Recently on the Telecaster.com forum, someone asked Jody about his guitar tone in a free video. I wanted to let everyone else in on the answer. The video being referenced is posted below.
Question: Your tone in this clip just knocks me out. Is there any way to get that great sound (specifically the bridge pickup tone in the first minute of the vid) at bedroom, small practice amp levels? Practicing would be a lot more fun if I could hear that fat growling tone.
Jody: I did that shoot with a Peavy Classic 30 at a very reasonable volume….we don’t crank it in the studio because of bleed into the little clip-on mike for my voice. I dialed up the dirtiest sound (you can’t get dirtier with the volume and tone knobs of the guitar, just cleaner) with the pre-amp and master volumes on the amp, then all the other tones came from turning down the guitar! The Custom Shop NoCaster that I’m playing has a special (stock for that guitar) something-or-other in the wiring that allows you to retain high end as you turn down…..then if it’s too thin, you just roll off a little! Thanks for the interest, guys!!!!
Question: I want to use the Country Licks & Solos Book, but could you tell me how you create the sound, i.e, amp and effects you use? Thank you for your time. Best Wishes -JOHN
Peter: Hey John good to hear from you. My choice for country is a fender twin. I use a tele and typically play through the bridge pick up-single coil. The amp settings a pretty much middle of the road with the amp volume up pretty high as the twin is a very clean amp. If I am on a gig where volume is an issue I use a fender deluxe which is tweaked to sound cleaner than most-less distortion. I typically use a little bit of reverb, a delay pedal with a quick setting-around 100 to 120 mil sec. I use a compressor pedal and sometimes a very little bit of chorus. The best way to use these effects are as follows: run the guitar through the compressor into the main input of the amp. Use the chorus and delay into the effects loop of the amp. If you are using a mulit effect pedal always run it into the effects loop or pre amp in and out of amp. To learn how to do this correctly you will have to find some directions or ask at your local music store. I also use a hybrid set of guitar strings-starting with 9s on the first three and heavier on the bottom 3 strings. Everyone does it different so don’t be afraid to experiment. Sure hope this helps.
Question: I am really enjoying your Country Licks and Solo DVD and book. Do you have the bright switch turned on your twin amp. I’m having problems getting the sound. I am using a Boss CS3 compressor and a Boss DD6 Delay pedal. Reverb at 2 Also are you using a medium pick? – Ron
Peter: Hey Ron good to hear from you. No I don’t use the bright switch. Have never liked it. I am using a medium pick-the green tortex dunlop. Telecaster on bridge pickup-single coil. The twin I am using is a reissue black face-though I am sure the original black face would be better. Use the compressor pedal sparingly as the the boss tends to be heavy handed with it’s compression. When I recorded these tracks I had the amp in another room cranked really loud….. Hope this helps.
How can you improve you left hand speed for playing Guitar?
Slow Practice – Practice everything slow at first so that you can work on technique
Relax – Keep your hands, arms, shoulders, etc relaxed
Economy of Motion – Don’t let your fingers move any more than they are required to.
To learn more about playing fast, check out Peter’s premium Lines Built for Speed lesson.
Peter: Peter: On a Nashville Tuning the first two strings of your guitar are tuned as normal. However the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th string are tuned a full octave higher than their normal tuning. A lighter gauge string is required to achieve this. A Nashville Tuning places the guitar in a much higher range and can be used to record over guitars in a normal tuning. Watch the video below for more info
Question: What type of guitar effects pedals do you use?
Peter: My pedal board includes the following Boss Pedals: Chorus, Sustain, Compressor, Digital Delay, Distortion, Tremolo and Harmonist. Watch the video for further explanation for each pedal and find out what else I have on my pedal layout.
