Telecaster loud with distortion and a variac, Sovtek Mig 50, Tom Short Pickups

A jam session was cancelled today so I decided to hit some more great tones on camera. Sorry for the digital camera sound. For this clip, I plugged the amp's power cord into a $40 variac (a voltage regulator, inexpensive and great!) (set on 90 volts). I totally recommend doing this!! It takes harshness away and gives tonal bliss (lower-voltage amp). No effects were used.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sovtek
• mig
• 50
• telecaster
• variac
• Tom
• Short
• Pickups
• Tombucker
• vintage
• country
• coils

[Teutonic1250]

what cab are you using?

[studioman2]

Using my Music Man amp as a cab.

[Rambo29]

those are the EXACT amps that I want to a/b together for clean and dirty sounds. I envy you!

[studioman2]

Thanks, I am glad. I like the Sovtek better recorded (close mic'ed), but it has to be loud, and the output transformer on the Ceriatone is way better (the Ceriatone has better live sound). I'm going to look for other amps to post soon too.

[RatmFAN360]

wow sumone tried to tell me telecaster with lots of distortion sucked. but i knew it was a lie cause have u heard tom morello play his?

[studioman2]

The pickups also make a big difference for the tele. 1st led Zep album - done on a tele meant for Country, etc. I wanted that tone and got it, believe it or not, with a "Vintage Country Coil" (its different, and biting with distortion).

[kpuc2006]

Am I the only one who thinks this sounds awful? Playing was fine, just screw the Variac and crank the amp! Tube amplifiers are not meant to be played that quietly.

I am not trying to play devil's advocate here. Just wanted to post some constructive criticism. Thanx!

[keeelane]

won't the variac fuck up the amp, tho?

[gamerbri]

I heard a lil bit of zeppelin at the end (:

[BassOnABudget]

Nice bridge. I kinda miss not having a tremolo on mine

[TheDriveMaster]

Monster tone. In a good way ; )

[tbirdpunk]

@Teutonic1250 In the end, the simple answer is that you can, it might just involve having a bit of modding haha. Different combo amps will have different features. You can tell how easy or difficult it would be by looking at various amps in a local music shop. Some are set up so you can use a separate head, others are not so friendly and require some tinkering. Look at how half stacks are linked up, then observe the combo amps. Perhaps google the inside of a 4-12 cab to see how that works.

[Teutonic1250]

@tbirdpunk its a little more than 20 watts. im sure its a somewhat small speaker. i just wanted to know how you connect a head to a combo for when i have one in the future

[tbirdpunk]

@Teutonic1250 What kind of combo are you talking about? Is it a little practice amp or something bigger? Make sure whatever it is that OHM's and wattage will be compatible. You could do some tinkering to make your combo set up useable with a head if it isn't already. Before you go that route though, is it worth the effort? A crap 8" speaker meant for 15w isn't going to do a 100w head any justice.

[Teutonic1250]

@studioman2 could you connect an amp head to a combo even if it doesent have an input on the back of it?