Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey, my name is David im 15 and for the past 3 years ive really been into the dead mainly Jerry Garcia. I need some ideas for tone settings such as Treble Middle Bass Reverb. As close to the 1970-1973 period dead as possible thank you...

My Gear

Amp: Fender Frontman 25R
Guitars: Fender Stratocaster SSS
Epiphone ES-335 Dot
Pedals: Crybaby 535q Wah

Hello and welcome! Reading thru this would be a good start.
forum/viewtopic.php?f=419&t=15764&hilit=jerry+settings

That's a good rig you got man!

Aside from the ubiquitous "treble 10 mids 5 bass 0" and the slight variations on it which exist everywhere on this site, I would recommend getting familiar with a concept we discussed a while ago (maybe Jon S' thread? I can't find it right now cuz I'm on my phone.) That concept is Jerry's picking style. He picks closer to the bridge pickup than a lot of people seem to expect. Try to hit the strings directly over the edge of the bridge pickup (the side closest to the neck).

Use inflexible picks. Jerry used Fender heavys and then graphite 2mm picks (Dunlop Adamas 2mm... Have your folks order you a pack sometime, they make a pretty noticeable difference in sound.)

High action like Jerry had will give you the plucky tone and the super sensitive and accurate vibrato & string bends.

Replace the speaker in your amp with a D, K, or E120. That will get you like 50% or more towards Jerry's tone. The speaker MATTERS. Where the rubber meets the road.

Adjusting your fretting and picking technique accordingly to Jerry's and then thinking about making your next equipment upgrade the $150-$200 JBL speaker will put you on a solid and affordable path toward sounding and playing more like Jerry.

Yeah, what he said... Great advice.

Brad

Thank you for the help guys. I will buy a new speaker when i have the money. I already use dunlop 1.0 picks but thank you.

What do you guys think of jbl e110 speakers ?

Never used an E110 but getting a JBL in that rig would be the biggest change you could make to get closer to Jerry tone. for an amp with a 10", sounds like that would be a good choice.
But if you can trade up for a 1x12 amp at some point, slap a K120 in there and you will be happy.

wolftigerrosebud wrote:.... I would recommend getting familiar with a concept we discussed a while ago (maybe Jon S' thread? I can't find it right now cuz I'm on my phone.) That concept is Jerry's picking style. He picks closer to the bridge pickup than a lot of people seem to expect. Try to hit the strings directly over the edge of the bridge pickup (the side closest to the neck).

+1 - That is a good one - I find that technique, when I can remember to do it, especially effective on an acoustic. Love the JGAB stuff, and picking closer to the bridge does seem to get you something.

Davphi7053 wrote:Thank you for the help guys. I will buy a new speaker when i have the money. I already use dunlop 1.0 picks but thank you.

Trust us, the 2.0 Adamas pick is a totally different beast, and is a huge factor toward getting Jerry's tone! Get a pack and hear for yourself. They are graphite, and bite the strings with a metallic edge to the sound. Trust us!

+1 on the K120!

The Force is strong in this one...

I have 2 x 10 Weber Californias in a Vibrolux. Very bright and clear.

Searing75 wrote:

Davphi7053 wrote:Thank you for the help guys. I will buy a new speaker when i have the money. I already use dunlop 1.0 picks but thank you.

Trust us, the 2.0 Adamas pick is a totally different beast, and is a huge factor toward getting Jerry's tone! Get a pack and hear for yourself. They are graphite, and bite the strings with a metallic edge to the sound. Trust us!

+1 on the K120!

Jerry on the Adamas pick: "This is all that stands between me and abject poverty."

+2 on a K110.

What about Bob just out of curiosity