CB, just thinking about this a little… You always set the pickup volume really low? Can we approach it from the other direction? Perhaps the low volume is causing the muddy – I don’t know how, something with cheap pots or capacitor brands or something. Just for fun, start with the guitar volume up all the way, tone up all the way. Amp drive very low, like 2. Amp volume obviously low since you don’t want to blow your brains out – start from zero with all those other settings (guitar 10, guitar tone 10, drive 2) and work your way up until it’s just kinda loud.
Now, play that blues rhythm you’d mentioned – it’s probably pretty harsh, but in what direction – too warm, too trebly, some of each? Start adjusting either the volume or tone downwards, and work your way. Less volume control = less warm/harsh, less tone = less brittle/trebly. Adjust a bit, play a bit, adjust a bit. Look for a sweet spot that sounds good, see what you find.
What I’m wondering is if guitar-volume=2 (plus whatever guitar-tone was set to) is a trouble spot, eating your tone. Some instruments require a whole different approach. Try it out, let us know. I may be barking up the wrong tree, but your instrument isn’t going away instantly, so let’s push the boundaries a little. Start from an obviously wrong spot from your regular approach rather than from your comfort spot, and go from there.
Missed the edit: also please use reverb = 0 while you play with my guidelines above. Take reverb completely out of the equation for now, as it can mess with your ability to judge brightness/muddiness. Add the reverb back if you find tone you think is interesting and might benefit from it.
Gah, I’m sure you figured this out CB, but how egregious of me:
“If you have several other guitars whose tone you [del]don’t[/del] like through the same setup, and this one where you don’t, then yes, it’s time to move on.”
Link to thread on The Gear Page - why guitarist Eric Johnson, he who can tell what brand of batteries are in his effects by the change in tone, is the Chuck Norris of guitar tone…a few pages of silly, but some of them are pretty funny.
Five pairs, squeegee. It’s a five course guitar, as typical for the early 1700s.
As far as Eric Johnson, the man is just that good. But he also has a reputation for being insane in regards to how finicky he is about his gear. He’s never met an audiophile myth he doesn’t like.
Really amazing stuff. The electrics speak for themselves - the 1960 Les Paul’s auction estimate of <$100,000 seems pretty funny. But that 1931 Martin D-28 - apparently it is the first guitar designated as a D-28 in Martin’s books (prior to that, their first rosewood dreadnaughts were either special orders or prototypes called D-2’s).
Drool-worthy, to be sure. Pretty much every piece of gear was good, desirable stuff - very much a tip of the hat to Mr. Gere. I would be very interested to hear if he can actually play.
After hearing so much about Conan O’Brien’s guitar jones, I was interested to hear him - he played on the last NBC show and I have heard him a couple times since then. Unfortunately, he is more enthusiasm than chops. But bless 'im for having fun with it.
I hear you, but those are pre-auction estimates, and typically low-balled, often by a lot. I mean, that 1960 Sunburst Les Paul estimated at less than $100,000? Unless it has been refinned and has a repaired neck break and replaced pickups, I would be stunned if that didn’t go for $200 or more; maybe the economy has brought 'bursts down a bit from their highs, but the highs were more in the $300 - $400,000 range.
I don’t know my amp values, but a 60’s blackface Deluxe Reverb goes for over $2,000 these days…
