Vastly improve tone, on a SMALL budget?

[Fang]

So my amp sounds pretty harsh/sterile (Marshall AVT20), I have an RGT42 with an Evo2 b/Fred n, and I just sold my GSP-21. The processor wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I do not want to change my pups.

Let's say my max spending is $200, how could I vastly improve the tone of my Guitar + crappy amp setup? Be it to buy a better distortion pedal (I was thinking a Keeley), an EQ, a compressor, etc.

[Martyr Machine]

You won't get a great fix with $200. I honestly suggest either waiting until you have enough to buy a new amp, or selling the one you already own to speed up the process.

[Andy43]

Yeah, $200 won't change much. Since your guitar is already good enough to produce a good tone, I'd get a job and save for a better amp.

[elcid]

Everyone here is right, $200 would not be a permanent fix. Save up for a better amp.

[jim777]

I would sell the Marshall and get a used Carvin 2x12 combo.

[jb4674]

Get a Peavey Classic 30 used.

Jimmy

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by elcid

Everyone here is right, $200 would not be a permanent fix. Save up for a better amp.

+1

Try before you buy though.

[buddroyce]

Mod your amp. The AVT20 is still technically a solid state amp and can be modded like any pedal. Or just buy a used POD XT. You can easily improve your tone for $200 and still have LOTS of $$$ left over, you just gotta think like a guitar tech.

If you don't feel like f*cking with your amp, try a modded Boss MT-2. Getting one from Keeley costs some $$$$ but if you're handy with a soldering iron you can buy a used MT-2 for $50-$60 and get the parts you need to mod up the pedal for less than $5. If you want to do that, send me a PM and I'll let you know which parts to change.

(if you do PM me and I don't reply within 24hrs, then try finding me over at dimarzioforum.com)

[texshred777]

Originally Posted by jb4674

Get a Peavey Classic 30 used.

Jimmy

+1

I'd say save up some cash to add to your $200, a classic 30 is a pretty good choice on the used market. The marshall might make a backup if ever you need one.

[TequilaKing]

and another +1 for the Classic 30

enough 'poke' to gig with. small and compact, quiet enough to practice with at home too

[ScottB]

If you're looking for "metal" as well as classic crunch and clean tones, you can find used Mesa F-30 and F-50 heads or combos for $500 - $600. The Carvin MTS combos go for about $400 used.

[bammbamm]

Originally Posted by jim777

I would sell the Marshall and get a used Carvin 2x12 combo.

Exactly, maybe another brand, but the concept is right, sell what you have, save the $ for something better.

[Shredder87]

Hmm... perhaps stating the obvious here, but maybe you could try adjusting the EQ levels? I know of many guitarists who play with hardly any middle, a smidgen of bass and bucketloads of treble, and the result is ear-cleaving... plus most of the guitar sound gets lost behind the drum cymbals at gigs.

If that doesn't help, try an EQ pedal... quite often the best improvements come from the simplest (and indeed cheapest) solutions!

'87

[Salamander In The Sun]

Toss a 7 band EQ in the effects loop

Also, what are your settings?

[Fang]

Thanks a lot for the advice guys, looks like I'll just have to wait a while until I get a decent amp. I've been listening to Andy Timmon's Electric Gypsy too much, played through that GORGEOUS sounding Mesa Lone Star. Until then, I might try out a few pedals for the hell of it, are there any EQ pedals that I ought to check out? And how exactly does it change/shape your tone anyway versus just the EQ on your amp? And what about compressors?

For the most part, I'm not a fan of scooped mid guitar tones, so I took some advice from MAB and boosted them on my amp haha