Dialing out the bark. 🐶

[HomespunEffects]

I like my Marshalls, always have. However, I’ve been using other amps that are considered higher headroom and there’s just something I don’t like. It’s that abrupt and harsh bark they have when you hit the strings. My Marshalls don’t have this issue using their clean channel. They are smoother.

Today, I put my 10-band in the effects loop of my Triamp 2 set on 1A which is supposed to be like a Twin Reverb. I did my best to dial out the harshness and came up with this:

250 and 2000 Hz seems to be the part I hate.

The problem is, I don’t know what this tells me and I’m not sure that i like these settings with amps that compress a bit. So it’s pretty much amp specific.

Maybe I wasted some time here because I could just put a compressor in front to smooth out the harshness. I could also just admit that I’m a Marshall guy and quit trying to make other amps be what they’re not.


What do you do to smooth out a harsh amp?

 

[la szum]

Easy. Don't own harsh amps.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Easy. Don't own harsh amps.

Sometimes you gotta use the provided backline which is 95% of the time a Hot Dog Deluxe.

I’m thinking that I like a compressor more than an EQ for this purpose.

 

[norminal]

Just do what EJ does and turn the treble down to zero.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Just do what EJ does and turn the treble down to zero.

sounds like cows in the distance.

 

[sleewell]

Adding pedals for clean is tough. Are they always on then or do you switch them off to get to your dirty sound?

 

[Byrdman]

What do you do to smooth out a harsh amp?

Stick with Marshall

 

[FuzzyAce]

I like my Marshalls, always have. However, I’ve been using other amps that are considered higher headroom and there’s just something I don’t like. It’s that abrupt and harsh bark they have when you hit the strings. My Marshalls don’t have this issue using their clean channel. They are smoother.

Today, I put my 10-band in the effects loop of my Triamp 2 set on 1A which is supposed to be like a Twin Reverb. I did my best to dial out the harshness and came up with this:
View attachment 40191

250 and 2000 Hz seems to be the part I hate.

The problem is, I don’t know what this tells me and I’m not sure that i like these settings with amps that compress a bit. So it’s pretty much amp specific.

Maybe I wasted some time here because I could just put a compressor in front to smooth out the harshness. I could also just admit that I’m a Marshall guy and quit trying to make other amps be what they’re not.


What do you do to smooth out a harsh amp?

If it's similar to a Twin Reverb then it could definitely be a bit abrupt, peaky, and unforgiving to a point. I like to run the mids up high, start bass at zero and just nudge up til you start to feel something, treble to taste depending on the bright switch being on or off. An eq pedal can help, or a little compression to soften things up. Speakers matter a lot too.

 

[newpedals]

I like my Marshalls, always have. However, I’ve been using other amps that are considered higher headroom and there’s just something I don’t like. It’s that abrupt and harsh bark they have when you hit the strings. My Marshalls don’t have this issue using their clean channel. They are smoother.

Today, I put my 10-band in the effects loop of my Triamp 2 set on 1A which is supposed to be like a Twin Reverb. I did my best to dial out the harshness and came up with this:
View attachment 40191

250 and 2000 Hz seems to be the part I hate.

The problem is, I don’t know what this tells me and I’m not sure that i like these settings with amps that compress a bit. So it’s pretty much amp specific.

Maybe I wasted some time here because I could just put a compressor in front to smooth out the harshness. I could also just admit that I’m a Marshall guy and quit trying to make other amps be what they’re not.


What do you do to smooth out a harsh amp?

You will have to wear sunglasses even in the evening. Those are some really bright LEDs. I thought an UFO had landed near your pedalboard.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

You will have to wear sunglasses even in the evening. Those are some really bright LEDs. I thought an UFO had landed near your pedalboard.

tone is in the bling

 

[Desertdweller]

The harsh bark of a Marshall is why I like the sound of a Marshall though.

 

[2dor]

The harsh bark of a Marshall is why I like the sound of a Marshall though.

Same here!

 

[HomespunEffects]

The harsh bark of a Marshall is why I like the sound of a Marshall though.

You’re talking about something else though.

 

[Eagle]

Marshalls live are some of the best tones out there. Often the bit that makes them brash is the reason they work so well in a mix.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Marshalls live are some of the best tones out there. Often the bit that makes them brash is the reason they work so well in a mix.

I don’t disagree but I’m talking about a different thing.

 

[Stone]

 

[laxu]

What do you do to smooth out a harsh amp?

In no particular order, just things to try.

• Guitar tone knob
• More gain -> less bright cap effect. Roll back guitar volume.
• Different speakers.
• Beam blocker on the speakers.
• Less treble or presence.
• More bass or mids.
• Compressor to reduce spikiness.
• Boost to give some oomph to the mids without making it overdriven.
• Power scaling or half power modes to narrow down the dynamic range.

It's a pretty high headroom amp, so maybe try half power mode, with gain higher and guitar volume/tone rolled back.

What cab/speakers are you using with it?

 

[Rock Chalk]

The problem is, I don’t know what this tells me

As guitar players, isn't that what we do.....turn the knobs till we like what we hear?

Seems you moved the sliders till you liked what you heard......how can that be wrong?

 

[HomespunEffects]

In no particular order, just things to try.

• Guitar tone knob
• More gain -> less bright cap effect. Roll back guitar volume.
• Different speakers.
• Beam blocker on the speakers.
• Less treble or presence.
• More bass or mids.
• Compressor to reduce spikiness.
• Boost to give some oomph to the mids without making it overdriven.
• Power scaling or half power modes to narrow down the dynamic range.

It's a pretty high headroom amp, so maybe try half power mode, with gain higher and guitar volume/tone rolled back.

What cab/speakers are you using with it?

Well, the issue seems to be the Mids and cutting them pulls it out. I’ll do a video next time I’m home. Thanks.

The speakers are Vintage 30s, G12-75T and G12-K85.

With a high output pickup this bark effect is lessened. I’m thinking that I just don’t like headroom.

 

[HomespunEffects]

As guitar players, isn't that what we do.....turn the knobs till we like what we hear?

Seems you moved the sliders till you liked what you heard......how can that be wrong?

Actually, I don’t like the tone like this, I was just pulling out the very annoying attack. I’ll get a decent recording of it and try to show what i mean.