Guitar Gear/Rig

[Spectrum]

METAL DISCUSSION ONLY. Refrain from posting gear related to jazz-playing, for example.

Which guitars do you prefer? Which amps? Pickups? Etc.

Also, what are your thoughts on the 6505 1x12 combo? For the price, it seems to be a steal. Just replace the speaker with an Eminence Legend, and you have a metal beast.

[lord.aspie]

In my experience, the quality of the actual strings is significantly more important then what model of guitar or amp you are using. I try to go for the thickest gauge possible and usually change my strings every 2 weeks or so. I haven't tried out many brands, but I usually get a terrible "friction" and sound from Ernie Ball Slinky strings (the brand with the eagle and yellow packaging). Right now im using Dean Markley's and getting an excellent sound from them.

[Spectrum]

Right now im using Dean Markley's and getting an excellent sound from them.

Blue Steel? I hear they kick ass. I have yet to try some though.

[lord.aspie]

Right now im using Dean Markley's and getting an excellent sound from them.

Blue Steel? I hear they kick ass. I have yet to try some though.

"Jazz Nickel Steel Electric Guitar Strings" - fantastic, extremely bright sound. I haven't tried Blue Steel either, i'll keep an eye out next time I need to go on a string haul.

[Spectrum]

"Jazz Nickel Steel Electric Guitar Strings"

I'll check those out. Do you have any preference towards certain types of pickups?

[Heydrich]

This has been hashed-out here innumerable times, as one might imagine. It all comes down to what sound YOU are looking for/prefer, what guitar feels right for you, what amp/speaker combo works for recording, for live performance, etc. In other words, the variables are manifold, and tastes differ from player to player.

For myself, I still prefer what I call a "classic" thrash/speed metal guitar tone(think early Metallica, Possessed, Pestilence, Asphyx, Morpheus Descends, etc.) with heavily saturated distortion(Boogie-Rectifier tone/Celestion V30speakers) or similar. EMG active pick-ups do agreat job there, I like GHS "Boomer" strings - guitars are less critical if you ask me, so long as it stays in tune and fist you well.    

Oh, and I imagine the 6505 Peavey combo is excellent as all in that line are. They usually possess monstrous gain potential and sound gigantic...just how I prefer it for Death Metal particularly.

[Spectrum]

This has been hashed-out here innumerable times, as one might imagine.

I know, but this is something that can be discussed more frequently, as site traffic perpetuates.

For myself, I still prefer what I call a "classic" thrash/speed metal guitar tone(think early Metallica, Possessed, Pestilence, Asphyx, Morpheus Descends, etc.) with heavily saturated distortion(Boogie-Rectifier tone/Celestion V30speakers) or similar.

I concur. However, I am looking to get something that can be played in a dorm. I am pretty sure that the 6505 1x12 is fine when volume is turned to 1 or 2. From my experience, a dual-rectifier isn't going to work due to the volume. What do you think?

[Heydrich]

This has been hashed-out here innumerable times, as one might imagine.

I know, but this is something that can be discussed more frequently, as site traffic perpetuates.

For myself, I still prefer what I call a "classic" thrash/speed metal guitar tone(think early Metallica, Possessed, Pestilence, Asphyx, Morpheus Descends, etc.) with heavily saturated distortion(Boogie-Rectifier tone/Celestion V30speakers) or similar.

I concur. However, I am looking to get something that can be played in a dorm. I am pretty sure that the 6505 1x12 is fine when volume is turned to 1 or 2. From my experience, a dual-rectifier isn't going to work due to the volume. What do you think?

So, by dorm I presume you are basically looking for a practice amp, no? I'd say the 6505 is way more amp than you need - and more money too, of course. If it's just for dormroom practice I'd go with a solid-stae or "modeling" amp like those by VOX for instance that are affordable and sound quite good, really. On a side note, I was simply using the Rectifier reference as a tone comparison, not a recommendation - unless you have a ton of cash laying around and need a half-stack, etc!

[nothingnowhere]

...and fist you well.  

[Jim Necroslaughter]

I concur. However, I am looking to get something that can be played in a dorm. I am pretty sure that the 6505 1x12 is fine when volume is turned to 1 or 2. From my experience, a dual-rectifier isn't going to work due to the volume. What do you think?

Unless I'm misunderstanding, couldn't you just buy some headphones to plug into the amp?

[Heydrich]

...and fist you well.  

Oops - well, just the same if you must fist...fist well!!!!

[Spectrum]

I concur. However, I am looking to get something that can be played in a dorm. I am pretty sure that the 6505 1x12 is fine when volume is turned to 1 or 2. From my experience, a dual-rectifier isn't going to work due to the volume. What do you think?

Unless I'm misunderstanding, couldn't you just buy some headphones to plug into the amp?

Yes, but I hate the sound.

[Christ Died of AIDS]

Right now im using Dean Markley's and getting an excellent sound from them.

Blue Steel? I hear they kick ass. I have yet to try some though.

D'addario XL and forget about the rest. They are hands down the best for downtuning.

[Humanicide]

I've found D'addario strings (at least for guitar) to be temperamental. Sometimes I'll have a set of strings which can handle the abuse of my ludicrously fast right hand picking, other times they'll break in a week. But, they're priced reasonably, making them somewhat ideal.

Blue Steel strings are fan-fucking-tastic. For my 5 string bass, I was gifted a set of them and I must say the whole shebang was together. Excellent tone, very comfortable, bright sound, handled different tunings quite well. They're a bit pricey. I've been wanting to try out Jerry Only's bass strings (not sure what they're called).

I currently own a Squier P-bass (my first string instrument), a Yamaha 5 String bass, an Ibanez Gio guitar, and a BC Rich Warlock guitar (which I use for downtuning). 

[Spectrum]

I only downtune one whole step (Obituary) at most. Otherwise, one-half step is sufficient (Deicide, Morbid Angel, Slayer). I don't downtune one of my guitars at all. I suppose that gives me options, as I care more about the vibrance and sound than longevity of strings.