CHIESTER

My former Hera bandmate and cool friend Sean and I had kept in touch since he left the band he believed in.  We talk about music and gear nerd stuff, very few people I know of that’s as obsessed with music as I am. One thing that sets him apart is he knows, and goes for, good tone.

Sean was aware of my search for tone and was very helpful to suggest what to get. 

When The Velvet Ash was looking for another producer to finish a demo, I asked him if he can help us.  He said as long as I help him with his projects, we’ll call it even. With that said, he offered me the guitarist spot for Black Memphis, a
project he wanted me to play on since the Hera days.  So my sisters and I have alternately gave him stuff in return to produce a three song demo.  Before Voltaire went home, he was able to lay three important song tracks, All is Forgiven, It’s Quite Alright and Anxieties.  We had already gone through several tracks re-recorded for Sean was particular about the tone, and after getting my Ampeg VL-501, he suggested redoing EVERYTHING, and boy what a difference! Now that Saj lent us his Fender DeVille (the 2 x 12 version), and after Sean picks it up from Futara Music (rebiasing and clean-up) this Wednesday, he wants us to re-record the cleans with that amp!

I guess he didn’t expect that Ampeg to sound THAT good.  Ever since I saw Zakk Wylde on that Guitar World issue, and loving that first Fight record, I knew I had to have it (same goes for the Yamaha T-50 and -100, but that’s another story…), but they never had it in the Philippines (and neither I had the money HAHAHA!!!). After I changed the tubes, he was floored! He used it on every track on his project! Even I can’t believe the sound coming out of that amp each time.

Since getting the Ampeg, we had a close watch on eBay and craigslist on Lee Jackson’s amps.  We had found a Crate Stealth and we won a bid!  We’re waiting for it to arrive any time now. 

Just as things couldn’t get better, Sean was gonna buy a Crate Blue Voodoo cab with Vintage 30s at Squid Music in Stanton.  What did he find as he walked in the store? Another Ampeg VL-501!!! The sales guy gave him a price quote, and gave him a deal if he paid cash. Next thing I know, Sean’s calling me about his new amp! He’s gonna have it serviced at Futara (like I have originally planned, but lagged) for the two upgrades and possibly replacing the input jack. It’s quite noisy right now, even replacing the power tubes (with EL34s), the place where we buy tubes ran out of 12AX7s.  He might try the 6550s on his another time.

Last night, it was a great sight to see TWO Ampeg VLs on Saj’s garage. All we need is the bass player to come in with a Marshall bass amp LOL!

Okay, I have the amp and the guitar. 

What’s wrong with the picture here? 

Replaced the tubes with Ruby Tubes and it sounded better, but not quite there yet. 

I figure it’s my tele. It has this ground-like hum that’s been
bothering me during the later Vash gigs (especially that awful time at
The Ugly Mug…). 

So I had Paul (of Guitar Remedy) look at
it and it’s in working order he says. He suggested replacing the bridge
pickup. The existing one is John 5’s choice, a Fender Enforcer, which
is a very high gain pickup.  Paul suggested Seymour Duncan’s Classic 59
(the chrome covered version would be AWESOME!) or Alnico Pro II (can
you say Slash?) for its low output yet killer sustain qualities.  I
mentioned Sean’s Gibson Burstbucker pickup and he said that it would be
nice, but it would have to fit the tele’s scale, so he has to look at
it first.

I was also researching about speakers for the past
two weeks. My first choice was actually Jensens for I love the Fender
tone.  I would be the first to try those out because everyone else is
going with Celestions (well maybe not, but you know…).  I know, stick
to what the pros use, but if I want my own voice, I have to go with my
gut. I think it would work well.  I was looking either at the C12R or
the Mod 12-35.  Sean spoke about a unique idea about a speaker
combination (which I won’t divulge ha! that’ll be our secret!!!) and I
wish I had thought of that!

I forgot who said it, but one
guitarist mentioned: Great tone ain’t cheap.  True, but if you know
your way around it, it would work.  And it’s really all about the
player.