Originally Posted by: Blackheartsbbzswa777

Thanks for the info on compression. I do have a noise gate.

Not only do you have to learn songs but you have to be darn sound engineer.

Thanks again bbzswa777

I have learned the 'less is better' lesson. I've avoided compression pedals and noise gates and all that. Tone is mostly from the hands and the rest enhances that. We've all been told that a litany of pedals will get you that tone. Well.....

I've told the story here a few times but the best tone I had was a 70's era (tube-ish) Peavey Classic 2x12 run in to a generic 4x12 cab. I had a Boss Turbo Overdrive run through a Dunlop Wah (always on and flat down) and straight in to the front on of the Peavey. That's it. I had more than a few people tell me how much they liked my tone.

So, I had a pile dookie but made it work really well.

So my point is, don't let salespeople, ads, people here at GT or even your neighbor tell you what makes it sound good. Tone is less about the toys and more about your hands and how patient you are to make what you have work. I am a twiddler and will work on my tone for a long time. Like most guitar players, I was never happy but who is? Still, with a pile of mostly junk, I made it works.