Between the Licks

A quick primer on the methods of how one gets 'the tone'.

Pop-up instructional video to the left.

First off, let me say that tone is an elusive thing and there is no magic bullet. Many guitarists spend years looking for their tone, and rightly so, because it is something worth looking for. Some guitarists are content with how they sound right away but most that I know (the serious ones), aren't.

So be prepared for a long, unending, and sometimes expensive journey. 

In this article I'll talk about the two main ingredients that make up 'the tone'.

1. The tone you buy - equipment
   
2. The tone you own - how you play
   

There is quite a difference between the two and they are both important in the search for 'the tone' but guess which is more important? You can't buy true tone. In fact, you should live by that.

The tone you buy

Equipment. Many guitarists search for that perfect equipment combination. Equipment can be bought, chained and interchanged. It can drastically alter your tone. Most guitarists prefer a specific setup defined by their selections in:

• Guitar
  • Brand (Fender Strat, Gibson Les Paul, etc.)
  • Style (solid body, hollow body, etc.)
  • Pickup (single coil, humbucker, etc.)
  • Neck and body wood type (maple, ebony, ash, alder, etc.)
• Amp
  • Brand (Fender, Marshall, Vox, etc.)
  • Tube or solid state
  • # of speakers and size (4x10", 2x12", etc.)
• Effect Pedals
  • Distortion (Marshall Jackhammer, Ibanez Tubescreamer, etc.)
  • Wah-wahs (Dunlop, Vox, etc.)

These selections are what make up the equipment chain that can effect you tone. Here is an example of an common equipment chain (something that would result in a very SRV-like tone):

• Fender Strat (alder body, rosewood fretboard, three single coil pickups)
  
  • Ibanez Tubescreamer
    
    • Fender Bassman Amp ('59 tube, 4x10" speakers)

Try searching the internet for example equipment setups of you're favorite players to get ideas. BUT, Don't get too wrapped up in equipment because its not all about equipment.

Setting the knobs and how to get the best of what you've got

First rule: if you want to get closer to your tone, don't set everything to 10 and forget it. Finding 'the tone' requires a lot of listening and tweaking. You're going to need good taste, a good ear, and lots of patience.

For the guitar, all knobs at 90%. The pickup selector (if you have one) should be set apropriately per song.

For the amp, set everything at 5. Move the bass control so that it balances the bass and other frequencies (depends on the bass response your amp provides). Move the mid control right below where it tends to get over-bearing. Keep the treble control a bit on the high side for starters.

Adjust to taste. In fact, if you don't like how it sounds at all, go crazy and try something completely different. 

If you're lucky enough to have a tube amp, you'll notice that the louder it gets, the better it sounds. The opposite is quite true for solid state amps, they get horrible distortion at higher volumes. So if you have a solid state amp, keep the volume knob under half-way. For everyone's sake.

The tone you own

Practice playing what you love. Listen to what you love. Emulate it.

This is absolutely, most-definitely the toughest part about getting your tone. You can't buy it and there is no quick fix. I really can't say much more about it because its non-tangible and elusive. Just play like your favorite tone-master.

What about you?

Sometimes it helps to see what other people play to get a good idea on where to start. Here is what I play and more importantly, why.

Let us know what you play and why in the guitar forum!

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