There’s not really a name for the specific type of distortion. There’s a name for the pedal, I’m sure, but most professional musicians typically have modded/custom distortion pedals anyway. Try google?
Some companies let you audition their pedals on their websites. Look into it.
The best way to describe distortion is either by the style of music it appears in (e.g. classic rock distortion is different from thrash metal distortion) or by the name of the guitarist responsible for it (e.g. Eddie Van Halen’s distortion > everybody else’s).
So. . .I recently found a wine red Les Paul studio w/gold hardware listed on craigslist, and took the bite. I got it for $800, which is a steal, considering how it retails around $1350. And I have to say, the thing is gorgeous. I spent this weekend polishing it, oiling the fretboard, fixing the action, the works.
Unfortunately, I’ve realized that the Les Paul just doesn’t play as smoothly as my MIM Strat. My Strat’s a cheap thing, but the string tension and action’s so low that it plays like butter on silk. I set the action on the Les Paul equally low, but the string tension’s higher in comparison. Not sure how to fix that outside of wrapping the string around the tailpiece, which would look awful in any case.
Also, it looks like the Les Paul has a grounding issue–every time I touch a string, it crackles (sounds like a static electricity shock). I actually had this problem with my Strat, but I managed to fix it when I shielded it and rewired the damn thing so there were no more ground loops. I can’t do that with the Les Paul though b/c the wiring looks way too complex.
Otherwise, I’m really liking the Les Paul. The neck, the sound, the bridge placement. . .it’s just a fantastic guitar. Minus the current wiring issues.
Hey guys, I got this really nice 720p camera and I’ve been urging to make some videos and I like to review/teach people so i decided to start up this series that reviews guitar picks. Right now I have 2 episodes done and I hope to get one done every week. I hope to review many guitar picks. I review them in lots of ways.
Check it out:
:tup:
Big Stubby Dunlops 4 lyfe though.
I agree with this. I switched from acoustic to electric not too long ago, and I realized that my pick preference has been leaning towards harder and harder picks, until I finally picked up a Big Stubby not too long ago. . .and damn, they’re pretty awesome.
I know this sounds like a n00bish response, but maybe if you lowered the string gauge on the Les Paul? I don’t know what else would effect string tension…
Well, now that I think about it, I imagined your MIM Strat has the trem floating, correct? Just thinking about the physics of it, a hardtail body should exert more string tension because of the solid and virtually unmovable placement of the strings when put through a hardtail body. On the other hand, the Strat with a floating trem allows very slight movement, so it’s like you’re making the trem go flat every time you fret a string. For example, I recently got some schaller locking tuners for my MIM Strat. Before, I noticed the string tension was very much like butter as you say. Now with locking tuners, the strings have less chance of movement because of the locking tuner properties, therefor exerting more pressure, or tension. So it’s a tradeoff, stable tuning or less string tension. Of course, I’m not an expert, there’s always a nifty midpoint between these two, just my two cents. Maybe I have it completely wrong. xD
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/stockgibson.php
I have no clue if this would work with your guitar, I never tinkered with the insides of a Gibson or Gibson-styled guitar (yet).
EDIT: btw can we get pics of headstock? maybe a vid on how it sounds? it sure looks gorgeous, man. I blew 800 on a fernandes ravelle elite guitar and it sounds really nice and looks great, I’ll post a picture sometime later this week.
I’m looking at a Carvin CT6. Anyone have experience with Carvin? Thoughts on this?
I was just showing Canto these:
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq348/kazamamaster/P9280008.jpg
I’ve got experience with Carvin :rock:
Carvins are sexy. The pickups don’t have a whole lot of character or anything, but they’re clear and defined, and the instruments play extremely well. I’ve been mulling over either getting a couple of carvins or warmoths, and I’m still not decided.
Carvins are good, the lead guitarist in my band has a seven string (shit even has GPS incase anyone steals it… -_-) and it plays really nice.
Personally, I’d go for something similar to a Strat neck. Dunno, I just love the feel and the tone I get.
Warpticon: Are you looking to getting complete guitars or just parts?
Yes.
MRGAY, I think you’re right. . .probably a floating tremolo would explain why the Strat plays a lot easier string tension-wise compared to the Les Paul. I’ve already put .009s on it, so I’m pretty much out of options. I’m not sure how the height of the tailpiece affects the Les Paul, but maybe that’ll do something.
I sent the Les Paul to the shop though. The crackling problem’s way beyond my level of expertise to remedy. . .but thanks for the schematic. I might try to do some modding later on if I can find detailed enough directions.
And pics of the headstock. The picture quality is kind of awful though. And once I get a distortion pedal (a Tubescreamer, I hope), I’ll post some sound clips of my mediocre playing. . .I still haven’t dialed in a good height for the pickups though. It’s going to take a while before I find that sweetspot.
start with a BOSS DS-1
You can always put 8.5’s… I’m so serious, rofl. I bet those strings have next o no tone, but I’m sure someone appreciates them, haha.
I was talking to a buddy of mine who plays guitar and he said that adjusting the tailpiece would affect spring tension, but I’m not too sure if he’s correct. At least, I don’t see why it would, doesn’t that just affect the action? Anyway, if someone could fill in the holes for me, I’d appreciate it because he did a bad job explaining it, but I’m sure he’s right.
That’s good, always do that if you don’t feel comfy messing with a guitar, but I recommend to everyone that they should mess around with their guitar at least once to know how their axe works.
:wow:
They look great. If only I played bass instead.
Do you know which pickup models you’re referring to? This is kind of an issue for me. I want good pickups if I’m forking over $$$$ for this thing. Should I pay the $10 to upgrade to Carvin’s higher end pickups or should I just buy some DiMarzios and call it a day?
I have a Strat, and a Carvin would be a big upgrade over that. What is the neck similar to?
I would guess that Jimmy Page is using 8s in “Whole Lotta Love,” if that means anything. Listen to that HUGE bend in the solo.
bend is gdlk hahaha
I knew someone appreciated it, more power to him, then. thunbs up
Capn Spanky:
I guess it’s a matter of preference, I’d pick my Strat over any guitar on any given day. It nearly makes me weep when I play it clean, and with overdrive it can really scream (but weaker than something with humbuckers).
Now that we’re on tone, I’ve been looking in upgrading my pickups (Area '58 on the neck, '67 and then '61 on the bridge). I’ve heard good things about Lace Sensors, mostly the Gold and Silver ones. I know there are other colors (Emerald, Purple). ANYWAY, yea, opinions?
Warpticon:
I’d go for warmoth, but that’s because I’d personally would want to buy the parts and put it all together. 
As for Carvin, no clue, brah. I’m sure some of the other forum members know more about them, but my friend vouches for them and says to “Go for it.”