Casino4Life Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 Ok so I know this has been posted before, but I am looking to get "Revolver" era tones. Now I need to clarify that I don't want to sound exactly like the Beatles, nobody should will ever sound like them. I just want to get those type of tones. My current set up with my Casino is a Peavey Special 130 with a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver and CE-5 Chrous Ensemble. I am wanting to go for the "She Said She Said", "Taxman" and "And Your Bird Can Sing" the Casino's sounded great on those recordings. Anybody got any suggestions (different amp, pedals?) Thanks
charlie brown Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 I got that "Beatles" tone, with my Casino, through both a Vox AC-30 TB and AC-15 TB (TB=Top Boost). Without any pedals! The "Top Boost" gives it plenty of that "grind!" One of these days, I'm going to have to buy one of those amps! I say that, every time I play through one...either my Friend's AC-30, or an AC-15, in the dealer's store. Good Luck, and Happy New Year!! CB
Versatile Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 Some of it, as always is in the fingers I've got AC30 and AC15 models in a Vox Valvetronics...they sound good I doubt the Beatles had any pedals to speak of back in the day... V
damian Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 The guitars were recorded with Neumann U47 mikes......They also used Fender amps in addition to their Vox amps at that time..... The guitar tracks were run through limiters and compressors, EQed as well; Some distortions came from overloading the input signals as well...... I don't own a Casino (yet), so, I've never nailed down that Beatle's era sound (yet).......That's all I can add..............
claydots Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 They also used Strats on many tracks for Revolver.... I know you don't wish to hear that but from the mouth of "Dark Horse".... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CWwJrcTmcg&feature=player_embedded
damian Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 I avoided mentioning the Strats............ .....
charlie brown Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 Yeah, Strats were used, a lot, on mid-era, and later Beatles tunes. Probably more, than any of us realized, at the time. Back then, you went with what you saw, in photos, as to what they were playing, and there were a LOT more photos of them with their Gretsch's, Ric's, and Casino's, than their Strats. There was no Inter- net, or even nearly as much literature, on "how" and "what" they used. There always seemed to be 1 or 2 Fender Amps, on stage, even as far back as Shea Stadium, and Hollywood Bowl. Dual Showman's, I would suspect. Was never sure, then...if they were the opening act's amps, or used by The Beatles, in some capacity? But, Vox was their endorsement brand, at that time, officially, or not?! (Smile) There was (at least) one "Fuzz" tone pedal, used (on Paul's bass), for "Think For Yourself," and probably other's, as well. A "Maestro Fuzz," (I think). That pedal was used as far back, as "She Loves You," and "Don't Bother Me," though it didn't make the final cut, as George Martin felt it was "too distorted," beyond what they got, out of their amps alone, at the time. As to "on board" effects, through the console...John's Casino distortion, on "Revolution," was done/enhanced that way. Not sure what he used, "on stage" or live, if/when they played it. And, there's an interview with Eric Clapton, regarding his solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," where he said that He didn't think it sounded "Beatley" enough...so, they added some "warble" to it, on/through the board. Just 2 examples, of many more. CB
Gunner Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 My current set up with my Casino is a Peavey Special 130 with a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver and CE-5 Chrous Ensemble. Generally speaking, the first thing I would do is ditch that amp and get a decent tube amp. I played a Special 130 for years when I was younger and could never get anything but sterile tones out of it. Just about any tube amp would be miles better, but as others have suggested a Vox (tube amp) would be a good first step in chasing Beatles tones. Tom
Aster1 Posted January 1, 2012 Posted January 1, 2012 I always like the lead tone in Nowhere Man, but couldn't approximate it with my P90 Dot. Then a friend told me it was done on a Strat (a Strat with low action and lots if fret buzz, if you listen), so I tried that, and bingo!. I get the feeling that many Gibson lovers who avoid Fenders aren't fully aware how many of their favorite parts were done on Strats and Teles. When I got my Dot 4 years ago after not having an electric for 30+ years, I started listening more carefully to guitar parts on all types of records. I began noticing how many Strat parts were going on, and I liked the distinctive sound on rhythm parts as well as lead. So, if you're shooting for revolver era tones, you're gonna need a Strat in the mix. Then you have to have George & John playing a duet on twin baby blue Strats to get that sound, maybe a little Chorus pedal seems to help me if you don't get too carried away. I know my Strat American Standard does the trick, but I like my Gretsch Duo-Jet with Dynasonic single coils too. Also the Ric sound pretty close if you watch the tone controls.And YES on the Vox. Love my AC15C1 and the Top Boost for sure. It's such a great little amp and has more output than I can stand in my living room. I don't gig however. Aster
Casino4Life Posted January 1, 2012 Author Posted January 1, 2012 I have a Strat but dont use it much due to my love for my Casino its just a sweet guitar. In response to Gunners post the Special 130 is all I have at the moment I was forced to sell my Fender Hot Rod Deville 410 :( But I do plan on getting a Twin Reverb. Looks like ill have to dust off my Strat and learn the solo for Nowhere Man
taxman Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 You definitely need a Strat to get "I Want To Tell You" and "Taxman." George's work on those songs is the Strat. There is a good deal of Strat on "Revolver." With your Casino I suggest flatwounds using the bridge pickup. It hardens up the low strings (less zing and brightness), while the high strings chime and ring out. A good classic rock tone. "She Said She Said" delivers that tone. Just play it LOUD through a tube amp and you get a bit of natural grit.
g6120 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Beatles Guitars and Basses Played on the Sessions. Including the single sessions along with the album sessions. Session John Lennon Paul McCartney George Harrison Please Please Me Rickenbacker 325 Hofner 500/1 Gretsch Duo Jet Gibson J160E Gibson J160E With The Beatles Rickenbacker 325 Hofner 500/1 Gretsch Country Gentleman Gibson J160E Gibson J160E Jose Ramirez A Hard Day's Night Rickenbacker 325 Hofner 500/1 Rickenbacker 360/12 Gibson J160E Gibson J160E Jose Ramirez Gretsch Country Gentleman Beatles For Sale Rickenbacker 325 Hofner 500/1 Gretsch Country Gentleman Gibson J160E Gretsch Tennessian Rickenbacker 325/12 Gibson J160E Rickenbacker 360/12 (or Vox Mandoguitar) Help! Rickenbacker 325 Hofner 500/1 Gretsch Tennessian Gibson J160E Epiphone Casino Gibson J160E Framus 12 strings Epiphone Texane Gretsch Country Gentleman Rickenbacker 360/12 Gibson ES345 (Rickenbacker 325) Rubber Soul Rickenbacker 325 Rickenbacker 4001 Epiphone Casino Gibson J160E Hofner 500/1 Fender Stratocaster Epiphone Casino Epiphone Texane Rickenbacker 360/12 Fender Stratocaster Gibson J160E Gibson ES345 Framus 12 strings Sitar Revolver Epiphone Casino Rickenbacker 4001 Epiphone Casino Gibson J160E Epiphone Casino Gibson SG Fender Stratocaster Epiphone Texane Fender Stratocaster (Gretsch Hollow Body) Hofner 500/1 Gibson J160E (Burns Nu Sonic Bass) Sitar, tambura etc Sgt. Pappers Lonely Hearts Club Band Epiphone Casino Rickenbacker 4001 Fender Stratocaster Gibson J160E Fender Telecaster Epiphone Casino Gibson J160E Gretsch Tennesian Rickenbacker 360/12 Sitar, Swaramandal, Tambura etc Magical Mystery Tour Epiphone Casino Rickenbacker 4001 Fender Stratocaster Gibson J160E Epiphone Casino Martin D28 Gibson J160E (Vox Custom) Sitar The Beatles (White Album) , Yellow Submarine Epiphone Casino Rickenbacker 4001 Fender Stratocaster Gibson J160E Fender Telecaster Gibson Les Paul Martin D28 Martin D28 Gibson SG Fender Bass VI Epiphone Casino Gibson J200 Fender Jazz Bass Fender Jazz Base Gibson J160E Gibson J200 Fender Bass VI Let It Be (Get Back) Epiphone Casino Hofner 500/1 Fender Telecaster Gibson J160E Martin D28 Gibson Les Paul Martin D28 (Rickenbacker 4001) Fender Bass VI Fender Bass VI Gibson J200 Hawaiian Steel Gibson J200 Abbey Road Epiphone Casino Rickenbacker 4001 Gibson Les Paul Gibson J160E Fender Jazz Bass Fender Telecaster Martin D28 Epiphone Casino Gibson J200 Fender Bass VI Martin D28 Fender Jazz Bass Gibson J200
Casino4Life Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Thats why I love this forum. Great info!
EpiphoneFan1989 Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 Thats why I love this forum. Great info! 100% agree!
Casino4Life Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Id really like to get my hands on a Fender Dual Showman to top it off. Did Lennon also play the lead on "Day Tripper"
Casino4Life Posted January 2, 2012 Author Posted January 2, 2012 Taxman- What kind of flatwounds do you use? Ive been using Dadario EXL120
clarkuss Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Totally agree about the strat. Best guitar for that era. Taxman, Nowhere Man etc... I play through an AC-30 but use the tonelab's fender style amp model and a bit of compression for that stuff. Played on my Casino normally. I wouldn't use flatwounds for any of that 66 material. Too dead sounding. Great for the 63 and some 64 era songs. I use flats on my black and gold 325 replica and compressed rounds on my black and white 325. Don't use flats on the J-160e just because it's not versatile enough for a 2 hour show.
Casino4Life Posted January 4, 2012 Author Posted January 4, 2012 Since I asked this question I have had my Strat ready to go next to my Casino. It really is a great guitar, not to crazy about the floating bridge, just have to get used to it I suppose. While I am here, would chaning out the electronics (wires, pots, swtich) to American grade parts on the Casino be worth it? Does it really make that much of a tone difference? Looking forward to great answers
Aster1 Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 I just sold my MIC Standard Casino (it was about as flawless of an import as I've had) and I really liked the way it played & sounded. I had replaced it with an Elitist Casino and love it bunches. I realize the Elitist is MIJ but I consider that to be more the MI America quality vs. China or even Korea. I will say they did sound different from each other. The Standard was a big more gain maybe and a little "brighter" sounding maybe to me anyway. I just wanted a Casino made the best I could get and did get that with the Elitist. Fit & finish was fantastic. Like the orchid color case fur too. I don't know that you really need to change anything on your standard, but again, that just IMHO. That is unless you don't have a Great playing/sounding version. Aster
Casino4Life Posted January 4, 2012 Author Posted January 4, 2012 Im still trying to find a set of strings that I like. Ive been using like I mentioned before Dadario EXl120 but just put a set of Ernie Ball Regulars on there and they made the guitar jump to life!
taxman Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Taxman- What kind of flatwounds do you use? Ive been using Dadario EXL120 On my Casino I have the D'Addario Chromes ECG23 (.10 - .48). I put those on temporarily until I got some other brands, but happy surprise they sound and play great on that guitar. I've kept them on for a while. I love that guitar with those flatwounds. I wouldn't use flatwounds for any of that 66 material. Too dead sounding. Great for the 63 and some 64 era songs. I'm not sure about that. That guitar riff on "Day Tripper" (late '65) calls out for flatwounds and then you get something later like "Strawberry Fields" which also sounds far better when played with flatwounds on a Casino. I know the guitar is buried in that song, but on the bootlegs you can hear versions with John on just his electric, and a Casino with flatwounds nails that tone perfectly.
clarkuss Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 On my Casino I have the D'Addario Chromes ECG23 (.10 - .48). I put those on temporarily until I got some other brands, but happy surprise they sound and play great on that guitar. I've kept them on for a while. I love that guitar with those flatwounds. I'm not sure about that. That guitar riff on "Day Tripper" (late '65) calls out for flatwounds and then you get something later like "Strawberry Fields" which also sounds far better when played with flatwounds on a Casino. I know the guitar is buried in that song, but on the bootlegs you can hear versions with John on just his electric, and a Casino with flatwounds nails that tone perfectly. Very fair point but if I had to choose one set of strings for my guitars (i.e not practical to put on flats for one song) I would also choose rounds for my Casinos. Likewise with the Gent. Generally sounds best to my ears with rounds even if sometimes you wish you could own one always strung with flats as well...
Gunner Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 Flatwound vs roundwound is a real tonal difference, unlike the differences too often attributed to different brands of the same string type. It's not "day and night", but it's there. Some of the Beatles tones, like the opening riff on Day Tripper, demonstrate the woody tone of flats quite nicely, and it seems that P90s and flats somehow complement one another. Do you guys know what guitar the opening riff to Day Tripper was played on? Casino or Gent? Sounds Gent to me but I don't own one to compare. I just love that tone.
Casino4Life Posted January 4, 2012 Author Posted January 4, 2012 Gunner- Since it was in '65 one has to believe it was on Harrison's Gretsch Tennessean, the Casino came along in '66 or on his Gibson ES-345 that he had at the time
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