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Post by (8^D) on Apr 21, 2006 22:22:48 GMT -7
Always hunting for new toys. Am looking for a drive pedal to get a nice singing/sustainy Neil Schon-esque lead tone w/the Maz Jr. Ran down a couple other drive/distortion threads but responses favored boost/light-medium gain pedals. Curious to see what everyone's using for the more gainier lead tones. Have seen Mosferatu and Direct Drive mentioned a couple times. Other suggestions?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2006 22:30:06 GMT -7
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 22, 2006 9:14:01 GMT -7
Always hunting for new toys. Am looking for a drive pedal to get a nice singing/sustainy Neil Schon-esque lead tone w/the Maz Jr. Ran down a couple other drive/distortion threads but responses favored boost/light-medium gain pedals. Curious to see what everyone's using for the more gainier lead tones. Have seen Mosferatu and Direct Drive mentioned a couple times. Other suggestions? You can do that tone with an OCD. I'm easily getting that gain level right now with a Strat. IMO, the key to getting that kind of tone with the Maz isn't so much in the pedal (although some pedals are better than others) as it is in dialing the amp just right and using the right tubes. Maxing the Cut, running the Mid about 1:30 and the Volume around noon is absolutely key (while running down the Treble to tame highs). Then, setting your pedal for a little level boost for leads will overdrive the Maz a little too and the combination of pedal and amp distortion is a beautiful thing. It'll sustain like a mother, but remain articulate. Using either Tung Sol 12AX7s (#1 choice), black-plate EI-ECC83s (#2 choice) or Shuguang 9th gen 12AX7s is also key. Using #4 GT-EL84-S versus the #6 will also make the amp sing much more smoothly and richly. It'll also completely remove any hint of harshness when cranking the amp on its own for overdrive. Using a Sovtek 5AR4 (the GT version is my favorite) will sing and sag "just right" compared to the much stiffer JJ 5AR4 or the mushy, inarticulate Shuguang 5AR4.
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Post by garyh on Apr 22, 2006 20:24:46 GMT -7
I just added an HBE power screamer which works great for me in either low or high gain. It does give that Journey/ Foreigner/ Whitesnake guitar solo sound.
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Post by (8^D) on Apr 28, 2006 8:44:55 GMT -7
Thanks for the suggestions. Will look into the Xotic and HBE. Not that familiar with their respective products.
aruntang/garyh, quite off topic but I thought I'd add "GREAT PLACE!" Finally made a trip up north this past week and had the most wonderful time - Montreal...just the nicest folks and everywhere was so clean (streets, metro, walking tunnels, etc). I know that's a bit of a generalization (one city/one province) but has made me really want to tour the rest of Canada...want to see more! I did visit a couple music stores on St-Antoine and was aghast at the price differences...Ouch! Add duties and exchange rates and the prices go up pretty quick!
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Post by garyh on Apr 28, 2006 8:55:55 GMT -7
Montreal is a beautiful cosmopolitan city. Quebec city in the same province is much nicer though. Yes prices up here are pretty high, but now our dollar is at $0.89 U.S. It wasn't that long ago that it was at $0.64. You would have noticed a much bigger difference then. Taxes are higher here than in the States too. We pay a premium to live in the cold and snow.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2006 9:07:44 GMT -7
Montreal is a beautiful city, but I have to agree with GaryH that Quebec City is much nicer. It has even more of a european feel than Montreal which is much more of a Cosmopolitan city. Nova Scotia is extremely beautiful as well and I highly recommend taking a car and driving around Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for a few days. Beautiful country. Drweller you might also want to check out the Keeley modded BOSS DS-1. It would give you some killer high gain tones for reasonable price. Steve Vai uses one! www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=10
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Post by (8^D) on Apr 28, 2006 9:31:18 GMT -7
aruntang/garyh Appreciate the input. I'm definately planning a trip to Quebec City. Nova Scotia/Newfoundland were on the list, but will bump them higher up!
"We pay a premium to live in the cold and snow." - and the rain, lots and lots of rain. ;- ) The exchange rate when I left was CAN 1,00$=US$1.11
Arun- I have the DS Ultra (usually on the SEM setting) but prefer it for a med drive (10-11:00) - to me the pedal is by design a bit thin/bright (definately scooped...usually run tone @ 10:00 - closest to unity) and the Dist gets a bit too buzzy/thin when going for higher gain w/the Maz. Sounds great on top of a higher gain amp already crunching. And, it is one of my favorite pedals w/my Route 66 - just a lovely match! But, not quite the tone I'm after with the Maz Jr.
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Post by JChance on Apr 29, 2006 1:25:48 GMT -7
Halifax is an absolutely GORGEOUS city... One of the prettiest places I've been in terms of general cleanliness & purity. I'd put in comparable to Stockholm. Both have really clean air & water, and plenty of historical monuments. Quite scenic...and hey, they have a casino, too! Alberta is pretty pure as well, but quite dull (no offense!). I spent a couple of days in Edmonton & Clagary, & neither had much of a "fun" factor in my opinions. Love Monrtreal, and Toronto is cool, too, if you are from the staes and want a "familiar" feel. Love western Canada, too. Victoria, Vancouver- All very pretty.
Hey, Dan, I've just about given up on the Neil Schon, Steve Lukather pedal search. Pretty much deicded that, to get that sound, you just need a higher gain head (like a Marshall or Boogie) and a great cab, along with a Bradshaw system. Haven't played one, but I'm assuming an SRZ-65 would get you into that rhelm with a 'bucker guitar and a couple of stomps-
J
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Post by seaking on Apr 29, 2006 4:41:54 GMT -7
While being very biased, i have to admit that Halifax is a beautiful city ( I was born there and presently live just across the harbor). The water front is one happening spot in the summertime. There's a long boardwalk that's full of street performers and occasionally beer tents and outdoor shows can had too. Pubs are everywhere and because its the east coast, for whatever reason, it seams every other person plays some type of instrument. Something in the water i guess. Fell in love with Quebec city back in the eighties.. Very European feel with its abundant stone architecture, copper roofs and street cafes. Piece of trivia...its the only walled city in North America (city is fortified with massive stone walls) apparently at one time the presiding Franco's had a bit of a problem with the pesky Anglos. Guess i digressed a little there. I'm also in the market for a overdrive/boost type pedal. With all the talk I'm hearing the exotic BB preamp seems interesting.
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Post by taswegian on Apr 29, 2006 4:48:49 GMT -7
One of the prettiest places I've been in terms of general cleanliness & purity. I'd put in comparable to Stockholm. Both have really clean air & water, J The West coast of Tasmania officially has the cleanest air in the world...I guess that's something...Oh and Clapton comes down and fishes our lakes ;D We've also got one of the nastiest waves in the world if you feel like drowning!
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Post by hdahs143 on Apr 29, 2006 4:56:46 GMT -7
I've found that my Keeley Compressor in front of (insert mid-gain drive pedal here) does the trick pretty well. It will sing for days, sounds great, and aint squishy! ;D
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Post by fishman on Apr 29, 2006 9:54:27 GMT -7
When you are in Montreal, go to the old city ..... there is a Steak house on the second floor overlooking some cobblestone streets....I believe it is portugese/spanish...classical guitars...waiters in tails....european earth tone decor.....great food and tons of it....last time I was there dinner lasted over 4 hours....what a feast...I will get the name when I locate my address book....a stay at the Queen Elizabeth and some exploring of the underground city is a very cool way to spend some time....I think Montreal is a wonderful city.....I am luck that I am less than an hour away....
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Post by fishman on Apr 29, 2006 9:57:38 GMT -7
sorry for the off topic post, but hey, Montreal Food is legendary.....as well as entertainment...what a city for music, art, and just plain entertainment....they do know how to do it right....PS: try some Montreal smoked meat.....oh mannnnnn..... If you can get to the south shore, there are some great hotdog places...not like your US dogs....these are Dogs with Class...all kinds of condomints/garnishes/curly fries..poutine .....we use to go up on bikes just for the dogs....ha!...sorry its a food thing!...
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Post by seaking on Apr 29, 2006 11:33:47 GMT -7
That reminds me, I'm hungry ;D
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Post by (8^D) on Apr 29, 2006 14:40:38 GMT -7
mmm....smoked meats!
Spent most of the time in Old Montreal...and the food was outstanding! Aged steaks, crepes, some outstanding Vietnamese dishes in China Town, a few 4-course French dinners, phenominal Indian food, lots and lots of coffee. Hit a few of the art/history museums, did the underground shopping (that's a great setup), popped into as many of the little street-side eateries possible. Now I'm hungry too!
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Post by (8^D) on Apr 29, 2006 14:48:33 GMT -7
Hey, Dan, I've just about given up on the Neil Schon, Steve Lukather pedal search. Pretty much deicded that, to get that sound, you just need a higher gain head (like a Marshall or Boogie) and a great cab, along with a Bradshaw system. Haven't played one, but I'm assuming an SRZ-65 would get you into that rhelm with a 'bucker guitar and a couple of stomps- J Hey Jayson, got the Maz out for a gig last night and was really surprised how it sat in the mix - really cut. Not going to get the singing-gainy lead thing - stacked a couple pedals in series and it just didn't get there. Probably run the Boogie w/an ABY with the Maz for the time being.
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 29, 2006 16:14:07 GMT -7
Somebody mentioned running a compressor into an o/d or distortion pedal. That will definitely sing.
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Post by (8^D) on Apr 29, 2006 16:53:34 GMT -7
Somebody mentioned running a compressor into an o/d or distortion pedal. That will definitely sing. Yup, have a Keeley Comp pre-OD's. Still not getting the desired result with the Jr. Do with the Mesa and Vox, but not with the Jr. Thing is, the singing lead stuff isn't why I picked up the Jr (that's what the Boogie is for) - but for carting one amp was looking for that one magic box to go there w/the Jr for the one or two songs that need it...
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 30, 2006 19:35:05 GMT -7
Hey, Dan, I've just about given up on the Neil Schon, Steve Lukather pedal search. Pretty much deicded that, to get that sound, you just need a higher gain head (like a Marshall or Boogie) and a great cab, along with a Bradshaw system. Haven't played one, but I'm assuming an SRZ-65 would get you into that rhelm with a 'bucker guitar and a couple of stomps- J Hey Jayson, got the Maz out for a gig last night and was really surprised how it sat in the mix - really cut. Not going to get the singing-gainy lead thing - stacked a couple pedals in series and it just didn't get there. Probably run the Boogie w/an ABY with the Maz for the time being. You can very easily get singing, gainy lead tones out of the Maz 18, that rival any Boogie! (I know. My bandmate has a IIC+.) Max the Cut, turn down Treble to compensate (about 10:00), Mid at 1:30, Volume at 12:00, Bass anywhere from 9:00 to 12:00 (to match cab/taste), Master as high as venue permits, high gain input, three Tung Sol 12AX7s, #4 GT-EL84-S, OCD in front in HP mode with gain maxed, level above unity, tone about 1:00 or to taste. That combination easily competes in the singing, gainy lead category with my Hot Cat 30R and bandmate's Mark IIC+.
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Post by (8^D) on May 8, 2006 13:05:27 GMT -7
UPDATE: Guess I have to recant my earlier 'not gonna get it' comment. Pulled the Keeley Katana preamp boost knob out and oh my goodness! Had tried it in the past with some other name amps and wasn't overwhelmed...but holy schmoly does the Maz Jr like it! The Katana has been running in front of all the OD pedals as a basic lead boost (+ level and a bit more gain from the pedals). Thought I'd try the preamp mode with the Maz (hadn't yet) and it 1: sounded amazing alone (guitar > Katana > Maz); 2: sounded phenominal throwing a TS9 after the Katana (TS9 eats the mid-boost from the Katana in preamp mode); and, 3: it actually warmed up the OCD nicely (took out the harsh edge) - have it set for a light grit rhythm and when slammed with the Katana gives it a nice clean/articulate med gain that's full-bodied and cuts nicely...w/o that bite discussed above...more along the lines of what I'd hoped it would do w/more gain. Gives the OCD that mid character some folks have mentioned it lacks for lead work. Katana preamp out > TS9 really delivered that smooth, singing, sustainy lead tone...clean/articulate. Just lovely. ;D Don't ya love it when reapplying what you have does the trick! It's a good day.
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