Ibanez SA 120 ex

D-Man

I have my dear ol' beloved ibby which is awesome. However, lately I've been trying out some of Mark Tremonti's Legato Lessons and, I don't know why but, no matter how hard I practise and eventually torture my hands, you can't hear the legato. Is this just a lack of fingerstrength or could a modification to the pups help me out here?

I also just feel like modding the electronics of a guitar (coz it sounds like a jol) so should I get a cheap guitar to modify or should I experiment with the awesome Ibby?????

Gearhead

Would you say the action on your Ibby is high or low? Lower action means easier hammer on but less energy being put into the string. The pull-offs are also easier on a low action, but the volume will be less.
The other aspect is compression. Guys like Vai that use a lot of legato (btw with very low action), tend to play through heavily overdriven amps, which will make all your notes sound about the same volume. You can mimic this effect with a compression pedal or with the compressor of a multi-effect.
Finally, it does take a lot of practice so keep going.

If you want to mess around with guitars it pays off to keep at least one that you don't mess around with - you do actually want to play as well.

D-Man

Gearhead wrote: Would you say the action on your Ibby is high or low?

It's probably quite high. I've had to do this because the previous owner used the guitar with 13 guage strings in drop B (Woahh!) so the frets were worn and buzzing at times and I needed to perform so that could be the problem. Does anyone know Where and for how much I could get that repaired? I'm in Centurion.

Gearhead wrote: The other aspect is compression. Guys like Vai that use a lot of legato (btw with very low action), tend to play through heavily overdriven amps, which will make all your notes sound about the same volume.

Compression? I've heard something about it making low volumes louder and high volumes lower to make everything the sam. Is this correct?
I do play through a Marshall jackhammer with the gain on full. Should I really look at a compression pedal? is it worth it?

Gearhead wrote: Finally, it does take a lot of practice so keep going.

I shall now practise legato 24/7 seeing as I'm writing exams now!

Gearhead wrote: If you want to mess around with guitars it pays off to keep at least one that you don't mess around with - you do actually want to play as well.

Well I'm quite a hands-on guy so I'd love to play around. What would you recommend as a cheap guitar (I'm always low on cash) to buy and modify?

Thanks

Gearhead

D-Man wrote: Compression? I've heard something about it making low volumes louder and high volumes lower to make everything the sam. Is this correct?
I do play through a Marshall jackhammer with the gain on full. Should I really look at a compression pedal? is it worth it?

The way a compression pedal works is that it amplifies louder signals less than weaker ones. You usually have attack (how fast it responds), threshold (from what volume it starts compressing) and compression (how much the output does go up when the input goes up) knobbies. It is probably not worth it on top of your Jackhammer unless you are into shredding.

D-Man wrote: I'm quite a hands-on guy so I'd love to play around. What would you recommend as a cheap guitar (I'm always low on cash) to buy and modify?

Mine ? If you want to pay less, most cheapies will do. The conclusion of a couple of years fooling around tends to be that there is no shortcut to quality (apart from building yourself, which in your case would kill both your playing and your exams).

D-Man

Gearhead wrote: unless you are into shredding.

Time for a compression pedal then

Gearhead wrote: Mine ?

Hmmmmm. Yours would be?

Gearhead

D-Man wrote: Yours would be?

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/mij-1985-ibanez-rs525/
I also have an Epi LP Special two-tone sunburst I would be willing to part with for only R1400, if that's more your price range; PM for details...

guitarboy2828

I don't disagree that a compression pedal can help with sustain and getting those notes to ring out.. But by the sounds of things you just need to practice that technique more. Rather spend the money on a good teacher and have him look at your technique and help you advance... Personally, I don't see a compression pedal making your sound what you are wanting it to be right now.

Guys like Vai and Satch could do legato on an acoustic or on an electric on the clean channel. It won't sound as good, but the reality is, they can. If you switch all your distortion off and you hammer notes and pull off, can you hear them properly? If not, then your technique is not right.

AlanRatcliffe

Distortion adds tons of compression anyway. Adding in a compressor to a high gain rig will only add more noise. Guitarboy's right - technique is key. Tons of practice and a good teacher will go a long way to sorting out your problems.

D-Man

I am actually looking at for a teacher that can help me with my technique and theory. Preferably someone who specialises in the Rock/Metal/Alternative genre in the Centurion area. Any recommendations?