Tone question

[mojojasons]

Been trying out a lot of amps recently and wanted to know what peoples thoughts are on how much your playing affects your tone?

I've just noticed that no matter what amp I tried It pretty much all sounded the same.

I know a lot of guys that spend tons of dough on the best gear etc....and it sounds like crap if they can't play.....So whats the point?

[bleomonkey]

I think most guys want to get the best tone possible and they just want to have fun with the gear. However, I think many people are trying to cover up their playing.
Personally, I find that adjustments in my playing make the biggest difference in tone. Still, I don't want bad gear because although it still sounds like me, it just isn't as much fun to play.

[Cap'n Fingers]

There are literally thousands of posts in hundreds of threads
on this very subject on TGP. In many of those you'll find great
Perls of wisdom on the subject.

If you get more specific like list the amps you've tried, guitars
you used when you tried them, conditions under which you tried
them out, I bet someone will add some wisdom to this thread.

To me it sounds like you're saying you think you play badly and
therefore the gear you've tried doesn't sound different to you.
You don't have to have mojo to hear the difference between
amp styles. It only takes a few notes or a few chords
to begin to hear differences. Doing side by side comparisons on
amps would make it easier.

Hope you find an answer to what you're looking for.

[shane88]

if u can't play u won't have no tone ;)

but srsly too many peeps think about gear more than they think about getting better

[heavysoul]

I've just noticed that no matter what amp I tried It pretty much all sounded the same.


probably because it's you playing through the amp. if a different guitarist played the same amp, it would sound different. in other words, the amp doesn't dictate the "tone", the player does.

[jtm622]

IMO, it's kind of like this: If one can strike a golf ball well, then a really good set of clubs will likely make a positive difference in their game - but ultimately, "It's the man on the handle" that makes the real difference...
That said, some guys can play thru a rig worthy of King Henry VIII and make it sound like pure unadulterated hamburger meat...

[Tonefish]

the same can be said for beer, scotch whisky and guitars until you spend a LOT of time with them... until then, you are correct, there is no point.

[mojojasons]

There are literally thousands of posts in hundreds of threads
on this very subject on TGP. In many of those you'll find great
Perls of wisdom on the subject.

If you get more specific like list the amps you've tried, guitars
you used when you tried them, conditions under which you tried
them out, I bet someone will add some wisdom to this thread.

To me it sounds like you're saying you think you play badly and
therefore the gear you've tried doesn't sound different to you.
You don't have to have mojo to hear the difference between
amp styles. It only takes a few notes or a few chords
to begin to hear differences. Doing side by side comparisons on
amps would make it easier.

Hope you find an answer to what you're looking for.

Actually....It's the opposite. My opinion has ALWAYS been if you have "it" you have "IT" and a $5000 amp isn't going to make a lick of difference if you suck...Sure it might make sucking a lot more fun . I've been playing for a looooong time.... Had many different rigs and played through a ton of amps and sure I could hear subtle differences but Ultimately it always sounds like me.

I've always felt that great players kinda keep you guessing as to what there playing through.
I'm sure a lot of People think Jimmy Page recorded through his Marshall, Orange and HiWatts when he used his Modified Supro 1690T on a lot of classic Zep stuff.

I'm not looking for anything... I'm just questioning spending $2000 on an amp.

[mojojasons]

the same can be said for beer, scotch whisky and guitars until you spend a LOT of time with them... until then, you are correct, there is no point.

Finally!!! Something I can relate too!!!
Makes a lot of sense when you put it that way.

[bkd_guitarist]

Actually....It's the opposite. My opinion has ALWAYS been if you have "it" you have "IT" and a $5000 amp isn't going to make a lick of difference if you suck...Sure it might make sucking a lot more fun . I've been playing for a looooong time.... Had many different rigs and played through a ton of amps and sure I could hear subtle differences but Ultimately it always sounds like me.

I've always felt that great players kinda keep you guessing as to what there playing through.
I'm sure a lot of People think Jimmy Page recorded through his Marshall, Orange and HiWatts when he used his Modified Supro 1690T on a lot of classic Zep stuff.

I'm not looking for anything... I'm just questioning spending $2000 on an amp.

Your playing style will always sound like your playing style, but the amp can either be a hindrance or a help to letting your playing style come through. You're right, a $5K amp won't help you play better, but it may deliver tones that assist you in expressing yourself musically. For that matter, a $500 amp may deliver those tones for you, and facilitate your expression just fine. One of my favorite amps is the non-boutique, $1600 Mesa Lone Star. I still sound like myself when I play through it, same as when I play through my $600 Fender Pro Reverb reissue. But the Lone Star has these lush, warm overtones that help me say what I'm trying to say, whereas I always feel like I'm fighting with the Fender.

Personally, I'd see no reason to spend $5K on an amp when a $1600 amp ends up being a perfect partner. It's all about finding that partnership, whether you find it at $5K or much less.

[FeloniousBishop]

It goes both ways.

My playing affects my tone, because I have a certain way of attacking the string, resting my hand, my fingers have a certain weight, I have a certain type of hybrid picking etc. etc and all affect the sound and the tone.

And at the same time my tone affects my playing. I play much better if I have good tone. And I play differently on different amps - differnet sides to my playing comes out on differnet amps.

It's like a cycle, each affects the other.

[mad dog]

There's so much to learn. When I took amps for granted, they made little difference in my sound. Later on I heard a couple that drew me in further, made me think there was more to it. Turns out you have to learn how to play amps too, not just guitars. (IMO) And have the right ones for you. So I'm still learning, and now my amps are opening some interesting doors, tonally.

[Goldie295]

Most people - I think - are talking about the sag their tube amp creates when they talk about tone. I think buying a few rectifier valves and seeing how you get on is best. I have some that sag early and others that sag late.

I also play a Pro Reverb. If it is a big room I use a different rectifier to a small room. Otherwise, I sound fairly similar through all amps. I still like to try new things, but look forward to the day I can just find one that works and stick with it. My '66 Pro Reverb may be THAT amp...

Cheers,
Phil