Rock & Pop: What's the best way to get an 'acoustic' tone out of a Stratocaster?

best acoustic guitar reverb pedal image

DWT (

I have a Stratocaster with an HSS pickup configuration (it has a humbucker in the bridge, instead of a third single coil) and I'm planning on doing a cover of a song that was recorded with an acoustic guitar. Since I don't have one (yet) I'd like to know which pickup is the best for an acoustic-esque tone, and any other tips you may have.

By the way, I'm not going to buy an acoustic emulator (or whatever they're called) pedal. I've heard demos of them on YouTube and they're not convincing at all.

Answer
Hello there,

I do agree with you that the acoustic simulator pedals do not bring the sound close to a true acoustic tone. And that is the best thing you can use to get as close to an acoustic tone. You just don't get an electric to sound like an acoustic. So plan your cover to have a nice sound that you like, but not a true acoustic sound.

The acoustic has a very clean sound, Usually very full and rich. Lets use that as the target sound. You know the bridge position pickup gives a brittle sound, so do not use it. Use the neck or probably better the neck and mid together. Single coils have greater clarity than humbuckers so they should be better choice. On your amp, cut the gain or drive. zero distortion. We are looking for as clean a tone as your amp can produce. Distortion, overdrive or other tone altering effects should be off. Time based effects can be used. A slight reverb, maybe 2 - 3 on the knob, should add a little depth to the sound.

Different sets of pickups sound different and respond to different amps differently. I am not telling you anything you do not already know. The point is I cannot give you the EQ setting.. You will have to tweak the EQ (treble, mid and bass) to get a full mellow tone that is not too bright.

In the end, you will not sound like an acoustic guitar, but you may capture the essence of the acoustic tone by getting a clean rich tone on your rig.

Later,

What order should I put my guitar pedals in?

Steven

Here are the pedals I have:
BOSS FV-500H (volume)
BOSS TU-3 (tuner)
BOSS RV-5 (reverb)
BOSS DD-7 (digital delay)
BOSS RC-2 (loop)
TC Helicon H1 (harmonizer for voice) > my guitar must run through it to estimate harmonies

I play an acoustic/electric. Also, should I run through a DI box before the PA?

Answer
Definitely put the TC Helicon H1 first. This pedal works best if the signal from the guitar is clean.

Last, you will want the loop pedal. If you put it before any of the other effects pedals, you will not be able to loop your signal with those effects.

All other pedals can be put in any order you desire and you will get the same results.

I don't see why you would need a DI box at all. That's for recording.

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Wants to learn guitar but which is easier to learn or play on?

best acoustic guitar reverb pedal image

x-Chloe-Sm

Ok so..I want to learn the guitar but im not sure which to buy.
Electric Guitar?
Acoustic Guitar?
Any other guitars?
Well which is the easiest to learn and play on?
I know learning to play the guitar isn't easy but for a beginner.
Thanks for the help :)
Thanks for the help :)

Answer
I would say get a cheap electric guitar with one of those Line 6 Spider amps or those Peavy Vypyr amps, they have so many effects in them that u wont have to buy any pedals.

Thing is that if you buy an accoustic guitar, it sometimes doesn't sound as good as those musicians that you might see playing on youtube or somthing. This can somewhat discourage you from playing the guitar even further before the guitar can be a frustrating instrument at first. You need to be patient and develop calluses and muscle memory for accoustic guitar.
However, with an electric guitar it is usually easier to play. The strings require less force to push down therefore your fingers would build up less calluses. You can add effects such as reverb and distortion which makes it even more fun to play.

I know that some musicians discourage the practice of rushing ahead with an instrument, but if you can develop a passion for learning guitar by messing about with effects, then that will help you learn the basics faster than you would learn things with an accoustic guitar because interest is a huge factor in the rate at which someone learns.

So, go buy a Fender Squire or somthing for around $50-100 and the Line6/Peavey Vypyr amp and learn the basic power chord shapes that can be uses virtually in any situtation as they are really vague chords. As long as you play in the right key you are good to go. Try playing along to some of your favourite pop or rock songs, playing power chords over the song. It will sound interesting if you play it correctly.

Another thing that I would suggest is to learn the basic shape for the pentatonic scale. The pentatonic scale is perhaps one of the most widely used scales in rock music as well as blues and jazz as well. It's amazing how many songs have been bassed on the pentatonic scale. The Ramones for example generally had chord progressions that were based on the pentatonic. E.g. Blitzkrieg Bop.

Even guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton used pentatonics

Once you learn the pentatonic scale, you can slowly try to play a guitar solo based off the pentatonic scale or maybe even try to improvise your own as you go along.

What kind of amp should I use with my violin?

Kab

I have an acoustic violin with a pickup and a electric violin. I need something to use at receptions etc.
I would like some built in effects. My pocket book will hold me back some. I am open to anything up to $250 but would prefer to go for less.

Answer
You'll definitely want to go with an acoustic instrument amplifier, as electric guitar amps are too bright and treble-biased to sound good with violins. Most acoustic amps have built-in reverb (at least) and maybe chorus as well. If you're looking for just those basic effects to color your tone, any amp found at this link that fits your budget will work wonderfully:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/amps.html

If you want more than just basic acoustic effects like Reverb (for instance, distortion, wah, modulation effects, etc.) you'll need to add a separate effects processor. Within your budget of $250 you could still afford a Kustom Sienna 16 amp with a Digitech RP90 effects processor, or if you can extend yourself slightly, get the Kustom Sienna 30 amp for more power and low end tone.

Kustom amps:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/amps/kustom.html

Digitech RP90:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/electronics/effects/digitech/digitech-rp90-multi-effects-pedal.html

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