[madman360]

how do i get that "acid rock" sound out of my guitar? i'm a total noob and at first i thought all electric guitars sounded like that but they don't, then i thought the amp had something to do with it but it didn't, then i thought it was cos my guitar's a sing pickup but i was at guitar center yesterday and they had exactly the guitar i have with the sound i want........what do i do?

[Donovan]

I think there are roughly 4 factors which influence the "sound" you create with your guitar:

1. The guitar itself (especially the pickups)
2. The amp (compare one of those small practice amps with a big Marshall for example)
3. Effects (pedals and other processing units)
4. The way you play and technique (fingerpicking or flatpicking? Different positions etc.)

I'm not exactly sure what type of sound you're referring to, so maybe you could name a song that uses a similar "sound"? Most likely you're looking for a specific type of overdrive/distortion... Big chance you'll find the thing you want in one those effect pedals (I hear a lot of good things about the Boss ones). Maybe someone else can give some more detailed help here...

[madman360]

not really hard rock......something around hendrix's sound

[737blues]

Ummm .... If the guitar centre had a guitar with exactly the sound you want, why don't you ask them about it? I'm sure they will be happy to explain it all to you.

[Ultimate Garage Band]

What equipment are you using?

[madman360]

epiphone les paul jr with an epiphone practice amp that came with it

[Donovan]

Are you saying an epiphone les paul jr has single coil pickups?

Note that Jimi Hendrix used Stratocasters almost exclusively (they have a "unique" sound) and played them through large Marshall amps. He also used Dunlop Wah Wah Pedals, Crybaby's and also Mud Fuzz distortion boxes (if I'm right?). So there's a lot of things that contribute to that sound.

I have a practice amp here at home as well and I KNOW it to be a limitting factor in trying to get the sound I want. Remember that these things aren't called practice amps for nothing and trying (any!) guitar on a Marshall amp in a guitar store will give you a completely different sound. I'm not telling you to get a Marshall (or any other expensive) amp, but know that this can be a an important factor. I'd go try a few things and ask a few questions at that guitar store. I'm sure there'll be some guys with some more experience willing to help you out there

[737blues]

Guitar Port, (or similar) with it's amp modelling software is also a relatively cheap and very easy way to get started. It also makes connecting your guitar to your computer for recording easy. Ask your local guitar store guys about it.

[Ultimate Garage Band]

The Epi LP Jr. has a single humbucker in the bridge.

Unfortunatly, amps that come in starter packs are totally worthless.

Save up $130 and get a Roland Micro Cube. Best bang for the buck little amp out there. Plenty of settings to make you happy.

In general, w/solid state amps you should have 2 volume controls. One controls the signal being sent to the power amp. It's usually called , Pre or Gain or Drive or even Level. Then the other volume controls the overall volume of the amp itself. It's the volume control for the power amp and it's usually call Master, Level, Volume, or something like that. You'll know which is which because typically, the gain is to the left of the master on the amp. Probably not directly next to it, althought that can happen, but somewhere to the left. If you turn the gain all the way but the master all the way down, you shouldn't hear anything. The way you get a 'Rock' tone is to 'overdrive' the master volume by setting the gain higher than the volume. On really cheesy amps they might just have a button to push that says 'OD' or 'overdrive'.

[madman360]

thanks guys....i think i'll just stick with my current amp till i'm sure i'm commited to learning guitar

[Cedric01]

You could get yourself the Jimi Hendrix Experience Artist Series Pedal from Digitech. The list price for the unit is $249.95. However, if you look around a bit, you should be able to get this unit at a cheaper price. Point your mouse to www.digitech.com

[Johnnymic7]

all of your ideas are great. to make this simpler on you go to the guitar center and find yourself a guitar you can afford and one that you really like. Next ask to see the Line 6 Spider II. Plug the guitar you like into it you'll notice the sound your looking for is called "distortion" ask the sales associate there to show you how to work the amplifier. if you dont like that one or its 2 pricey ask him to show you another amp with the similar features the line 6 has