Solution to unsuitable guitar backline at foreign gigs?

[vaughan]

I've asked about this before, but I'm still unsure of what the best solution is...

Whilst gigging in the UK, I use a GT-100 guitar effects processor in conjunction with my Fender Hotrod Deluxe. I use a mixture of clean and lead sounds, and the final sound I get for each comes mainly from the effects. The Fender amp is great for this as it provides a really clean, warm tone that makes all these patches sound even better.

However, when I'm playing abroad it isn't possible to bring my amp on the plane, and I have to use whatever amp I'm provided with. Usually, the amp I end up with is a stack amplifier, and often a Marshall. In the worst case scenario, it's one of those older Marshalls with no dedicated clean channel. The clean sounds on my effects need to be REALLY clean, regardless of what amp I'm using, but stack amps in particular always add some crunch, regardless of how I tweek the amps' settings. Also, my lead sounds always get a leap in volume through these amps, so all the relative levels get mixed up. There are too many different patches to re-program them all, and when I've tried, I'm still not happy with the sound.

A solution that comes to mind is to purchase a pre-amp or boost pedal, and stick it after the GT-100 straight into the effects return of the amp I'm given, hence bypassing the crunchy preamp, and using only the power amp. However, I'm not sure what to get. I would need something VERY CLEAN, as this is essential to the band's sound. The boost pedal (or whatever) would just produce some extra volume to compensate for the fact that I'm not using the preamp. When I've tried plugging the GT-100 directly into the effects return of such amps, I've had trouble achieving enough volume without cranking the GT-100 up, and even so, the sound is quite muddy and lifeless. I'm hoping that someone here could tell me if my proposed solution would work, and if so what make of boost/preamp pedal (or whatever) would work best to most accurately represent the sounds on my GT-100 without adding distortion, regardless of what amp I end up having to use.

Thanks

Vaughan

[shufflebeat]

Blasphemy for some - DI the guitar? Maybe link to IEMs for emergencies when the amp just isn't right even as a monitor. Amp/cab sims are pretty good these days.

[vaughan]

Yeah, I've D.I.'d before when there wasn't really another option, it was okay but the effects are programmed to work with a nice amp, so some of the patches sound pretty horrid doing it like this. If on the other hand, there's a £30 boost pedal out there that would enable me to play through the effects return of another amp, then I think that might be better all-round solution. I just want to be sure the one I get is as clean as possible.

Cheers

Vaughan

[TheChorltonWheelie]

Blasphemy for some - DI the guitar?

Well, it's good enough for Nile Rodgers.

[Music Wolf]

Are you using the GT100 amp sims as part of your sound?

If not then you should be able to add one to the chain which comes close to your amp sound - then go straight to a decent PA (this is how use by POD HD500). If you are using the GTs sims and they're not good enough then I doubt that a £30 pedal will get you there.

[shufflebeat]

Possible preaching to the converted alert!

An amp sim into a PA is sometimes a whole different animal than an amp sim into a guitar amp

[mhaigh]

maybe something like this - http://www.bluguitar.com/english/AMP1.html
so you take your amp with you and then that is plugged into a cab? not sure how clean or valve-like this or others are, but worth a try?

[Dave Rowles]

It's painstakingly annoying, but I'd go through an set up a load of patches use the amp sim on the GT-100 for when you can't get the right amp. I've done plenty of gigs where the multi-effects pedal just goes straight into the PA, and the GT-100 should be man enough for the job and produce a decent enough tone.

I know it's not the ideal solution for guitarists who are really used to having that amp sound on stage, but if using the amps they provide isn't giving you the sound your band needs, then that would get you out of the hole for the shows.

[shufflebeat]

If you do manage to find a useful amp/cab sim on the GT (I don't really know the box so can't comment on details) then it might be an idea to specify a good powered PA speaker rather than a guitar amp for gigs abroad. PA speakers aim for clean sounds and different brands/models are generally aiming towards a similar sound, whereas guitar amps tend towards a unique character which, as you've found, won't suit all occasions.

I work with an experienced guitarist who, depending usually on how he's travelled to the gig, brings either a well stocked pedal board and some exotic valve combo or other to be miked with my little side address Sennheisser - or - a line6 pod which goes straight to DI and is linked to an Alto ts110a (pointing back to him ) which I usually bring for spares.

Personally, I think the pod is perfectly adequate for his and the band's needs, and as an ex-punk guitarist I do care deeply about these things.