Effects Pedals

Hey Guys,

I'm really interested in getting some new pedals, interested in GA tone, anyone know what pedals are most used?

Here you go : http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/21588-rig-rundown-the-gaslight-anthem

There is a huge difference between Alex and Brian. Alex's sound is full of effects while most of Brian's sound is just straight from the amp. Both uses high priced and hand/custom made amps.

The truth is that you need a guitar with good sounding pick-ups (mostly lollar or SD antiquity), and an excellent tube amp first (Vox/Fender Tweed/Marshall plexi/JMP handwired).

If you want to sound like Brian, you pretty much only need a vintage reverb (I'd recommand you the Strymon Flint for exemple). He barely use any distortion or fuzz. On the last record he's been using more fuzz than ever. He also mentioned in an interview here that he used a Red Llama for the last record. He's been flipping from Telecaster to Les Paul for a while. As long as I've followed is amps, they were mostly Fender tweed amps. Lately he's been back to it's basics using a Vox AC30-like amp. They are very different beasts than the Fender tweed amps. He's also been using a lot of Fulltone effects since a while, I assume because of Tom Petty. For the record he used a tube tape echo, a deja vibe, a fulldrive, a Soulbender and an OCD.

If you want to sound like Alex, it's all up in the video. He's been also using a matchless amp for a while.

Both flip effects on their pedalboards on a regular (close to "daily" actually) basis.

I'd say, start with a good amp, and an EHX soul food, and an excellent vintage like reverb (like the strymon flint, which also has an amazing tremolo). The boost/overdrive thing, like the Soul Food is somehow part of their sound IMHO.

But don't get lost on the effect things. Brian and the boys are great songwriters and that's why they sound good.

Thanks for detailed info, much appreciated.

In terms of guitar playing, I'm a massive fan of Jack White - Simple catchy riffs, with killer fuzz or overdrive.

The link you supplied was great, going to start with upgrading my amp, that's my starting point.

Like you say though, its important not to become blind sighted by pedals!

Thanks again

Joker009 wrote:

Like you say though, its important not to become blind sighted by pedals!

Thanks again

You're welcome.

I'd just had to this that the most important thing is to keep it simple, and at the same time try to start playing in a band, if you don't already.

Jack White became famous by playing garage rock. TGA, they started as a punk outfit. They all came from a place where you mostly play simple powerchords.

Here's another great resource for brian's old rig : http://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/655-the-gaslight-anthem-brian-fallon-guitar-rig-gear-and-equipment

If you want to spend some money, they sell some gear over here from time to time : http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/everythinglouder1959

Yeah, i've recently set up a band, its interesting to go from bedroom to rehearsal room, making sure timing is spot on and volume levels are right.

Jamie Hince from the Kills, is another great guitarist, and a massive inspiration love how 'big' he makes his sound, fantastic.

I'm currently looking for a reverb pedal, I mainly play acoustic lately (Can't hide behind distortion and its much harder to play + love the sound of an acoustic) with my chorus pedal.

Thanks for the rig link, added to favourites. Will check out the ebay link too!

Cheers

Joker009 wrote:

Yeah, i've recently set up a band, its interesting to go from bedroom to rehearsal room, making sure timing is spot on and volume levels are right.

I would say, a band will teach you how to play with a drummer/rhythm section, which is very important. Also, it's not much about volume, but more about shaping the tone of your amp.

I'd recommend you to read this in order to understand that it's not much about how loud you are (note how TGA mostly play 20/30 watts amps, not loud 100 watts marshall amps - of course they play venues with huge PAs), but how you mix yourself in and out of the other instruments : http://pickroar.com/1003/the-tone-stack-explained-in-english-for-humans/

I can't thank you, will take on-board your comments, and again I've added the link to favourites and will study it to understand more about tone on amps.

The thing with guitar, its such a vast and exciting area, because every guitarist will keep on learning whether its techniques/riffs, rhythm guitar, musical theory, effects, amps, playing in a band. Makes it more exciting really haha.

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated.