So I got a Tele...now what do I do with this thing?!?

[Quexoz]

Briefly as possible: I'm a metal head but loves me some Tele guitar sounds. I play mostly on my PC with VST amp/pedal sims, but do have a little Blackstar ID:Core 20.

Anyhow, my usual amp sims and settings are TERRIBLE for a Tele. Any advice on how to setup for a Tele, amp sims you use, etc. would be great.

I'm trying to figure out how to get a slightly dirty sound without it going all "distortion poopoo" on me. In a nutshell, I want to be this guy (that slide sound @1:25 is sooooo cool):

 

[JL_LI]

Use the bridge pickup with tweed or blackface simulation. Don’t roll off the guitar tone except to eliminate ice pick. You want crunch, not all on distortion. You’ll need to keep the guitar volume up for that. A little reverb helps.

 

[Quexoz]

I'll look into that.

Here's a little recording I did about 10 years ago when I had an SX Furrian. The only thing I did with it before selling it. This sounds okay, but I'll be darned if I remember how I got that sound dialed in. The song is boring/repetitive as can be without vocals though.

 

[Killing Floor]

K type OD works wonders.

 

[Skyhook]

If you're using amp sims... go for a profile that's named Blackface or something similar(like Black Frontplate or BF or somesuch) and set the gain so that it's clean when you pluck
but breaks up when strummed a bit harder.
Tastes will vary and you may(and should) wish to explore further, but it's really hard to go wrong with that sound.

 

[Red Ryder]

Get yourself a 100 watt amp with 2 or more 12" speakers and rock and roll.

 

[jvin248]

.

Watch this video at least a dozen times (and not in the itty bitty forum view).
It's a master class in getting all the tones out of a Tele.
Tele Twang happens when picking between the pickup and saddles, and lifting the string 'out' rather than 'across' for a little more snap.

Picking location matters a lot as do using the volume and tone knobs.




Some other techniques that may help with the insights in how Bill is getting so much out of that Telecaster...



.

 

[RomanS]

Briefly as possible: I'm a metal head but loves me some Tele guitar sounds. I play mostly on my PC with VST amp/pedal sims, but do have a little Blackstar ID:Core 20.

Anyhow, my usual amp sims and settings are TERRIBLE for a Tele. Any advice on how to setup for a Tele, amp sims you use, etc. would be great.

I'm trying to figure out how to get a slightly dirty sound without it going all "distortion poopoo" on me. In a nutshell, I want to be this guy (that slide sound @1:25 is sooooo cool):

For that tone, as others have mentioned, use an amp sim based on BF Fenders (Deluxe Reverb would be closest), set it right at the edge between clean and overdrive, and use a pedal sim to push it into dirt - something based on the Nobels ODR-1, Barber LTD, Fulltone Fulldrive, "boutique" Tubescreamer, etc.

 

[Cyberi4n]

Also, try to stay away from Distorion, and instead use overdrive sims. You'll get closer with a pushed "overdriven" amp than you will a "distorted" amp

 

[Quexoz]

Get yourself a 100 watt amp with 2 or more 12" speakers and rock and roll.

Homie can't afford dat!

Also, try to stay away from Distorion, and instead use overdrive sims.

I figured that out pretty quick. Using the distorted or high gain channels in the amp sims sounds kind of OK while I'm playing it, but if I record it and listen back, it's just a rough, "jagged" sounding mess, something like using and amp sim with no cabinet IR (speaker sim).

I stuck some $32 (link removed) pickups in it that should do what I want, in theory, for a cheap Tele copy. Just got to get used to how to dial it in...and learn to play it like a Tele

 

[Cyberi4n]

Takes a while. Stick at it though, it’s worth it

 

[ChicknPickn]

Many of us would recommend replacing the pickups, the tuners, the bridge and saddles, and, oh heck, the neck too. But keep all the parts. One day, you’ll want to build a partscaster just like the original guitar.

 

[Quexoz]

Many of us would recommend replacing the pickups, the tuners, the bridge and saddles, and, oh heck, the neck too. But keep all the parts. One day, you’ll want to build a partscaster just like the original guitar.

Pffft. I did most of that before I ever played it. Not the saddles though...but I am eyeballing some brass ones.

Still on the hunt for a good amp sim. Tried SimulAnalog's "Rednef Twin" = not too bad but 32 bit only. Tried Analog Obsession's Blackvibe and Blackshow = WAY too quiet. They don't do much of anything at all.

 

[John_B]

Buy you a pair of pointy toed cowboy boots, a Nudie suit in the color of your choice and a tube of Brylcream.

*Round or square toed boots do not count!

 

[swervinbob]

Use a cranked Plexi sim. Not a hotrodded Marshall sim.

 

[Quexoz]

A little test run of two amp sims, "Rednef Twin on the left, "LE456" on the right...not a very Tele-centric bit, but whatever.

 

[loopfinding]

Dunno, this is my favorite “tele music” and sort of what I’m writing like these days

 

[Quexoz]

Tele Djent! Tjent?

Also, some VST amp sims I found that may have some serious potential are the "Classic" series by EXE Consulting if anyone else wants to check them out. I tried them very briefly and they seem really good, but very full of options that I will have to save for a day when I have the time and patience.

The Classic 30 (Vox VC30) and Classic F, some very clean Fender, plus others. These are loaded with effects, built in OD pedals, flangers, reverb, tremolo, cabs, and all that like a whole amp and everything that goes with it suite. Free and all in one VST3 file you just drop in your VST folder, no installation hassles.

 

[Quexoz]

This "Classic F" amp has potential, if anyone else is hunting.

Same song (different takes) as above, testing the Classic F amp.


Correction on the previous post that I can't edit: "Rednef Twin on the right, LE456 on the left"

 

[Quexoz]

For other amp sim VST hunters: Blue Cats FreeAmp is showing some promise! I may stick a recording made with it that I am working on (Hybrid Ventures/Shadows version of Apache) up here when it's done. Don't hold your breath, I'm old and slow, and have to learn all parts (from both versions) and program drums and do the entire 1-man band thing.