Speaker Tones

I found a cool article on the web regarding the importance of using the correct amp/speaker configurations to get great tones from the guitar - thought you all might like the read. The following are a few tips within the article by Pat Hennessy, a session player in LA. You can check out the entire article here, but for a quick overview check out these helpful hints. He talks a lot about head/cab configs, something I'm just not a big fan of... I just think there's a bit too much power to contain in the environments I play in. Anyway, some points you may already know, but some good reminders regradless:

* Natural valve and speaker distortion sounds better than simulated distortion.Try to match your speaker/amp combination using speakers that handle only a little more power than your amp can put out, for example 2 x 30w 12" speakers with a 40w amp.

* Use open back speaker cabinets. These are far less beamy as the rear sound gets reflected. Your band can hear you better.

* Use multiple speakers - 2 x 12", 4 x 10" etc. These have a fuller, fatter sound than single speakers.

* Use 10" or 12" speakers mainly because these are most popular and there is a huge selection to choose from. 15" speaker cones are too heavy for guitar. I prefer 10" speakers because they are less beamy, less searing in the upper mids and are generally a little less efficient than 12" speakers. A 10" allows a warmer, less midrangy overdrive tone at a lower volume level. If you're radical try 8" speakers which theoretically give even less beamy dispersion at high frequencies, but there are few suitable for guitar 8"s to choose from.

* Use a valve amplifier of no more than 50 watts for average club gigs. If you have a high powered solid state amp you may have to under power your speaker to at least get some speaker distortion. But, you'll have to be careful not to run your amp too hard or you'll blow out your speakers.

* If you're a clean-only player, use high efficient general purpose PA speakers by JBL, EV, RCF, etc. Be warned, this can add several kg's to your amp.

* 100 watt Marshall amps and Quad boxes were designed to fill up large halls and stadiums without PA assistance. Many Quad boxes use 280 watts worth of speakers. If you're a hearing damage volume freak, use these set-ups as is. If you want a more usable amplifier, try detuning the amp to 50 watts after the warranty has expired.As an aside, this also works for Fender Twins or any other 80 watt plus amp that has four output valves. Have a knowledgeable tech remove two of the output valves. The amp will only put out half the power. Remove the Quad speaker back and replace it with two strips of plywood allowing the middle 50% of the back to be open. Use only two of the speakers or downgrade to four G12L-35 Celestion (35 watt, 93 dB sensitivity) or similar by Fane, McKenzie, Eminence, etc. As a temporary measure point the speaker toward the back wall of the stage.This will cut volume, highs, and spread the sound out.

If you own a nice old Fender Super Reverb or any other 50 watt or less combo amp that does not have a master volume or overdrive, do the following. Set your guitar on full and turn up the amp volume until the amp and speaker are just starting to distort simultaneously such that when you turn your guitar back to 8 or 9 it's clean. This is your clean tone. Do not turn up the amp any louder. For leads or sustain kick in an over- drive or distortion pedal.

* Do not point your speaker at the sound tech during sound checks. They'll tell you to turn down and you will not be able to get a decent tone.Twist your speaker so that open back points at the drummer and the front sound reflects off a wall to the audience. Your drummer will hear you better and you will not sear off the faces of your close audience.

* Do not set your tone with your speaker on the floor firing at your legs. For sound checks, walk out front as far as your lead will get you (a wireless is great for this).To hear more treble on stage, get your speaker up or lean your speaker back as Steve Vai did at his recent Auckland concert. This can be hard on your ears.

* Get advice. Look for people who not only know their own area of expertise (the easy part), but can see how all the pieces fit, effecting one another (the hard part). New Zealand has the talent - right in your own back yard and the ones I know, like myself, give lots of advice for free. All the greats, past and present, have their tones. You may never have heard the song before but you know the tone, it has to be... it is.... no one else has a tone like that. In the end, you'll have your own tone created by your complete set-up of which speakers are major. You be the judge. It's your tone, your signature.