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Casino
Copper Member
USA
21 Posts |
 Posted - 01/29/2009 : 21:39:37
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A guy on another forum suggested playing my Boss GE-7 as a boost --set the EQ flat but bump the Level slider all the way up. I set the EQ sliders mostly flat and took his suggestion of raising the level to max, I stepped on the box and WOW! I couldn't believe what overdrive I was getting. I have a VOX AC30 and they are known for growling classic rock overdrive, nothing crazy, but with that little EQ trick I was getting an incredible distortion/overdrive that was Hendrix like.
There is nothing in the owner's manual to suggest this was possible so I'd like to know how or why this was happening? The guy said by doing that I would be using my GE-7 as a "boost". Just by boosting the output of my guitar, this little box can turn my amp into a Marshall? How? What was happening?
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Edited by - Casino on 01/29/2009 21:51:41 |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 00:20:11
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| well you are boosting just more then the volume with this pedal. you are increasing the impedance load on the front of the amp.Buy doing this you are putting more of an overdrive into the amp. producing a more pleasant effect for you. |
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kipper15
Copper Member
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 00:21:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Casino
A guy on another forum suggested playing my Boss GE-7 as a boost --set the EQ flat but bump the Level slider all the way up. I set the EQ sliders mostly flat and took his suggestion of raising the level to max, I stepped on the box and WOW! I couldn't believe what overdrive I was getting. I have a VOX AC30 and they are known for growling classic rock overdrive, nothing crazy, but with that little EQ trick I was getting an incredible distortion/overdrive that was Hendrix like.
There is nothing in the owner's manual to suggest this was possible so I'd like to know how or why this was happening? The guy said by doing that I would be using my GE-7 as a "boost". Just by boosting the output of my guitar, this little box can turn my amp into a Marshall? How? What was happening?
I'd love to know why this is working the way it is for you. It sounds like you're getting some seriously good sounds out of your amp with that pedal!
Can I ask, are you getting this nice Hendrix/Marshall overdriven tone at low volume levels?
I'm really interested in what's going on here too as I have a GE-7 which I've really not used much of late. I used to place the GE-7 in the FX loop of my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe but now I prefer nothing at all in the FX loop.
Seeing your post gives me the idea that I should try it in the manner you've described and see what results I get. So...I'm going to try this with my GE-7 in front of my Hot Rod Deluxe amp, set up in a similar way to your AC30. |
Edited by - kipper15 on 01/30/2009 23:13:09 |
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kipper15
Copper Member
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 00:24:08
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quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
well you are boosting just more then the volume with this pedal. you are increasing the impedance load on the front of the amp.Buy doing this you are putting more of an overdrive into the amp. producing a more pleasant effect for you.
Ah...thank you zerksies! So am I right in thinking that running my GE-7 pedal into the clean channel of my Hot Rod Deluxe I can get a similar sound to overdriving the amp (this sounds like what Casino is achieving here) - except without being so loud I break windows! Correct?
By the way...what's happened to your avatar? Have you fallen out with Flat Eric?  |
Edited by - kipper15 on 01/30/2009 00:24:54 |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 00:45:55
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| Hey kipper, have you seen the Unofficial Hot Rod Deluxe Owner's Guide site? Here's the link http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/ but its not pulling up for me anymore. I hope he didn't take it down as the guy presents tons of mods, info, etc. specifically for the Hot Rods. |
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Casino
Copper Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 00:57:32
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quote:
Originally posted by kipper15
I'd love to know why this is working the way it is for you.
Can I ask, are you getting this nice Hendrix/Marshall overdriven tone at low volume levels?
I'm really interested in what's going on here too as I have a GE-7
The poster zerksies above explained the technology behind it - I suppose it is boosting the preamp tubes more than they are normally boosted. I guesss that's it, all I know is I am getting a really hot overdrive/distortion. And it is one that I can shape as it is an EQ pedal that is pushing this whole thing. I have the amp overdriven to begin with and then I kick on the EQ pedal and it is a real wild ride.
The pedal is not in an effects loop -- just right into the amp. And yes, I am getting these sounds at low volume. My amp has a master volume. I am almost pinning my channel volume and keeping my master volume very low. My guitar volume knobs aren't even on ten. It is, I guess, the boost I am getting from the EQ that is driving the tubes to do some pretty cool stuff.
Best part about this is that it is not pedal distortion which I never care for. This overdrive/distortion is coming from the amp itself (with the help of the EQ pedal).
Hope your EQ kicks your amp to another level. I never knew it could do this.
And thanks, zerksies, for your explanation. |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 01:48:10
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| it works best if it is put before the amp to get that really tube driven tone. it will not work in most modern tube amps effects loops cause most of them are solid state, not tube driven like the fender that you have it is solid state. so you won't get that fat tone. you are getting |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 19:35:34
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Hello all
Slash does this as well for a booster..i think instead of the GE-7 he uses a 10 band MXR one now.... try putting the EQ in a 'Frown' setting for a midrange Clapton type sound...only thing is if your doing this and using delay or reverb pedals before the amp it will be hard to get a good sound off them..try putting them in the effects loop if you have one....... |
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Casino
Copper Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 21:52:55
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
Slash does this as well for a booster..
I guess it really does work, not a freak occurrence with my gear. Thanks for that info. |
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kipper15
Copper Member
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 23:22:00
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quote:
Originally posted by DeFrag
Hey kipper, have you seen the Unofficial Hot Rod Deluxe Owner's Guide site? Here's the link http://studentweb.eku.edu/justin_holton/ but its not pulling up for me anymore. I hope he didn't take it down as the guy presents tons of mods, info, etc. specifically for the Hot Rods.
Ah, yes. Justin Holton's excellent Hot Rod Deluxe website. You know, when I first got my Hot Rod Deluxe amp home, and just knowing full well I'd have to find a way to tame the thing for home use, I simply googled "Fender Hot Rod Deluxe" and I quickly found myself there.
It's a superb wesbite for sure...and you're right, he provides a great source of information about these amps. I know it was down a few days ago but fear not...it's back up and running again now  |
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kipper15
Copper Member
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2009 : 23:45:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Casino
The poster zerksies above explained the technology behind it - I suppose it is boosting the preamp tubes more than they are normally boosted. I guesss that's it, all I know is I am getting a really hot overdrive/distortion. And it is one that I can shape as it is an EQ pedal that is pushing this whole thing. I have the amp overdriven to begin with and then I kick on the EQ pedal and it is a real wild ride.
The pedal is not in an effects loop -- just right into the amp. And yes, I am getting these sounds at low volume. My amp has a master volume. I am almost pinning my channel volume and keeping my master volume very low. My guitar volume knobs aren't even on ten. It is, I guess, the boost I am getting from the EQ that is driving the tubes to do some pretty cool stuff.
Best part about this is that it is not pedal distortion which I never care for. This overdrive/distortion is coming from the amp itself (with the help of the EQ pedal).
Hope your EQ kicks your amp to another level. I never knew it could do this.
And thanks, zerksies, for your explanation.
Firstly I would also like to thank zerksies for the explanation.
So..tonight I decided to do a little experimentation with using my GE-7 in a similar way to what you've been doing with yours. I didn't have much time to do this tonight but anyhow the signal path was as follows:
USA Strat w/Custom '69 Pickups => GE-7 EQ Pedal => Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp.
I had never used my GE-7 "in front" of the HRDx before...I'd only ever used it in the FX loop as usually the ME-50 or my Legend Series pedals go before the amp.
At first I set the GE-7's EQ sliders to flat but pushed the level slider all the way up, just as you had done.
This was interesting...aside from the jump in volume (easy enough to control with my Air Brake) I noticed the sound was slightly more overdriven and rougher sounding. In fact it sounded to my ears kinda sorta Vox AC30-ish, especially on the Bridge pickup of the Strat. I was jangling away and there was that Beatley Voxy thing going on.
Now bear in mind I was doing this on the clean channel of the HRDx (I never use the drive channels on my amp because they're useless) and as we all know the Fender clean is VERY clean. I can only summise that you were getting more of the Hendrixy/Marshally vibe on the AC30 as it's not exactly a 'clean' amp to begin with, certainly less clean headroom than most Fenders.
I then experimented a little with the EQ sliders on the GE-7, initially with an 'S' curve, leaving the level slider set very high or all the way up just as before when the EQ was flat. To my ears anyway, with these settings, I seemed to be venturing into mildly overdriven/crunchy Fender Bassman or even early Marshall Plexi-era territory.
Over the next few days I'll be sure to experiment some more but it's certainly interesting and it seems I may have found a new use for my GE-7. Excellent! I'd not used it very much at all of late.
I'll do some more experimenting over the next few days and post back.
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Rich_S
Silver Member
USA
219 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 04:51:02
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I used a GE-7 as my only source of overdrive for years, driving various Marshall tube amps.
It works best on slightly overdriven tube amps that are already into the "crunch" area. It works simply by overdriving the at least the first preamp stage in the amp, and possibly subsequent stages.
I always used mine with a moderate overall volume boost, as well as a mid hump, slightly off center toward the higher frequencies.
A GE-7 (or any clean boost) works differently on a clean amp - you get much more volume boost before it starts to overdrive. A crunchy amp is already beginning to overdrive, which compresses the sound. So, the pedal gives more dirt but not much more volume. |
Edited by - Rich_S on 02/02/2009 04:52:01 |
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Casino
Copper Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 05:15:58
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| Thanks all for the info. Please share any more that you have regarding this little trick. I really was amazed at what happened when I did it. It seems it works in slightly different ways for different amps and settings. I enjoy reading about what others have done with this EQ pedal. |
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 11:11:48
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| Read somewhere that. Some musician likes to leave it flat, and just boost the level abit, he says its like pushing it to 11 on the dial |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 13:38:52
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Hi Casino & guys
Using the GE-7 in this was,
is along the same lines as all the magical tone/s, of the Ibanez Tubescreamer & the Boss OD-1,
that are talked about all over guitar forums on the net, & other places.
Basic all they pedals are set for low drive or no drive & the level pot is turned up.
This makes the pedal more of a Booster, which then overdrives the first valve (tube) in your tube amp,
which is usually a 12AX7, or a derivative in the same family.
This is the setting you have found with your GE-7.
If you experiment even more,
by using slightly more, or slightly less boost,
there is an almost magical setting where the overdriven first tube, seems to just sing.
You may already have found that setting with your amp.
It great to hear that you have found a-this new tone & setting.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 02/02/2009 13:39:48 |
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2009 : 22:50:58
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I've haven't gotten any musical sounds from the GE7, maybe just haven't dialed it in right. I see it more as a tool than effect pedal.
Does anyone else see it that way too? |
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Topic |
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My EQ Pedal Gives Me Incredible Distortion...How?
