I. Tone Electric Guitar: Pickups and Strings
There are basically two types of electric guitar pickups: single coil and humbuckers, and they sound very different. Single coils are usually softer and lighter (and electrical interference that cause hum); humbuckers tend to be stronger and are much stronger midrange and bass (not hum). In addition, the single coils tend to provide more clarity than a humbucker when playing clean, but they tend humbuckerbetter with overdrive and distortion (because they are stronger). Single coil usually sound better in the neck position humbucker and the sound tends to be better at the bridge (again because of the midrange response and additional performance).
There are a number of single-coil pick-ups like, no buzz, Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups markets such as sensor and Lace "Holy Grail" pickups. For the most part, these types of pickups really small, brighthumbucker sound. They are trained to look like single coil stacking two coils on top of one another, instead of side by side on them. No matter what he says the only thing that really sounds like a single coil pickup is a single coil pickup.
I think a better way to solve the problem buzz is a reversal of polarity reverse wound (rwrp) mid pickup (Fender Custom Shop Fat 50-rwrp a middle pickup) to obtain. So if you have a Stratocaster, for example, youSingle-coil sound in position 1, 3 and 5, but will not be ringing in positions 2 and 4 In the alternative, if you have a Les Paul, humbuckers, which can split the coils, which allows you to convert any humbucker in single coil with the flick of a switch (Seymour Duncan JB humbucker model will have four wires, you can use it then get a switch with split coil). In both cases, you can the best of both worlds.
Between single coil and humbucker, there are manyChanges, as they are built and how they sound. Basically a collection of a series of magnets wrapped in copper wire. So the changes in the magnet wire and the impact on the sound. Alnico V magnets are usually single-coil pickup like the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, Texas Specials are used, they are stronger magnet and a sharper sound. Humbucker Alnico II magnets are common in classic '57 Gibson pickups, magnets are soft and have an easierTone.
As with copper wire, they tend to "twist" pickups stronger and have more resources and low, with less winding pickups tend to sound smoother and brighter. One of the reasons, the humbucker sound, as it is, because it takes longer to wrap wire the two coils. The thickness of the wiring and the type of insulation used are additional factors that determine the sound (Fender pickups for example, had early onset Formvar enamel insulation instead of influence; insulation were sothem a clear sound). It is now the most humbuckers are wax potted, so as not to scream at the top gain, but the wax mold is bad for the clarity a little 'too (Gibson Burst Bucker modern pickups and Seymour Duncan Seth lovers attempt to clarify the tone of the humbucker first removing the dirt to play wax).
Another thing to consider with single coils, such as the construction is how to respond to electrical noise compromised. You can love like a big fat single-coilGibson sounds like a p90, but you can also use the additional wiring pickups that sound is so good it make a loud noise. So there is a trade-off, if this noise (thread = more sound louder, richer = buzz more) as.
The other primary factor in determining the tone of an electric guitar strings. Electric guitar strings are nickel and steel. The nickel addition, warmer sound, more steel, the sound brighter and stronger ropes. In addition, more often the strings ofmore volume they produce. That's why some players to use large ropes, have more clay. If you try to find them are playing too hard, you can always vote themselves a half step or more to compensate.
Remember, if nickel is only on the ropes. The thinner, sharper strings are all steel. Even with the strings, not just the content of nickel, which sets the tone, but also the shape of the windings. Roundwound strings are bright, butFlatwound have more bass response a lot, and the so-called "rollerwound" GHS strings as the popular "Nickel Rockers", have a tone somewhere between the two (ie, appear darker Roundwound).
So, what you can do is the association with different pickups with different strings to try to get a nice balanced sound of the guitar. For example, you may find that rollerwound well with lighter strings, vintage style single coils, such as s. Fender Custom Shop '54 'But the same stringswould probably be too dark for a Gibson Les Paul with '57 Classics or Burstbuckers (ie round wound strings sound better) with it. On the other hand, if it is something like a Gibson ES-175 with the same classic humbuckers, and you are looking for a jazz sound, smooth, probably as Flatwounds better.
Here are some suggestions for combinations of strings / pickups / amp / speakers, I think that work well:
Roundwound Strings 1 / humbucker pickups / Tube Amp (6L6Tubes) / 15 "JBL speakers (clean sound)
2 Strings Rollerwound / Single Coil / Tube Amp (6L6) / 10 "Jensen speakers (bluesy sound)
Roundwound Strings 3 / humbucker pickups / tube (EL34) / 12 "Celestion speakers (and sound distorted rock roll)
4 flatwound / humbucker pickups / Solid State Amp / Eminence woofer (jazz sound)
It is a combination and the way in which the components are compatible. If you put a Flatwounds Gibson and locked in aPolytone, you will see why so many jazz musicians love these amps. But if you try the same amp with a Stratocaster and a series of injuries around, you'll wonder why no one would ever buy a Polytone. An amplifier, which may sound good with a guitar sound terribly with another guitar. And the reason is not connected to the amplifier. The pickups and strings of the guitar is not just a good match for the amplifier components.
Another thing to check is the wiring (ie, the tone and volumeControls and the pickup selector switch) inside the guitar. You can improve the pickup swap cheap, the sound of the guitar, but it will not be able to get the most from the change, if you connect a cheap, shoddy wiring connected to the pickup. The harness consists of two or four pots, one or two capacitors, a switch and the wiring connecting them all together (and shielding the cavity around the wires or control). The best parts are made in the USA CTSPots, Sprague caps, Switchcraft switch and sockets, etc. The controls for the reduction of the volume and brightness through the introduction of resistance and capacitance in the circuit. If the quality is not there, the sound will be affected negatively, even if the controls are turned all the way, and hum pick-up can be more or less, depending on how well the dishes are shielded. So if you are replacing the pickups to enhance the sound, it is usually advisable to check the wiring and see if it needs to be updated oradditional shielding to be added.
And, last but not least, all the effects pedals between the guitar and amplifier tend to dominate the last note. Some pedals are more transparent than others, but of course if you have heavily on the pedals to the desired sound, then the type of pickups and strings you use less of an impact.
The tone Electric Guitar: Speaker
There are basically three types of vintage speakers: (1) Jensen speakers, (2) and JBLElectro Voice Drivers, and (3) Celestion speaker.
Jensen Speakers
Jensen Alnico speakers come standard tweed Fender amps of the '50s, including the famous Tweed Bassman, the four (4) Jensen P10R speakers labeled (Jensen Alnico speaker with a "P" and the ceramic speaker with a "C" should " 10 "refers to the size of the speaker (10") and "R" refer to the speaker is driven low, while "N" on a speaker would have more power). Jensen ceramic speakers are sometimes associated withFender Tolex years later, but the Alnico speakers were included in the amplifiers. If you always have someone speaks of an "American" is probably Cases heard the sound of the Fender (ie the speaker in a Jensen amp powered by 6L6 or 6V6 tubes) that they are related. Jensens are generally brighter speakers (they have smaller coils and resonance frequencies around 100 Hz), and have a very clear tone with great sensitivity. As a result, they workparticularly well with single coils, like a Fender Stratocaster.
The original Jensen speakers were made in the United States, but the current reprinting reprints in their vintage Fender amps together now are made in Italy. Excellent Jensen clones are made by Weber and Eminence. Weber is the so-called "Vintage Series" and the speakers are Eminence 10 "Alnico legend 102, and with a higher power" Patriot Series "speakers. To my ear,Italian reissues sound good at low volumes, but the Webers sound better at full volume, and overdrive just fine.
JBL and Electro Voice
JBL and Electro Voice speakers are the most important American speakers. Unlike Jensens are JBL and EV is very powerful sounding (have large coils and resonance frequencies around 50 Hz), and can handle much volume. JBL were known to be covered with aluminum powder, and some of the earliest known EV came in this wayAlso (I believe that the purpose of the aluminum was to broaden the frequency response). The 12 "JBL d120f years were known, combined with the Fender Twin Reverb for blues and jazz. The 15" JBL d130f was also a great speaker for Vibroverb. Electro Voice speakers are mostly popular among heavy metal players. The original Mesa Boogie amps are known from a single EVM 12L speaker.
JBL and Electro Voice speakers were made in the United States. Electro Voice speakers are stillavailable, but the JBL is no longer manufactured. Fortunately, Eminence makes a speaker as a "commonwealth", a superb copy of the JBL E120 (12 ") and E130 (15") speakers (which are versions of ceramic magnet D120 and D130 speakers). Weber also makes a speaker called "California", which sounds like a JBL, and another as the "Michigan", which sounds similar to the Electro-Voice. If you want the bulletproof reliability of high volume, you can not go wrong with aJBL or EV speaker. They weigh a ton, but I can handle a lot of energy. They also handle bass well and produce a mellow sound that is particularly suitable for high guitars with humbuckers, as Les Paul and Gibson ES-335.
Another interesting spin-off of the JBL / EV sound through the line of Eminence woofers made available, including the lowest alpha-driven and (marketed Delta Pro 12A is similar to an EV 12L) high-performance speakers and beta- delta. Jazz as an amplifierPolytone and Evans (Raez board and cabinets) to be used for a solid state Eminence woofers smooth-jazz sound. The Alfa is a better feel and sound like old Polytone speakers, while the Delta is a modern sound with strong bass response, which has no disort, even at high volume. In my opinion they sound particularly good with humbuckers and flatwound.
Celestion Speaker
Celestion speakers are famous for their involvement in the amplifier as the classic BritishVox AC30 and a variety of Marshall amplifiers, including the 2x12 "Blue Breaker". If you ever talk to someone about a "British" speakers have heard, is probably the sound of a Vox or Marshall amp (ie, EL84 or EL34 and Celestion speakers), which they refer. In terms of sound and design are Celestions between the Jensens, and the JBL / EV. They are not as bright as the Jensens, nor as powerful as the EV (which have resonance frequencies around 75 Hz and a betterMid-reaction), and with British cones and coils are not made as small as big as the Jensens or JBL. Not surprisingly, more likely to sound Celestions well with both single and humbucking coils, especially when playing with a lot of distortion.
The Celestion Alnico only the "Blue Alnico." The speaker is the speaker system 12 "that came in the VOX AC30. It 'widely recognized as one of the best speakers you can buy period, but is also one of the most expensive speakersYou can buy, and there can be only 15 watts. The rest of the line Celestion G12M 25 watts including the "Greenback", are speaking ceramic magnet, usually 12 "in size, and all the notes for excellent rock. My favorites are the greenbacks. If you need more capacity The G12-65 is also a great sounding speaker system. As they say in advertising, the sound of the Celestion sound of rock and roll is.
Although Celestions were originally in England, made today's editionsin China (like the Jensens Italian Chinese Celestions sounds pretty good to my ear). Weber also some great "British Series" Celestion clones, including the "Blue Pup," a copy of the Alnico Blue (with the exception of baby blue is available in all sizes, the process does not cost much, and can feed a much more). And the legend has Eminence GB-12 Greenback clone, and a new line of excellent "Red Coat" speaker, Celestion clones are pure. The "Red Fang" is a copy ofAlnico Blue, and the "Private Jack" is another copy of the greenback. Both speakers sound good, cost less and handle more power. And, of course, the weaver and made Eminence speakers in the United States.
In my opinion, the speakers are the main things that determine the sound of an electric guitar. The sound begins with the strings, and depends on the fact that it is difficult to nickel or steel, wrapped around or flatwound, or light. Then the sound will be adjusted from the pick-up could be thesingle coil or humbucker, Under-stories-high on our laps, alnico V or alnico II If you put a chain of effects between the guitar and amp, the sound effects tend to dominate the tone and ignore the rest. Otherwise, the sound then you have the type of amplifier (solid state or tubes, and the type of tubes) and how the dials (bass, mid, treble, master volume, etc.) determined. But what has the greatest influence is the speaker (the nature of the cone, magnet, and the size ofSpeaker voice coil). The speakers are the final link in the chain, the speakers, which actually move the air to produce sound quality.
If you have a guitar with single coil pickups, you can not go wrong with Jensen-style speakers. Single coils have a wide range of high frequency and great clarity, and Jensen are perfect to capture this tone. If your guitar has humbuckers and want to have a smooth, jazzy tones clean or a speaker, a great bass sound for heavy metalDistortion, then JBL and Electro Voice speakers will make you happy. Each of these speakers good Americans with American tubes, as 6V6 or 6L6. If you do not like the sound of American speakers, and because the Jensens are too bright or too down JBL and EV, then probably has a Celestion speaker that you like. Celestions have the best mid-range response, the sound of Britain is less "digging" (ie the more the high, low and average) American-style speakers.Not surprisingly, the British pair of speakers with tubes British, like EL34 or EL84 is.
Yet another thing to consider mixing and matching different speakers, power amplifier-speaker. For example, if you can use a Super Reverb or Bassman, the 4 x 10 "with speakers, two lit up by the sound Jensen (Jensen P10R or as Weber 10A100) is set, and then try the sound with two balancing speaker sound Bassier on the bottom (or as Weber10A150 P10n Jensen). Anotherpopular system is to provide a G12M Celestion G12H on one side and a side of a Bluesbreaker Marshall 2 x 12 amps.
III. Electric Guitar Tone: Tubes
Change in the vacuum tube guitar amp, the sound can be just as changing the speaker to change. Many say the best 12AX7 preamp tubes and pipes are the Americans 6L6 tubes RCA in 1950 and '60, as the short ribs plate RCA 12AX7 and 6L6GC RCA black plate that have been produced asand the fact Mullard ECC83 European Union. These tubes sound great but are expensive and less supply, since they are no longer manufactured. Fortunately, there are also a number of tubes of high-quality current production, available to improve the sound amplifier.
12AX7 tubes
There are five (5) 12AX7 types made today, and the tube is often sold under several different labels. If you want to know what you want to buy the best you canfamiliar with the construction of various types, so you can say is that regardless of the label under each sold.
Three (3) the five types of tubes have a short, thick disk structure, where the two plates are so close, you can not see the space between them. The other two (2) pipes are made, as the way of the Mullard ECC83 12AX7 RCA and were built in the 60s. You have two thin plates that are separated so you can see the roombetween them, and the plates have a corrugated printing on it that looks like a ladder.
Sovtek is the leading OEM supplier of preamp tubes today. Sovtek tubes are manufactured in Russia. As you can see above, have a spacer in the first group, thick plates, a gap between the plates and the spacer second top, and a getter "dimple" over the top. If you have a tube that looks like this, is a Sovtek, regardless of brand. Sometimes they are marked as Sovtek 12AX7, but also see them labeled asGroove Tubes 12AX7-R and Fender 12AX7. It will also scored 12AX7 WA, WB or WC. I was told that the WB version is to earn a little 'over and WC version is a bit' quieter. However, this tone cut tubes (light) that is popular with Fender amps are proprietary.
The OEM according to the Chinese Shuguang 12AX7 tube come there are (Groove Tubes also sells this tube as 12AX7C; Tube Amp Doctor sells this tube has a TAD 7025, and was sold by Mesa Boogie). TheChinese 12AX7 with short, thick plates, such as the built Sovtek, but have a spacer above the pipes, a great nickel color clip connecting the plates, and a getter "halo" at the top. Even if you see a pipe like this, China is a tube, whether written or Mesa Boogie or Groove Tubes TAD on the glass. These tubes have a warmer tone of Sovtek and gain (volume). As a result, but also work in high-gain amplifiers.
The third is the OEM hoseEuropean JJ ECC83 (ECC83 is the English term for a 12AX7, JJ is in the Slovak Republic). They are short, thick plates and with a halo getter, such as the built Shuguang, but only two spacers and a metal plate on the plates, which is connected to getter. You can see this as a Groove Tubes ECC83 is sold, but the label does not matter, they are still ECC83 JJ. With regard to the sound, have a tone more linear than the Sovtek or Shuguang, and a prominent midrange.Personally, I think it sounds better to run with Marshall amplifiers and Vox EL34 or EL84 power tubes.
If you are a beautiful, vintage-style sound clean or distorted slightly blue tone, for newer tubes Sovtek makes for Electro-Harmonix, Svetlana, and Tung Sol are better choices. Each of these tubes have thinner plates that are separated so you can see the space between them just like the original RCA 12AX7. To my ear, the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 12AX7 best sound out cheaper(The Svetlana 12AX7 looks like the tube, but I've never tried one). If you do not mind spending a little 'more, I think the Tung Sol 12AX7 "reissue" is even better (unlike the version of Electro-Harmonix, Tung Sol, a getter "halo", just like the RCA). If you want tube tone premium with a really nice American, I would recommend the Tung Sol 12AX7.
The second option sounds more vintage tube preamp is the long plate tubes Sovtek makes with its own name as 12AX7LP (the "lp"stands for "long plate"), Sovtek 12AX7 Mullard tube and sold as a "problem". The two tubes are the same, except for the name, but the quality of the Mullard is much better, I think.
Sovtek addition, Groove Tubes also sells a 12AX7M made in the USA, and it seems that TAD is selling this 7025 tube as their new TAD JJ has also appointed a new long plate ECC803 JJ tube.
All these tubes are long, thin sheets that are separated so you can see the distance between them onlyMullard ECC83 is like the original. To my ear, this vintage tubes tend to a rather flat eq, which I associate with a European sound, unlike the Tung Sol, highlight the ups and downs and have more of an American tone.
The problem with these tubes long plate, is not good enough in high gain amplifiers and combos when they are not very well done. The only thing I found to have a guitar amp reliable edition of the Mullard 12AX7. The cost is a bit 'more, but if you want a tube of premium, which recommend more than one sound that would have the European.
Another thing to consider, the situation of the amplifier tube preamp is to be replaced. The tube preamp that is farthest from the power tubes generally have the greatest effect on the sound amplifier and preamp tubes that are closer to the supply pipes are the least influence to have the sound. You could, for a prize or Mullard Tung Sol in V1, but then askJJ or maybe cheaper to make more sense in Chinese V2 tubes. Even if you have a long journey to find, according to one of these positions could be a long metal tube still a good step to reversing the position of V3 (or position that is closer to the supply pipes).
6L6
6L6 tubes have come not only disks of different sizes, but also in bottles of different sizes. Basically there are three (3) types. The small bottle of "Stubbies" after the original Tung Sol 5881, the modeledSylvania 6L6GC STR original tall bottles, and the peaks clear that the construction side of the famous dish getter RCA 6L6GC black shows.
The most common is the OEM Sovtek 6L6 5881WXT what kind of anomaly. The Sovtek is a short tube into a bottle top. It's called 5881, but is really a 6L6. It 'can handle voltages as high as the other 6L6, but the power range of 5881 A and you will see that the branded products in both directions. Sovtek 5881WXT but called the Groove Tubessold as 6L6GC, 6L6GC calls a Fender and a Mesa Boogie 6L6GC STR sold as. Regardless of the name, Sovtek highly reliable and cost-pipe, but it does not have the best sound.
The only real small bottle of 5881 is currently in production Tung Sol 5881 reissue, which is also Sovtek. Like the Sovtek 5881WXT Tung Sol has less power than most of the 6L6 is the '. But when it comes to sound, there is no comparison. The tone of the Tung Sol is a cut above the5881WXT. The problem is, unlike the Sovtek, Tung Sol unable to handle the high voltage tube amps apparently modern. As a result, many people who want to upgrade the standard Sovtek 6L6 5881WXT better with a bottle or a large-scale new peaks and clear.
In addition to the Tung Sol, Sovtek has been called a big bottle of premium Sovtek 6L6 5881WXT + (not the 5881WXT, 588WXT the "+", which is a completely different animal) and the Electro-Harmonix 6l6EH (near as I can say the WXT +) 6l6EH the same thing. Both the + and 5881WXT 6l6EH have more disks, more volume and sound much better looking - with more harmonic complexity - as 5881WXT Sovtek.
Top rated large bottle 6L6 6L6 is probably the SED. SED, a / k / a "Winged C" is the company that formerly was known as "Svetlana". The SED is a tube with a large sound more detailed, but has one big disadvantage and that is that usually costs about twice as much as all these other lines.
TheBrand name "Svetlana" is now owned by Sovtek. In fact, Sovtek makes a copy of the SED "Winged C" 6L6, which is sold as Svetlana 6L6. The SED Sovtek and Svetlana are not the same tube (the producers are different), and have exactly the same tone (of Svetlana's not quite as brilliant). But the two tubes are very similar, and Svetlana will cost nearly half.
In addition to the SED and the Sovtek, there are two more 6L6 is a bit 'different sound, but alsoa great improvement over the standard 5881WXT. JJ makes a big bottle of JJ 6L6, which has a unique structure on board and a powerful sound and clean. While the SED, the JJ is a long time and enjoys great popularity. He recently started selling a Chinese Tube Amp Doctor 6L6GC STR TAD that has become very popular. I think the TAD sounds more like the JJ or Sovtek as the SED.
You really can not go wrong with these tall bottles. If you like big and muscular, also try JJor answering machine. If you have a lighter tone with more details like, go for the SED or Svetlana. If you prefer something with a little 'of eq flat and smooth sound, I would recommend the Electro-Harmonix and Sovtek 6l6EH 5881WXT +. I especially like the soft tone overdrive 6l6EH 5881WXT + and a master volume amp.
But if what you want is the closest thing to the original RCA 6L6 more clear, there are a number of other 6L6 They also want to give a listen. Groove Tubesmakes a clear top-GT Sovtek 6l6GE a clear Tung Sol 6L6GC STR Top and Tube Amp Doctor also has a clear best-selling Chinese 6L6WGC STR TAD. This is the long metal tubes, high-performance, but come in bottles of medium size and have a transparent top, side getter construction of the original GE and RCA 6L6. The TAD and Tung Sol versions have the "black plates" RCA had tubes, and the version of Groove Tubes is composed mainly of Americans. But the tube is definitely the best sound of the TAD 6L6WGCSTR. The TAD is a nice hot pipe with a sweet, silky high end. For me it's the perfect choice for a Fender Vintage Series like the Super Reverb.
Remember, the vacuum tube market is constantly changing. It used to be that the JJ ECC83 and SED "Winged C" 6L6 tubes were is the best available. But then Sovtek was bought by new sensor, and started working with Electro Harmonix to develop new tube designs. Chinese tubes were notoriously cheap, but then the Doctor and Amp TubeGroove Tubes started working with them to develop some high quality glass.
They are also used, with the necessary tubes from a reseller who tested them thoroughly because they were notoriously unreliable from the factory to get there. But being now Sovtek, for example, seems to test their own tubes more and selling the goods with brands such as "Tung Sol" or "Mullard". The other thing, the pipe manufacturer is now making the sale of "gold pin" versions of their tubes (often twice as expensivenormal versions). I think it worthwhile to purchase brand-name versions, especially if you buy directly from manufacturers, but I do not think that the pins are gold twice the price.
In my opinion, there is a tube that sounds better depends, it all depends on what you like and the other components you use.
Ben L. Fernandez
