Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

Right now I have it set
Volume +6
31.25Hz -1
62.5Hz -6
125Hz -4
250Hz 0
500Hz +3
1KHz +4
2KHz 0
4KHz -3
8KHz -2
16KHz 0
GAIN +5

Guitar is a Jackson KVX10, with EMG 81/85 Combo and EMG Pods. Also has the KKV Boost controll as well. Playing Through the Direct inpu of a CRATE GX-212

don't think you can equate an entire artists tone down to the eq they use.

what gtr does he use, what p/u, what amp, what other pedals? I would suggest that these factors have a lot more to do with getting good harmonic response than the eq. and intonnation... makes a gigantic dif.

frankly, I don't like eq's.

your gtr has an eq, your dist pedal has an eq, your amp has an eq.
Eq's all boost noise when they boost the fundamental. It's a miracle that there is any tone left by the time you reach the end of the string of eq's we encounter in the typical gtr setup.

I guess like any tool they have their uses.

don't think you can equate an entire artists tone down to the eq they use.

what gtr does he use, what p/u, what amp, what other pedals? I would suggest that these factors have a lot more to do with getting good harmonic response than the eq. and intonnation... makes a gigantic dif.

frankly, I don't like eq's.

your gtr has an eq, your dist pedal has an eq, your amp has an eq.
Eq's all boost noise when they boost the fundamental. It's a miracle that there is any tone left by the time you reach the end of the string of eq's we encounter in the typical gtr setup.

I guess like any tool they have their uses.

I Don't think you read the entire post here. I said I can not get my guitar to achieve good pinch harmonics. I am not trying to achieve someone else's tone just tweek my own. I also listed my amp, guitar and pickups. Maybe I should have been more specific by asking if anyone knows how to set this EQ up to achieve good pinch harmonics. Or if it works more as a tone filter than a booster.

That guitar should get pretty good pinch harmonics without the eq.

I seem to remember somewhere that Zappa used to boost 1.5 K to get better harmonics. If you are scooping your amp tone you may be defeating the eq pedal. I dont use an eq pedal myself. I just set up one channel on my Mesa scooped some for rythym and then set another with more mids so it brings the harmonics out.

The other side of this is just playing technique. I dont know how to tell the proper way to get the sound but when I want to do it I just do it.

Let me think. I set my amps up really hot and then use the volume on my guitars to regulate input to the amp. If I open tthe guitar all the way up its really too much. I play a Les Paul Classic with the t-500 in the bridge which is one of the hottest pickups on the planet. In fact most folks get a smoother pickup. Listen on my player to Plush or Tush. Thats just this guitar straight into a Mesa Subway Rocket. Both of those have those harmonic overtones.

Anyway good luck and jsut keep playing with it, you will find the answer.

Thanks JW, As long as I bypass the 10 band EQ the guitar does great straight through my crate. I just hate to toss this pedal to the side after paying for it lol. But I will give the 1.5 a lot more attention. I never have been big on using effects other than my wah. I just always assumed that the EQ would give you better PH with the active pick ups. But we all know assume is just ass/u/me

Dont feel bad about having / buying a piece of equipment that did not make the final cut.
1 It's all about experimentation anyways.
2 It may well be of use latter on.

It's all technique and has little to do with gear anyway. You can enhance the effect but getting it is in the way you strike the string. As is often the case, it's in your fingers. Some players have no problem getting it and some struggle with it forever. Zakk Wylde said he used to feel like it was a curse because he couldn't help but make that sound but it became his trademark. There's some new group I hear on Sirius that has a whole song loaded with them and it's really kind of annoying. I say use them like the reverend......TASTEFULLY.

BTW, I picked up the M108 a few weeks back and I'm really happy with it. I don't know what the difference is in the Kerry King signature version (probably just tribal graphics ) but it's a great tone shaping tool. Lately I've been using it in the loop of my Vintage Modern to help dial out the "Digitech" tone after my effects processor. It also makes a great boost in front of the amp for more crunch and a good lead boost alone in the loop. All and all I say it's a keeper.

Just heard that song again, it's Addiction by Dope. Perfect example of overusing something until it almost becomes a joke.

It's all technique and has little to do with gear anyway. You can enhance the effect but getting it is in the way you strike the string. As is often the case, it's in your fingers. Some players have no problem getting it and some struggle with it forever. Zakk Wylde said he used to feel like it was a curse because he couldn't help but make that sound but it became his trademark. There's some new group I hear on Sirius that has a whole song loaded with them and it's really kind of annoying. I say use them like the reverend......TASTEFULLY.

BTW, I picked up the M108 a few weeks back and I'm really happy with it. I don't know what the difference is in the Kerry King signature version (probably just tribal graphics ) but it's a great tone shaping tool. Lately I've been using it in the loop of my Vintage Modern to help dial out the "Digitech" tone after my effects processor. It also makes a great boost in front of the amp for more crunch and a good lead boost alone in the loop. All and all I say it's a keeper.

Not meaning to sound offended (cause I'm not) but I assure you it's not in my tecnique. I have no problems hitting them on my B.C. Rich Jr V or my Dean V. Both of those have Screaming Demons. And I use the same strings and roughly the same set up on all 3 i.e. action and p/u distance. I've been playing for twenty years and have been pulling off pinch harmonics since they were called artificial harmonics in the early nineties lol. This is however my first Jackson Guitar and active pick up set up. So with out a doubt in "this" area I am a noob.

Sorry, my bad....I didn't check your profile before responding. I see a lot of new players on these forums that think all they have to do is buy the gear their idol uses to cop their chops. I just assumed (that word again) that maybe you were trying to find a pedal to provide them for you. I'm not sure what the issue is then. I've never used active pups either but I doubt it's those.....although the sweet spots could be in entirely different places. Maybe the set up? It might be a good idea to get a professional set up if it's a new guitar. All guitars a different and the technique is sometimes a little harder on a new guitar until you unlock the answer through experimentation. String height, string gauge (I know you said you are using the same on all) and even fretwire size can all effect that. If you keep at it you will figure it out.

Sorry, my bad....I didn't check your profile before responding. I see a lot of new players on these forums that think all they have to do is buy the gear their idol uses to cop their chops. I just assumed (that word again) that maybe you were trying to find a pedal to provide them for you. I'm not sure what the issue is then. I've never used active pups either but I doubt it's those.....although the sweet spots could be in entirely different places. Maybe the set up? It might be a good idea to get a professional set up if it's a new guitar. All guitars a different and the technique is sometimes a little harder on a new guitar until you unlock the answer through experimentation. String height, string gauge (I know you said you are using the same on all) and even fretwire size can all effect that. If you keep at it you will figure it out.

Hey, it's cool brother. Like I said I took no offense lol. Now something you just said popped up like a light bulb to me (fret wire size) I never even thought of that but comparing the Jackson to my other two it is a much heavier gauge. I will probably drop it off at my local sevice rep and get him to check the guitar. And also to confirm another variation the "sweet spot" seems to be about 1/4 inch infront of the bridge p/u instaed of on the outer edge as i am accustomed to. Thanks to all you guys for your input. Now I am just hoping it will be some kind of simple repair, if not I will just use it for more simple leads cause it does have a really good tone.