Just received Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster

[Grayson73]

New to the forum and first post!

I just bought a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Vintage Blonde and to my disappointment, I'm having trouble dialing in a good distortion tone.

I'm using a Hughes & Kettner 60DFX Amp (no pedals) and have the bass, mid, and treble pointing straight up (middle). Both knobs on the guitar at max and I played around with the Lead gain on the amp.

I'm trying to get tone like the electric guitar in this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLWUagrQVgo

Did I buy the wrong guitar?

Also tried all 3 settings on the guitar switch. Are there any particular uses for the 3 settings on the guitar switch or is it just based on your tonal preference?

I am a beginner and play mostly power chords and some solos and am looking for a great tone (as I suspect most people here are). Would a Fender American Standard Strat sound significantly better than this?

I don't know why I bought a Telecaster except that I have an Agile AL-3500 which is a Les Paul copy so I wanted to try something different. Maybe I should sell it and buy a strat?

[flyingbanana]

The guy in the video stated that he used a Seventh Heaven pedal into a Bogner amp. Your guitar is fine. Just get a decent gain pedal. You'll have to adjust some settings, but I wouldn't keep buying a new guitar to suit the song. Just play it and make it work. Those are some good guitars.

[soulman969]

Tele's aren't as often associated with overdriven or distorted tones a Les Paul but they're certainly capable of doing it. You may need to use more gain and drive the amp harder to get it.

The guy in the video also has the benefit of using a pedal to create his tone where you aren't using one. That alone will make a huge difference. You get about the same results with a Strat. Humbuckers are a more powerful pickup than single couls but you can still get plenty of juice for distortion from them.

[crowhaven2000]

Originally Posted by Grayson73

New to the forum and first post!

I just bought a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Vintage Blonde and to my disappointment, I'm having trouble dialing in a good distortion tone.

I'm using a Hughes & Kettner 60DFX Amp (no pedals) and have the bass, mid, and treble pointing straight up (middle). Both knobs on the guitar at max and I played around with the Lead gain on the amp.

I'm trying to get tone like the electric guitar in this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLWUagrQVgo

Did I buy the wrong guitar?

Also tried all 3 settings on the guitar switch. Are there any particular uses for the 3 settings on the guitar switch or is it just based on your tonal preference?

I am a beginner and play mostly power chords and some solos and am looking for a great tone (as I suspect most people here are). Would a Fender American Standard Strat sound significantly better than this?

I don't know why I bought a Telecaster except that I have an Agile AL-3500 which is a Les Paul copy so I wanted to try something different. Maybe I should sell it and buy a strat?

I'm no expert, but he is playing in the Humbucker position on his fat strat, I have an older Lonestar strat with Seymore Ducan humbucker pickup. I can get those tones with that pup. You don't have Humbuckers on your CV50's. You might find that tone with an overdrive pedal, but I'm not sure. But he isn't playing a regular strat. With the right Amp you can get close. But the pups on the CV aren't humbuckers, and don't have the punch that he is getting. Just my $.02
I think you bought a very nice guitar, I have one, but it's not the same. You might be able to change pups, add a Humbucker to it. I would keep it and buy a different guitar more similar to his. You should be able to get that tone with your LP copy. He isn't playing a regular single coil Strat tone.
I'm usre others with more knowledge will chime in with a better suggestion. Good luck.

[Big L]

I have a CV50, and it's my favorite guitar. I put Dimarzios in it and it made a huge difference. Plenty of distortion! IMO you should keep yours... it's one of the best bangs for the buck out there.

[Mark Davis]

The guy in the vid looks like he is playing a Strat with a humbucker in the bridge.

Thats gonna sound way different from a Tele.

[refin]

Keep experimenting,find your own tone----------you have a real nice guitar!

[Grayson73]

Thanks for all of the replies. Maybe I did buy the wrong guitar since Teles aren't as often associated with overdriven or distorted tones.

I was hoping to avoid using a pedal, but it sounds like I might not be able to get the overdrive that I'm looking for from the amp and guitar alone.

Perhaps I can change my amp to a decent modeling amp?

All I want is the correct guitar and correct amp. I'm willing to sell everything I currently have! I'm also willing to spend more money.

[blowtorch]

Get a 4-way switch installed, IMO

[gypsymoth]

find the right amp for your purpose - this clip is a tele with low output Don Mare pickups, no pedal, through a Risson amp's high gain channel. might not be exactly what you are after - but it does serve to point out how much a factor the amp is. the same guitar through different amps sounds ... like a different guitar

http://www.myspace.com/gmothmusic/mu...-bass-82030258

[crowhaven2000]

Originally Posted by Grayson73

Thanks for all of the replies. Maybe I did buy the wrong guitar since Teles aren't as often associated with overdriven or distorted tones.

I was hoping to avoid using a pedal, but it sounds like I might not be able to get the overdrive that I'm looking for from the amp and guitar alone.

Perhaps I can change my amp to a decent modeling amp?

All I want is the correct guitar and correct amp. I'm willing to sell everything I currently have! I'm also willing to spend more money.

I'm sittin here with my CV50's tele, playin thru and old cheap Peavey Envoy 110. It has a high gain channel. With some high gain, and rolling back on the volume knobs of my guitar I get some really nice smooth crunch and punch. Especially on the bridge pickup, no pedal needed. Give the guitar a chance. I also have a Roland Cube40X amp with everything from accoustic to metal sounds on it. Also a nice delay. It's a great little amp and affordable. It's not a tube amp but its a nice amp for pluggin around at home. Not the best distortion sound with because I can tell it's digital, but all kinds of sounds from this (any guitar) guitar with that amp. Distortion is possible with the guitar. keep it, try some other amps. Modeling amps aren't popular with pros, but guys like you and I can have a blast with them ;o)
edit here:
I just listened to your amp on youtube, you shouldn't have any issues with distortion, very nice amp..
These CV's are great bang for the buck. But maybe you want a guitar with Humbuckers in it. There are plenty of'em. Good luck.
I just bought a very nice Epiphone ES-339 semi hollow body with humbuckers, that guitar will tear it up..lol. I love it.

[doof]

A lot of good advice here. I think the best thing you can do is research. Find out what kinds of guitars, effects, and amps are being used by the bands you want to sound like. Then look into getting similar gear.

I can attest to the amp making a huge difference. When i play my American Special tele through my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III amp, the overdrive channel, or my drive pedals don't quite give me that fat chunky tone that is needed for metal. But when i plug the same guitar into my Fender Princeton Stereo Chorus amp, and use the drive channel, i can comfortably play All Guns Blazing by Judas Priest :) Research and experimenting are the best things you can do. and enjoy any little happy accidents you may discover along the way. wish you the best!

p.s. I just ordered a butterscotch blonde CV50 a couple hours ago. I'm sad that i waited till the end of the week, now i have to be anxious all weekend long! :)

[crowhaven2000]

Originally Posted by doof

p.s. I just ordered a butterscotch blonde CV50 a couple hours ago. I'm sad that i waited till the end of the week, now i have to be anxious all weekend long! :)

I feel forya, I am waiting thru the weekend for two guitars..lol, supposed to get one Monday and one Tuesday. I can't wait!

[drb1346]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The guy in the vid looks like he is playing a Strat with a humbucker in the bridge.

Thats gonna sound way different from a Tele.

+1

[sixtiesreject]

Hello Hello--

you can always put a Duncan 'Lil 59 Tele bridge pickup in there. It will make a BIG difference in tone and output...very "humbuckery" without carving out your guitar.

[kaiserthegreat]

If the guy is playing with a humbucker in the video and you have a guitar with humbuckers...you should probably use a guitar with single coils to duplicate his sound.

[tele salivas]

Turn down your guitar's Tone knob to about 3 or 4 on the bridge pickup position and go from there. I promise you will get the results you are looking for.

[Tonemonkey]

Originally Posted by kaiserthegreat

If the guy is playing with a humbucker in the video and you have a guitar with humbuckers...you should probably use a guitar with single coils to duplicate his sound.

From another thread, but appropriate:

[VicAjax]

here's a CV Tele getting some good medium-high gain going on (with an overdrive pedal) at about 3 minutes in:




Teles are great for overdrive/gain, it's just a different quality of gain than a humbucker will give you.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by Grayson73

Thanks for all of the replies. Maybe I did buy the wrong guitar since Teles aren't as often associated with overdriven or distorted tones.

Wha?

Since when?