[Scott Bardolf]

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After many years of searching for the sound, here's where I'm at. Ibanez BWM1, Ibanez UE-405, Mark 111 combo...... Also have original Ibanez FL-9 Flanger pedal, MXR Phase 90. Played the guitar through the amp clean with no effects....Feeling like I don't need any of this other stuff. Looking to scale back for time being and start over. Any suggestions for new effects?

[jdsmodulus]

Very nice! I would keep it if I were you! Well at least the Ibanez. I always have wanted to build a Soldano/Mesa, TC electronics Bobby rig. It just is so expensive to buy all of that stuff and then end up playing clean through a combo. This is a struggle I've had for years! I know thats not much help but again keep that rig its sweet!

[strumminsix]

What's exactly the issue?

Do you feel even with everything bypassed your guitar doesn't sound as sweet as when it's direct into the amp? If so maybe a GCX.

It's a small rig by comparison. If you are thinking SIZE. Then consider switching to a RoadReady rack with wheels and toss your amp on top of that!

[Scott Bardolf]

A couple issues, 1) when using UE-405, a lot of noise from the unit. 2) Guitar isn't wired like Weirs original, I guess it's the "out of phase" that's missing 3) Looking for right envelope filter to use sparingly on certain tunes.

BTW, put flat wound strings on recently, Oh boy! Huge difference, love 'em.

[strumminsix]

I have played a few UE400s and 405s and experienced the same things you have noted.

Are you looking for a Bobby rig or good rig that can cop Bobby sort of sounds/effects/etc?

I love having all my pickup switches but usually stay on the neck pickup in series... Just saying.

Yes, flatwounds do indeed rock!

[Scott Bardolf]

I'm looking for an authentic Weir sound as I can get, don't want to spend too much more $$....

[jdsmodulus]

just a thought on the UEs, as you may knnow I have 2 of these units in my rig and I go back and forth with selling them off. Mine are in very good like new condition and they are both a little noisy but Ive learned how to slow that down by not having them ON all of the time. I ususally dial 1 or 2 tones in at a time. Also when the tune ends I find myself quickly turning them off. It is really easy now that Im used to them. I also used to use the IVP but alas sold it for noise as well. As we have talked about before the Weir thing is sometimes achieved with totally different gear. I think using the UE and say an Ashley Comp your going to be close. But with that guitar I would think you could get away with many diffferent amps and be close as well. Mesa/ Cowboy should be there? Are you trying for a later sound maybe? Then Modulus>Preamp>PA>Trucker Cab would be where I would start!

[Scott Bardolf]

JDSModulus, I'm so close with what I have. I guess my real dilema is the effects. Guitar/Amp combo is sweet, sweeter than anything I've had. Maybe it's that out of phase sound I'm not getting? Also, any thoughts on an envelope filter I should be looking at?

[hogan]

JDSModulus, I'm so close with what I have. I guess my real dilema is the effects. Guitar/Amp combo is sweet, sweeter than anything I've had. Maybe it's that out of phase sound I'm not getting? Also, any thoughts on an envelope filter I should be looking at?

Weir played 2 ibanez af-9s, actually one was an afl, but they are essentially the same thing. I believe he had them set to 2 different sweet spots and that's how he used them.

[strumminsix]

the Weir thing is sometimes achieved with totally different gear

This is the camp where my tent is pitched.

If you like your amp and guitar then you are more than half-way there.

If you don't like your UE, then sell it.

From there buy a GCX and foot controller and start down your path in search of the right pedals.

Weir Gear does not always equal Weir tone. Also what your Dead band may need may be different that Weir tone.

[hogan]

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Weir Gear does not always equal Weir tone. Also what your Dead band may need may be different that Weir tone.

The same can be said for jerry tone. I've said it for years.

[strumminsix]

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Weir Gear does not always equal Weir tone. Also what your Dead band may need may be different that Weir tone.

The same can be said for jerry tone. I've said it for years.

Agreed. A local guy rocks a PRS into a JC120 that cops a MUCH better Jerry tone than Resurection > Twin play players.

[jeffm725]

The UE's are great if you are going for the 78-81 deal that so many think is one of Weirs high water marks in tone, taste and touch. MY UE's are not noisy at all, but I take an added measure of running them through a couple true bypass loop switches that I built so that when i am not actually using an effect on the UE, it is out of my signal path entirely.I have 3 loop switches, one for the UE 400 and 405 (and I run the 405 inside the 400), One for the AD202 (this is especially important to bypass when not in used because it has a volume that is still active when the delays are bypassedd, I dont like that) and one for the Crybaby.

Also +1 on the Ibanez AF-9, and if you cant find one of those or dont want to spend the vintage premium, the Maxon Af-9 is more than decent for a reissue.

[strumminsix]

What era Bobby are you exactly going for, dude?

Alot of his earlier tones were straight guitar into amp. Again, consider a GCX or Looper to bypass all unused pedals.

Also he was constantly changing out his amps and heads and speaker cabinets and speaker sizes. Lots of years with 10".

[mkaufman]

If you really want to downsize & simplify: replace the UE's with an Ibanez FL305 and possibly front-end it with an Ibanez CP835 compressor. That will do the trick for effects. The FL305 is a great standalone flanger. Strip the flanger section out of the AD230 or UE700 and you have the FL305. WAY WAY WAY better than the FL9.

Next question: guitar: before Cowboy sound (ie 1977), you need a guitar with an Ibanez Trisound Super 80 in the bridge position wired with a phase reversal option, or, use your 'Cowboy' for late '78-> early 80's. Issue: the Trisound phase reveral setting is quite noisy. Still looking for a solution here. Anyone?????

Lastly: you need a super clean sound. The Peavey F800G that Weir used in 1978 is crystal clear. You cannot get more clean than this amp. If anyone knows an alternative, please let me know!! It's a big sucker. If you have a tube amp, you must minimize the pre and maximize the post levels. A totally high-powered solid state amp like the F800G makes a big difference.

Ask Dozin....one does not need a complicated Weir rig.

The rest is TECHNIQUE!

btw #1: I've been using straight single coil guitars lately (ie: 3 pup Strat). If you get a glassy sounding one, it does a decent job.

btw#2: without technique, none of this stuff will help. Weir has a very unique style. Lots of finesse with a light touch. This is more important than gear.

Scott - maybe you should stop by and check out what I mean regarding the gear.

mk