playing metal on a semi-hollowbody

[sexymonkey]

Don't trade it off dude, a "Metal" guitar is only as Metal as YOU make it. If it's YOUR tone that's all that matters. Don't trade it off for a Jackson, or some EMG-equipped-basswood guitar, don't follow the "trend". Metal comes from the heart, and from what I've heard from you- from that Epi.

[Don't Fuck With Me]

Exactly.

A pickup upgrade is probably a good idea (NOT to active/distortion PU's!), but aside from that, that guitar has enough balls and then some.

[freya]

personally i dislike the way an EMG looks. but i've never played one. so far my hollowbody seems to be rocking out really nicely. i just need a new amp, maybe a good pedal, and change strings more often. also, it doesn't look like it, but the guitar needs a new bridge piece. the parts that hold the strings are fine, but the main bridge is not. it's missing a part in it underneath the big E string level. it's working fine but i'm thinking about replacing it, since apparently that one wasn't the original anyway. i'll still keep the old bridge too.

[sexymonkey]

EMG's are a defenite no-no, they'll butcher YOUR sound, and make you sound like every other metal band, you got something going for you man! Try using Elixirs for strings, they last A CRAPLOAD, and are sure worth the price- plus they sound great... they're kinda funky though.(They sound in tune... even though technically they 'aint...?) Reguarding the new bridge... why change it? If it's interfering with your playing I can see why... but it nothing bad is coming out of it, leave it as it is. Try getting some new pickups though, pay someone to install 'em, it's a bitch to put 'em in hollowbodies.

[freya]

the pickups are aged, i think. as well as the entire guitar. should i just get new ones or keep the old ones?

[sexymonkey]

If you want a slightly different sound change 'em, if you "feel" that you could "sound" "better", then yea... if you're completely happy with your setup, don't change.

[freya]

i think my sound is good enough but then again i wouldn't know since all i've ever played are maybe 6 guitars. my hollowbody, a tele deluxe, a strat, acoustic, LP copy, and an ibanez gio.

[sexymonkey]

Compare the tones to your influences.

[freya]

i'm usually influenced by Chuck Schuldiner and bands like Devildriver, Skillet, At The Gates, Three Days Grace, etc. you probably know few of those bands though.

my clean stuff kinda matches i guess. but my distortion does not. it's great distortion, just not deep & heavy enough. and when i hear pedal distortion....it still isn't deep enough. it pisses me off that a metal distortion pedal sounds like feather distortion, and the actual distortion sounds like a fucked up computer.

done ranting, sorry.

[fenderfloyd]

For deepness try messing around with the tone dials and pick up switch, amp settings, and distortion settings. If that doesn't work look around for a new amp or pedal. Of course try them out wih your guitar to see if you can get what you are looking for.

[freya]

well i have had my amp ever since i started so i know what settings i want them on to get the sounds i want.

[sexymonkey]

Yea... you probably need a new amp man. Try some of those awesome Crates, not the crappy cheap ones. You can get some killer SS distortion outta 'em.

[freya]

Chuck Schuldiner uses a Marshall though...

[fenderfloyd]

go out and see what you like, what worked for Chuck may not for you. With you set up and $$ a different brand may work better for you.