How to sound like Yngwie - Old school tone

[@ShredHeads]

Hey guys, for more cool Yngwie content check out Cesario Filho on KZbin. He has got the best Yngwie content on KZbin in my opinion. He is a beast and I highly recommend checking out his channel. I am rarely impressed on KZbin but he is the real deal when it comes to Yngwie. 👍

[@joshmuz9018]

Yngwie made him delete all his videos where he covered his songs. He's still the best, just doesn't have any covers of malmsteen on the channel anymore

[@ShredHeads]

@@joshmuz9018 that's crazy. Didn't know that happened. There is a lot of bands or labels that block stuff all the time.

[@thomasanderson9202]

@@joshmuz9018 Yngwie can seriously go and F**** himself. Jälva idiot !!! Han kan dra åt helvete !!! Yngwie was probably jealous that Cesario play so much better then Yngwie these days. There are so many others who covers Malmsteens songs that are not deleted. I love some of Yngwie music but he an asshole. Making Cesario delete songs is such a disrespectful asshole thing to do.

[@georgejordan5611]

Filho can improvise for hours and has the best tone coming from him that I've heard yet! Incredible technique and accuracy!

[@jefteoliver]

​@@joshmuz9018 just alcatrazz stuff he's been playing about yngwie

[@ODPTV1]

There are rumours that the Dimarzio Paul Gilbert stracked single coil pickups were actually desinged for Yngwie shortly before he jumped ship to Duncan. I got them over HS-3s because they have a more usable output. They definitely provide Yngwie like tones

[@charlief.]

Of all the guitarists I’ve seen on KZbin, you’re the one who has gotten a tone the closest to Yngwie’s 80’s tone. I appreciate the video. Well done and keep up the good work.

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks man, I appreciate the support. I understand what you mean, there is a lot of Yngwie content on KZbin but very few of it is high quality. I just try my best and try and share some insights with people to help them out if I can.

[@garconuncafecalva5992]

Before his signature pickups, Yngwie used DiMarzio FS1 's (which were not noise cancelling).

[@ShredHeads]

Yes, I have already clarified this in the comments.

[@tydurr759]

He used dimarzio hs1.

[@judaspriestly88]

@@tydurr759 HS-3

[@brianbianchi8028]

He used FS-1s in Sweden. When he came here he started using dimarzios.

[@asherasator]

@@brianbianchi8028 I think the FS-1s were on the Steeler and Alcatrazz album. In a audio recorded1983 GIT students interview of Yngve when he was in Steeler, one of the students had stacked single coils in a Strat Yngve played on was amazed because there was no hum. That was the first time Yngve heard of them and then shortly after that joined Alcatrazz and recorded. I think he started using stacked DiMarzios by the time they were touring.

[@angusorvid8840]

Yngwie used DiMarzio FS-1s in the bridge and neck before switching first to the HS-1, then HS-2, then HS-3, both in the bridge and neck with a stock pickup in the middle. For distortion pedals I've heard of him using DOD, Boss, and miscellaneous brands. He prefers transparent overdrives, not Rat or Mashall in a box pedals. He play his Marshalls very loud and uses the overdrive pedal just to give it a nudge and tighten it up. Beyond that I know he uses a way and a pedal tone system. Otherwise, I don't know what's in his rig. Also, he has always favored very light gauge strings, like 8s. He used Ernie Ball Slinkys for decades. I don't know what string brand he uses now. I heard he got the idea of scalloping from both Blackmore and Uli Roth who were huge influences. I saw Yngwie live in the 80s. He was great.

[@Jamesfoofighter]

He's using Fender Signature Bullets there days. 8 guage apparently

[@jimgillis8522]

@@Jamesfoofighter. 8 to 46 bullet end. Love them

[@jonathanj-g-yyelle6144]

Thanks for the work you put in your video, authentic "early Yngwie" tone! Yngwie's 1972 Blonde "Donald Duck" Stratocaster had one more modification not mentioned. And it is an important one: it was converted from a 3-bolt to a 4-bolt neck joint. Stratocasters had 3-bolt necks from 1971 to 1981.

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks, yeah I think Yngwie mentioned that once in a video.

[@jasonrogers7318]

That is awesome man! It Sounds just like Yngwie's first album. Cheers 🍻

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks man. I appreciate your feedback. 🍻

[@elipse4594]

Small correction, Yngwie used DiMarzio FS-1's before using HS-3's. He switched to FS-1's somewhere in the 70's.

[@ShredHeads]

I have actually found an interview where Yngwie does state this. So you are right about the fs-1. Most of the info I present in my videos is researched speculation or to the best of my knowledge. I just hate when people just state things as facts in the guitar community without citing any credible sources.

[@RollTideRising]

You nailed the sound

[@BlueBanjoGrass]

Perfect

[@austinfailz]

From what I understand, up to and including -- I believe -- Yngwie used G12-65 speakers, which were in Marshall cabs at the time.

[@angusorvid8840]

You are correct that Yngwie would push the Marshall as far as he could then use the pedal to boost it in the right direction. He always went for a fat distortion a la Blackmore. I always thought the tone on Purple's '84 comeback album Perfect Strangers was very much in this tradition. But Blackmore was using either Schecter or Duncan Quarter Pound fat coils, non-stacked, for his very thick strat tones.

[@potstnodognam7858]

You completely nailed that Far Beyond the Sun tone! Especially when you do that fast descending run. I tried a similar setup on my Helix according to your settings (on the DOD250 + Plexi + same EQ) and it doesn't come close at all. Maybe I need a different Cab/IR....

[@ShredHeads]

From my experience the helix modeling is quite a bit different from the axe fxe. I would max out the gain on the Marshall then boost it until you feel it has enough gain and then eq it to your preferences. Playing a single coil guitar preferably a strat is also key to the tone. I would share the IR but I am not sure if I can share it due to copy right. Hope that helps 👍

[@potstnodognam7858]

@@ShredHeads Thanks. Interesting to hear that you found the modelling to be different. Is the IR purchasable somewhere? I wouldn't mind spending a bit of money on a couple of IRs if it would get me close to what you got.

[@ShredHeads]

@@potstnodognam7858 I had a Helix but sold it. I just didn't use it much in favor of the axe fxe. You can check out the OWN Hammer website and consider purchasing one of their IR packs. I am not sponsored by them in any way. I did make a Yngwie Helix video a while back. That video might be helpful.

[@potstnodognam7858]

@@ShredHeads Thanks :)

[@guitarsimon1]

Hi dude, I use a Helix and managed to get a pretty decent sound using the Brit Plexi Bright model with the built in 4x12 1960 T75 cab (it’s the same cab Yngwie uses, though in the early days he probably used greenback/blackbacks). Also for the overdrive in the Helix I’ve found the Minotaur with the stock settings to be really effective, the DOD250 model seems a bit boomy in the Helix for this tone. Also tuning down a half step (or using a pitch shifter) makes a surprisingly big difference. Like he says in the video though, the technique is really what sells it, the big wide vibrato and etc. Hope this helps :)

[@elipse4594]

And at the time of Rising Force (the album) he already used HS-3's. He had them somewhere around his time with Alcatrazz.

[@ronniestoneguitar]

No Parole From Rock 'n' Roll was still recorded with FS-1's I believe but all the live stuff was with HS-3's.

[@angusorvid8840]

Great vid. I discovered in my own experience the glories of running a good pedal through a Marshall when I had a JMP stack in the 80s. I had a '61 strat with DiMarzio HS-2s which sounded great. I preferred them to the HS-3s. I also had a number of guitars with traditional humbuckers. Single coils, stacked or not, react very differently to distortion. With my '61 strat it worked best with a variety of Boss overdrives, not as good with an MXR Distortion Plus. I wanted to boost a thick tone and have smooth overdrive.

[@antoinefleuriot2509]

Pickups were Dimarzio HS3 bridge pickup no mid pickup neck pickup HS4

[@sossella]

great sound!

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks. 👍

[@crocopcloud]

Amazing video. Can you do a video about yngwie tone using some neural dsp plugin?

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks man, I don’t have the neural plug in. I have heard about it. If you are going for the yngwie tone use a Marshall amp sim plug in, boost it with an overdrive and use a Stratocaster type guitar tuned to Eb. That should get you close.

[@SampleSimp]

this is unbelievable, amazing job my dude.

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks, appreciate the comment. 👍

[@ryhmemohdariff6009]

Really good sound. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks 👍

[@yjmsrv]

Couple quick corrections- on Yngwie's early tone he did in fact (and has stated many times in interviews) use the DiMarzio HS-3 pickups- also his cabinets are ALL loaded with Celestion G12T-75 watt speakers- he prefers them to 25 watts or V30's because they stay tight (his words)

[@ShredHeads]

The pick up thing is highly debatable because many people are adamant it was the fs-1. I have an article where Yngwie says early on in his career he was using fs-1. The speaker thing is also debatable because the T-75 didn’t come in Marshall cabs until mid- 1984 or so at the earliest. Much more likely he was using earlier Marshall cabs with different speakers (during recording sessions/ what was used on the record). In this video I am referring to early 1983-84 Yngwie tone. I am well aware that modern Yngwie likes the T-75 and hs-3/4 or Fury pick ups.

[@dm8579]

Yngwie had lots of different strats and they all were configured differently. Some had stock pickups and some had FS-1. He would switch parts between instruments so it makes it very hard to know exactly what was used. The HS-3s came later. @@ShredHeads

[@yjmsrv]

@@ShredHeads Hmm interesting- I would say that for the really early tone it could have been FS-1's - he claims to have invented them for DiMarzio after all- and the T-75 info is new to me- although I looked it up and they didn't come out till 1984 so you're probably correct- he would have more likely had G12M's or G1265's in there at that point. Makes me wonder if those two factors play more into that early tone then I thought- he also seems to have played with much less distortion/gain in the early days- I guess the FS-1's might be worth a try. Your tone at the beginning suggests you're correct as that is really good early Yngwie tone for sure- I think most other people try to get there with way too much gain-

[@mekanikmachine8456]

I love your sound ❤

[@ShredHeads]

👍

[@Deichwerkstatt]

I would love a „rebuild“ of the tone in Paul Gilbert’s Japan live solo

[@ShredHeads]

I can look into it.

[@jin_st8216]

That tone is amazing!! Is the fender equipped with the Yngwie signature pickups with dimarzios or just normal fender pickups?

[@ShredHeads]

Thanks, it’s got the hs-3 dimarzio in the bridge. The other two are stock fender.

[@jin_st8216]

@@ShredHeads thx! Good to know as tone reference :)

[@irmasil3]

The pickups on the duck were NOT Stock. Even in Alkatrazz and Steeler, he used the FS-1 Dimarzios, (the Fat Strat dimarzio) which are fatter sounding and darker comparing to the stock fender pickups. His HS-3 Dimarzios are very much alike in the tone, darker than regular, close to the FS-1 and of course stack. Other that that, you have the rest right. Also, his Duck guitar has a very gentle scalloping (I' m sure he did that on purpose to avoid exposing the side dots) and if you look the guitar now, its almost flat again...

[@ShredHeads]

Yes, I have already confirmed that the FS-1 was the pick up Yngwie was using before the HS-3. The reason I didn’t state this in the video was because I hadn’t found any info where Yngwie himself confirmed this, at the time I had created the video. I have since read an article where he does confirm this. The duck guitar does have a light scallop, similar to the Richie Blackmore strat.

[@irmasil3]

@@ShredHeads Ritchie had actually scalloped his own No1 guitar as well. There is an interview where he explains what he did. Yngwie and Richie used different approaches and to be fair, credit to Yngwie, he did a BETTER job (I guess the luthier story might be true after all). Yngwie went for an equal scallop on all frets, very shallow to avoid exposing the side dots on the fretboard, with a nice curve in the middle between the frets, while Richie went for a deeper scallop on the light strings and shallow on the bass side (again to avoid exposing the side dots on the fretboard) and he went asymmetrical, with the curve closer to the actual fret. Eventually Richies' luthier destroyed his No1 Strat by levelling the fretboard (he didn't know it was like that on purpose) exposing the maple neck under the rosewood board....He was fired :) Just a few inside stories :) And here we are with people still fear to adjust their truss rods....lol :)

[@leganihanoi]

damn, aint nobody ever replicating, nor will nobody come close to his playing

[@ShredHeads]

That’s definitely the attitude you want to have when playing guitar.

[@chriswingateusmc]

Excellent video. Would you consider uploading the cab to Axechange?

[@ShredHeads]

I can do that, I just have to make sure it isn’t an Own hammer IR because then I might not be able to share that one.

[@TheGreggl]

The original Strat that appears on the cover of Rising Force was destroyed. The “Duck” is not that guitar. The Rising Force album cover Strat was thrown in the air by Yngwie who missed it. The guitar landed on the stage and broke in two pieces and one of those pieces was sold to the HardRock in NYC. The only part to survive was the original neck which has been on the “Duck” for some time. That necks headstock was also broken but was repaired.

[@walacenogueiraobeid859]

The best guitar tone I've cane from Yngwies debut, wich its softer than this video...

[@_mysilentblue2227]

That was on spot, great work on the preset. (Subscribed) I'd really like to look in to what you had going on with those EQ's. I'm all about learning concepts that people use and applying them with my own flavor. Can you add this to your AxeChange?

[@ShredHeads]

Yes, exactly. The best thing to get out of a video like this one is how to use the axe fx by learning about new ideas and concepts. Then applying them to your own pre sets. People often think that the nail that tone series is about me nailing a tone. Not really, it’s an educational series about helping others achieve the tone by sharing insights and ideas.

[@khyo826]

Just a thought, I believe Yngwie had the FS-1 Duncan pickups rather than the stock pickups on his Duck? (Correct me if I'm wrong).

[@ShredHeads]

I did some research on the duck. I believe at one point the guitar had the original neck and bridge pick ups changed to hs-3's. When I mentioned the duck in the video I mentioned it in reference to the years 1983 and 1984. This is when Yngwie worked on his first solo album. During these years the pick ups were likely stock since at this time Yngwie hadn't developed his signature hs-3 pick ups with Dimarzio.

[@ahinko]

Dimarzio FS-1 used on alcatrazz i think.

[@TheSpringOf74]

@@ahinko This is correct!.

[@benjaminweaver9573]

Yngwie started using FS-1s way back in Sweden so they are on all his recordings, probably including his early demos, up until around '84. It's not clear when exactly he switched to HS-3, as he could also have been trying out prototypes. But some speculate that the shift occurred during the Alcatrazz touring period, and that the Rising Force album was recorded with HS-3s. Tone controls are always disabled.

[@danmcveigh6139]

He was actually using DiMarzio hs3 pickups in the neck and bridge. In the early days

[@ShredHeads]

Hey guys I have recently posted a modern Yngwie tone video. In that video I try and recreate a more modern Yngwie tone. Check it out if you are an axe fx user.

[@todd-1]

I'd pick his dimarzio strat over the seymour duncan one. And it pick the DOD overdrive over the fender one. And he played better before he hated donuts!

[@ShredHeads]

I would to. The early Yngwie was the best Yngwie in my opinion.

[@hellreiser6663]

Before the marshalls Yngwie used axefx

[@stevestrickland0425]

Do you think your chain work on a Axe FX 2 XL ?

[@ShredHeads]

It should, if it doesn’t just take in the concepts of the video. Cranked plexi, boosted by an overdrive. Using an eq block to shape the sound.

[@onga84]

Yngwie has always stated that he has always used gt-75 speakers because he wants high wattage speakers that do not break up

[@ShredHeads]

I'm well aware that Yngwie likes and uses the gT-75 speaker. Keep in mind that this video is referring to early Yngwie 1983-84 rising force era. The T-75 wasn't released until 1985. It's much more likely to state he likely used greenbacks or 65 watt celestions as those were popular speakers in Marshall cabs at the time.

[@guitar.a]

Hello, can you tell me what is the secret and key thing of this tone? I am specifically interested in how to get this "cutting" sound? What does it depend on? Thank you!

[@ShredHeads]

The biggest part of the tone is going to be finger tone. Having the skill to play these type of songs is going to be the number one factor. The gear aspect is simple. Fender Stratocaster guitar into plexi style amp. Boosting it with an overdrive and adding a noise gate to get rid of the noise. I would use a Marshall cab with some celestions because that is what Yngwie has always used. Tweak settings or try different ir’s until you find something that you like. There is no real secret, you have to experiment and find what works for you.

[@guitar.a]

​@@ShredHeadsThank you very much! I've been trying the settings for a while now, and I'm close, but again something is missing... I've been trying the tone with my Strat plugged into a DoD250 clone, or even a Fender OD. I plugged it into Guitar Rig 5 and put a Marshall amp simulation, Jump, played a little with the settings, put it like in the video, and when I play Far Beyond The Sun, especially the Harmonic Minor when the fast part starts, the tone is hit 80%, but I'm still looking for that "cutting" effect like you have at the beginning. I usually set the pedal to Gain 8 or 10, and the Level sometimes to 5, sometimes to 7... I'm trying it out. For that part of the tone, as I told you, it's missing , I wonder if it has anything to do with the post EQ or simply to find some balance on the pedal, how much Gain and how much Level for that Rising Force tone, and also maybe some small adjustments around the cabinet. You're the only one on YT where I've seen Yngwie's tone this good and realistic! Thank you very much once again for your answer, maybe I will download Amplitube 5 because it seems like it might have better simulations, but I'll see. Greetings!

[@ShredHeads]

@@guitar.a I used my axe fx III for this video. it's pro level equipment. I would recommend buying some better plug ins or something like the axe fx. The plug in quality will determine the quality of sound you get. you can get good sounds with cheaper plug ins but there is a reason the higher end stuff cost more and sounds better.

[@RocketinExile]

Alcatraz..best tone he had

[@altag1]

Nice video, I was surprised that you put the gate before the drive rather than after. What was the reasoning?

[@ShredHeads]

That’s just the usual way I’ve seen it used on axe fx chains. The input block itself has a gate setting so sometimes I just use that. If it works better for you in a different position just do that instead. 👍

[@kylehchang1]

No change pick up position

[@fadlyhans82]

I have the SC20H and thinking whether the SV20H would be a better amp for his tones. Or the new ST20H?

[@ShredHeads]

the sv20 is going to be the best for the yngwie tone. still going to need to boost the hell out of it.

[@fadlyhans82]

@@ShredHeads thanks so much! Gonna test one in the store soon and see if I can feel it.

[@horsemanoftheapocalapse5837]

Is there a mmarshell combo that gets close thanks in advance

[@ShredHeads]

Marshall SV20C with a boost in front.

[@ShredHeads]

Hey Guys, if you happen to have an axe fx I wouldn't recommend copying the settings in this video because they are very specific to the IR that I was using and specific to my guitar setup in general, I recommend watching my helix tutorial video for a better preset break down of how to dial in an Yngwie sound. I will likely make a live dial in preset for the axe fx III at some point in the near future. helix video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-wno2cbb9_g5I

[@riffrefuge]

Amazing sound! Can you please at least share the name of the cab pack / IR that you are using? I'm losing sleep over this :)

[@ShredHeads]

@@riffrefuge I believe I used the GNR pack that they sell. Not 100 percent sure but I'm almost certain that I bought that pack. Anyway I will certainly make a more detailed live play through of how to get an Yngwie Tone with the axe fx III soon. So go get some sleep lol.

[@thefix-itguyreviewer8151]

Definitely close I did notice in his live album 1985 and the studio version it was a darker sounding sound. Little more distortion.. That was my favorite sound he's ever done For some reason he went to the Maple fret boards which make it brighter and it's more of a bright harsh sound that he's kept ever since which is weird. It's weird how these guitarists go from that old school thing to get what they want having to use a distortion pedal in the front because it tightens up the low end because these amps were not made to be cranked they were made for acoustic or just amplifying the guitar. So the capacitor doesn't resistors in there weren't trying to strip out the bass like the newer amps try to do but you just missing something. Same thing with Eddie Van Halen he had an EQ, in front of his amplifier people forget this I think it was an MXR because it was to strip out the bass but that pedal gives you a thicker darker sound that gives you that so-called brown sound and darker feel. And then Eddie went away from that to a high gain amp but what happened was he lost the magic that allowed him to make up those songs. Playing an amplifier very loud and using those things the way you have to use them to get that distortion at that level makes you play a certain way and make up songs a certain way. I think this is why music and those artists songs have changed dramatically trying to change the guitars, the amplifiers for convenience it takes away from the magic. I always wish that Eddie Van Halen would have just went back to his old setup makeup songs the old way he could have a ton of great songs as he got older. He definitely lost the magic just like yngwie malmsteen did.

[@joemars41]

I'd play ALL parts to a CD or other , backup from pre- recorded sounds odd. Just isolate guitar from the record, and play over the instruments.

[@dejanostojic5496]

On je koristio sivi DOD 250 na pocetku karijere a ne Fractal🤣

[@prebird]

I thought yngwie dialed in more bass n mid than treble

[@ShredHeads]

If doing that makes it sound better for you, do that. Generally more treble is better on most amps. A good Marshall amp sounds good on almost any setting on the eq.