Best Guitar Tone you’ve ever heard
Discussion
Saw the Stereophonics at the NEC last night, Kelly Jones had the most amazing guitar sound live i’ve ever heard, every note had that proper ‘thud’ as the pick hit the strings coupled with just a really well eq’d amp, highs were bright and cutting without being shrill and the bass was adding to a luscious big fat sound without being boomy. Completely awe inspiring noise
Edited by oddball1313 on Sunday 3rd April 20:51
Great question!
Three that immediately spring to mind:
1) Smashing Pumpkins' Cherub Rock. Most likely all Billy Corgan's Fender Strat Plus Deluxe via a Marshall JMP-1 and loads of effects/fuzz/eq etc.
2) Metallica's Black Album. I'm not a fan of EMG pickups, but they really sounded great on that album through a blend of Marshalls and MESA-Boogies. Thanks to Bob Rock for convincing the band to put the mids back in!
3) Warrior Soul's ex-guitar player John Ricco used Gibsons and (I think) Soldano amps and I absolutely love his tone generally.
Three that immediately spring to mind:
1) Smashing Pumpkins' Cherub Rock. Most likely all Billy Corgan's Fender Strat Plus Deluxe via a Marshall JMP-1 and loads of effects/fuzz/eq etc.
2) Metallica's Black Album. I'm not a fan of EMG pickups, but they really sounded great on that album through a blend of Marshalls and MESA-Boogies. Thanks to Bob Rock for convincing the band to put the mids back in!
3) Warrior Soul's ex-guitar player John Ricco used Gibsons and (I think) Soldano amps and I absolutely love his tone generally.
Eric Johnson has to be right up there
Just love his live version of Cliffs of Dover
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nd7EZ3k39s
Just love his live version of Cliffs of Dover
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nd7EZ3k39s
Edited by dodgepot on Monday 4th April 08:14
https://youtu.be/HHE7IH7rMK8
not my recording and not sure how well it conveys the concert but to me this is how a guitar is supposed to sound, not dripping in effects and delays but just in your face valve amp driven power. It’s very much each to their own but i’ve never really liked tones like Eric Johnson’s, hell of a player and could only dream of being half that good but his guitar sounds so processed and saturated with effects that to me it doesn’t sound like a guitar anymore but this is a subjective topic and one man’s meat is another’s poison.
not my recording and not sure how well it conveys the concert but to me this is how a guitar is supposed to sound, not dripping in effects and delays but just in your face valve amp driven power. It’s very much each to their own but i’ve never really liked tones like Eric Johnson’s, hell of a player and could only dream of being half that good but his guitar sounds so processed and saturated with effects that to me it doesn’t sound like a guitar anymore but this is a subjective topic and one man’s meat is another’s poison.
Animal said:
Great question!
It is, and also a very hard one to answer as the guitar can do so much with so many effects. 
Things that spring to mind:
Wilderness - Joy Division. Never tire of hearing that guitar sound.
The Last Time - The Electric Chairs. Just so raw and when it's played loud you can just hear every note screaming.
Number 12 - The Pack (pre-Theatre of Hate Kirk Brandon) Such a guitar tone in the middle break.
Rema Rema - Rema Rema. Marco Pirroni before Adam & the Ants and just such a heavy sound.
I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby - Captain Beefheart. Lovely guitar tone.
Penetration - Iggy & the Stooges. Those first few notes grab you.
Submission - Sex Pistols. Lovely tone.
Plus loads more, but these are the first things off the top of my head.
townshend's sg sound in the 1969-71 period, ive seen many stage photos and vids , and he's got just one foot pedal, a hi-watt amp and the guitar, so all the nuanced sounds are from pick-up selection, tone and volume knobs.
zz top's billy gibbons stage sound, never mind what guitar he plays
[ and he's got many ] the sound stays the same.
zz top's billy gibbons stage sound, never mind what guitar he plays
[ and he's got many ] the sound stays the same.
As already mentioned, I'd say Brian May, David Gilmour and Gary Moore. I also really like Nita Strauss' Ibanez JIVA with it's DiMarzio Pandemonium pickups. It really cuts through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz49kJPulXQ
Mark Knofler on 'Brothers in Arms'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_HTGdLXL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_HTGdLXL4
Edited by paulguitar on Monday 4th April 13:43
Soooo many over sooo many years to choose from. But ex 'Home' and 'Wishbone Ash' member (he joined them in 74 when I first saw him, and left in the mid 80s). After this he was a regular member with Tina Turner's touring band. And has regularly played with other distinguished names.
I could choose others of course, but I'll stick with him, Laurie Wisefield, because he takes some beating.
This is back in 1991 at Night of the Guitars.
On this occasion Laurie used his old 18-20W Marshall amp, guitar-lead-amp. Nothing else.
I could choose others of course, but I'll stick with him, Laurie Wisefield, because he takes some beating.
This is back in 1991 at Night of the Guitars.
On this occasion Laurie used his old 18-20W Marshall amp, guitar-lead-amp. Nothing else.
vixen1700 said:
Another selection of nice guitar tone:
Bombers - Tubeway Army. Nice, lazy and heavy.
How Soon is Now - The Smiths. Big sound.
Psychadelic Warlords - Hawkwind. Love the way it builds.
Wilko Johnson's choppy tone on Dr. Feelgood songs.
Oh now you've got me all nostalgic, saw the Feelgoods at the Grand in Leigh on Sea at their magnificent, sleaziest best in the 70's, Wilko at his most bug eyed... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHm7uIC84YMBombers - Tubeway Army. Nice, lazy and heavy.
How Soon is Now - The Smiths. Big sound.
Psychadelic Warlords - Hawkwind. Love the way it builds.
Wilko Johnson's choppy tone on Dr. Feelgood songs.
Tommy Castro,' Lonesome and then some' superb guitar tone.
Jimmy Vaughan (SRV's brother) Dengue Woman superb tone.
Seen both live a long time ago and really enjoyed the sound.
Someone also mentioned Buddy Guy I saw him at the 100 Club ages ago and he struck a single note and using both feed-back and sustain made a sound that made women scream and I nearly passed out it was that intense. He does a similar thing on the tribute to SRV with 'look over there'
Jimmy Vaughan (SRV's brother) Dengue Woman superb tone.
Seen both live a long time ago and really enjoyed the sound.
Someone also mentioned Buddy Guy I saw him at the 100 Club ages ago and he struck a single note and using both feed-back and sustain made a sound that made women scream and I nearly passed out it was that intense. He does a similar thing on the tribute to SRV with 'look over there'
Metallica for me. The Black album blew me away and still does.
Also, Hetfields guitar tone on their cover of Turn the page and Mercyfull Fate from the Garage Inc album.
Just a bloody awesome fat sound. Perfection.
And I can’t not mention Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi has never sounded bad, but his guitar on the first album still sounds great today. I often try and put myself back in 1969 and imagine hearing that for the first time. Must have been an experience!
Also, Hetfields guitar tone on their cover of Turn the page and Mercyfull Fate from the Garage Inc album.
Just a bloody awesome fat sound. Perfection.
And I can’t not mention Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi has never sounded bad, but his guitar on the first album still sounds great today. I often try and put myself back in 1969 and imagine hearing that for the first time. Must have been an experience!
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