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Post subject: Tone differences with different guitars...
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:14 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:53 am
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
I know every guitar sounds different through amps, but this is a little different. My Highway 1 Stratocaster sounds excellent through it. I also have a ESP LTD HH configuration.

Little back story...I can switch guitars with my other amp without much change. However, when I switch guitars with the G Dec it acts like the pickups are too hot for it (which is surprising because they are low end factory stock pups). The last thing I want to do is fiddle with tone settings on the amp to play my other guitar through it.

For now I just play my Fender through the G-Dec amp. Has anybody else had this problem? Any suggestions?

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2007 Fender Highway 1
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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:46 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:49 pm
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Location: Memphis
Hi,
Yes, this sounds like something I've had going on. When I play my Stat (active PU) It easily "overdrives" I have to turn the volume down on the guitar, and ply with the tone. When I play my Tele, I can do anything I want. I have posted this "overdrive " question, here and on mygedec.com, but no one has had an answer.
Like you, playing both guitars through my tube amp ( Hot Rod) gives great results on both guitars.

I have come to think it must be something about signal going to the gdec but am unsure what to do?

If you figure something out, please let me know, until then we will have to fiddle with the volume and tone...

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:03 pm
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Hobbyist
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The GDEC preamp is easily overdriven. So a single coil guitar (strat or Tele with non-active pups) works ok. Hotter pups (Hot wound single coils, HBs and active type pups) will overdrive it. The best (but not always) solution is to reduce the volume of the guitar but that "overdrive" point varies between GDECs. The GDEC-30 preamp was redesigned to correct this problem and works great with any guitar pups.

I was lucky enough to find a great deal on a GDEC-30 for $150 so I bought it. While I had both amps I did the comparison and there is indeed a difference in the performance (plus all the extra features). I sold the older GDEC for $150 so I was fortunate that the upgrade to the "30" didn't cost me anything. I also haven't had any of the selector knob problems with the "30" either.
If you can....get a GDEC-30 and don't look back.


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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:31 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:53 am
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
Thanks for the replies, I'll keep playing my Fender Guitar through it. I like playing it better any ways. If I do find a solution I will post it and I'll keep watching this thread to see if any one else knows. BTW it is a G-Dec 15 watt model so the humbucker just may be too hot. I will decrease the volume if I play my other guitar through it. RK

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2007 Fender Highway 1
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2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head


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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:30 am
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An alternative take on this situation is to monitor your gain stages. A gain stage is caused by every device that can amplify your signal. If you have a passive guitar plugged into an amp, that's one gain stage. An active guitar plugged into an amp, that's two gain stages. Add pedal that can boost the signal, we now have 3 gain stages.

This matters because each gain stage increases the chance for over equalization. For example, if you have an active guitar, plugged into a pedal, which is plugged into an amp, and all 3 have their settings at maximum, you will likely get all kinds of undesirable sounds. The trick is to back off your settings at each gain stage to get the best sound possible.

For example, I use a Pandora PX4d, which has a switch for both active and passive instruments. I first plug my guitar directly into the amp and set all of my settings to flat. I then insert the Pandora into the signal chain, then alter settings until I get the sound I want. I save that "preset", then I do the same using my active. The result? No over eq, no fiddling with knobs, and no angry looks from the sound guy for messing up the balance of the mix.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:39 pm
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I agree completely with 5 aces. I had a similar opportunity to upgrade and did. I'm very happy.

On "Mygdec.com" there are several discussions about over-driving the input stages of the base Gdec. Use a volume pedal or something similar between the guitar and the amp to regulate the strength of the guitar's signal. A compressor on a clean setting, an EQ, anything with a volume setting will work.

The -30 is self regulating and therefore doesn't have that problem. The Junior doesn't have this issue either. Even with your strat, I bet reducing the volume slightly will improve the sound of the amp.


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