Deep Dive into Adam Jones's Tones

[DrewJD82]

Drew talking about the 51513 but I'd much rather drag an FM9, power amp and cab(s) and use those amp models than use a real 5153 for it. Speaking of ducking

My FM9 board, especially if it’s in the case, is so much heavier and bulkier than the tiny ass 5153 head

 

[JiveTurkey]

My FM9 board, especially if it’s in the case, is so much heavier and bulkier than the tiny ass 5153 head

It's not the weight so much as the 5153 sound. Though if you were using it as a power amp; a 6l6 and a el34 5153 50 watter for a stereo rig would KILL

 

[DrewJD82]

It's not the weight so much as the 5153 sound. Though if you were using it as a power amp; a 6l6 and a el34 5153 50 watter for a stereo rig would KILL

Yeah, I’m not really sure how I’d dial that thing in, but it likely wouldn’t be in a way one would normally dial in a 5153. Hahahah I need to plug that amp in soon, I’m starting to dislike it even though I have zero reason to and I loved it when I used it at those band practices. I think the 5153 is just taking on a ‘generic metal amp’ state in my mind.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Yeah, I’m not really sure how I’d dial that thing in, but it likely wouldn’t be in a way one would normally dial in a 5153. Hahahah I need to plug that amp in soon, I’m starting to dislike it even though I have zero reason to and I loved it when I used it at those band practices. I think the 5153 is just taking on a ‘generic metal amp’ state in my mind.

The 5153 is such a weird amp. When you play it; it's a blast generally speaking. When you don't play it; it for me it sits at the top of generic tone mountain. Not that a Rectifier, a Mark, or an OG 5150 are anything unobtanium or magical beyond the workhorses they are? Maybe it's because the 50 watters for me are ALL ABOUT the form and features and the fact that they sound good is a secondary bonus? You could definitely get something good sounding out of them; even if it's not "traditional" AJ tone.

 

[deadpool_25]

5153 50w heads make GREAT power amps for the Fractal stuff (and probably other modelers I’d guess as well).

If I was in this situation, I’d probably go for the VH4 Silver 3 model into the 5153 power amp. And I’d get that BB535 reissue wah.

And fwiw, the Epiphone AJ LP is pretty killer. I ordered mine from SW and got it plek’d. Love it.

 

[DrewJD82]

5153 50w heads make GREAT power amps for the Fractal stuff (and probably other modelers I’d guess as well).

If I was in this situation, I’d probably go for the VH4 Silver 3 model into the 5153 power amp. And I’d get that BB535 reissue wah.

And fwiw, the Epiphone AJ LP is pretty killer. I ordered mine from SW and got it plek’d. Love it.

Yeah, I’m definitely going to give it a shot.

For some reason it wasn’t apparent to me that using my 5153 and the Fryette as power amps is the exact amount of gear as using my Plexi50 and the Fryette. Though I’ll be adding a 2ndcab for the dual-amp rig.

It’s going to have to be a pretty compelling tone, though; what I’m already getting with the Plexi50/Hot Mod is a good mix of his modern and older tones. Though I’d imagine I’m putting a good amount of wear on that Plexi50, it’s almost dimed with that Hot Mod engaged, I dunno if that cooks things up any more but I’d imagine it does.

We’ll see. I’m enjoying the process so far, I’m enough of a fan I want to nail as much of the tone as I can but not fanatical enough to start buying special gear to do so, I’ll save that for if this project takes off in any way.

I’m not opposed to the Epi model, I’ve played a couple that were worth it, but man I don’t like those frets!!! I’m not sure I’d be able to get past them and I’ve gone down this line of thought before, it has me debating getting an Edwards LPC refinished by MJT or an Epi refretted and I’d likely go with the Edwards as I can get a nitro finish.

 

[2dor]

I’m not opposed to the Epi model, I’ve played a couple that were worth it, but man I don’t like those frets!!! I’m not sure I’d be able to get past them and I’ve gone down this line of thought before, it has me debating getting an Edwards LPC refinished by MJT or an Epi refretted and I’d likely go with the Edwards as I can get a nitro finish.

The 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone seems pretty cool & most people who've tried it give it praise. It also has the Gibson open-book headstock, a maple neck + volute which should considerably reduce the risk of the infamous LP headstock snaps.
I was really considering grabbing one a while back.

 

[deadpool_25]

The 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone seems pretty cool & most people who've tried it give it praise. It also has the Gibson open-book headstock, a maple neck + volute which should considerably reduce the risk of the infamous LP headstock snaps.
I was really considering grabbing one a while back.

I love mine. I ordered from SW and had them plek it. My friend keeps saying, “if you ever decide to sell this thing…” I’m like, “nope!”

I’m supposed to learn a few Tool songs for a jam session. I could use a normal pedalboard in front of my Badlander 25. I have a BF-2 and a DD-3 and I ordered that BB535 reissue which should be here soon. Or maybe I’ll just slap a preset together on the QCM as that “board” is already built.

 

[deadpool_25]

I remember seeing this video years ago. He seems to cop the vibe pretty well with gear that’s pretty far off most of the benchmarks. I guess he is using a Les Paul bit outside of that…



Dunno how much tone in that video is him and how much is Adam though now that I think about it.

 

[TSJMajesty]

I remember seeing this video years ago. He seems to cop the vibe pretty well with gear that’s pretty far off most of the benchmarks. I guess he is using a Les Paul bit outside of that…



Dunno how much tone in that video is him and how much is Adam though now that I think about it.

May as well just play the original recording if you don't remove the guitars.

 

[deadpool_25]

May as well just play the original recording if you don't remove the guitars.

True. Although in fairness Moises and such wasn’t around back then that I know of? Probably tougher back then? Still though, yeah.

 

[DrewJD82]

The 1979 Adam Jones Epiphone seems pretty cool & most people who've tried it give it praise. It also has the Gibson open-book headstock, a maple neck + volute which should considerably reduce the risk of the infamous LP headstock snaps.
I was really considering grabbing one a while back.

Yeah, that’s the most recent one I’ve played, without the artwork on the back. I’ve played 9-10 of them now that they started showing up in stores after that initial “Gotta collect ‘em all!” phase. If the frets were med/jumbo and I had ample of them to try out first it wouldn’t be as much of a thought, but they were quite hit or miss and a lot of those fingerboards were so dry they would make that scratchy/squeaky sound when bending.

Epi’s got an overall QC upgrade in the last couple years, I tried a shitload in 2025 (20-30) at the 3 different GC’s I have close by, I’m definitely not needing to have Gibson on the headstock, but across all of those I didn’t find one that punched anywhere close to the Edwards by way of fit, finish and overall QC. Kinda the difference between an Ibanez Prestige and an Ibanez Premium; the shapes might be the same but the finer details REALLY come into play with final finishing stuff.

 

[DrewJD82]

I have a BIG hunch this Tool tribute is gonna be more about tools…..

Sparing the whole story, I’m getting Cable Guy vibes from the dude putting it together and he’s already dismissing the drummer for reasons unbeknownst to me but seems to require having my loyalty spoken to him verbally….a lot.

Fuckin’ musicians, man. Weird fuckin’ people.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Fuckin’ musicians, man. Weird fuckin’ people.

A band is like being married..., x4.