Science and Squealies

Warren

So last night, for the first time, I was Billy Gibbons whilst playing La Grange.

Sort of.

This was the result of fooling around for hours with my Vox Valvetronix amp models, finally using the Marshall JCM 2000 model with xyz settings to get a really punchy tone for the rhythm. Stomp on the TS808 and switch to the bridge, and I get a really nice solo tone as well. I'm a very poor pinch harmonic player, but last night they were flying out of the speakers with abandon!

What is it that makes these harmonics ring out like that? I'm not adjusting my technique massively: they just suddenly become much easier to achieve. Even on unwound strings!

Is it purely a gain / overdrive thing? Obviously in that mode the guitar is much more touch-sensitive (the other model I use all the time is the Twin Reverb model) too, so things like tapping start being a lot more do-able.

Just wondering what the ideal conditions are for playing rock-style pinch harmonics, and the basics for recreating them on different rigs.

AlanRatcliffe

Guitar and player mainly and some kind of compression helps - whether it be drive/distortion, a loud amp or a compressor pedal. New strings also help.

Some guitars are better at harmonics than others - my Sanox I have to be careful when I do muted stuff or I get accidental harmonics everywhere. In part, that's the through neck, which is brighter and more compressed than either a bolt-on or a set-neck.

Gearhead

I still want to read up on this, but I do think there's something about preamp drive that is more sensitive about the higher harmonics than about the root notes. I noticed that certain channels on my Triaxis are a LOT more prone to pick up squealies than others, even between gain channels there is significant difference.

I agree that player and guitar are important, but a sensitive amp setting will help: I am now practicing the squealies on squealish settings and, once you know what you are looking for, it becomes easier to get Gibbons on less sensitive stuff.

AlanRatcliffe

Good point Gearhead - odd order harmonics accentuate them too. So distortion works better than overdrive.

InFlamesWeTrust

Would feedback also maybe help to bring out the harmonics when playing at louder volumes? Just a thought, could be wrong.

singemonkey

The man wants....

Science!

When sober, I'll look it up. I'm sure Pythagoras is involved.