Fat compressed country sound - how?

juukelius · August 23rd, 2005, 03:24 AM

Hi *.*

I've been a country music fan for a long time, and just bought Fender HW1 Tecas telecaster to learn to play some myself. I have been playing guitar for at least 15 years, had a Strat before.
I tested a standard HW1 first, but then I wanted a bit more bite from pickups, so I got the Texas.
I own a small tube combo (Carvin X60A), an overdrive pedal (Boss SD-1), and a compressor (MXR Super Comp).
I've read about that fat compressed country sound everywhere, and of course hear it on every country record I listen.
Can you tele people give me some hints on this matter? Is it possible to get it with this gear I own at the moment, or do I have to buy some more stuff?

Yours
JK

maestrovert · August 23rd, 2005, 06:02 AM

you should be good to go !

not too much squash from the comp, tho....
switch to your bridge Pup, and start out with your amp's tone controls on 5....you shouldn't have to tweak 'em much to get into the ballpark....

Roli · August 23rd, 2005, 09:29 AM

VOX style amps do that sound (maybe the British tone stack and/or EL84s are the answer...). Even modelling amps that have an AC-30 simulation can do the trick. YMMV.

GopherTele · August 23rd, 2005, 10:02 AM

That great country sound cannot be achieved without utilizing the hybrid picking or thumb and fingers approach.

The hybrid, popularized by Albert Lee, is done by holding the flatpick as you normally would and then adding your middle and ring fingers to pluck strings and do "Double stops" or multiple strings.

The thumb pick technique is used by Brent Mason.

A big part of that compressed sound is fingers snapping and popping those strings, not just a plastic pick like you would in blues or rock.

It takes a while to get it down, but sounds amazing once you do.

OutlawSteph · August 23rd, 2005, 11:27 AM

I agree.. you've got the gear.. now just get the technique. That tone will be in your fingers. Listening while you are playing with unlock a lot of the mystery. It's not nescessary for now, but an OD pedal with a clean boost will help too.

CountryShawn · August 23rd, 2005, 02:24 PM

Luckily, the gear to get there is pretty simple..... :D

First and foremost however, most of the sound comes from the fingers. Yes, I know a cliche, but it's true. Most of it is the hybrid picking (pick and fingers). It's much more aggressive picking and popping of strings than you may be accustomed to. :?

To compliment that technique to give a thick snappiness, a compressor and an analog single slap delay does wonders.
In this case, a "transparent" compressor isn't really what you are after, but one that is NOT transparent. A Boss CS-2 or CS-3 works fantastic IMHO.

That, plus a single slap delay (preferably analog) will put you within technique and practice distance of getting exactly where you want to be.

FWIW, I religiously use a Boss CS-3 and Danelectro Dan-Echo for a delay, (with the high cut rolled all the way back to replicate a true analog delay), and after that, into the amp. That's my own tone preference, however.

To illustrate sonically, all the clips in my sig that use exactly the above lineup.

Cheers,

Shawn

juukelius · August 23rd, 2005, 03:07 PM

Thanks for your wonderful answers. Now I have to practise, and that's fun!!
One question though...
CountryShawn, you said that compressor used would have to be not transparent. Is my MXR that way? When I bought it, I thought it would be ok. I knew that the older model, Dynacomp is used by many country players.
I don't really know, what difference there is soundwise between the two (transparent and not transparent).

JK

randysmojo · August 23rd, 2005, 04:23 PM

I've used a Dyna-comp for years on country. I think the Super comp would be perfect, as it adds a little extra to the dyna-comp. You don't want to be exactly transparent, because you want the compression to be heard a little in the tone of your guitar. just turn the sensativity to where you just start hearing that it is compressing the note for sure. Then set the level to make it even to the level when it's off, or you can turn it up just a little for a solo boost as well. That'sa basically how I set mine up. Other guys might be able to give you they're variation that might sound better than this to you. I don't like it sqeezed to hard, but just enough to tell you it's there!

Essex Boy · August 23rd, 2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GopherTele

That great country sound cannot be achieved without utilizing the hybrid picking or thumb and fingers approach.

The hybrid, popularized by Albert Lee, is done by holding the flatpick as you normally would and then adding your middle and ring fingers to pluck strings and do "Double stops" or multiple strings.

The thumb pick technique is used by Brent Mason.

A big part of that compressed sound is fingers snapping and popping those strings, not just a plastic pick like you would in blues or rock.

It takes a while to get it down, but sounds amazing once you do.

Superb post, and right on the money!

The sound owes hugely to technique.

CountryShawn · August 23rd, 2005, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juukelius

Thanks for your wonderful answers. Now I have to practise, and that's fun!!
One question though...
CountryShawn, you said that compressor used would have to be not transparent. Is my MXR that way? When I bought it, I thought it would be ok. I knew that the older model, Dynacomp is used by many country players.
I don't really know, what difference there is soundwise between the two (transparent and not transparent).

JK

JK: Honestly, I've not tried either of those compressors so I can't rightly weigh in on them specifically.

The very first compressor I used years ago was my CS-3, it had exactly the sound I was after, so my search for a compressor ended right then and there! LOL (G.A.S removal!)

Cheers,

Shawn

rockycreeker · August 23rd, 2005, 05:12 PM

The comments are right on as far as I'm concerned. I think the attack from the fingers is really key for a good chicken picking type sound. A compressor really helps, but many great pickers don't use one either, so I do think it's in the attack.

I do use a compressor for most of my clean picking, but I've taken to turning it off for the dirty stuff.

maestrovert · August 23rd, 2005, 05:15 PM

a "transparent" comp is one that does not influence "tone" (ie frequencies), and that you almost can't tell if it's working....personally, i prefer transparency in a comp, but that's jes' m.h.o. here, 'k ?

Essex Boy · August 23rd, 2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryShawn

Luckily, the gear to get there is pretty simple..... :D

First and foremost however, most of the sound comes from the fingers. Yes, I know a cliche, but it's true. Most of it is the hybrid picking (pick and fingers). It's much more aggressive picking and popping of strings than you may be accustomed to. :?

To compliment that technique to give a thick snappiness, a compressor and an analog single slap delay does wonders.
In this case, a "transparent" compressor isn't really what you are after, but one that is NOT transparent. A Boss CS-2 or CS-3 works fantastic IMHO.

That, plus a single slap delay (preferably analog) will put you within technique and practice distance of getting exactly where you want to be.

FWIW, I religiously use a Boss CS-3 and Danelectro Dan-Echo for a delay, (with the high cut rolled all the way back to replicate a true analog delay), and after that, into the amp. That's my own tone preference, however.

To illustrate sonically, all the clips in my sig that use exactly the above lineup.

Cheers,

Shawn

Shawn -

I just watched your mp4 video clip. That is beyond sweet, and you totally nail that Brent Mason tune. Killer playing! And killer tone! Man, I'd better get back in the woodshed.

WickedGTR · August 23rd, 2005, 06:35 PM

I use my big fat compressed fingers.

axeman · August 24th, 2005, 08:43 PM

I watched your video, great pickin. You and I talked before, I bought a Maz 18 after hearing your clips.The picking you are doing on your video , are you using the Dan Echo and the CS-3 alone or do you have the Bad Monkey on also.Just curious as to the guage of strings you are using, and if your bridge pup on the Highway One is standard.Thanks.

JimmieT · August 24th, 2005, 11:10 PM

I have a CS-3. What are the suggested settings for country twang. I had this effect for years but never played with it.

CountryShawn · August 25th, 2005, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axeman

I watched your video, great pickin. You and I talked before, I bought a Maz 18 after hearing your clips.The picking you are doing on your video , are you using the Dan Echo and the CS-3 alone or do you have the Bad Monkey on also.Just curious as to the guage of strings you are using, and if your bridge pup on the Highway One is standard.Thanks.

Hey Axeman! Nice to hear from you again. Hope you are liking your MAZ-18.
To answer your question, in that video, only the CS-3 and Dan-Echo are on. The pre-amp volume on the MAZ was set to around 3 o'clock to get some dirt. That is the setup I use 99% of the time.
I use .009-.042 guage strings, and the bridge is bone stock.

Let me know how you are making out with your Z.

JimmieT: Try starting with every control at noon and adjust the Level, Tone, and Attack to taste. I'd leave the sustain at noon, or it gets noisey.

Cheers,

Shawn

Geo · August 27th, 2005, 12:10 AM

I don't consider myself a country player (as much as I
like a lot of it) but often pluck the notes with thumb
and finger(s) upward to get that "sound". Doing that
makes it compressed like and and what I call James
Burton like. I hold the pick in my palm and then switch
back to it just depending.

I also have a CS-3 and although I don't use it a lot
really like it's sound. A friend gave it to me and I didn't
have a clue how to set it. I just put all the controls
at 12 o'clock and dumb lucked into a real nice sound
like on recordings. It evens out all the notes well, adds
a little sustain and has just a hint of compression set
that way. What I really liked also is when turned off
it didn't effect the normal guitar amp sound or at least
to be noticed.

bpoe · August 28th, 2005, 10:41 PM

Get your fingertip underneath a string a bit and pull it up and then let it slip from your fingertip. When i first did that i kinda felt like i was abusing my telecaster, but it ain't nothing to your telecaster to put up with that. A tube amp will naturally compress the signal spike that comes from that action.

August 23rd, 2005, 03:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
juukelius NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7	Fat compressed country sound - how? Hi . I've been a country music fan for a long time, and just bought Fender HW1 Tecas telecaster to learn to play some myself. I have been playing guitar for at least 15 years, had a Strat before. I tested a standard HW1 first, but then I wanted a bit more bite from pickups, so I got the Texas. I own a small tube combo (Carvin X60A), an overdrive pedal (Boss SD-1), and a compressor (MXR Super Comp). I've read about that fat compressed country sound everywhere, and of course hear it on every country record I listen. Can you tele people give me some hints on this matter? Is it possible to get it with this gear I own at the moment, or do I have to buy some more stuff? Yours JK

August 23rd, 2005, 06:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,553	you should be good to go ! not too much squash from the comp, tho.... switch to your bridge Pup, and start out with your amp's tone controls on 5....you shouldn't have to tweak 'em much to get into the ballpark.... __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

August 23rd, 2005, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 954	Hybrid or thumb pick is essential to the sound That great country sound cannot be achieved without utilizing the hybrid picking or thumb and fingers approach. The hybrid, popularized by Albert Lee, is done by holding the flatpick as you normally would and then adding your middle and ring fingers to pluck strings and do "Double stops" or multiple strings. The thumb pick technique is used by Brent Mason. A big part of that compressed sound is fingers snapping and popping those strings, not just a plastic pick like you would in blues or rock. It takes a while to get it down, but sounds amazing once you do.

August 23rd, 2005, 11:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
OutlawSteph Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 453	I agree.. you've got the gear.. now just get the technique. That tone will be in your fingers. Listening while you are playing with unlock a lot of the mystery. It's not nescessary for now, but an OD pedal with a clean boost will help too. __________________ 'From the hills they came, from backwoods without a name, carrying their guitars and a heartful of southern soul..'

August 23rd, 2005, 02:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
CountryShawn Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 621	Some things to try.... Luckily, the gear to get there is pretty simple..... :D First and foremost however, most of the sound comes from the fingers. Yes, I know a cliche, but it's true. Most of it is the hybrid picking (pick and fingers). It's much more aggressive picking and popping of strings than you may be accustomed to. :? To compliment that technique to give a thick snappiness, a compressor and an analog single slap delay does wonders. In this case, a "transparent" compressor isn't really what you are after, but one that is NOT transparent. A Boss CS-2 or CS-3 works fantastic IMHO. That, plus a single slap delay (preferably analog) will put you within technique and practice distance of getting exactly where you want to be. FWIW, I religiously use a Boss CS-3 and Danelectro Dan-Echo for a delay, (with the high cut rolled all the way back to replicate a true analog delay), and after that, into the amp. That's my own tone preference, however. To illustrate sonically, all the clips in my sig that use exactly the above lineup. Cheers, Shawn __________________ --------

August 23rd, 2005, 09:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roli Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ¤ Hungary ¤ Age: 30 Posts: 1,573 5 Photos	VOX style amps do that sound (maybe the British tone stack and/or EL84s are the answer...). Even modelling amps that have an AC-30 simulation can do the trick. YMMV.

August 23rd, 2005, 03:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
juukelius NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7	Thank you Thanks for your wonderful answers. Now I have to practise, and that's fun!! One question though... CountryShawn, you said that compressor used would have to be not transparent. Is my MXR that way? When I bought it, I thought it would be ok. I knew that the older model, Dynacomp is used by many country players. I don't really know, what difference there is soundwise between the two (transparent and not transparent). JK

August 23rd, 2005, 04:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
randysmojo Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boerne, TX Age: 33 Posts: 393	I've used a Dyna-comp for years on country. I think the Super comp would be perfect, as it adds a little extra to the dyna-comp. You don't want to be exactly transparent, because you want the compression to be heard a little in the tone of your guitar. just turn the sensativity to where you just start hearing that it is compressing the note for sure. Then set the level to make it even to the level when it's off, or you can turn it up just a little for a solo boost as well. That'sa basically how I set mine up. Other guys might be able to give you they're variation that might sound better than this to you. I don't like it sqeezed to hard, but just enough to tell you it's there!

August 23rd, 2005, 05:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
rockycreeker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 377	Right On The comments are right on as far as I'm concerned. I think the attack from the fingers is really key for a good chicken picking type sound. A compressor really helps, but many great pickers don't use one either, so I do think it's in the attack. I do use a compressor for most of my clean picking, but I've taken to turning it off for the dirty stuff. __________________ Playing music is a permanent sickness

August 23rd, 2005, 05:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,553	a "transparent" comp is one that does not influence "tone" (ie frequencies), and that you almost can't tell if it's working....personally, i prefer transparency in a comp, but that's jes' m.h.o. here, 'k ? __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

August 23rd, 2005, 06:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
WickedGTR Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hillbilly Hollywood Posts: 2,127 4 Photos	I use my big fat compressed fingers.

August 24th, 2005, 08:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
axeman TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7	Message For Country Shawn I watched your video, great pickin. You and I talked before, I bought a Maz 18 after hearing your clips.The picking you are doing on your video , are you using the Dan Echo and the CS-3 alone or do you have the Bad Monkey on also.Just curious as to the guage of strings you are using, and if your bridge pup on the Highway One is standard.Thanks.

August 24th, 2005, 11:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
JimmieT TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Federal Way, WA Posts: 53	I have a CS-3. What are the suggested settings for country twang. I had this effect for years but never played with it.

August 27th, 2005, 12:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,484 15 Photos	I don't consider myself a country player (as much as I like a lot of it) but often pluck the notes with thumb and finger(s) upward to get that "sound". Doing that makes it compressed like and and what I call James Burton like. I hold the pick in my palm and then switch back to it just depending. I also have a CS-3 and although I don't use it a lot really like it's sound. A friend gave it to me and I didn't have a clue how to set it. I just put all the controls at 12 o'clock and dumb lucked into a real nice sound like on recordings. It evens out all the notes well, adds a little sustain and has just a hint of compression set that way. What I really liked also is when turned off it didn't effect the normal guitar amp sound or at least to be noticed. __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

August 28th, 2005, 10:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
bpoe Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 271	Get your fingertip underneath a string a bit and pull it up and then let it slip from your fingertip. When i first did that i kinda felt like i was abusing my telecaster, but it ain't nothing to your telecaster to put up with that. A tube amp will naturally compress the signal spike that comes from that action.