Question from someone who has never player guitar before

gavoid · August 5th, 2003, 03:25 PM

Hello.
I played bass for a while, and while I enjoyed it, I feel I would now like to play guitar. I have not yet decided what type I should buy, but I do like the look of the Telecaster. However, there are some things I do not fully understand about guitars.
1. How do you make that noise that occurs on every rock song, you know, the loud noise, as opposed to just strumming the strings. The best way I can describe it to you is to listen to the very start of Nirvanas "Smells like Teen Spirit", where it changes from strumming to "this noise". Or on Radioheads "My Iron Lung", where at the chorus, the guitar sound changes again from a strumming noise to the one i'm talking about. Im sure its probably something very simple, or do I need some special equipment?
2. Can a Telecaster do this, or would I be better off with a Stratocaster?
Please excuse my ignorance on the topic of guitars; I know absolutely nothing about them. Thanks for your patience.
Gavin.

Kevin · August 5th, 2003, 03:33 PM

Are you talking about power chords?

Hard to describe the noise, but, if you're asking about what I think you are, that's usually a root/fifth chord with heavy distortion....

Teles do that very well with the right amp or overdrive/distortion pedal.

Bob Mc · August 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM

You aren't actually fretting the chord (pressing the strings to the frets). You lift the pressure off and strum.
Here's another example:
Everclear's Santa Monica
Dun dun (chicka chicka) dun dun; the 'chicka's are just muted chords. Sounds great on Teles.
Maybe this is what you mean?

Cooper · August 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM

(someone please correct me if i'm wrong.)

the noise you're wondering about is a type of distortion. originally, like back when the electric guitar was a new instrument, distortion was a bad thing caused by bad tubes (all amps were tube amps back then). but then a few artists decided that the sound could be used for effect. now distortion is a built in effect in most amps (there are different channels in an amp, one for a clean sound and one for a distorted sound). in addition, there are distortion pedals which give you a lot of control over your sound.

the type of distortion Nirvana used a lot is called "fuzz." i think.

Radiohead's guitarist plays a tele. Cobain played a Jag-stang, which is neither Tele nor Strat. between the two, i'd suggest a tele. of course :)

a stock tele can do what you want, but there are other guitars out there that can do it better. however, if you're into modifying your tele, it can do absolutely anything under the sun.

porklash · August 5th, 2003, 03:42 PM

My guess is that you mean the sound you get when you dampen the strings with your fretboard hand.
Is "often" used for rythm guitar.
At least by me.

You can do that with any guitar even acoustics...

pEr

telemike · August 5th, 2003, 03:56 PM

I'm pretty sure he's talking about distortion.

TeleGeir · August 5th, 2003, 04:01 PM

Cobain used a Boss DS1:
http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/en/compact...effects_1.html

Edward O'Brien has like 25 different pedals, so hard to say which one was used on that song.

Anyway, visit you local guitar dealer and try their selection of distortion and overdrive pedals to find one that suits your needs. There are loads of them on the market, so don't try to find the ultimate right away. Buy one that you like and use it. If you find another you like better later, they are not a fortune...

Geir :)

Bob Mc · August 5th, 2003, 04:10 PM

yeah, distortion it is.

gavoid · August 5th, 2003, 05:12 PM

Thank you everybody, I think distortion is what I meant. Can a stock Telecaster do it through a distorted channel on an amp? Thanks,
Gavin

Kevin · August 5th, 2003, 05:21 PM

Yeah; it can. But....

It depends on what type of "stock" tele you have, and what kind of amp you use as to whether it will sound like you want it to...

Actually, nothing ever will if you just use a guitar and amp. All of the recordings you hear have so many effects added at the board that it probably doesn't even resemble the guitar plugged into the amp anymore...

Matt Plescher · August 5th, 2003, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavoid

Thank you everybody, I think distortion is what I meant. Can a stock Telecaster do it through a distorted channel on an amp? Thanks,
Gavin

Any guitar can, even an acoustic with a pickup. From there, it's all preference, what guitar, what amp, whether you use a distortion pedal etc. Just try a bunch at the music store, you don't have to know how to play- just ask those simple questions and they should be able to show you the basics. They can demo everything for you if you want you don't have to touch the guitar.

Good luck, and tell us what you end up with.

Cheers
Matt

Chrismeyer · August 5th, 2003, 09:47 PM

Hey!
Yeah,these guy's are all experts,and they all got it right.
My Tele sounds great through any good amp with distortion,and if you are a fan of Radiohead,and Nirvana as I am,you will love a Tele! Tele's get that classic rock sound,that Strat's can't,and even sound cooler than Humbucker(pick-up's )can.AND they are cool for hard rock,grunge,and country/blues as well,You could get a Mesa Boogie,or a Line6 amp and get great Metal sounds from it,get a Fender or marshall,etc.and get great country/blues/classic rock,sounds..
A Telecaster is the most versital guitar in the world,and you can get any sound you want or need from it,TRUST US! Yes we are tele-freaks,but that is for a reason,they're simply the best guitar you can get in any price range.

Todd68 · August 5th, 2003, 11:04 PM

Go to a local music store, ask someone to plug a guitar into an amp with some distortion, and experiment. You may surprise yourself! I remember getting my first electric guitar about 23 years ago. I discovered something new everyday.

Pedalworld · August 5th, 2003, 11:36 PM

Ben Harmless · August 5th, 2003, 11:43 PM

Tele's can do that.

Trust me.

boogaloo · August 6th, 2003, 10:47 AM

I like the Rat pedal. Very versatile in my opinion. Radiohead play primarily teles, as far as I know (at least in the articles and pictures I've seen in the past.)

TeleGeir · August 6th, 2003, 11:14 AM

From what I have read, Cobain often used a Fender Twin Reverb in Studio, but Mesas with Marshall speaker cabs in concert. (Nothing like a wall of Marshalls to tell the audience you are a rock star!)

Geir :)

'ol hank pank · August 6th, 2003, 01:04 PM

He's talking about muted strings or 'click notes'.

Use the palm of your hand, I use the part just behind the
pinky and gently rest it on the strings near the bridge.

Just enough to restrict the vibration a little bit.

genelovesjez · August 6th, 2003, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooper

Cobain played a Jag-stang, which is neither Tele nor Strat. between the two, i'd suggest a tele. of course :)

Well, actually he mostly played Jaguars and Mustangs. I think he might have had one actual, production Jag-stang in his possession before he died, but I don't believe he ever recorded with one.

astro · August 6th, 2003, 03:51 PM

Ahh I think he is talking about feedback. Thats the sound that you hear right before Dave Grohl does that rip off of the beginning of Louie Louie that Robo did when he played for Black Flag. snare kick snare, snare kick snare, snare kick snare.

Turn your amp way up and stand really close to it, when you get ready to play the big chords open up the volume knob all the way. Repeat as needed. It'll help if you can turn the amp way up. Some teles do it even when the amp isn't loud.

Matt Plescher · August 6th, 2003, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astro

Ahh I think he is talking about feedback.

astro, you might be right.

gavoid-does it sound kind of like a musical howl, like a microphone feeding back but not so hard on the ears?

this is like a mechanic asking what the car noise sounds like...

Matt

Cooper · August 14th, 2003, 02:22 PM

found this over at mrgearhead.com (fender's support site) and just thought i'd share it. it's a good basic page about distortion.

<a href=http://www.mrgearhead.com/ghad/DistortionMysteries.pdf>http://www.mrgearhead.com/ghad/DistortionMysteries.pdf</a>

August 5th, 2003, 03:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
gavoid NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2	Question from someone who has never player guitar before Hello. I played bass for a while, and while I enjoyed it, I feel I would now like to play guitar. I have not yet decided what type I should buy, but I do like the look of the Telecaster. However, there are some things I do not fully understand about guitars. 1. How do you make that noise that occurs on every rock song, you know, the loud noise, as opposed to just strumming the strings. The best way I can describe it to you is to listen to the very start of Nirvanas "Smells like Teen Spirit", where it changes from strumming to "this noise". Or on Radioheads "My Iron Lung", where at the chorus, the guitar sound changes again from a strumming noise to the one i'm talking about. Im sure its probably something very simple, or do I need some special equipment? 2. Can a Telecaster do this, or would I be better off with a Stratocaster? Please excuse my ignorance on the topic of guitars; I know absolutely nothing about them. Thanks for your patience. Gavin.

August 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,615	I think you mean muted strings You aren't actually fretting the chord (pressing the strings to the frets). You lift the pressure off and strum. Here's another example: Everclear's Santa Monica Dun dun (chicka chicka) dun dun; the 'chicka's are just muted chords. Sounds great on Teles. Maybe this is what you mean? __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

August 5th, 2003, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cooper Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 498	(someone please correct me if i'm wrong.) the noise you're wondering about is a type of distortion. originally, like back when the electric guitar was a new instrument, distortion was a bad thing caused by bad tubes (all amps were tube amps back then). but then a few artists decided that the sound could be used for effect. now distortion is a built in effect in most amps (there are different channels in an amp, one for a clean sound and one for a distorted sound). in addition, there are distortion pedals which give you a lot of control over your sound. the type of distortion Nirvana used a lot is called "fuzz." i think. Radiohead's guitarist plays a tele. Cobain played a Jag-stang, which is neither Tele nor Strat. between the two, i'd suggest a tele. of course :) a stock tele can do what you want, but there are other guitars out there that can do it better. however, if you're into modifying your tele, it can do absolutely anything under the sun. __________________ I said, "I don't think so, Scooter!" And I was wrong.

August 5th, 2003, 03:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
porklash Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sollefteå Sweden Posts: 236	My guess is that you mean the sound you get when you dampen the strings with your fretboard hand. Is "often" used for rythm guitar. At least by me. You can do that with any guitar even acoustics... pEr __________________ Slicing eardrums...

August 5th, 2003, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
telemike Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 616	I'm with Cooper I'm pretty sure he's talking about distortion. __________________ 3 >\| ! \/\/

August 5th, 2003, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	Are you talking about power chords? Hard to describe the noise, but, if you're asking about what I think you are, that's usually a root/fifth chord with heavy distortion.... Teles do that very well with the right amp or overdrive/distortion pedal.

August 5th, 2003, 04:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
TeleGeir Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 1,998	Distortion pedals Cobain used a Boss DS1: http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/en/compact...effects_1.html Edward O'Brien has like 25 different pedals, so hard to say which one was used on that song. Anyway, visit you local guitar dealer and try their selection of distortion and overdrive pedals to find one that suits your needs. There are loads of them on the market, so don't try to find the ultimate right away. Buy one that you like and use it. If you find another you like better later, they are not a fortune... Geir :) __________________ "This is a room in Paul's house."

August 5th, 2003, 04:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,615	Reread the original post; yeah, distortion it is. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

August 5th, 2003, 05:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
gavoid NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2	Thank you everybody, I think distortion is what I meant. Can a stock Telecaster do it through a distorted channel on an amp? Thanks, Gavin

August 5th, 2003, 05:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	Yeah; it can. But.... It depends on what type of "stock" tele you have, and what kind of amp you use as to whether it will sound like you want it to... Actually, nothing ever will if you just use a guitar and amp. All of the recordings you hear have so many effects added at the board that it probably doesn't even resemble the guitar plugged into the amp anymore...

August 5th, 2003, 09:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Chrismeyer Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Age: 34 Posts: 625	Hey! Yeah,these guy's are all experts,and they all got it right. My Tele sounds great through any good amp with distortion,and if you are a fan of Radiohead,and Nirvana as I am,you will love a Tele! Tele's get that classic rock sound,that Strat's can't,and even sound cooler than Humbucker(pick-up's )can.AND they are cool for hard rock,grunge,and country/blues as well,You could get a Mesa Boogie,or a Line6 amp and get great Metal sounds from it,get a Fender or marshall,etc.and get great country/blues/classic rock,sounds.. A Telecaster is the most versital guitar in the world,and you can get any sound you want or need from it,TRUST US! Yes we are tele-freaks,but that is for a reason,they're simply the best guitar you can get in any price range.

August 5th, 2003, 11:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Todd68 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 252 19 Photos	Forget the questions, you need to play! Go to a local music store, ask someone to plug a guitar into an amp with some distortion, and experiment. You may surprise yourself! I remember getting my first electric guitar about 23 years ago. I discovered something new everyday.

August 5th, 2003, 11:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
Pedalworld Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 936

August 5th, 2003, 11:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,244 6 Photos	Tele's can do that. Trust me. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

August 6th, 2003, 10:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
boogaloo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: S/E Pa. Age: 52 Posts: 1,129	Another Rat Enthusiast I like the Rat pedal. Very versatile in my opinion. Radiohead play primarily teles, as far as I know (at least in the articles and pictures I've seen in the past.) __________________ "..and I've got some tricks up my sleeve...oh yes indeed! It might come back to haunt 'cha..don't you throw that Mojo on me!"

August 6th, 2003, 11:14 AM	#17 (permalink)
TeleGeir Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 1,998	From what I have read, Cobain often used a Fender Twin Reverb in Studio, but Mesas with Marshall speaker cabs in concert. (Nothing like a wall of Marshalls to tell the audience you are a rock star!) Geir :) __________________ "This is a room in Paul's house."

August 6th, 2003, 01:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
'ol hank pank Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Scotia NY Posts: 436	I think He's talking about muted strings or 'click notes'. Use the palm of your hand, I use the part just behind the pinky and gently rest it on the strings near the bridge. Just enough to restrict the vibration a little bit. __________________ TDPRI tpyo Myster

August 6th, 2003, 03:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
astro Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Shoa, MA Posts: 872	Feedback Ahh I think he is talking about feedback. Thats the sound that you hear right before Dave Grohl does that rip off of the beginning of Louie Louie that Robo did when he played for Black Flag. snare kick snare, snare kick snare, snare kick snare. Turn your amp way up and stand really close to it, when you get ready to play the big chords open up the volume knob all the way. Repeat as needed. It'll help if you can turn the amp way up. Some teles do it even when the amp isn't loud.

August 14th, 2003, 02:22 PM	#22 (permalink)
Cooper Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 498	from Mr. Gearhead found this over at mrgearhead.com (fender's support site) and just thought i'd share it. it's a good basic page about distortion. <a href=http://www.mrgearhead.com/ghad/DistortionMysteries.pdf>http://www.mrgearhead.com/ghad/DistortionMysteries.pdf</a> __________________ I said, "I don't think so, Scooter!" And I was wrong.