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As soon as a guitarist begins to mature as a musician, he or she needs to find the ideal tone for their instrument.
Unlike with acoustic guitars—whether nylon-string or steel-string—where practically the only relevant factors are the instrument itself (shape, size, etc.), the strings, and the playing technique (fingers, picks, etc.), the sound of an electric guitar involves more decisive factors.
Basically, the same factors that determine the sound of an acoustic guitar, plus the pickup(s), the amplifier, possibly the pedals, the cables (or wireless system), the cabinet or enclosure, and finally the speaker(s).
In my humble opinion, and after decades of searching for my ideal tone, I would highlight three factors as particularly decisive:
The strings, the pick, and for me the most important of all: the speaker, which is ultimately the end of the entire chain and what the musician and their audience actually hear.
Interestingly, this may be the most overlooked factor when it comes to rethinking sound.
Many are disappointed with their sound, and the first thing they do is put their guitar or amplifier up for sale instead of starting with changes that are very simple to make and much cheaper. The first of these is the pick, which plays an incredibly significant role in tone production; second in terms of ease and cost are the strings; and third is the aforementioned speaker.
Perhaps an investment of around €100–200 or $100–200 could open up a whole new world of tone.
What do you think?Last edited by Pierrot; 06-05-2026 at 11:08 AM. Reason: Traduction mistakes
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06-05-2026 06:25 AM
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I mostly agree. The pick makes a big difference in sound, for very little money compared to everythng else. I prefer different picks with different guitars, different amps, and in different situations. Strings also matter, and are relatively cheap, but harder to change. Speakers make a difference in sound, but are much more expensive and more difficult to change, albeit not that much more difficult than a set of strings. The amplifier makes about as much difference as any of these, however, and while easy enough to change, they tend to be much more expensive. For the past year or so I've been using a Quilter Superblock US as my amp most of the time, and I like it very much. I've stopped using my Vibrolux Reverb except as a speaker cabinet. It has two Cannabis Rex speakers, and is the best-sounding cab I have, and I prefer the sound of the SBUS over the sound of the VR, so I never turn it on. The downside is the weight and bulk, so it never leaves the one room it's in. I'm willing to compromise on sound in favor of weight and bulk. And as demonstrated in another thread, the connection between the guitar and the amp has a definite effect on sound. Cable capacitance greatly affects sound, and while I have relatively low-capacitance George L cables on hand, I rarely use them, preferring the more open and transparent sound of wireless systems. The capacitance of air is negligible. I don't use wires for much of anything, including audio and video at home. I have a few short HDMI cables connecting streaming devices to TVs, but that's about it. Cables are so 20th Century.
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It comes as no surprise that I agree on the role of the speaker. Definitely underrated. On the other hand, I feel that the search for the ideal tone often becomes a costly, time-consuming and never-ending obsession. Sounds are like wine: what tastes good today may be awful tomorrow. The food and the company also matter. Very few jazz guitarists will ever dominate the stage or studio with a signature tone. Many more want to sound like Wes, Joe, Kenny, Jim etc. The reality for most is playing either home alone, loving those over-emphasized round basses, or in a band, where tonal subtleties get lost, and cutting through past that hard-hitting drummer becomes more important than the guitar's timbre.
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I was already poor as a pro guitarist,lol. But just like gambling,drinking,and other addictive pursuits,it’s a rabbits hole that never ends!
And the funniest part is you’re better off just working on your own musical skills. Because even if you find nirvana, it doesn’t always work within a real band context.
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In my experience it's a moving target. Gitterbug has it right, I think, with his wine comparison.
I'm pretty sure I can have dramatically different opinions of exactly the same sound depending on, heaven knows what.
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I think that to a large extent tone obsession is triggered by hanging out online (coupled with FOMO). Things you might never have noticed or given weight to become the topic of endless discussion, and all of sudden you find yourself on a quest to perfect something that wasn't even bothering you. And as you note, no matter how perfect you think you've got it, all bets are off once you start playing in the real world.
Originally Posted by Gitterbug
Last edited by John A.; 06-05-2026 at 01:24 PM.
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Good speakers are a huge part of the combo. 100-200 bucks is getting off cheap. Real cheap. I was thinking 700 bucks or so for a nice set of K-120s. Or $500 for a nice set of Eminence or Jensens etc.
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Rather than trying to find the perfect tone, let the tone find you.
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Just look for alternatives for the JBL K120s. They are easier to find, equally appropriate, and much cheaper, if saving some money is important for you. (It certainly is for me) Originally Posted by DawgBone
Also, please take into account that I was thinking 100-200 € for just one speaker, so, if your enclosure is a 212, for example, that could grow up to around 400 bucks. Not that far from your estimation.
But yeah! Good speakers are a huge part of the equation.Last edited by Pierrot; 06-06-2026 at 10:06 AM.
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I consider myself lucky in this regard. The tones I wanted back in the heavy rock days were simple (but not easy): very aggressive yet relatively clean. Had it in a couple amps.
Now? I still occasionally do the heavy rock thing and have gear that can get what I want… but more than that, I have determination to get the best out of whatever amp I have. So I’ve managed to get “good jazz guitar tone” from a number of amps, without going crazy with add-ons.
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+1 Originally Posted by Litterick
A beautiful sound looks for me even at night when I sleep.
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I do think a great part of this is about finding your own voice. It always seem no matter what gear I use,I somehow always sound basically like me.
That can’t be in a loud rock way or a softer jazz setting as well.
Now wether you like your own voice,is another matter altogether!
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Ugh, I have the same problem! Originally Posted by jads57
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That's probably an advantage. Originally Posted by joe2758
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Just a joke
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The sound is such a subjective thing, but often the place where we play has to spoil the vision of our sound.
I played in various places where my influence on the sound was very limited.
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Mostly true, but some guitar/amp combinations sound better in some rooms and some guitar/amp combinations inspire my playing better at certain points in time than others, so I like having a few different weapons in the armory. Originally Posted by jads57
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I gave up on finding the perfect tone, as there's just too many outside factors that get in the way. I can get a perfect tone in my living room, but that's only good in my living room
For me, the key is to be able to sound GOOD in any environment.
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It is very difficult, but possible. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
I gave up on finding the perfect tone, as there's just too many outside factors that get in the way. I can get a perfect tone in my living room, but that's only good in my living room
For me, the key is to be able to sound GOOD in any environment.
I used to play in an open air concert and I thought I was playing without an amplifier.
A strange feeling.
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There are always variables involved. Once I owned a Dumble 50 ODS , back in the early 1980’s. Sounded usually great,but certain rooms,not so much!.
I think the most important variable for me is the other players on the gig. If they’re really good,then I’m okay with mostly whatever.
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To me, the perfect sound is a simple rig. While effects and stompboxes certainly have their place, I've heard better sound from the guitar straight into the amp. While a lot of folks find Joe Pass's sound dismal, take it from me-when he walked into Group IV Recording, where I worked as a mixer, with a 175 and a Polytone, it was beyond perfect. I don't recall Wes using any gimmicks either.
I know I'm old school, and 99.5% of us don't have the talent or chops of Joe, Wes or others have or had. Every time I heard Pat Martino or Jimmy Bruno live there was no pedal board involved.
Back to the real world. I gig out frequently, every venue from intimate cocktail places to outdoor festivals. Sure, it would be great to have time for a soundcheck and tailor sound for each venue. Not always a option. I have a base setting for most of the venues we play so that's where I start. If small tweeks are needed, I save a screen shot in my phone of the final mix for that venue.
However, one of my favorite venues is a very small, intimate cocktail lounge. I'm able to play my 1953 Epi Triumph Regent with no amp at all.
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Gear-wise one must be comfortable. I’ve settled on a Hendriksen Blu 10 and I will always keep my ‘65 Deluxe Amp, JBL equipped. A couple of cabs w/JBL.
A wee dab of effect: chorus, delay, reverb and a transparent overdrive which acts as a mild compressor and levels the volume across the strings. Very low settings to ensure the guitar sound comes through.
I think a great deal about how the hands are producing the sound off the string.
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Oh, I thought you meant home stereo! That’s a rabbit hole in both hobbies.
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Completely agree on pick and strings. First understand which pick materials are brighter and which are duller and how size changes things. Then get something to move your tone in the direction you want to go. Same for strings and string gauge. Don't forget you can put on heavy strings and tune down 1/2 step.
As for speaker.. I will respectfully disagree.
Things have changed. You can buy one good full range speaker, even an inexpensive Alto, and you're done. Any situation, any room. What changes from there is which amp model, speaker IR, and EQ you choose turning a dial or calling up an app on your phone.
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As always, the "perfect tone" us really only perfect if the player accepts it as his/her perfect. If someone plays quite well, most people will appreciate ehat they play and the tone that comes with it. If the player feels they are getting just what they want or hear in their head that will of course only increase the positives for player and audience. I feel strongly that players touch is at least as important to the tone as strings, pick, speakers etc.
As for perfect sound, it simply doesn't exist universally.
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