BACKGROUNDGuitars used: Fender Masterbuilt Jason Smith '63 Strat, Suhr Alt T Pro
Amps used: Matchless Nighthawk, 3rd Power Wooly Coats MKII
I don't know what influences your current GAS and amp/pedal journey; for me, it is often a combination of
i.) Need - the band/rehearsal and at home
ii.) Desire - the root of GAS
iiil) Funds - naturally
iv.) Circumstance - whats around at the time
For me, the discovery of a Matchless Nighthawk amp at the right time, and the right price, meant that my 'band' journey forked off into a new direction.
As Ive already documented, it is a wonderful, truly 3D sounding amp (at volume). I feel very lucky to own it. It meant the forced sale of my beloved Carr Mercury V (one that I may yet regret), but it also means a potential change in
pedals.
The Nighthawk has two main problems that need solving; firstly, it is an amp with lots of treble, and secondly it is a lot more picky than (all) Carrs regarding pedals.
It is the former that forms the basis of this thread. The Matchless, I felt, would benefit with an EQ pedal just to tame and redirect those 'trebles' a wee bit...
THE EQ PEDAL JOURNEYSo, the journey began. Where to start ?
Someone recommended the Boss GE7, which must have sold 1000s in its time. I tried one, and it was instantly too noisy for the 3 amps I tried it with. I'd already tried the Thorpy FX Team Medic at this point, and it was very good indeed. The boost option was maybe
too powerful, but the EQ was exceptional.
In the past, Id owned and relished the Cornish CC1, which still has one of the best EQ sections Ive played to date. None around used though, and the new option was too expensive and too far away...
I'd tried an EQD Tone Job in the past, as well as a Bearfoot/BJFE Sea Blue EQ - both exceptional but again, none around (circumstance - see above).
Then, I purchased a Wampler Equator and a Boss GE7 (Analogman modded). At last we are getting somewhere.
The Wampler could generate any sound, and could do clipped OD and heavier tones.
The EQuator gives you active four-band EQ with Bass and Treble boosts/cuts, and two semi-parametric mid bands, all passing through a volume knob allowing you to deliver the EQ louder or softer. So, at times, one of the great EQ benefits I enjoyed was to make my amp quieter then switch it off so the amp returns to its normal volume. Silent in use too, and lovely to use.
The GE7 was not quite as quiet, but I really enjoyed using the slides. I'll be honest, I don't know what frequency mids run at (do you ?) and the Boss has helped me learn it. I bought a second very quickly, as I may run two small boards for a while (live/band and home).
I'm still learning with them, and I like the sound of the Wampler better, but the convenience (heavy foot stomp live) of the Boss.
I'd still like to try maybe...1. Source Audio EQ - programmable - could be useful between amps2. EQD Tone Job - simply because I'm a fan-boy of EQD pedals !The Wampler and one of the GE7s may be up for grabs soon...
WHAT HAVE I LEARNT ?
1. A good EQ pedal can replace a boost.
2. A good EQ pedal can replace a LOT of overdrives.
3. Your tone can be shaped to the 'sound in your head'.
4. The EQ pedal can help and improve your amp;
any amp.
Do you use any EQ ? How do you do it ?Hope this inspires some of you !
Cheers,
Waz
Comments
Then I came across a YT video of someone (shnobel?) demoing an EQ pedal in the loop of a DMM TT. I tried it on mine using the graphic in a digital multi-fx pedal and kaboom, instant massive boost in flexibility. I picked up a used MXR 6-Band on eBay and it’s now a permanent fixture on my ‘board (as much as any pedal can be!) as an adjunct to my DMM. I use it either with a treble boost for more pronounced rhythmic delays, or a treble roll-off to make the repeats sit further back in the mix.
I remember asking how I could boost my amp sounds many many years ago (Sound Control Bham ??), and 'Mikey' (a local legend) told me to get a GE7 and use that...
This was before guitar shops had picked up on the forums and our more refined (?!?!) knowledge.
I should've listened.
Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.
The standard one is noisy, hence silent models like Thorpy and Wampler appearing....
The Analogman GE7 mod is totally silent.
fingers crossed!
It can replace a lot of boosts, but that's not the same thing at all.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Mind you, Im not using a Peavey Bandit
I find this mixing up of boosts and overdrives baffling, to be honest - they do different things, which can be confused when the amp isn't clean, but that doesn't mean they do the same thing. Why not just use the right terms?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Either way, the outcome is the same for me with my amps.
My amps will be clipping maybe, so the need for more OD is not always necessary. Either way again, the result is that ill probably release some of my OD pedals.
But a fair point ICBM into a clean clean amp.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
On the other end of the spectrum the Tone King Falcon has a volume and a tone control, equally the EQ pedal gives me the control that the amp doesn't.
I use the Thorpy Team Medic for EQ.