Guitar Tone & Amps

Here's the debut installment of Brewster's Millions of Rants with a rant-jam pinpointing one of the most common comments/messages I've received at Late Night Lessons - "What amp are you using?" and/or "Please talk about tone/effects."
This episode reveals the main amp I've used for creating all of the LNL content (so far) and a basic approach to my tone settings while using a modest amplifier. This episode also targets discussion based around the lost art of manipulating the pickup selector and volume/tone settings on your guitar to achieve different tones and sounds.
In my opinion, you should start with the tone options you have built-in to your guitar before you start twisting knobs on your amp or turning on a pedalboard full of altered tones and effects.
As with almost anything in life = less really is more.
The harshest tonal reality is that great guitar tone comes from your hands and not your gear. Period.
Give the first episode of this new series a view, leave some comments and feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
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[@joerobinson2538]

I want to follow up by saying that your Behringer combo through the GoPro mic sounds better than the majority of guitarists on channels playing through Kemper/Axe FX/Helix through their DAW! Incredible!

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you!!! : )

[@wlaycook]

Agreed. There’s something about the “in the room” sound that I always thought sounded better for these types of videos anyways, especially when it’s a good player. 90% of the Helix/Kemper etc videos have guys playing with WAY too much fizzy gain (and this is coming from somebody who loves metal/hard rock...).

[@midiman5045]

David no offense but you should state that you upgraded your pickups in that strat also. The Pick ups also effect how good your amp will do. I really enjoy your channel and thanks for all you share.

[@Mruppertrinity]

More excellent content. Keep it coming, this is now my favourite KZbin guitar channel. I’ve been playing for almost 50 years and now seem to sound the same whatever I play. It took many years and a lot of playing to get to the point where I just felt comfortable doing my thing and not really bothering about pesky details like amp settings! Not what younger players would want to hear but certainly the truth for those less talented of us who really need to slog to get to a decent level. Well worth it though. Greetings from the UK anyway!

[@LateNightLessons]

Thanks so much for watching and for this comment too! : ) Keep picking away and stay tuned for more lessons and material!

[@DC11music]

Awesome! I have used the VAMP 2 with a EHX 44 magnum power amp and 4 x 12 cab playing gigs. It sounded great.

[@LateNightLessons]

These older Behringer amps were cheaply made, but they really do sound great. I've had this amp since it was brand new and the tone grabbed me from the first day I plugged into one and tried it. What was supposed to be a "teaching amp" became something that I used when I didn't feel like bringing out a bigger rig, and now I find myself plugging into it when I'm in my studio room just playing around and recording/shooting video. For what it is, it's GREAT! : )

[@Artielane]

Great, honest, down-to-Earth explanation. My tone is terrible, but the key lesson here is that I can't buy my way to a good sound. My wallet thanks you!

[@lanceross3633]

The best advice you can give players. People take for granted volume rollback&tone. Don't know why most players don't already know this. My first teacher was a master at this. He could make any amp sound amazing. He had a Gibson Les Paul Custom and could get 300 tones from different volume&tone knob settings. Blew my mind. Much like you do with your tone David. He almost never had full volume on the bridge pickup and could sound like 100 different artists and tones. Yep,tone is in the hands. Like you said Rack rig,Marshall stack it doesn't matter once you accomplish that feel.

[@LateNightLessons]

This is so true and so many folks out there seem to "listen with their eyes." I've had people at a gig run up to ask what I'm playing through on a set break. When I point to this amp or another in my collection they always looked confused like I'm trying to trick them. "No, what are you REALLY using?" : ) haha It really is in the hands and how you manipulate the knobs and switches. If you can't get a different tone or sound without stepping on a pedal and adjusting the amp - then you're missing something HUGE and important (IMO). Thanks again and rock on!

[@gooberthoreau]

A big lesson from this too is the impact that using your ears and not your eyes or money to get a tone and also just how much a mic and placement makes. Everyone should know that already, but I have been in a band where the other guitar player kept swapping amps and cabs, but insisted on the same mic placement each time when I begged him to try moving the mic or the changing it. He was using his eyes and what he heard was "right" versus his ears.

[@richb6291]

Fantastic insight into the mojo of your tone David - true words indeed.Love the title too . Nice one .

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you so much Richard! : ) \m/ ROCK AND ROLL \m/

[@sidvicioux]

the amp is hilarious! i commented last night on another vid about how salty your les paul tone is! i have a bruno underground setting besid me, and you're killing it with a never-was!! perfect!!

[@mikeivey8471]

I've completely enjoyed my V-amp pod & the V-amp Pro through the years !! They have given me the best sound that I've ever been able to achieve !! Behringer has great gear at an affordable price point !! Great video !!

[@hrosemd]

Just picked up the 2X10 version on ebay for $150. Looking forward to trying it out. 2B here I come.

[@danielserafini8463]

Me too

[@recordheatstudios4601]

it's so simple just goes to show the tone is in your hands brother love your show

[@carlosgalindo9949]

Do you have any lessons in legato licks anywhere? Your legato is amazing...

[@joerobinson2538]

Thanks so much Dave for finally doing this! I’ve always been a fan of modeling amps! Your Vampire kicks ass! I own an EVH 5153 50w el34 head but I usually play through a Line6 PODHD500X (got cheap -used on Reverb) through a brick sized power amp (ISP) into a cheap 2x12- love the versatility and array of effects. I had one of the first line6 Flextone combos years ago--I agree- I feel I sound the same through most any rig. Ps-I had a rack back in the day with an ADA MP1 also (because I seen Paul Gilbert and Vito Bratta had one!). Tone is definitely in the hands mostly! (‘I wouldn’t want to be stuck at a gig playing through a pignose!) - I have a Blackstar ID core 40 that I use for practice that I am floored by also-speaking of Vito-How bout a Vito episode? That would be awesome!

[@LateNightLessons]

That's great to hear (and to literally "hear") and I'll totally put something together for Vito - he was such a beast and he's still sorely missed on the scene all these years later. Rock on and thanks for watching & the comment! Stay tuned buddy! : )

[@nomaddawhat7643]

I'm playing a katana right now & trying to get some good tones dialed in, but prior to that, I was running my hd500x into the power amp in on my Peavey Transtube Supreme head with the T dynamics and resonance turned up into a 212 cabinet I built and it just sounds amazing. A group of us got together to jam one day and the other guitar player couldn't believe it was all digital and solid state. Very warm and organic sounding. So I bought a second head and another hd500x. But it is easier to just grab the Katana, so I'm hoping I can build the patches I want with it.

[@lornesguitarcompany6504]

Shows the truth of tone... a great player with Line 6 or Berhinger will always sound better than a crappy player with a Marshall Plexi and a high-end guitar.

[@LateNightLessons]

That's VERY true! Thanks for watching and the comment too! : )

[@chriscoghill6386]

ll@ 8:10 I wish you would give a video on how you do that barr little finger legato thing that your doing

[@johndavies4317]

David, this vid is great, I like tone and sound, as I get older I'm not in to that high gain 80s hair metal sound, well playing it. I love a good old thin lizzy Garry Moore sound. And you proved it, Behringer amp, gives a great sound. I was after the Pro, can't find one any where. I play Blackstar TVP.......thanks.

[@guitardude1981]

Great sound! It's all in the hands! I have a boss katana too. But it takes some tweaking to get rid of the low end and especially the fizz with low and high pass eq cuts.

[@CornCake03]

New subscriber here. Love everything you're doing here and I found myself wondering what that strange amp you're using was. Now I know! Great sound, great playing, and great lessons. Thank you!

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you so much! I have some other amp options around and in storage, but this silly old Behringer still gets a decent sound. Thanks for watching! : )

[@robbievalentine8239]

Another great video. Unfortunately I bought an eleven rack this week for a good deal, but you almost pushed me to get a v-amp rack!

[@jimwinters3986]

I've been using the Behringer VAmp for years. Marshall Harrison uses one also, for his streams.

[@davidrapant6398]

That amp sounds great. It reminds me of this old Crate combo amp I had that just had this one setting that sounded crazy good, but practically any other setting just took away from it so I always had it set the same. I put tape markers where to set it and that was it. About the only thing you could play with was the amount of reverb. I used to use a boost pedal to Jack up the volume for leads.

[@Swanlord05]

David can you do a lesson on pinky dexterity..... I really think that is Key to being a good guitarist

[@Craig_Fussell]

Great video man! Love your channel! I guess I’ve always thought of it this way....there is a difference between tone and sound. To me, “tones” come out of the instrument/amp/effects etc. (clean, distorted, reverb, etc.). And “sounds” come from the person playing, i.e. what we hear when Jimi Hendrix, EVH, Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Brad Paisley and on and on play, regardless of the rig they’re using. They have a “sound” that always sounds like themselves and it’s recognizable. ✌🏻🎸🎶

[@Mudder1310]

The talk about the amp is hilarious because it’s the same at my house. I have a Mesa Electrodyne and Peavy ultra. What do I play through the most? Epiphone valve jr with a rat pedal. Lol

[@sixstringswl]

Man!!!! I bought that amp for son on his birthday.

[@RonRuminski]

I had thought it was a peavey viper when I saw the dial in other videos. Never heard of this one. Cool Thanks for the video and reminder of how little you need to make music.

[@wolfgangcordsen3430]

I ordered the "Guitar Tones & Effects" book through Amazon today. I saw that you have a book also for viola called Essential String Elements"...? Is that you? And you could maybe do a lesson on the "Harmonics" book you have with Hal Leonard...? what do u say

[@glguitarman]

Your tone is great, I am sure it doesn't matter what gear you're playing through. Nice video.

[@jcm-ls5gs]

I have always wanted to know what amp you were using. I Never would have guessed Behringer, from the little bit of the top of the amp you can see in most of the videos I thought it was a Line 6. Truly impressive.

[@samright4661]

I had a Small Vamp Amp years ago it was pretty good

[@stevemora7845]

Great playing! 🔥

[@paulhicks3595]

Wise words and an excellent perspective.

[@Scottocaster6668]

Nice! On my metal tone, I was going nuts trying to get that "Blow My Fuse" intro tone, (Which I think is the best raw guitar tone ever) I thought about it, rolled my volume back to around 3 on my Wolfgang, and WHALLAH! there it was. Well, pretty darn close to it. The volume has a lot to do with it for sure, for what I was going for. **DAVE** I have something you might be interested in. Noticed the pin collection... I have a rare '84 red stripe Frankenstrat pin I've had since then. Would be a nice addition to your collection. I need to pay it forward somehow to you for all you have done for us minions. Respond if you like, so we could talk 😉👍.

[@nomaddawhat7643]

Have you built, or would you build, a Katana patch that mimics the Behringer? The setting you use is the same as I like and that would be really helpful. Love your channel. Been playing guitar for about 43 years and trying to get my chops back and improve my playing. Thanks for all your videos. Update - just ordered behringer vampire from Guitar Center. Hope I can use it to make a patch for the Katana.

[@christiantaylor4027]

that's so cool Dave. i mentioned once before that i loved you not wanting to buy the gear everybody else was using. learn how to play.that's important. if you can't sound real good on some ordinary gear you got something to work on. great gear is nice i would imagine. but guitars and amps can't be magic without you being a magician. you might sound more like you on some oddball gear any way! great share Dave. really important i think. Rock on! bye for now

[@deHelli]

Great Video! I love it.!

[@karamiekos]

Love the channel! New Sub here and digging that strat that seems to be your number 1. What pickups you have in it?

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you! They're all Seymour Duncan - JB hum (bridge), reverse-wound (middle), and a Cool Rails (neck). They're really balanced and seem to be a good match volume/output-wise. Thanks for watching and take care! : )

[@neutronstar7803]

fantastic lesson (as usual)... I can guarantee you that the main reason your behringer amp sounds great is because your hands (and not mine) are on the fretboard :;).

[@LateNightLessons]

: ) Thank you for this message and for watching too! Take care and stay tuned for more lessons and content! Thanks!

[@timothyholmes4588]

tones in the hands .i think you'd sound great through just about anything David.

[@AMSOfficial79]

I have always said that if you have or develop that 'mojo', you can find a pleasing tone on any amp... this drives that home. Gear snobs, BEWARE!

[@tlister67]

There are lots of old Peaveys and fender solid state amps out there for less than $100. They can sound great in the right hands.

[@voltagedrop6098]

David, what would be your second choice for an amp that is currently available? I really like that sound of your amp however these amps are very hard to find.

[@LateNightLessons]

No worries - they are hard to find! I really like those Boss Katana amps and I picked up the 50 watt model last fall. They're really packed with good features/tone and have an online editor so you can tweak/edit and download new sounds/patches endlessly. I've heard they've released a new updated version, but if you hurry you can probably find the older model (which is great) at a hefty discount before the new models arrive. Good luck! : )

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

that behringer looks very very similar in style to a Peavey vypyr 100 also

[@flmason]

Just curious, what is the name of the "2B" setting? Is it same as the 2B in the V-AMP2 recording device? Would it be the "Ain't Talkin 'Bout" patch (I.e. the EVH patch?)

[@michaelmattson3515]

I just thought of that on your last episode.

[@evanspotvin5519]

Thanks again. You have great tone, I agree with the others.

[@chriscoghill6386]

Do you know if the vampire with 2 10's sounds as good

[@300jet]

Loved this!!

[@LateNightLessons]

Thank you!!! : )

[@vorpalblades]

Been playing the V-ampire pedal for 15 years. Pedal just broke...bummer.

[@nathancloud6344]

The majority of the players tone comes from their hands. Id love to hear and see some Katana 50 settings. ")

[@christianneumann7608]

Yes, that's the truth you are telling and your fingers are doing great.

[@christianneumann7608]

Hi Dave, in the meantime I followed your advice and bought me the Behringer V-ampire 1x12. I checked a lot of different sounds and this amps has a big offer. Finally I came to your 2B, a very good choice, even when I have different guittars. As you said, I also had different Marshalls in the past, but for practice the big noice is not needed and also the pedals not. Thank you very much for your kind advices. It is my pleasure to be your student. Best regards from Germany, Christian

[@bcancun123]

I recently bought a Vamp2 for 50 bucks lol works great!

[@A10011]

What a great player.

[@chrismaestas6395]

THANK YOU THANK YOU

[@BigBlackBe4r]

2B or not 2B

[@pickleyone4629]

GREAT TONE for a single 12" speaker

[@seanfolk7133]

Come on man, don't disrespect the tone pins, that's where all the bottom end comes from 😂😂😂

[@Scottocaster6668]

Ahh, I like that 👍

[@thedude-jb7wx]

Ive been playing for 30 years and i know when someone has a weakness David has not one. Hes like Vai mixed with BB King. If i came up with the best piece of music ever i would hire David to play it. Why do i know this guy never puts down his guitar. Girls bars means nothing and i kno0w the feeling but im not this good. Im just a Gilmour type.

[@williamstevensimpson2214]

thx bud im going to burn my marshall lol and take up knitting !!!!!!!!

[@chrismaestas6395]

COOL

[@barano9729]

I’ll stick to three full stacks because the people in the front row want it.

[@LateNightLessons]

"What? I can't hear you..." : ) lmao

[@thedude-jb7wx]

Im sorry but that amps sounds amazing cause of you lol. That amp would commit suicide if you sold it lol.

[@GPLP335]

Another great video...thanks man, very much appreciate it!