Distortion sound no good


erikweatherwax
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Joined: 08/15/10
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erikweatherwax
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Joined: 08/15/10
Posts: 4
06/07/2014 8:46 pm
I've been playing for a few years....but am basically ignorant when it comes to correct sound/equipment. I have a schecter hellraiser/peavey tube amp 6505 with a Boss DS-1 distortion among some other effects. I cannot, for the life of me, get the chug/chunk/thud sound that I need. It just sounds like crap.

I'm well aware of palm-muting and know how to do it. However, the sound just doesn't sound right.

Any thoughts on equipment to help?

Thanks!
# 1
compart1
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compart1
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06/08/2014 12:24 am
I don't know where your at, but try with guitar Vol. at Max.
Set amp gain about 3
treble 6 or 7
med 8
bass 9
gradually at effects min to max
I hope this helps, I could barely figure out my notes..
# 2
erikweatherwax
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erikweatherwax
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06/08/2014 2:20 am
okay, I will give that a shot. thanks!
# 3
fretsmith
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fretsmith
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06/08/2014 5:08 am
Hey Erik- Not sure exactly what sound you're describing but the equipment you have should be adequate to get a broad range of sounds. The DS-1 is not a bad pedal but make sure you are running it thru the clean channel on your amp - if you compound pedal distortion and amp distortion you (may) get a muddy result. Also, do not run it thru the effects loop - run it between ur guitar and amp. I don't know how many watts ur tube amp is but if it is 20+ watts you may have to crank it up pretty loud to get to it's "cruising altitude" where it sounds it's best. U might try cutting ur midrange control on ur amp (maybe even to "0") and have the LEVEL on the pedal past 12:00.
I'm no pro...I been dickin' w/gear for decades and these are the thots I had when I read ur post. Just trying to help a brother :)
# 4
erikweatherwax
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erikweatherwax
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06/08/2014 1:23 pm
cool man, thanks! when you say dont run it through an effects loop....where should my ds-1 go? I have it first after the tuner.

thanks for the help!
# 5
fretsmith
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fretsmith
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06/08/2014 4:05 pm
Hi (again) Erik- Googled the 6505 specs. U have either 120w head or 60w combo- either way you have an amp that is designed to push some pretty serious air (ie "stage" volumes). If ur playing at "bedroom" practice volume it's like driving a Maserati thru a crowded parking lot ... the Maserati is happy on the Autobahn - the big wattage tube amp is happy at stage volumes.

If that is the case - consider a "attenuator" (or also called "power brake")... this will make ur amp think it is "on the Autobahn" :) ... ( u may have wattage control on ur amp? I didn't notice). W/proper wattage control u may not even want/need a distortion pedal - natural tube amp breakup is better (IMHO) than most pedals.

Ur Peavey DOES have an "effects loop" (send/return on the rear panel). Run all ur "time" based effects thru the loop (phasers / reverbs / flangers/ delays etc.) but DON'T run ur DS-1 thru it. Plug guitar into tuner ... then to DS-1... straight to amp input. CLEAN channel. ( if u have a compressor put it between the tuner/DS-1)

With amp eq's at 10-12:00 and pedal(s) off ... set amp to desired volume. Engage pedal and use LEVEL control to match volume to clean volume ( no vol diff when pedal switched on/off). Guitar: Bridge pickup. Volume "10". Tone "10"

Now (finally) ur ready to do some "sound sculpting". (you have good gear - this is completely do-able :) ...) Tune ur A string up to B so you have a nice thick power E going without having to put ur left hand on the neck. Chug away at this E while making adjustments to: DS-1 "tone" and "dist" ....AMP: "mids" and "treble" ... just those 4 knobs.

Pay close attention to what each knob does to the "sound" .... and how the 4 knobs interact. This isn't a 2-3 minute drill. Devote the time to get really familiar with this 4-knob family. With due diligence you'll develop a "recipe" to get practically any (distortion) sound you want. Naturally things get a little hairy when the sound u want requires other effects ( delay, etc) but having a grip on the fundamental "sound" is still the starting point to achieving those sounds also.

Again, I'm no "pro" ... if someone suggests a different approach , by-all-means try it ! This is what works for me and I'm hoping it helps you, even if just a little. Take Care
# 6
erikweatherwax
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erikweatherwax
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06/08/2014 4:19 pm
man, I really appreciate that. I'm going to try that today. Thanks for the help man!
# 7
haghj500
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haghj500
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06/08/2014 7:56 pm
Like others have said that amp should make what ever sound your looking for. But no one has asked what size of speaker(s) your running it through. I'm guessing 12". If your using something smaller, that could also be your problem. Do the OHM's of the speakers match the amp?

Seems to me something other than the amp is to blame, just searching for other ideas.
# 8
pattyb5
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pattyb5
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06/17/2014 2:49 pm
Originally Posted by: erikweatherwaxI've been playing for a few years....but am basically ignorant when it comes to correct sound/equipment. I have a schecter hellraiser/peavey tube amp 6505 with a Boss DS-1 distortion among some other effects. I cannot, for the life of me, get the chug/chunk/thud sound that I need. It just sounds like crap.

I'm well aware of palm-muting and know how to do it. However, the sound just doesn't sound right.

Any thoughts on equipment to help?

Thanks!

one word: Marshall
# 9

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