I am a tone chaser. I’ve been playing guitar for nearly 30 years, but it’s only been in the past couple years where my focus has been on finding a nice, balanced tone that I like. We musicians will always be chasing after the “perfect” tone. It may never be absolutely perfect, but that’s what makes tone chasing fun. The unlimited possibilities of making your music sound as great as it possibly can.
For most of my existence playing the guitar I’ve always relied on effects pedals, modules, or amp effects for my sound…which was usually a heavy dose of distortion. I wasn’t paying attention to the tone and sound the amp itself was giving me.
When I talk about tone I’m referring to the pitch or sound of the music coming from the guitar to your amp, basically it's describing the sound–how bright or dark the amp sound is. In order to determine your perfect tone that’s right for you we have to start with the amp EQ. All other sounds or effects you want to add comes after you balance the EQ on your amp. I didn’t come up with the method I use to set my amp EQ, but it seems to work for me.
First, plug your guitar directly into the amp if it's not already, and turn off all effects including reverb. If you’re like me, someone who's used distortion for so many years, listening to your guitar dry through the amp can make you feel uncomfortable because it’s sounds so plain and ordinary. Suck it up, buttercup! This is your intervention and the beginning to you becoming a tone chaser.
Select your guitar’s pick-up selector to your desired setting. This will be different for each guitar. I usually play a Les Paul guitar and I set the 3-way switch in the middle position to unleash both pick-ups. Personally I like the nice, rich mid-tones.
Next, set all EQ settings in the middle. Your treble, mid, and bass set smack dab in the middle. The next step is trial and error and you have to rely on your ears to what sounds good to you with your guitar / amp combination. The EQ will be different for each guitar you use with this amp. Essentially what you’re going to do is “roll off” different frequencies until you find the tone you like.
With the EQ settings all in the middle, start by turning the bass knob all the way down, play your guitar, then turn the bass knob all the way up, play your guitar. Somewhere in-between you’ll find your sweet spot. Once your content with the bass EQ, do the same with the mid’s. Turn the mid’s all the way down, play your guitar, then turn it all the way up, play your guitar. Somewhere in there you’ll find that sweet spot. Then do the same for the treble. Once your content with the EQ settings, now you can fine tune each one. Play your guitar. If it sounds too bright, turn the treble EQ down slightly. Only slightly. Here is where we make small adjustments. If your sound has too much bass, turn down the bass slightly. If it sounds kind of “muddy” slightly adjust the mid’s and/or bass.
Continue to make small adjustments to your amp's EQ until your happy with it. If you’ve never played your guitar dry, without effects, this will be a new adventure for you. Chase after the perfect tone.