Just recieved my MIJ Epi Les Paul Custom from Ishibashi a few days ago, been messing around with EQs, Google-ing, following the amp setting thread from UG, and yet cant seem to get the tone that i wanted.

Tone that i am looking for,

Slash's - Sweet Child'O Mine
Slash's - November Rain Solo
Gary Moore's - Still Got the Blues

My current tone can be described as too light, not define, and sound less compress as compared with the above tones no matter how i mess with the EQ, gain and volume

Equipments that i currently have,

MIJ Les Paul Custom
Roland Cube 15
Dimarzio S/L Cable

My questions are,

Do i need to buy more equipment i.e. pedals, tube amps and etc to get those sound
Or is it related to skill and technique problem ?

Suggestions and advice would be much appreciated, thanks

Play it on your neck pickup, roll down your tone knob.

EQ-wise..I just play it treble on 3 oclock, bass on 11 oclock and mids at 1oclock.

Thanks for the EQ advice

I still do have a question if its not too much to ask

My PU covers are kinda loose (its not like its gona fall off tho) but it could move forward and backward, is that normal on LPs?

This post has been edited by ^Hobbes^: Mar 8 2007, 06:26 PM

I believe a big part of slash's tone comes from his amp. Which is needless to say a marshall. I can't remember what model it is (i think it's a modified jubilee or something), but that amp couple with a full stack 2 4X12 cabs = slash's tone. Umm...the amp is absolutely necessary if you want to get an accurate copy of his tone but it will cost you alot of cash. The cab, you may be able to get away with a decent 1x12 cab or if you have the cash a 4x12 cab. I personally don't believe digital effects and OD pedals will get you there. You may come close, but there will always be something missing.

OR something that i have discovered recently, Guitar Rig 2. I have always looked down on all amp modellers but here i was blown away. Even the OD sounds are brilliantly modelled with great dynamics. It costs quite an amount of cash too but you get more for what you pay. And i think it's cheaper than a full stack. Just for comparison sake, this product makes all line 6 equipment look like ancient technology.

I like Amplitube 2's tone better.... Much more "tube-y" and warmer then Guitar Rig 2.... But that's just me.

And yes..... Slash uses JCM800s almost religiously. He also had a signature JCM800 quite a while back, but it's now not in production anymore.

And the best advice if you REALLY want Slash's tone..... get his Signature wah and distortion combo. Quite an accurate representation of Slash's tone.
Also, like headhunter says, for sweet child, he uses alot of the neck pickup and switches back and forth between the solos and the verses. The intro starts off with the Neck pickup first actually.

Thanks for the advices

Firstly, i dont think i'll ever need a full stack, not even a half stack all i ever need if ever should be something like a 5w tube amp, due to the fact that i wouldnt be able to jam with anyone (something to do with my work) and also my work schedule only allows me to have 1-2 hours max a day for practice.

Secondly i still havent used up all my budget yet, so i made a pact with myself, if i could play any of the above songs flawlessly, then only i'll be able to touch the remainder of the budget and in the meantime while i practice to play those songs, 10% of my saving from my income will continue to be added to that fund

Btw, the EQ setting suggested by headhunter still isnt quite there. Still doesnt sound as warm as i wanted it to be. Amp problem?

Yes. Amp and of course your guitar.
Remember..... Slash used a GIBSON Standard with '59 S.D pickups.

Even your custom won't get the same sound........

And of course.... you're playing style.

Even if you have the exact same setup like Slash..... right down to using his own guitar and amps.... it's all in the technique to get his tone....

Which is why every player has it's own unique tone that almost can't be duplicated.

You'll just have to settle with sounding Somewhat CLOSE to Slash or Gary Moore.....
Sorry to burst your bubble man.....

This post has been edited by blacktrix: Mar 8 2007, 07:57 PM

yea, its all in the technique and how you fret and hit the strings.

those players also are all not light hitters.

so go and play that guitar like a man...

........and don't forget to sling your guitar low like Slash!
And also have a cigarette in your mouth while playing!
Might also help if you wear a funny hat!

Yeah read about it some where, its how you attack the strings, how hard you hit the strings and etc.... too bad i cant crank my volume past 4 or 5, else either my gf or my neighours will complain. Maybe its time for a decent headphone....

Yeah right
I also need some long curly hair, maybe its time to leave em long just in time when i could play flawless like him

This post has been edited by ^Hobbes^: Mar 9 2007, 12:14 AM

It's all in the hair.....

But another problem that "bedroom" players face is the volume. You really need to crank up the volume to get a good feel for the song. High-gain amps like the Marshall JCM800 is MADE to be played loud.... so you'll often find yourself cranking the gain higher to get your tone.

Luckily my dad loves to play loud music and my jamming room is located in the middle of the house, sandwiched between my room and the kitchen to the neighbors..... so no complaints there......

......only from my mom



This post has been edited by blacktrix: Mar 9 2007, 12:22 AM

hehe
biggie slash fan here
Slash uses a modified 25th anniversary silver jubilee before he got his signature head
which is actually a rebranded silver jubilee. This is his main amp for his lead tone =p
he uses a jcm800 for rhythm parts sometimes.
sometimes an ac30 is added for some different tunes [probably takes care of the cleans as well im not too sure bout this tho]
n yes slash uses gibson stds but not with '59s but with sd alnico ii pro for both neck n bridge
slash rarely uses customs
i wonder why

Whoops! My mistake!
I double checked it.... it was Alnico II pros.... indeed!

if jimmy page used customs more, i bet slash will too.

aye
i wish i could send a mail to slash/wylde/page
to ask for a lp that they dont use n donate it to me =p