Thoughts on Playing Lead on Rick
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 1:49 pm
Kids,
These questions/thoughts have been generally covered before (and I've looked around before posting), but I've got some nuanced questions/concerns I'd like collective feedback on.
My latest project has bumped me over to lead. (I've comfortably occupied the rhythm slot for many years). This new position also requires lots of different voicings/effects. (Again, being rhythm, I had 2 sounds on my 2 channel amp and the rest was with pick-ups and blend knob). In rehearsals I've been playing a Stratocaster (all single coils) through a borrowed Mustang GT100. (It actually sounds pretty nice). We are covering everything from Hoodu Gurus to The Cult to Blondie to The Cure to Cheap Trick to Replacements. So, I'd say progressive rock/pop to alternative. Not too heavy, but w/ effects.
In any event, I'd like to switch to a Rick (more comfortable to me) and figure out if I can make my old tube amps (Mesa Heartbreaker and/or Vox AC30) that versatile. But, I am trying to save some time (and money) running down a bunch of variables or issues other folks have encountered.
On guitars, I've seen discussions about the versatility of Ricks, followed video clips of big band and swing/jazz and some pretty decent blues drive sounds posted.
One question is has anyone covered the kind of lead territory referenced above with a Rick? For example, My Sharona has a pretty powerful (and busy) lead (from a Les Paul). So do some Blondie and Pat Benetar songs. Anyone been in that neighborhood with a live band situtation? Any tricks to bump through the mix for that and tone? (Again, on rhythm, I never had to really punch up and then back down into the song much). I know Kenny Howes does it (and does it well), but his stuff is all original and I am trying to get as close to the recorded versions as I can.
Second question is that I have a 360 w/toasters (blend knob I like), and a 480 with Hi-Gains (no blend). Which of those?
Third guitar question. Thoughts on the Rick trem system? I'm not planing on doing any Steve Vai dive bombs, but I'd like a little trem here and there. Not much more than a little bump.
On amps, again, on rhythm it was either easier, or I was just comfortable there. Mentioned above, there are tonnes of effects going on here... Probably too many to have a full blown pedal board. Any thoughts on any of the multi-effects/modelers out there?
Vox has a couple that look interesting, but they seem to be focused on amp replacements (at least the tone lab does). Also, my AC30 is the handwired with no effects loop, so it'd go in front. Boss has a few too. However, what people seem to be doing is getting a clean, non-colored amp, then using these to ape the sound. So, why even haul a 70 pound AC30? (Not to mention a 2 gajillion pound Heartbreaker). Again, doing what this project contemplates me doing doesn't require top dog tone, but reasonable... And lots of easy to reach flexibility. Any help? Should I just stick with the GT100 and be done with it?
Thanks for reading and any feedback appreciated.
JKC
These questions/thoughts have been generally covered before (and I've looked around before posting), but I've got some nuanced questions/concerns I'd like collective feedback on.
My latest project has bumped me over to lead. (I've comfortably occupied the rhythm slot for many years). This new position also requires lots of different voicings/effects. (Again, being rhythm, I had 2 sounds on my 2 channel amp and the rest was with pick-ups and blend knob). In rehearsals I've been playing a Stratocaster (all single coils) through a borrowed Mustang GT100. (It actually sounds pretty nice). We are covering everything from Hoodu Gurus to The Cult to Blondie to The Cure to Cheap Trick to Replacements. So, I'd say progressive rock/pop to alternative. Not too heavy, but w/ effects.
In any event, I'd like to switch to a Rick (more comfortable to me) and figure out if I can make my old tube amps (Mesa Heartbreaker and/or Vox AC30) that versatile. But, I am trying to save some time (and money) running down a bunch of variables or issues other folks have encountered.
On guitars, I've seen discussions about the versatility of Ricks, followed video clips of big band and swing/jazz and some pretty decent blues drive sounds posted.
One question is has anyone covered the kind of lead territory referenced above with a Rick? For example, My Sharona has a pretty powerful (and busy) lead (from a Les Paul). So do some Blondie and Pat Benetar songs. Anyone been in that neighborhood with a live band situtation? Any tricks to bump through the mix for that and tone? (Again, on rhythm, I never had to really punch up and then back down into the song much). I know Kenny Howes does it (and does it well), but his stuff is all original and I am trying to get as close to the recorded versions as I can.
Second question is that I have a 360 w/toasters (blend knob I like), and a 480 with Hi-Gains (no blend). Which of those?
Third guitar question. Thoughts on the Rick trem system? I'm not planing on doing any Steve Vai dive bombs, but I'd like a little trem here and there. Not much more than a little bump.
On amps, again, on rhythm it was either easier, or I was just comfortable there. Mentioned above, there are tonnes of effects going on here... Probably too many to have a full blown pedal board. Any thoughts on any of the multi-effects/modelers out there?
Vox has a couple that look interesting, but they seem to be focused on amp replacements (at least the tone lab does). Also, my AC30 is the handwired with no effects loop, so it'd go in front. Boss has a few too. However, what people seem to be doing is getting a clean, non-colored amp, then using these to ape the sound. So, why even haul a 70 pound AC30? (Not to mention a 2 gajillion pound Heartbreaker). Again, doing what this project contemplates me doing doesn't require top dog tone, but reasonable... And lots of easy to reach flexibility. Any help? Should I just stick with the GT100 and be done with it?
Thanks for reading and any feedback appreciated.
JKC