Thoughts On Gain, EQ & Audibility When Playing Solos

Published on 23 Aug 2019

In this episode we stumble around a general discussion on being heard when playing solos. A friend of Dan’s had asked him what he needed to think about tonally when starting to play guitar solos: it sparked an idea for a show.
Many of the concepts we touch on here have been covered in previous episodes, but they’re always worth a re-look for the already-initiated and close to invaluable for anyone new to the subject. Gain, EQ, volume… and a bit on delay, rounded up with five tips for better solo tones.
Enjoy the episode!

If you like backing track in this episode you can buy it at That Pedal Show Store.

Pedals & stuff in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three2One


• Fulltone OCD
UK & Europe:
Australia:

• Suhr Riot
UK & Europe:

• J Rockett Touch OD
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Australia:

• Boss GE-7
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• Fender Engager Boost
UK & Europe:

• RYRA Klone
UK & Europe:
Australia:

• Wampler Mini Ego Compressor
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Australia:

• MXR Carbon Copy
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Australia:

• TC Electronic Flashback Mini
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Australia:

• Jam Pedals Ripple
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• TC Electronic Polytune 2 Mini Noir
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Australia:


TheGigRig G2


* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here:


Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 0:00
- What are we doing Dan?: 03:46
- It’s all about the solo though… 5:58
- What amp’s are we using today?: 06:25
- Who is playing what gear? 6:45
- Let’s start from the top..: 07:20
- You need to be heard – add more, or shape: 08:06
- The sound needs to be good!: 09:33
- How do I make my solo audible?: 10:39
- The old school way: just turn your guitar, with the 335: 12:20
- …and with Dan’s Tele: 15:35
- What happens when we adjust the guitar volume?: 19:02
- What about when you use multiple pedals? 20:46
- A bit of Suhr Riot fun: 21:42
- And boosting that? 23:00
- Adjusting audibility with EQ: 28:04
- Lower gain? 30:15
- Why don’t we have a GE7 on our board?: 30:34
- Shaping gain stages? 31:10
- Using a Klon-type pedal to shape your audibility: 31:20 (33:30)
- And with more gain… 35:30
- What about clean sounds?: 37:20
- Compressor for clean lead: 40:15
- Using a compressor with gain: 41:42
- Using delay to add texture for your solo: 44:21
- Analog delay staying out of the way: 45:12
- And with shorter delay times for punch: 48:18
- Now with longer digital delays: 50:40 (51:43)
- And in summary? 54:22
- Thank you!: 58:58
- Jamming: 59:40

Guitars in this episode:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster watch Mick’s video at
• Fender Custom Shop 1963 Telecaster - watch Dan’s video at
• Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 – no video yet

Amps in this episode
• Vox AC15C1 with Celestion G12M Greenback
• Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III with Celestion G12P-80


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