The Most Legendary Alternate Pickers Sound(ed) Best With Low Gain

[TheCheapGuitarist]

Off the top of my head, the three guitarists with what I consider the most incredible alternate picking technique (just my opinion) are Yngwie Malmsteen, Al Di Meola, and Paul Gilbert. Malmsteen was at him prime early on, and though many of his fans/copycats didn't realize this, he played through old, low-gain Marshalls that even with a boost pedal were fairly clean. This I believe is why his picking sounded so clean. Or more correctly, his extremely clean picking was laid bare for all to see because it wasn't covered in distortion. Al Di Meola - same thing. Those early albums, especially the first one, were a relatively low-gain Marshall which allowed us to hear how perfect his technique really is. Paul Gilbert hit the scene during the modded-Marshal era, loads of distortion, etc. But he plays with far less overdrive these days and his incredible alternate-picking technique really stands out.

It should also be noted that these three guys are also known for amazing palm-muting when blazing through quick passages. However, one of the three guys, today, opts to use loads of distortion and delay. I won't mention the name, but I'm wondering if it's to obscure a possible decline in technique.

That said, I play with a zillion watts of distortion and I sound decent. Take away the distortion and I sound like a drunk 8 year old.

 

[DekeDog]

I think Al Di Meola is very underrated. He can play with speed, but he has great finesse and articulation, and can be very melodic in his improvisations.

 

[brookdalebill]

Amen!
A clean or clean-ish Marshall is a beautiful thing.
All of the aforementioned artists were masters of touch, tone and technique.

 

[geoff_in_nc]

Can i add Dregs/Dixie Dregs era Steve Morse to that list? He had a blazing alternate picking thing going on, and also had quite a clear tone.

 

[middy]

The voicing of the Marshall lends itself to this by accentuating pick attack. Played cleanish and loud, it rewards good technique.

 

[StoneH]

Amen!
A clean or clean-ish Marshall is a beautiful thing.
All of the aforementioned artists were masters of touch, tone and technique.

Marshall was my favorite amp. This one lived behind two layers of an army blanket most of the time because it needed to be LOUD before it reached clean-ish. It was mic'd, so it wasn't muffled.

 

[TheCheapGuitarist]

The voicing of the Marshall lends itself to this by accentuating pick attack. Played cleanish and loud, it rewards good technique.

Yeah, it rewards good technique but slaps me upside the head when I get sloppy. It almost magnifies my slop. My JCM800 head was like that; my combo was more forgiving somehow.