kewlpack
03-09-2005, 03:29 PM
Let's see - currently I am using a couple of guitars through a BOSS GT-8 into a Fender Stage 1000 (really good SS amp). I've flip-flopped a lot on modelers, looking for the "holy grail" of flexibility and tone... it's been frustrating. I don't think I'm getting closer either...
The Variax 500 opens a lot of things up with the various models but there is something about a few of the models (particularly the tweener settings I was messing with cables and output settings quite a bit last night and A/Bing the results. I found a way to use the GT8 and still keep the dynamics...but it isn't a "perfect" solution (for the $$$), all things considered.
Here's what I learned (with my rig) last night:
Straight into amp: Excellent, punchy, sparkly tone with good pick dynamics.
GT8 4CM (4 cable method), or in front of amp: It appears that any introduction of the GT8 before the amp's preamp takes the dynamic edge off and you lose some sparkle. To be sure you have an enormous amount of flexibility even if you throw the amp out.
Straight into amp, GT8 in FX Loop only for effects (no stomp up front): I believed that this tone chain would yield the same tone loss as the 4CM did because the GT8 is still in the chain. That was not the case. This technique gave me all of the picking dynamics and flexibility of my amp/preamp while also giving me all of the post-preamp effects of the GT8. I can't really use the preamps or OD/DIST stomps (should be before preamp)... though the Wah pedal works just fine behind the preamp on any amp channel.
I think the reason that the picking dynamics and that special something going straight into the amp is retained because once the amp/preamp picks it up, it is amplified and passed through to the effects/gt8 with no loss. I could be wrong - but this sounded like what was happening.
I tried this with the Variax and my Jazzbox. Similar results with the Jazzbox sounding the best.
Now here is the thing that is spinning around inside my head:
- I want to have a variety of OD/DIST in front of my amp for all the obvious reasons.
- I want to maintain the picking dynamics and punch (so the up front pedal cannot affect this much - any pedal will affect it some).
- I want to have a great chorus/flanger in the effects loop (with a variety of types) - again, no tone loss.
- I want to have a great delay after the chorus (with the same conditions as above).
My particular amp has some effects but they come before the effects loop and you can only use one at a time (ARGH Fender!). I've had them all off since introducing the GT8. None of them are stellar except the Ducking Delay and the various reverb types (which come after the effects loop I think - forgot to check). So it is conceivable that I use the Chorus/Phaser/Flange/Vibro on the amp and only add a delay to the loop.
I am considering exchanging the GT8 for the BOSS OD-20, CE-20, and DD-20... my question to you gurus is, because these are dedicated pedals and only doing one thing (OD, Chorus, Delay) will they preserve the original tone better than the GT8?
I realize there are more links in the tone chain and I've not tried this setup before - so that is why I am asking.
If I barter with GC, I might be able to get them to do the exchange and only pay a little difference in price.
Now that I've said all this - I do like the flexibility of the GT8 and all the cool stuff it brings to the table... but I really like hearing the pick/touch dynamics of the guitar - particularly live (recording always seems to steal a little of the soul anyway). So I'm kinda noodling my way through this.
The only thing I'd be concerned with is the OD-20 up front because it may do exactly what the GT8 is doing - killing the tonal dynamics. :roll:
What do you think? Thanks again.
The Variax 500 opens a lot of things up with the various models but there is something about a few of the models (particularly the tweener settings I was messing with cables and output settings quite a bit last night and A/Bing the results. I found a way to use the GT8 and still keep the dynamics...but it isn't a "perfect" solution (for the $$$), all things considered.
Here's what I learned (with my rig) last night:
Straight into amp: Excellent, punchy, sparkly tone with good pick dynamics.
GT8 4CM (4 cable method), or in front of amp: It appears that any introduction of the GT8 before the amp's preamp takes the dynamic edge off and you lose some sparkle. To be sure you have an enormous amount of flexibility even if you throw the amp out.
Straight into amp, GT8 in FX Loop only for effects (no stomp up front): I believed that this tone chain would yield the same tone loss as the 4CM did because the GT8 is still in the chain. That was not the case. This technique gave me all of the picking dynamics and flexibility of my amp/preamp while also giving me all of the post-preamp effects of the GT8. I can't really use the preamps or OD/DIST stomps (should be before preamp)... though the Wah pedal works just fine behind the preamp on any amp channel.
I think the reason that the picking dynamics and that special something going straight into the amp is retained because once the amp/preamp picks it up, it is amplified and passed through to the effects/gt8 with no loss. I could be wrong - but this sounded like what was happening.
I tried this with the Variax and my Jazzbox. Similar results with the Jazzbox sounding the best.
Now here is the thing that is spinning around inside my head:
- I want to have a variety of OD/DIST in front of my amp for all the obvious reasons.
- I want to maintain the picking dynamics and punch (so the up front pedal cannot affect this much - any pedal will affect it some).
- I want to have a great chorus/flanger in the effects loop (with a variety of types) - again, no tone loss.
- I want to have a great delay after the chorus (with the same conditions as above).
My particular amp has some effects but they come before the effects loop and you can only use one at a time (ARGH Fender!). I've had them all off since introducing the GT8. None of them are stellar except the Ducking Delay and the various reverb types (which come after the effects loop I think - forgot to check). So it is conceivable that I use the Chorus/Phaser/Flange/Vibro on the amp and only add a delay to the loop.
I am considering exchanging the GT8 for the BOSS OD-20, CE-20, and DD-20... my question to you gurus is, because these are dedicated pedals and only doing one thing (OD, Chorus, Delay) will they preserve the original tone better than the GT8?
I realize there are more links in the tone chain and I've not tried this setup before - so that is why I am asking.
If I barter with GC, I might be able to get them to do the exchange and only pay a little difference in price.
Now that I've said all this - I do like the flexibility of the GT8 and all the cool stuff it brings to the table... but I really like hearing the pick/touch dynamics of the guitar - particularly live (recording always seems to steal a little of the soul anyway). So I'm kinda noodling my way through this.
The only thing I'd be concerned with is the OD-20 up front because it may do exactly what the GT8 is doing - killing the tonal dynamics. :roll:
What do you think? Thanks again.