where to start

Ok, guess I will start with the equipment involved. I am playing an Ibanez ART100 ( kinda Les Paul style guitar} and a Squier Affinity Strat that as been modded with eletronics the same as Jimmy Vaughn set up, (sorry got a good deal on the pups and could not resist trying). The guitars are played through a Peavy Valveking 112.

The ART100 seems to keep an overdriven yet clear sound even when more gain is used and boost is on then the Strat. The Strat will (not sure of correct terms here) seem to break up when you use the boost on the Valveking. My question is, is this normal between the two different type guitars?, a problem with the tubes in the amp? if the tubes, preamp or power?, the speaker? poor workmanship when soldering new pups and pots into place ? If this is and amp issue,, where should I start?

I have discovered that this is not all natural for me and I have to practice, lol. Great site to learn on!!

I'm not a tech guy, but from your description it sounds like the Strat simply has hotter output pickups than the ART 100.

Hi Bob,

It sounds like the ART100 has a more smooth sound when distorted and the strat a more "broken-up" sound when distorted?

If I'm understanding that correctly, humbuckers will deliver a more smooth distortion tone in general with a lot of gain. Strat's with single-coild pickups generally don't put out as much signal so the distortion is still not "quite there". But strats are excellent for a less distorted blues sound (like Jimmy Vaughan).

Similar to the sound in this lesson here with Anders on a strat:
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=16908&c_id=16&ch_id=99&s_id=1258

Hi guys,, thanks for the input.
Slippin, that may be true, but from what I have read, thought the humbuckers had the kick in them not the single coils like a Strat?

Neal, that could be true and yes the Srat sounds great on the lead channel, if I do not use the boost.

I thought that may be normal, but wanted to pick the knowledge here, thought there may be other problems. And, if other problems, "where to start".

Originally Posted by: bikerbob5108Hi guys,, thanks for the input.
Slippin, that may be true, but from what I have read, thought the humbuckers had the kick in them not the single coils like a Strat?

Neal, that could be true and yes the Srat sounds great on the lead channel, if I do not use the boost.

I thought that may be normal, but wanted to pick the knowledge here, thought there may be other problems. And, if other problems, "where to start".

Humbuckers generally keep things under control when the distortion levels are high.. I use both Ibanez guitars and also Fenders.. my strat cannot handle distortion in the same way as my Ibanez and ofcourse it doesnt have the same amount of power due to the fact that it has single coils

/Dave