Author Topic: Alembic guitars and overdrive/distortion (Read 531 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** June 29, 2007, 05:02:44 PM »

As I've mentioned before, I'm an AOR kind of guy and hence play mostly with either an overdrive or distortion pedal kicked on. Before Big Stubby came home, the Little Bear had taken some time off as I had re-fallen in love with my Les Pauls (an R7 and R0) and the Big Bear. I had my OD/Dist setup just the way I like it...sounded great! Rhythm, leads, you name it. Even had the POD XT Live out a few times and it sounded awesome...all through my '78 Hiwatt DR103. Now, I'm back into my Alembics and the OD/Dist sounds like complete s**t!!! It's not that they're muddy as I've noticed with some fuzz pedals. They seem to either be too wimpy or too distorted. The sound I crave just escapes me. The chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, compressor, wah...you name it...all sound awesome, but these OD/dist pedals are driving me crazy! The only one that sounds consistently good with all my guitars (Alembics and non alike), is the EH Metal Muff which I use for leads and heavier rhythm. I'm not the least bit happy with the Radial Trimode for the Alembics. I loved it with the Les Pauls. I've been playing a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd lately and need to find the right pedal for my Alembics for that particular sound. So I'm going back to the drawing board and will revisit my TS808, OCD, Duncan Twin Tube and Fulltone Distortion Pro. Plus I'll probably try a few others until I find the perfect crossover pedal. I'd hate to think that I'll need separate OD/Dist pedals for my Alembics and non-Alembics, though it might come to this. My worst fear is that the Alembics simply aren't meant for the kind of music I play, although that seems ridiculous. Any of you other six-shooters have similar experiences?

(Message edited by jalevinemd on June 29, 2007)

lidon2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2007, 06:27:19 PM »

I matched the output of my Skylark to my Strat by turning the preamps down and I was able to get it to sound good through my BOSS DS1. If the preamps' level was marked 1-10, I'd say I have it on about 1 - 1.5.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2007, 06:28:43 PM »

Jonathan:

Alembics certainly have clear and clean DNA. This happens to work fine for me as I love the Grateful Dead ensemble sound where you can still pick out each individual instrument. That being said, I'll take this opportuntity to again give kudos to the Duncan Twin Tube. I think if you tweak enough, you should be able to get the sound you want. Mine replaced my TS-9 with the Analogman TS-808 silver mod. I'm using the lead channel to get Santana-like saturation. I do find I need to have the filter on the Alembic turned down a little on the bridge pickup for leads as the high end can easily go over the top. I usually use the rhythm channel to add a little crunch when desired, such as when my band plays One After 909 or other 50's/Chuck Berry flavored tunes. By the way, is your 808 the real thing or did they make a re-issue?

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:14:45 PM »

(Message edited by jalevinemd on June 29, 2007)

jalevinemd · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:15:57 PM »

I hear you guys with the filter adjustments. I find the tone far too tinny for lack of a better word if it's cranked.

I wish the 808 was vintage. It's one of the reissues. The circuitry supposedly is the same, but who knows?

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:19:16 PM »

My first thought on reading your post was the same as what Tom said. It's not too hard to end up with a much hotter signal coming from the Alembic than a Paul.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2007, 10:14:16 PM »

Bill,

I tried the Duncan again tonight. I like the rhythm channel, but without changing the settings on my amp, I can't seem to get enough treble from the lead channel. It's almost too smooth, though I can see getting a great Santana-like tone from it. Have you noticed this?

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2007, 06:41:07 AM »

I hear your od/distortion problems.
I have in the past used the original ProCo Rat pedal since about 1992 and for my strat Ultra it sounds fantastic. However when I got the Alembic Orion guitar the sound was not as good as it was with the strats. Sounds kind of buzzy but i can get a useable sound sometimes.

I went to a few local guitar shops and tried all the boss pedals as that seems to be all you can find these days apart from the digital ones. I went for a Pod XTLive FX pedal and was very disappointed wit the overdrive sounds. Plus the fact there is no bypass or a way of keeping the clean sound and adding the effects to it. Too much of the natural guitar tone gets lost in digital multi-FX pedals and it annoys me.

Even with it in the Send and return loop of my Fender Twin Amp the Pod is still not the best.

The best sound I've found so far, and one I'm happy with, is the overdrive channel on my Fender Twin Amp. For gigs when I can to carry my own kit, i use that and it's great.

For other concerts I have to use whatever backline is there and although I ask for a Fender Twin, it doesnt always work out that way and I have to compromise and use the Rat.

So until I can get a chance to try some valve based od/distortion pedals I continue to make do with my Proco Rat pedal. It's far better than the Pod but I think a valve driven pedal will be the best option.

I was considering ordering a Radial Tri-mode pedal or a Mesa Boogie pedal but hot having had the chance to try one out its a bit of a risk.

I've been through the option of turning the gain down on the alembics but that works only so far. I kind of think Alembic pickups work better with clean sounds rather than dirty ones.

Jazzyvee

blazer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2007, 10:08:29 AM »

There's a reason why guitarist generaly stick with tried and tested stuff. I played an Alembic Series one guitar which sounded lovely clean, having that hi-fi sound which Alembics are known for but that also became it's undoing as soon as I turned on the overdrive channel of the Marshall it was plugged into. It sounded lifeless and Buzzy and no matter what I did with the filters I just couldn't get it to sound warm and creamy.

I guess that's also why Alembic is better known for Basses. What works for a bass doesn't automatically work for a guitar.

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2007, 11:23:05 AM »

You know, I have had trouble getting warm drive out of my basses as well. Maybe if there's a good answer to this, it will work for me as well. I still think the output may be too hot and clean, but it sounds too good for everything else to screw with it.

dannobasso · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2007, 12:10:29 PM »

I never have a problem with my guitars and getting a nice distortion tone.
lp classic 3 emgs
Amer Deluxe strat w emgs
esp ltd ec1000 w emgs
Skylark
Esquire gt duncan invader
Esquire Scorpion w emg
MM Petrucci 7 w dimarzios
BC Rich 81 Mockingbird w BL L500s

I use a podpro rack unit w/Carver PM 175 - Dean Markley 410 slant cab. Modern High Gain setting most of the time.
But this is not a boutique hot rod set up by any means.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2007, 05:34:55 PM »

Jazzyvee,

I'm selling my Radial Trimode. If you're interested, shoot me an e-mail.

Danno,

I'm fairly certain that part of the problem I have with getting the distortion sound I want is related to the MUCH lower volumes at which I tend to play. Plus, the Hiwatt is SO clean to begin with.

dannobasso · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2007, 06:20:35 PM »

You have so many more considerations than i do. I've been tempted to get a real tube head but the choices seem overwhelming. I have a lot of respect for you tone warriors. Good thing I don't play guitar on stage anymore. Good luck on your search!

jalevinemd · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2007, 07:34:16 PM »

Danno...thanks.

tom_z · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2007, 10:05:50 PM »

Jonathan, as long as you're searching you might try a Blackstone.

http://www.blackstoneappliances.com/

I don't have one in my rig, but I've played through a friend's rig with one and I found it exceptionally versatile.

Peace
Tom