Pinch harmonics

WantzChas · 2009-01-09T18:23:50+00:00

Ok, so I've upgraded a my amp a while back. I love my new Randall, but playing pinch harmonics on my Cube 15 was so much easier. It's actually kind of hard n...

Pinch harmonics

WantzChas

I initially though that it was because of the built in Boss effects the Cube has. It could because I'm not giving it enough beef. Monday when my folks is working again I'll terrorise the neighbourhoods cats with some high pitchers.

AlanRatcliffe

Everything else being equal (bridge pickup, tones up full) it probably is the amp. Type of distortion makes a difference. Valve amp overdrive is smoother and doesn't make harmonics jump out the same way the harsher sound of distortion does (all to do with the harmonic structure of the two). If all else fails, a distortion pedal in front of the amp works - adds the distortion to make the harmonics pop and then the Valve amp takes some of the rough edges off.

Your valve amp may also not be at as high a gain as you think - valves have a different character that give you the sustain and compression of distortion before the amp is even distorting, and make distortion sounds appear heavier than they actually are. Cranking the amp might help a bit too (you have to break in the new speaker anyway ?).

WantzChas

I love the sound, don't get me wrong. That is the only thing I noticed. I'll try plugging in my friends Zoom or Boss MetalZone and see what happens.

deanBailey

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiit! Before going near or touching any zoom or metalzone, how loud do you crank your amp?

Like Alan said valve amps respond differently at different volumes. I'll garantee you that the MT-2 and zoom WILL give you enough drive
to get your pinches audible and easier to play so no need to "try" that ? [subliminal message](stay away-stay away-stay away)[/subliminal message]

Don't be worried if you feel your amp isn't delivering regarding the harmonics because it's not uncommon for a metal band to overdub their pinches with extra gain or even another OD pedal during recording.
If you like your tone, try an OD pedal into the OD channel rather, that way you can still keep your tone but just give it some extra "bite/crunch" which is kinda what you seem to be lacking.

Regarding frequencies, it's mainly your upper mids that need the boosting ?

WantzChas

Like I said I need to respect my parents so over weekends it's soft, during the week I crank it a bit louder. But varsity is almost starting so I can't wair for my neighbour in res to crank his subwoofer with some hip hop. Mwhahahahahahahah (evil laugh).

Will a tube screamer do? That will have to wait though cause I'm upgrading my pickup's (at least bridge) first.

deanBailey

WantzChas wrote: Will a tube screamer do? That will have to wait though cause I'm upgrading my pickup's (at least bridge) first.

upgrading the pickups might even make the difference. Which ones are you using at the moment? I'd suggest something with higher output if you like your metal tight and bitey.
Tube screamer will definitely do.

WantzChas

I have the standard stock ones for the SA160. According to the Ibanez website it is AH-1, but my guitar was made in the late 90's so I don't know.

andrewjbryson

Pickup wise... , if you need higher output :

EMG 85 / 81
Dimarzio Super Distortion
Seymour Duncan Distortion
Seymour Duncan 59/JB
Dimarzio De-Activators
Dimarzio Evo's

Gearhead

deanBailey wrote: [subliminal message](stay away-stay away-stay away)[/subliminal message]

Did not pick that up right away ?

Martyr

That is a really nice combo - just try with full gain with the treble at about 7

it will make them easier to play,BUT you won't be able to make out what you playing and when you crank it up you'll probably have more feedback than anything else

Will a tube screamer do? That will have to wait though cause I'm upgrading my pickup's (at least bridge) first.

tube screamer will help,but if your pick ups are shitty rather upgrade 'em first

the less gain you use the harder it will be to get your harmonics,but your tone will be alot neater....you basically have to decide,are harmonics more important than clean playing? i get harmonics with my gain on 4/10 low 3/10 mid 5/10 high 7/10,i have to try alot harder to get 'em,but i don't mind it because my tone sounds amazing(even though i'm still experimenting and i'm getting a OD pedal)....try your gain at full and keep lowering it while playing pinch harmonics and work out where you can still get 'em and use a comfortable amount of effort

WantzChas

I'm interrested in getting a DiMarzio Tone Zone or Air Zone for my bridge. Still see, because at the moment I'll have to consider Seymour Duncan and EMG. I don't really see the point in passive EMG's (my opinion).

deanBailey

andrewjbryson wrote: Pickup wise... , if you need higher output :

EMG 85 / 81
Dimarzio Super Distortion
Seymour Duncan Distortion
Seymour Duncan 59/JB
Dimarzio De-Activators
Dimarzio Evo's

I agree with those, but for the SA Ibanez I'd choose the 85 over the 81. Will give the thin mahogany body more body and chunkyness. I put an 18v 85 in my Jackson in the bridge and it kept it's tight compressed sound, but just gave it a little more body or warmth (having a little trouble describing it lol). The 81 was just waaay to harsh sounding and strictly in my opinion...kak ?

WantzChas

Unfortunately I discovered that actives is not going to be the best thing for me.

deanBailey

Yeah, it's not for everyone. I wanted passives for my custom because I'm extremely big on dynamics but I couldn't find the right one in time.

Perhaps the Dimarzio's Andrew mentioned would be best.

Shredder3211

question! how does the seymour duncan invader (bridge) compare to emg 81 85 and seymour duncan distortion.is it any gud?coz i wanna replace mine,but is it really worth it?or the tone zone?

deanBailey

I've asked that same question because it was one of my options for my guitar.

The reason I never went with it is that I was told (not being able to try it out) that it's more bassier than the Full-Shreds (which is more high-mid heavy) which is what I origionally wanted but wasn't available in 7 string. And I figured seeing that I'm getting a pretty big mahogany body, I didn't need a pickup that enhanced the lower end more.

Shredder3211

i've got it in my lp custom-i have tried the emg 81 and to b honest,sounds the same,its actually bit more trebly,havnt tried the 85 though-what would b a gud pair in neck?i'm looking for that shred tone,but with defenition in the mids and treble with sustain and gud volume distribution-but versetile to use for other gendres,blues etc?

deanBailey

I'd personally go with the full shreds but that's just me.