This might be one of the most asked and most „mystical“ questions when it comes to playing Rock Music on Guitar. Right after you decided which way in case of amp or software you wanna go.
There are so many different typs of amps and different brands. One, two, three, four Channel Amps etc. But we are past that and already decided!
It’s always a good thing to check the manual first so you understand how your amp works and what the different knobs do to your sound in the different channels.
For example: It’s possible that the eq of your amp is only working on a certain channel. And so on. I think you know what i mean 🙂
But enough of the talking. Lets get into THE SOUND
Lets use my Engl Gigmaster 15 as an example. Keep in mind that there is no right/wrong/perfect Tone. It’s all personal preference, what kind of song you play, if you play in a Band (there you have to be careful with frequencies and let room for the other instruments and vocals) or want to play just for yourself and your taste.
Imho a good way to start is always to just put all of the settings of your Amp at 12 o’clock and go from there. In this case i’m on channel one of my tupe amp and looking for a nice cleanish Rock Sound. Cleanish means for me right on the edge of breakup. So if you go a little bit harder on your strings the amp will distort a bit more and if you go light you have almost no distortion. For me this dynamic setting that reacts a lot to my playing is a nice basis. And a nice basis to use pedals with, too.
Now you just play a bit and listen to the sound. Is there sth you really don’t like? Like to much bass or not enough treble? Even if you don’t know what exactly it is that you don’t like don’t be discouraged. Just go to your eq and go step by step. Adjust the bass and go full left and full right. So you see what this does to your sound. Do the same with the other settings. So you get to know your amp and more important you learn about sound. So it doesn’t matter what kind of amp you use. Imho this is a nice practice and a good way to get exactly the sound you like and with that GREAT Rock Tone.
Lets get to it and rock on 🙂
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