#166232  by Pointclear
 
All good answers, but one thing I’d like to emphasize is the McIntosh power amp. Macs have a very tight and extended bass response and jerry’s tight and gritty bass lines are all that Mac power played at high volumes. In my opinion, it’s tough to get it from a twin reverb’s power section.
 #166233  by czyfingers
 
I would tend to agree. I have both and the MC50 at high volume seems to get closer than twin's power section. I also feel that many of the nuances of Jerry's playing and how it sounded come from right hand technique accompanied by high volume. Like picking lighter to quiet things down instead of always twisting the guitar's volume down for the more quiet parts. It really can be analyzed endlessly.
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 #166236  by Cosmopolis
 
This subject seemed like a good opportunity for me to post a photo and comment. Hopefully the photo actually uploads. These are my go-to electric guitars. From left, a Ruokangas VSOP Supreme - Spanish cedar body, maple neck and arctic birch fretboard. Pickups are German Haussel P90. Guitar is like a Strat but way better. Second from left is a RickTurner Model One - mahogany body and maple top. Third is a PRS that Brian White expertly modified. I can’t say enough good things about his work. The guitar has a six-way switch...a topic for another day. Next is a Moriarty Wolf. Second from right is the real deal - a 13.5 Lb copy of Tiger that Gary Brawer and Danny Ransom built for me 20 years ago. They took 60 or so photos and a bunch measurements of the original while the Dead still had it. Inlays were done by Larry Robinson from his original templates from the 1970s. Last is a Phiga Tiger. Baby Tiger as it were.
Here’s the point of my long-winded note. All the comments here are relevant. I have a number of guitars that have the whole Jerry setup, and the one guitar that totally nails that 1980s low end grunt is the big heavy Tiger. I’m convinced that the sheer mass of this guitar is what makes the difference

Image: https://imgur.com/a/4vMFKqv
Last edited by Cosmopolis on Sat Sep 28, 2019 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 #166238  by czyfingers
 
You have to upload the image to a hosting site like imgur, which seems to work the best and easiest. Then paste the link to in in the direct link field under "upload image". It's a bit of a PITA but I'd love to see your guitars.
 #166363  by SarnoMusicSolutions
 
I would say that 90% of that Jerry low note tone comes from turning the BASS completely OFF at the amp. That's required for a Jerry tone in general, but it's the secret sauce to make the low notes boink like that.

Fresh strings are a big part of it too.

High-ish action is also important so the strings don't fret out.

The right pick helps too.

JBL is always required for a proper Jerry tone, and they definitely help bring out that sound quality being discussed.

But #1 is to turn your bass knob OFF. The more we remove the fundamental bass energy, the more the clarity and overtones and snap come forward.

B
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 #166369  by Pointclear
 
SarnoMusicSolutions wrote: Mon Oct 28, 2019 5:14 pm I would say that 90% of that Jerry low note tone comes from turning the BASS completely OFF at the amp. That's required for a Jerry tone in general, but it's the secret sauce to make the low notes boink like that.

Fresh strings are a big part of it too.

High-ish action is also important so the strings don't fret out.

The right pick helps too.

JBL is always required for a proper Jerry tone, and they definitely help bring out that sound quality being discussed.

But #1 is to turn your bass knob OFF. The more we remove the fundamental bass energy, the more the clarity and overtones and snap come forward.

B
I wholeheartedly agree with all of that brad. I’ll use this moment to ask you a question about the sms classic that I have. I’ve been meaning to reach out for a few months. Anyway, the pad control by the output really affects the bass response in my rig. I have it set around 1 o’clock give or take. Changing the knob even slightly really changes the bass response for me. I’m running the sms classic into a Mac2125, which is pretty dark and bassy as it is. My guitar is my own wolf type with super s distortions and a tcp-2 set just below unity.
When I change guitars I have to adjust the pad knob a bit to get that snappy growl on the bass.
Also, I have my bass set at 0 and the mids at 5.5-6 ...

I know I’ve been long winded, but I’d there anything you can share with use about how the output changes Bass response. if I get it much above 1o’clock, it gets super woofy.
 #166371  by SarnoMusicSolutions
 
This is interesting. The first thing that comes to mind is that I may have wired your output pot backwards by accident. If when you turn down the pot, you lose bass, that tells me that the pot may be miswired and is presenting a LOW value load to the output cap. The first thing that goes is bass. If you find the time, can you pop the top cover and send me a couple of photos of the output jack and output pot. Please email to:
sarnomusic@gmail.com

When all is correct, the rear pot should have zero affect on frequency response. It's merely a passive control right at the output jack that somewhat mimics the INPUT of a McIntosh which is also just a pot.

With the SMS Classic into a Mac, I'd recommend turning the Classic's rear knob up to about 90%. Then use the Mac's input knob/pot as your master volume control. Whether your CTP pot is wired backwards or not, at 90% that's all moot and you'll be sending the mac virtually the full signal, no bass boosting or cutting, just exactly what the preamp is doing.
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 #166432  by perljam
 
I know exactly the tone you are talking about - something I've been chasing for years. The closest I've gotten is on my Greco guitar that has an active pre-amp and a three band eq filter. Give that bass filter a little nudge and that exact frequency pops out. Only works on my tube amp with a 12" speaker.
 #166446  by dleonard
 
I agree with everything suggested here. I’m never happy with my overall tone, but I do feel I get pretty nice sounding low E and A string runs and walk ups with my MIA Strat and Twin Reverb (which is way too much amp for me, different discussion). I would also just comment to not be discouraged by the way that tone sounds alone practicing. I’ve always found that sounds I felt were a bit “extreme” at home worked much better in a band setting. Be it really limiting the bass on the amp or opening up the tone knob a bit more. It doesn’t really sound great to me at home, but with a live band it works.
 #166498  by kurt eye
 


Pick attack, heavy gauge pick (Adamas), and did Jerry use a heavier gauge string on the low E? The Vinci Jerry Garcia string sets comes with a .047 gauge low E vs a standard .046.

I think there is guitar wood component at play too. Tiger had the most bass-y roar of any of his guitars, but it's mostly technique (pick attack, heavy pick and amp settings IMO).
 #166968  by wolftigerrosebud
 
i’d suggest the most distinctive aspect of what OP describes in jerry’s tone had way more to do with his fingers than anything else. he had an incredibly controlled touch throughout the dynamic range which was clearly something he practiced.

the way he played in the upper register of the bass strings of the guitar, well past the 12th fret, makes me think that to practice for a tone like his one thing that might be good is to focus on expression and dynamics on the E, A, and D strings all the way up the neck in the context of solos, melodies, or accompanying triadic harmonies.

that and slow, loud scales. playing quarter notes at intentionally different dynamic levels is useful.