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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 6
Location: England | Hi,
In general terms, what kind of scope is there for changing tone and playability by using different types / makes of string ? My guitar is an Elite 1868.
ie For blues, for instance, I guess a lighter gauge would be nice for getting the bends in, but you maybe you loose out in other areas, like outright volume or bass.
Also, I have a basic solid state amp and a Zoom II effects processor. I have just started experimenting, and am quite suprised how well it works at being heavy rock to classical ! (So far, I have worked out that the dirty channel on my amp is a definite no go area - at least in a small room !)
So, does anyone have any tips on how they make their 'O''s do different styles ?
Thanks in advance.
Frobs |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Frobs
I have a ZOOM 505 II that I hook up to my Viper so my little amp will sound like anything you can imagine. To me an acoustic sounds best acoustically with Phosphor bronze medium gauge or heavier, if you are only going to play amplified, than the light gauges certainly are easier to play and you can get volume by turning up the knob. You still might like the deeper sound of medium strings, it's worth a try, if it doesn't work, go back to lights. I would not reccommend heavy gauge on an acoustic electric as they don't add enough volume to make up for the problems.
Bailey |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Bailey:
Talk with me about your Zoom 505. I was considering buying a Pod in order to go from any of my electrics straight into the PA system. Small amps in big settings don't cut it, and I'm not ready to spend $500-$1000 on a new amp. Give me more info. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Check out the Behringer V-Amp guitar unit also. I think it blows the POD away for sound and yoiu can get one for less the $150.00 |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Paul
I bought the ZOOM 505II because I was curious and it was not real expensive. I saw ads for modeling amps and mine is plain jane so I wanted to try something that would give me some insight into that technology and the ZOOM looked good without breaking the bank. It is a fun and useful piece of equipment and is only limited by your imagination. The factory effects are interesting and can always be restored if experimentation gets totally out of hand, but it is unlimited in that you can stack 9 different stackings of approx 60 effects (compression/wah, distortion, EQ, Amp simulation, chorus/flange/etc, delay/echo) in 36 combinations. It is not real convenient to use for live playing as you have to step up or down through to the one you want between songs unless you have two or 3 favorites and keep them together. The other thing is it has a noise suppression feature that you need to work on as noise creeps in on some settings. I haven't begun to use all its features.
Bailey
[ December 15, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 6
Location: England | Hi,
I use the ZOOMII mainly for plugging into the PC as I am starting to mess about with recording. It does work really well through a PA. Ive tried it a couple of times and people tend to wonder whats going on ! - they think its a CD or something !
I find that for live playing I get the patch volumes so different that you end up with huge suprises going from one to the other. So I just tend to use one patch and then try to modify using pickup selction.
I find that the single coil pickups on my Steinberger are better than the Humbuckers on my Epiphone SG. I havent realy got started on the Ovation yet to compare properly.
One thing I havent done yet is got a good dirty sound that isnt too heavy. It will do mental metal of all descriptions, but I quite like a more sane sound. Smooth overdrive, like maybe Dire Staights brothers in arms type sound.
Anyway, I would be interested in sharing a few patches !
I quite like the idea of miking up the Elite through a PA, AND plugging it through the Zoom into an amp.
Thanks guys
Frobs |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I have a Zoom GFX-8 that I bought to use with my Parker, but have used it several times with my O's. This multi-pedal effects unit is OUTRAGEOUS and allows much more freedom to switch patches mid-song. Has EVERYTHING, and the distortions (amp mod too) can be customized incredibly, and in real time. Also has an expression pedal, and 12 sec loop function, which I've used live for soloing over my own rhythm parts. Helpful user websites for patches, and parameters can be fine tuned via computer, though I haven't dived that deep. Got mine, in like new condition via ebay for around $150 ($260 new at Samash)! |
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Strings and Styles and effects
