have between 15 and 20 amps at any given time and like them all. And one pedal might sound great with one amp and sound like ass through another that sounds killer with a different pedal, and vice versa. A good bit of the fun for me is constantly mixing up the formula. Even if you don't have a boat load of gear, you can still buy a couple of different dirt pedals for example and get a variety of sounds and tones.

My thoughts exactly... It's less tone chasing and more having fun. I remember, years ago in ST they used to make fun of me for always showing up at a gig with new gear. I dunno, for me it was part of the experience and the fun. It all sounded good to me. lol If I was endorsed to play a specific brand I would likely have less variety to choose from. Even the pros do it. It seems Lamb Of God change amps with the blowing wind these days. All Mesa but different models. If I were at the point where I had to stick with just one amp then I'm sure I wouldn't be upset about it. But as it stands right now, no one is telling me I can't swap around and have fun. My Marshall has been my rock for a long time and I could never sell it, but the others will likely keep rotating. I'm really into this H&K I just bought so instead of trading it in for the next new toy I'll likely just save up some cash to cover the next purchase.

You guys did it right though. You got the chops up and stayed more dedicated to the playing and learning before the tone chase began so you weren't distracted by tweaking. Some of us did it backwards. Most people have no idea how ashamed I am that I spent these last 3 years humping gear instead of practicing. I got all the toys but my skills are about the same as when I first signed up here Crying or Very sad

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

lordkronos187 wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

I think the chase keeps going. I have between 15 and 20 amps at any given time and like them all. And one pedal might sound great with one amp and sound like ass through another that sounds killer with a different pedal, and vice versa. A good bit of the fun for me is constantly mixing up the formula. Even if you don't have a boat load of gear, you can still buy a couple of different dirt pedals for example and get a variety of sounds and tones.

My thoughts exactly... It's less tone chasing and more having fun. I remember, years ago in ST they used to make fun of me for always showing up at a gig with new gear. I dunno, for me it was part of the experience and the fun. It all sounded good to me. lol If I was endorsed to play a specific brand I would likely have less variety to choose from. Even the pros do it. It seems Lamb Of God change amps with the blowing wind these days. All Mesa but different models. If I were at the point where I had to stick with just one amp then I'm sure I wouldn't be upset about it. But as it stands right now, no one is telling me I can't swap around and have fun. My Marshall has been my rock for a long time and I could never sell it, but the others will likely keep rotating. I'm really into this H&K I just bought so instead of trading it in for the next new toy I'll likely just save up some cash to cover the next purchase.

You guys did it right though. You got the chops up and stayed more dedicated to the playing and learning before the tone chase began so you weren't distracted by tweaking. Some of us did it backwards. Most people have no idea how ashamed I am that I spent these last 3 years humping gear instead of practicing. I got all the toys but my skills are about the same as when I first signed up here Crying or Very sad

The first 3-4 years I played I didn't know sh1t about gear. I ran a ProCo Rat into a solid state Crate 2X12 combo amp. I used that rig like that for playing out and everything. I just turned knobs until it sounded good and then didn't touch it again. I didn't even use a tuner. The other guitarist and bassist and I tuned to each other every night. Who knows if we were even in E standard or Eflat. We spent all our time playing. I don't think I started caring about my tone so much until the late 90s. We only cared about writing cool tunes, smoking weed and getting laid back in the 80s, not about which amp sounded best. I only even bother with it now because I have the extra funds to have some fun with it. I could just as easily go back to a cheap setup and be fine with it.

Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Fremont, CA

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I realized the dudes I idolized sounded amazing no matter what rig they were on. Playing is 80% of the tone.

I think Lanning said it best. I picked up a Fender Frontman 25R for my brother at GC and of course, I demo'ed the thing first. A little tweaking of the settings and I had that biatch screaming. BTW, it's a Christmas present to replace the amp an old Ex-GF stole from him.

A good player can make a cheap guitar, a junk pedal and a 10 watt amp sound like gold. On the other hand, even with the best equipment, some people (like my brother the hack) will never sound good.

Don't take me wrong, I love my brother but he didn't get the guitar-playing genes from our father. No meter or sense of what chord goes where. We still jam every chance we get.

A good bit of advice gleaned from almost 50 years of playing; Don't try to sound like somebody else - sound like yourself. Create your sound that you will be identified with. Craft it, perfect it. Just don't sweat it if you haven't found your sound yet. You will, given time.

Kellan, still rockin' after all of these years.

Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Fremont, CA

Sorry - double post. Please ignore.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:04 am

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

lordkronos187 wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

I think the chase keeps going. I have between 15 and 20 amps at any given time and like them all. And one pedal might sound great with one amp and sound like ass through another that sounds killer with a different pedal, and vice versa. A good bit of the fun for me is constantly mixing up the formula. Even if you don't have a boat load of gear, you can still buy a couple of different dirt pedals for example and get a variety of sounds and tones.

My thoughts exactly... It's less tone chasing and more having fun. I remember, years ago in ST they used to make fun of me for always showing up at a gig with new gear. I dunno, for me it was part of the experience and the fun. It all sounded good to me. lol If I was endorsed to play a specific brand I would likely have less variety to choose from. Even the pros do it. It seems Lamb Of God change amps with the blowing wind these days. All Mesa but different models. If I were at the point where I had to stick with just one amp then I'm sure I wouldn't be upset about it. But as it stands right now, no one is telling me I can't swap around and have fun. My Marshall has been my rock for a long time and I could never sell it, but the others will likely keep rotating. I'm really into this H&K I just bought so instead of trading it in for the next new toy I'll likely just save up some cash to cover the next purchase.

You guys did it right though. You got the chops up and stayed more dedicated to the playing and learning before the tone chase began so you weren't distracted by tweaking. Some of us did it backwards. Most people have no idea how ashamed I am that I spent these last 3 years humping gear instead of practicing. I got all the toys but my skills are about the same as when I first signed up here Crying or Very sad

The first 3-4 years I played I didn't know sh1t about gear. I ran a ProCo Rat into a solid state Crate 2X12 combo amp. I used that rig like that for playing out and everything. I just turned knobs until it sounded good and then didn't touch it again. I didn't even use a tuner. The other guitarist and bassist and I tuned to each other every night. Who knows if we were even in E standard or Eflat. We spent all our time playing. I don't think I started caring about my tone so much until the late 90s. We only cared about writing cool tunes, smoking weed and getting laid back in the 80s, not about which amp sounded best. I only even bother with it now because I have the extra funds to have some fun with it. I could just as easily go back to a cheap setup and be fine with it.

That's the tragedy. I wasted so much time on gear, now that I have the gear, I don't have time to play. That's ok though. I'll never quit. I'll keep what I have and figure out a way to make time so I can play what I wanna play.

Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Posts: 5603 Location: phoenix az.

Well for metal ive branched out many times but always end up back on marshall really the jcm 2000 dsl.what changes for me is what i run into it to get my signature tone.I just use my marshalls on the clean channel and run a bunch of s#%t into them.
Yeah ive heard if u cant run strait in and get what u want your using the wrong amp.this is #$%&#@ to me.I havent found an amp yet where i was totally happy with the amps distortion.I like alot of beef alot of crunch but it cant be muddy and must be tight.90 percent of the amps i see guys use live lack beef.I get alot of comments in the clubs "dude your dsl sounds monsterous mine dont sound like that"
I believe if you want your own tone you got to work at it and not be afraid to step out of the box.
Or you can just plug strait into your amp and sound like every other dude using the same amp.
EXPERIMENTING IS A GOOD THING ILL NEVER STOP.could be the littlest thing that sets your tone apart from the rest Wink

if i started playing a blues gig probably go with fender.I used to love those old grey fenders with the red knobs.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10203 Location: New Jersey USA

lordkronos187 wrote:

You guys did it right though. You got the chops up and stayed more dedicated to the playing and learning before the tone chase began so you weren't distracted by tweaking. Some of us did it backwards. Most people have no idea how ashamed I am that I spent these last 3 years humping gear instead of practicing. I got all the toys but my skills are about the same as when I first signed up here Crying or Very sad

You know you are only partially right. For the first 10 years of my playing, I had but one amp, two guitars, and one bass. I didnt start hording gear until I was a bit older. I had an early 80's Peavey Renown amp. That thing was a beast, loud as heck, and had plenty of tone options. I had a Peavey T-60 guitar, and a 1979 Strat. Two quality guitars. And I had an old Rickenbacker Bass. And that was it. But it wasnt because I needed to focus in on the playing. It was because that was all i could afford at the time. I think getting new gear, or rotating through an arsenal of gear can be the thing that keeps it all interesting and exciting. Every time I build or buy some new pedal, or get a new guitar, it makes me lock myself in my jam room and play for hours. That excitment is what keeps it fresh. But you may have a bit too much obsession with your tone and dont practice enough? eh? Smile

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:56 am

BradWorld wrote:

lordkronos187 wrote:

You guys did it right though. You got the chops up and stayed more dedicated to the playing and learning before the tone chase began so you weren't distracted by tweaking. Some of us did it backwards. Most people have no idea how ashamed I am that I spent these last 3 years humping gear instead of practicing. I got all the toys but my skills are about the same as when I first signed up here Crying or Very sad

You know you are only partially right. For the first 10 years of my playing, I had but one amp, two guitars, and one bass. I didnt start hording gear until I was a bit older. I had an early 80's Peavey Renown amp. That thing was a beast, loud as heck, and had plenty of tone options. I had a Peavey T-60 guitar, and a 1979 Strat. Two quality guitars. And I had an old Rickenbacker Bass. And that was it. But it wasnt because I needed to focus in on the playing. It was because that was all i could afford at the time. I think getting new gear, or rotating through an arsenal of gear can be the thing that keeps it all interesting and exciting. Every time I build or buy some new pedal, or get a new guitar, it makes me lock myself in my jam room and play for hours. That excitment is what keeps it fresh. But you may have a bit too much obsession with your tone and dont practice enough? eh? Smile

Pretty much :p it's only now I looked up from my knobs to realize "whoa! I have some damn fine gear and tones." haven't found that 1 tone but who gives a s#%t? I can work with what I have. I'm just a little late to the party.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

For me when I was a youngster I played what ever I could get my hands on cranked to 10 with the knob broke off and I played 8 hrs a day stoned of course. There were less options back then.Unfortunetly or fortunetly depending on how you look at , I had to go to work and slowly drifted away from playing much.
New amps and guitars are what inspires me to play more and yes tone. I doubt I will own a 100w amp but like someone said , compromised when I bought my Bogner/Line6 40w. I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10203 Location: New Jersey USA

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1373 Location: Lutz, Fl.

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

Oh my. You are correct. I never thought I'd see the day one of them were that price new. I have a friend who got one of them a few years ago, and that is "his" sound. He loves that amp, and has gigged with it for years now.

But back on the topic of chasing sound. I am really happy with my Genz Benz El Diablo. Namely, because it is a 4 channel amp, and so versitile. If I want a certain type of sound, I can dial it in. Do I still WANT other amps? Of course. But do I feel that I NEED other amps? No. I can live without them for the time being. I feel lucky that way.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

That's a bad ass amp!

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

I know , sadly a $1400 price tag is why I never even considered it but that amp just sounds perfect to me.
I jumped a little to soon during the Black Friday season. I have been eyeing that price but it will not be a popular decision at my house to spend anymore. Long story , I am a recovering Horsepower junkie. Lol Drag racing atv's is a very obsessive hobby and quite expensive.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

synzzzer wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

Oh my. You are correct. I never thought I'd see the day one of them were that price new. I have a friend who got one of them a few years ago, and that is "his" sound. He loves that amp, and has gigged with it for years now.

But back on the topic of chasing sound. I am really happy with my Genz Benz El Diablo. Namely, because it is a 4 channel amp, and so versitile. If I want a certain type of sound, I can dial it in. Do I still WANT other amps? Of course. But do I feel that I NEED other amps? No. I can live without them for the time being. I feel lucky that way.

That is my exact reaction to the price and your friend has a good ear. I never owned a real good amp with the exception of a 50w bassman that was stolen back in 80.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

ibmorjamn wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

I know , sadly a $1400 price tag is why I never even considered it but that amp just sounds perfect to me.
I jumped a little to soon during the Black Friday season. I have been eyeing that price but it will not be a popular decision at my house to spend anymore. Long story , I am a recovering Horsepower junkie. Lol Drag racing atv's is a very obsessive hobby and quite expensive.

I have learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... Wink

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 4:02 am

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

I know , sadly a $1400 price tag is why I never even considered it but that amp just sounds perfect to me.
I jumped a little to soon during the Black Friday season. I have been eyeing that price but it will not be a popular decision at my house to spend anymore. Long story , I am a recovering Horsepower junkie. Lol Drag racing atv's is a very obsessive hobby and quite expensive.

I have learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... Wink

Shut the fxck up dude! The wives and girlfriends might read this s#%t! Laughing

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

I know , sadly a $1400 price tag is why I never even considered it but that amp just sounds perfect to me.
I jumped a little to soon during the Black Friday season. I have been eyeing that price but it will not be a popular decision at my house to spend anymore. Long story , I am a recovering Horsepower junkie. Lol Drag racing atv's is a very obsessive hobby and quite expensive.

I have learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... Wink

hell that was my rule when I bought the Lil Night Train and then traded it for the Bogner.
Anyway good thread. I tend to believe as technology advances the equipment is better and more appealing but originally I was not about tone , now my ear has evolved some what so to speak. Sonically music has changed quite a lot since the late 70's early 80's until now. Recording tech and amp tech.Music is louder than it used to be recorded.

Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Posts: 447

I love tone chasing. But I love playing guitar the guitar more than that. One thing I've learned over the years is my amps still sound like me no matter what amp I'm playing. A good example is Zakk Wylde warming up on a small Marshall combo. It still sounds like Zakk Wylde. There are plenty of vids on youtube of him tearing it up through a little one 10 practice amp and if you weren't looking at the video you'd swear he was playing through his JCM 800's. Another thing you have to realize is good tone on a record is part of a well mixed record. There is a lot of "studio magic" that is involved in getting your favorite players tones on tape. Their dry tone was probably not nearly as good as it sounds mixed and mastered. Of course better amps will sound better but you just gotta find the ones that suit you the best.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

lordkronos187 wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

BradWorld wrote:

ibmorjamn wrote:

I wanted the $1400 Bad Cat Cougar 50w.

That Bad Cat Couger 50 Watt is now $599 by the way. Check Musicians Friend.

I know , sadly a $1400 price tag is why I never even considered it but that amp just sounds perfect to me.
I jumped a little to soon during the Black Friday season. I have been eyeing that price but it will not be a popular decision at my house to spend anymore. Long story , I am a recovering Horsepower junkie. Lol Drag racing atv's is a very obsessive hobby and quite expensive.

I have learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... Wink

Shut the fxck up dude! The wives and girlfriends might read this s#%t! Laughing

LMAo , I did get the amp. It will be here Tue.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10203 Location: New Jersey USA

Congrats, make sure you let us know how great it is.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

Thanks Brad , I will put something together.

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 12255 Location: PEORIA ILLINOIS

the tone chase never stops no matter how cool you think you look saying it doesn't