Sound Advice: Andy Timmons' Guitar Tone Secrets

[@shreve38]

If there ever was tone, this is it. Such a fluid player. Met him once outside a gig in NC. Could not have asked for a nicer, more humble person.

[@mattstrat1]

I've watched his videos from the early 90s with Shawn Lane . Beast

[@joesatchton212]

100% right across the board. A few years ago here in HK, I was so lucky to spend a couple hours post show with Andy, just geeking out and me babbling, with us having a couple post-gig beers. Like Satriani, who I idolize above all, Andy is just the nicest, most humble, most open guitar "god" around. Zero ego, just pure joy at playing and making amazing music.

[@fodiddlediddle5015]

where's this guy been all my life? I feel like i've been under some rock.. I grew up thru the 80's and 90's and i've never heard of Andy Timmons? This guy's a fuckin monster! Thanks for the great tone advice and stellar wisdom. Count me a new fan.

[@guitarlife6190]

It is impossible for this guy to get a bad sound. Truly one of the best players. What an inspiration

[@paulseano5100]

I once heard Andy say: “ Guitar techs, you don’t need them.” He is explaining this rig set up the same way he did years ago and even though guitar techs are very helpful, Andy in his meekness, will still be self sufficient. Andy is a great guy. Caught the majority of his great gigs in Dallas from ‘93-2000 and was impressed by his talent and humble, amiable personality. Enjoy!

[@tel5690]

Beautiful tone all the way around. Andy is such a tasteful guitarist. Over 25 years of listening to him

[@KRayxKodessA]

How Mesa hasn’t made an AT signature Lonestar yet is beyond me…

[@christopher-miles]

it might be this entire time?

[@yjmsrv]

@@christopher-miles I think they considered the Lone Star Andy's signature amp already ;-) - he's the only one that plays them that's very well known (except all us chasing his tone all these years). In fact I think they stopped making them and Gibson owns them now anyway- so I doubt they'll bring it back. It is a fantastic amp- I was actually very surprised Andy moved to the JHS@ pedal over his Lone Star's gain channel- but I have to admit- it sounds amazing on the clean channel with the @ pedal. I prefer it on my amp to the gain channel- I could never quite get his tone on the gain channel- but with the @ pedal- it's spot on with delay in the loop. Even sounds amazing and Timmons-esque in my 100 watt Katana- which I prefer to take out to gigs because it doesn't weigh the insane amount that the Lone Star does. That thing is like a Dwarf Star.

[@geteese]

Now Gibson will ask Andy to change to gibson guitars before thinking about making a Mesa Andy Timmons signature model amp.

[@rockingstar3534]

Yes. I am also wondering why no one endorse Andy and come out with a plugin version of lonestar. I will be willing to get one for myself!

[@denmar355]

I think the Gibson acquisition may have killed the Lonestar. Not for sure.

[@frankpicha7180]

Saw AT play live January 2019, near NAMM. He played his pedal board through the Mesa Lone-Star. Sounded INCREDIBLE! One of the BEST clean and dirty rigs EVER! The performance was superb as well, of course!

[@mrc2662]

Discovered AT pretty much yesterday and it’s been a total revelation. His talent and tone are off the scale, but the fact he’s clearly such a humble, gentle man takes it all to 11. What an inspiration. If I was a pedal/guitar/amp company, he would be my No.1 Brand Ambassador every day of the year. Wonderful video and well played to D’Addario for recognising this. Awesome.

[@angelcarrilfernandez1537]

X2

[@robby188]

Andy Timmons is absolutely a brilliant guitar player. One of the best. I seen him playing live many times, and I always appreciate his wonderful tone and playing.

[@e.g.systems6146]

That "dirt pedal BEFORE compressor" trick works better than I could believe, but when you think about it, it's sort of replicating valve amp compression where it doesn't get dirtier, just more squishy and sustainy. Andy seems to have the whole tone thing totally sorted out - no wonder he doesn't change amps much!

[@NielsBeier]

Man, Andy is such an amazing player!

[@psneville]

Maybe the nicest and also most melodic, fun to listen to virtuosos in the guitar world, very open and a great educator/communicator in a genuine way. Also he found his signature tone early on with his personal take on strat sounds, so though he says his pedals may be different next week, it’s only like a slightly different flavor on the steak, the meat is steady and consistent, which is good to keep me from rushing out to buy more spicy pedals when I’m still hunting for the steak.

[@SpampysGeM]

What a tone, unbelivable, yet it's so simple just "put a comp+dist in front of the amp and you're good to go". Tone is in the hands of Timmons, and this video is the ultimate proof. Time to go back at learning "Ghost of You" ...

[@RolanTHUNDER]

Thank you Andy! I love the detail and tasty playing examples to chew on. His use of delay and reverb and every other effect or drive sound on his board is just spot on. Awesome player 🎸

[@willcyrier915]

This was a joy to watch. Thank you 🎸❤️🙏🏻

[@PaulLembo]

In a lifelong metal head but Andy is that rare talent that makes me want something else. Such a strong melodic sense and such a graceful person.

[@michaelgreen5206]

Andy is a virtuoso guitar player, and his demonstrations of Mesa Boogie amp sounds sold me on purchasing a MB amp, which still own till this day. Thanks Guitar god!!!

[@chusssMusic]

One of the best tones around in instrumental rock history. Great video, thanks for posting guys.

[@pCeLobster]

So much of this is the Lonestar. You could plop any random pedalboard in front of that thing and it would sound amazing. It presents any pedal in the most flattering way possible.

[@metricdeep8856]

I’m always in awe of this man’s talent. There is something more than special in his music.

[@AdamGotheridge]

Andy, really appreciate this little delve into how you get your tones. Truly appreciate your musicality and fire and uniqueness. It's really special.

[@carsgunsandguitars]

I love how the W/D/W cuts out for a few seconds at 7:48, as it really explains how amazing it is with headphones on!

[@bigdavedave9865]

Sometimes I think ‘I note down those settings’ when I see Andy’s pedals and then I remember I can’t play like him so it’s a complete waste of time 😂 he just sounds so amazing. It’s like emotion just drips and flows out of his fingers 🙏

[@icu469]

Much thanx for sharing your extensive pedal collection and tone secrets. "The amp on its own" sounds like it has some delay, reverb and even a tiny bit of chorus which are my favorite effects including overdrives, wah and a octaver. Andy uses alot of effects but pretty subtly. I really dig the tones he gets. Alot of the tone comes from just the guitar, amp and his fingers.

[@jackvai2681]

BEST ORGANIC TOUCH OF ANYONE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

[@rigorhead01]

I've been using those exact strings for about 15 years now. I've tried many others, even the NYXL, but these are home for me.

[@Harrysound]

It’s the best guitar sound in history, I’ve been chasing it with my axe fx for a few years. I got something that’s usable using a over hyped fender amp but can’t comp-eye with this

[@Jesse_Johnson]

I started putting an RC Booster and a Greer Lightspeed before my compressor. The results are in. So good.

[@1Robbie75]

I love the way he plays and explains very clearly. Great musician

[@jackprice7828]

Andy I switched to the Daddario's XL about 6 years ago and love those strings. I use Daddario's on both my electric and acoustic and found them to have consistent superb tone and life.

[@SDesWriter]

I love his sound so much when I was looking for pickups for my favorite guitar (one my dad bought for me back in 88 or so) and I decided to try has humbucker and single coil. I have never been sorry for a minute. They make that thing sound amazing! I don't have anything close to his feel but if you want to throw in some gain and play shredding stuff (not including the deep metal rhythm sound), the AT-1 and DP-187 are worth their weight in gold.

[@zmongi1]

Andy is the man.

[@danielmarti]

This is so valuable what you show here Andy and your way of playing the guitar is fantastic! Greetings from Basel CH 🎸🙋🏻‍♂

[@משגיחמשגיחים]

Andy I love you! Your modesty is an inspiration to me! I love your music and tone!

[@joethegiant]

This is a real lesson people really need to really understand what goes into music. Profucknfessional. Amazing sound

[@darlanmribeiro]

Andy is one of the best sounding guitar players on the market today. It's so inspiring to listen to him talking as well.

[@burnedoutgolfer]

Saw Andy play for the first time live with Simon Phillips Protocol and it was life changing! Even my wife loved His playing.

[@mjwontstop]

Iba talaga BD2 see you again soon

[@bryanb162]

Such a Phenomenal Player! Thank You Andy for all your inspiration and pure musical enjoyment over the years! 🙏🏼

[@fordsrestorations970]

Thank you Mr Andy for being a real genuine human being expressing truth through ART.... (in a world of flash cats) I really appreciate real people. Also I definitely am getting the Halo

[@GregTorresGuitar]

I worked at a music store for a while so got to try a lot of strings and Elixir were the best for me, tone feel and durability. But whatever Andy uses he’s gonna sound great!

[@azlakki]

Little blunder 3:55, Carl Martin is not dual delay compressor, it's a dual channel comp / limiter.

[@RedRose4711]

One of my favourite players - ever!

[@syfman6]

I use the same strings. 10's & 11's. Great strings!! 💚🎸

[@minkorrh]

Literally nailed that eerie, lonesome, southwestern tone that so many songs are famous for. I don't know anyone that sounds better and has a better grasp of doing it. I'm always so awestruck with the sounds and emotion flowing from those fingers. EDIT: That Stevie thing is unmistakeable. Goddamn! "Singing, Fat, but not too buzzy".

[@mikeatl4953]

AT such a wonderful player and writer, so creative and tasteful and skill off the charts.

[@julianc.227]

Andy has got such a beautiful touch- really awesome and unique. What's the pick he's using? Jazz iii ?

[@helixworld]

He has a 1.14mm Tortex Jazz 3 which is his signature pick. For me they are too small, but a similar pick is available in Jazz XL.

[@Валерій-ъ3ы]

Tried DAddario XT,XS and went back to Xl125🙂Not the same sustain as XS but wider frequency range👍

[@sizzloh]

@ 😉 can sound like a whole ensemble with fills and all with amazing tone and feel. My favourite musician atm.

[@denidenito]

oohhhh man that xotic bb preamp at pedalllll such a great tone

[@JohnSherwoodGuitar]

What a great demo - thanks AT!

[@AndyK.23]

AT is the tone master! Always amazing.

[@markkinney5030]

I used the same strings as well i love those strings they just sound good!

[@kipponi]

So I need some more pedals. Booster is great front effect never using but now I give it a try. Andy has found his sound like every guitarist should be.

[@EJH-jn6mo]

No mention of the Lone star and it’s settings … the biggest asset to that amazing tone.

[@andresgarib1945]

Thanks guy!, very insightful!

[@pvproject8718]

The Blues Driver sounded killer

[@blueserman]

В такой крутой комбик все педали звучат отлично

[@benjaminsnoize]

Super consistent too...my favs...009 luvin

[@tangentz0007]

The whole rig is so quiet. I think the G2 really makes a difference. I'm in Europe and I cannot get this quiet thru my pedals. I get it's the amplifier and pickups too trust me. This is just a fabulous rig. Notice he never touched the high gain channel of the Lonestar. Sting's guitarist uses 2 live. They sound great live.

[@michaelwade9455]

HUGE sound, what great tone! Andy is such a gentleman, all around great human and killer player!

[@Widdy5150]

Gotta love Andy's tone, miss his D2 days though 👍🏻

[@ИванФедоров-н4в]

Andy Timmons - THE BEST!!!

[@MrX-tv7mh]

Great guitarist with a Producer's ear. Very eloquently explained too.

[@paulpaul6042]

hey Andy ..!! Can you tell us whats the best among all you mentioned, to have and to play at home? Because not all of us are pros and want to have the basics similar sound you know? simply material to have fun

[@clifforddang5947]

I would love to know which pedal he uses for " cry for you" tone.

[@PyroShredder982]

My ALL TIME favorite guitarist 🤟

[@nevenlisica]

Awesome tone. Where in the signal chain sits the MXR EQ, before the overdrives or after them?

[@ALtheDoctorWho]

Am my eyes deceiving me but is that two Majors on your left side of your back. I have one. I love the THS AT red Box.I like it in the 50 watt mode. If I ran that into the Major I would be Deaf for ever. Great Vid Thanks for sharing.c];-)

[@hawg427]

Nice pedalboard, I've been using D'Addario strings for a while now. I've tried the coated strings but while they lasted a really long time there was something missing. The D'Addario strings just happen to be the lowest priced string out there and the sound great too. That's a combination you can't beat.

[@luigicuccitto2113]

GOD Bless You 🎸🎸🎸

[@rigorhead01]

All these years as an Andy Timmons fan, I never knew he used EL34's in his Lonestars. Interesting.

[@massimos6863]

Andy is awesome one of the world's best guitarist.

[@jorgelg93]

@9:05 what a sound

[@jitsroller]

The tone at 6:25 ish and 7 minutes so nice.

[@rockybalboa2526]

* Same with our bodies and health ( i meant to say ) And * You are a stellar musician ( i put two "Are's" )

[@nguyenchilinh6859]

He's my Idol, my hero, i love his tone

[@hetknn8600]

You should focus on developing your own tone instead emulating a present unique DNA

[@crsantin]

That’s some sweet ass tone. He’s a great player.

[@Splandrocity]

"It's in the fingers" mostly but, damn if his setup doesn't help. Andy has that gear knowledge.

[@scooter5005]

LOL, this will be different next week! Chasing & finding tone!

[@morrischau]

andy has the best guitar tone in the wor world

[@sebszewczyk]

The master!! 🎸🤘

[@thierrygoli4271]

Awsome Andy as usual

[@mikedavis3841]

Yeah man.👍

[@ToneJones72]

Anyone know if he uses one setting on his compressor for his clean tones and switches to the other side of the comp for overdriven tones?

[@mikecito1717]

Master class

[@SLAMBANGO]

best tip is the brand of strings. D'Addario

[@newfreenayshaun6651]

Proving that a Roland absolutely goes with a Leslie, every time.

[@optimus3305]

Good job on the 10’s, universal best gauge out of the box, especially for S-style guitars

[@psyclone8614]

You would be surprised how few techs you need if you don't use a floating trem with fine tuned locking nuts. Makes retuning the guitar a snap.

[@peterschaefer1665]

Please give us the Timeline delay settings!!?

[@martinq1920]

I've been using those 10-46 D'Addario stings for many, many years.

[@Motownisyourtown]

So a nice guitar, a nice amp, a bit of gain, some delay. Seems like we shouldnt overthink it.

[@jonhayner9423]

What's the toggle switch on the Blues Driver?

[@rrgghuhgfvjhdrgfzejjg]

Merci pour les sous-titres en français , parfaits !

[@donald-parker]

Nice little nod to Joe Walsh there! Turn To Stone. Greatly underrated as a writer.

[@Harrysound]

See one thing we forget is that the mic is picking up his strings and stuff in the room when he does these kinds of things

[@sike2805]

Best tone in guitar industry

[@bingefeller]

What song does he play at 6:15 and also 6:18?

[@SpampysGeM]

The prayer/The answer from Resolution album

[@bingefeller]

@@SpampysGeMthank you!!

[@robby188]

Andy , do you use a buffer on your pedal board???

[@edparker3549]

Would be really grateful if anyone can share Andy’s timeline settings. Can’t for the life of me work it out....