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Looking for solutions: I play a Gretsch 5120 plugged into a Fender Mustang III amp. I'm having problems with getting a fuzzy tone, not terrible, just irritating when you want a clean clear tone. My Gibson acoustic electric doesn't have that problem on the same Amp. Any Ideas? Pickups? Setup?
Thanks
Stan
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07-10-2013 03:20 PM
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Does it go away if you turn the gain lower?
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No, it doesn't. That's why I'm wondering if there is a problem with the guitar i.e. pickups or something.
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Weird. Could you record it?
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Hey Stan,
I have a Mustang I and I've noticed that I get a more pronounced digital noise, i.e. "fizz" in the tone if the volume knob on the guitar is turned down under a certain threshold. In other words, the Mustang amps seem sensitive to the level of the input signal, and the lower the signal the more the digital modeller in the amp ends up negatively "coloring" the resultant sound as it processes the signal. The digital noise is more present and noticeable with clean tones rather than with higher-gain.
I think the Mustang III was particularly notorious for the digital fizz in the tone. If you haven't already you should check out the Fender forums for the amp and download the latest software update.
I'm not sure if this is applicable to your situation but it's something worth investigating.
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I have noticed this with some digital modeling amps that when the guitar's volume knob is turned down part way, the amp will sort of clip off the decays, and I know that it's the built-in noise gate that causes it. I wonder if the fizz is related to it though.
Originally Posted by jckoto3
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Hey, Thanks for the input. I try to not disturb my neighbors so I do keep the volume down, but the weird thing is my Gibson songwriter doesn't seem to produce the same effect when it is plugged in. I have tried to download the latest software, but I was playing the guitar long before computers and I don't do as well on the computer thing as I do on the guitar!! Old age can be a drag in this new modern world, but I still love Jazz guitar, so I ain't going to quit until they start throwing dirt on me. I'm considering another Amp. One that is more simple to operate, Any suggestions?
Stan
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Well, it's hard to suggest something without knowing your budget and the particular sound you're after. That being said, I'm happy with my old Roland Cube 30, it can do everything from pristine clean to fully overdriven, doesn't weigh a ton, and it can be played relatively quietly while still getting a pleasant sonic "color". The new Cubes are probably just as good or even better. Originally Posted by Old Guy 39
I kind of expected people to jump on this thread and suggest you all kinds of different things, from old (or new) tube amps to the latest jazz guitar specific ones like Henriksen, Jazzkat or AER.Last edited by Vihar; 07-11-2013 at 09:45 PM.
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Why not just take your Gretsch down to music store and try some amps with it. That could kill two birds with one stone.... You'll find out if the Gretsch is the source of the problem and get to try a couple amps with the guitar that will be used with them. Originally Posted by Old Guy 39
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HI Vihar, Thanks for your thoughts. The Budget isn't a big deal, I don't want to break the bank, but I'll spring for what will give me a pleasing sound. It's difficult for me to describe a sound, I want a clean, clear sound. And, I just want a good, but simple amp without all the bells and whistles. I don't perform in public any more, I'm getting closer to eighty all the time. So, I want a soft mellow sound to listen to in my music room at home. Barney Kessel was my hero as a teenager starting when he backed up Julie London on Cry me A River, and a few others I can't remember now. Then, Joe Pass of course, George Van Eps, and I really enjoy Howard Alden's style and sound. Larry Carlton comes to mind too. The list is way too long. I'll get on the net and see what I can find in Amps that I can have shipped to my home. I'm too crippled up to get out and about much anymore. Thanks again for your ideas and your time.
Stan
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That's a good starting point! According to many sources, he used a 40s Gibson lap steel amp called the BR-3: The 1946 Gibson BR-3 | Valve Alley Originally Posted by Old Guy 39
And it seems like you can actually buy one: 1946 Gibson BR-3 Tube Amp Tan > Amps & Preamps - Phoenix Guitar Collector | Gbase.com
Reading up on the specs, it's got two 6V6 tubes in the power amp and 12 - 15 Watts output power, same as a Fender Princeton (of course the Fender has got a tone stack): '65 Princeton® Reverb | Vintage Reissue Series | Fender®
Howard Alden endorses Polytone amps (Joe Pass played one at some point as well), they are solid state and pretty clean sounding again: http://polytoneamps.com/
Larry Carlton used a Tweed Fender Deluxe in the Steely Dan days, lately he uses a Dumble.
All in all, something tells me that you (and the neighbors) would be happy with either a relatively low wattage tube combo, or a nice solid state combo amp.
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Hi again and thanks for the very interesting info about some of my favorite guitarists. I just received a new Barney Kessle album " The first four I got frustrated last night about midnight and ordered an Ibanez WT80 from the Guitar Center. Cost about $400 with taxes. One of the reviews was from a guy in his late sixties that also plays a Gretsch 5120, and he uses that Amp. He seemed very happy with it, and said it gave him a clean, clear, mellow sound. Now I'll tell you, I question a lot of these reviews, I don't know for sure how real they are, but I'm not able to drive the 300 miles to the closest Guitar Center to check that one out. Anyway seems that fellow and I want the same thing, if we both "see" sound the same way!! It's a bit smaller than my Mustang III, and maybe a bit lighter for my painful hips to move around. I asked my Son-in-law if he wanted my Fender amp and said sure, so I don't have to figure out what to do with it. Now, if I get the same fuzzy sound out of the new amp, they will find a lot of white hair on my music room floor, because I will pull it out. What's left that is. I really appreciate and enjoy the feed back and the info available on this blog. Lot's of good stuff. Thanks again for your help
Stan
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Awesome, Stan! I wasn't familiar with that Ibanez so I checked it out - seems to be a wonderful clean tone machine with a 15" speaker! I hope it'll work great with your Gretsch, and you'll enjoy playing it.
Roland
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Roland: It should be here in five or so days. I thought the larger speaker, and the lack of all the heavy metal effects that I have to weed through on the Mustang III would make it a more enjoyable experience. I'll let you know who it goes.
Are you really in Hungary? I spent 25 years in the Military and hit a lot of different countries but never that part of Europe. From what I hear, I missed some beautiful country side.
Thanks again!
Stan
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Hey Roland! What a difference an Amp makes!! I got the Ibanez Jazz Amp and man does it sound nice. Clear and clean, no buzz, no fuzz, just a nice clean adjustable sound so you can get what you are looking for. It's a little thicker than the Mustang, but it fits on the table I use just fine. I just had a hard time dealing with the "preset sound effects". When ever there was a power drop, or I had to shut it off, I had to go the nightmare of finding "my settings" again. The Ibanez isn't real heavy so an old guy like me can manage it. Like the reviews say, no markings on the knobs, so you have to guess on the settings. But hey, I can't remember the darn numbers anyway! The off/on switch is on the back, but none of that is a big deal. The sound is the big deal. thanks a lot for your input. Have a good one!
Stan
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Yes I am, in Budapest. It's not too shabby indeed, as far as looks go. lol Originally Posted by Old Guy 39
Awesome! That's what truly matters in the end. Congratulations on your new amp, and I hope you'll never get bored of it. Originally Posted by Old Guy 39
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Hi Roland:
Still loving the Amp. But I've developed another problem. I've been "window shopping" on archtop.com , and I've fallen in love with the Holst K200. I grew up near where his shop is in Oregon many years ago, and I've heard a lot about his guitars and the way he builds them. I couldn't stand the long wait to get one custom built, I might not live that long!!!. I probably couldn't afford the cost either, so this is second best, if I get it bought. I don't need a fifth guitar, and my wife asks me: "Do you really need it?" Of course the answer is I don't need it, I just want it! Non musicians don't understand these things you know. I would like to have one of Holst's classical guitars, but enough is enough. They are pretty pricey too.
I envy you being in eastern Europe. I spent time in Spain, Italy, and Malta back in the 60's and really enjoyed it. Especially Malta. I read the book The Great Siege while there, and was able to visit all of the historical sites as I read about them.
Take care
Stan
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Archtop says the pickup is a Humbucking Dimarzio Air Norton, plus K&K arch top soundboard pickups with preamp/mixer and stereo cables. I am not familiar with that either. I'm an electronics idiot when it comes to those sorts of things. I don't know if Holst routinely puts those on his guitars. I do know he will do just about anything the buyer wants. Wouldn't you just love to go to his shop and have something built just exactly the way you want it? I only dream about that sort of luxury.
Stan
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Roland:
I received the Holst K200 from Archtop. I really love this guitar, it is just beautiful, nothing else you can say, and the neck is perfect for my small hands with the short stubby fingers. Joe at Archtop did a great job getting it to me quickly and in very good condition. You said you weren't familiar with the Humbucking Dimarzio Air Norton pickup and neither was I. Like I say, I love the guitar, but it has a very slight "tinny" sound according to my ear, instead of the warm mellow sound I was expecting from such a well built Archtop. I'm thinking it's the pickup, but I am undecided what to do about it. I don't know which pickup would be the best for me, or who would install the thing for me here in Midland Texas without damaging this fine instrument. If I can't do anything about it, I will continue enjoying playing this great guitar. I played a friends custom guitar a lot of years ago and I told him: "The thing just plays it's self!!". That's how I feel about this one too. Any thought you might have regarding the pickups would be welcome, and anyone else's thoughts are welcome too!
Have a good one
Stan
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Hi:
I asked the question a day or so ago about that pickup on the Holst K-200 (Dimarzio Air Norton) , As I said, I think it has a very slight "tinny" sound to me, and I'm wondering if there would be a better choice for a pickup that would give me a more mellow, warm sound. I'm just not very smart on these sorts of things. I know what I want, but don't know for sure how to get there. The guitar is extremely well built, and the neck is perfect for my short stubby fingers. I'm lovin it!
Thanks for any input
Stan
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I was looking at the Holst myself but the time wasn't right for me. I wasn't familiar w that pickup,but learned from the DiMarzio site that it was designed as a bridge pickup for rock and blues. I was a little surprised to see it in a jazz guitar, but not having heard them I still would have grabbed that lovely guitar and hoped for the best.
Apparently, they are now trying to sell them as an all-purpose pickup. If it were mine, I'd swap out the pickup for something a little darker. Others may have good suggestions as to which pickup to swap it with, but I suspect that anything designed for jazz would be an improvement.
I'm glad you got it... it's a beauty. Congratulations!
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I'm thinking I might try to get one of the pickups they are putting a Gibson ES355 at the factory, but I'm hoping someone can give me some solid info on which has the more warm, mellow, or darker sound as you put it. My next issue will be finding someone in Midland Texas that can install it without damaging my guitar! From reading the process of changing pickups , I just don't think my poor vision and shaky fingers are up to it. Thanks for your thoughts.
Stan
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I talked with Steve Holst the builder of the guitar and he says he like to use the Seymore Duncan 55 Seth Lover Humbucker, so I bought one and am going to have in installed. After talking with Steve, I decided to have him build me a classical guitar with the same neck he uses on his archtops. He says he makes it as a kind of crossover for Jazz players that want that different sound. Now I wont sleep until I get it in my hands!
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