Fuzz Tone for string sounds

Jeff Mead · From: London, England

I know that they used to use the old Boss Tone (the one that plugged into the end of the steel) to emulate string parts.

I've got one of the reissues and while it's great for wild rock fuzz effects' I can't get it to sound anything like a string section.

Any hints or, even better, Youtube videos I could check out?

Thanks everyone.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

It helps to have some kind of tone control - rolling off the treble makes a HUGE difference in the smoothness of the Bosstone fuzz sounds.

When I played steels that didn't have controls (a "missing feature" that IMO should be on every guitar) I plugged a simple passive volume and tone control box into the output jack.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Roll off highs, reduce reverb, and keep the volume low
On the "World's Greatest Show" recording of Hickory Wind, Mike Auldridge overdubbed the strings.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2QwMvS3RFDE
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Turn on the fuzz and crank up the reverb, and then play unisons. Hold the "C" pedal, down and play strings 1 & 4. Notice that when the two strings are in exact unison, you get a simple distorted sound, but what you want to do is to slant the bar ever so lightly, so as to cause some "beats". Pick, and then ease the volume on, and with a little practice, it will sound something like a string section.

But it'll never sound like a fiddle. Oh Well

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Reverb (especially Fender-type combo "tank" reverb) works on only thew highs and is usually very harsh with fuzz. Delay - especially analog delay - sounds much smoother IMO.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

I totally agree with Donny on the pedals. I still have my Boss tone I got in 1970 still works a treat. You must slant the bar a "TINY" bit. Also forget playing pedal steel...think what a string section would play.I have a liile box that clips on the leg of my steel...A U.K.version of the Goodrich Gismo. There is a volume and tone control, and I had a friend add a by-pass mini switch. Don't forget knock off the "Highs" Very Happy

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I believe I learned this at a Jeff Newman seminar. The way I learned it was to turn on the Boss Tone, turn the reverb up (a lot), treble way down, use the C pedal to get the unison on strings 1 and 4, slant the bar slightly to get the beats, and ALTERNATE PICKING AT A STEADY PACE BETWEEN THE FIRST AND FOURTH STRINGS. This is what gave me the bowing type effect to the sound.

Also, if you did the same as above, but picked strings 4,5,10, you would get a cello like sound. Again, alternate picking 4, then 5, then 10, and you get the bowing effect.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

I think I remember seeing a Bobby Seymour Youtube where he used a delay with the fuss tone?

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Here's another thought. Why not consider an Electro Harmonix Mel9 effects unit.

Check out some YouTube videos. Plus, you get other cool effects to boot, not just strings and fuzz distortion.

In addition, you might want to check out the Wampler Velvet Fuzz. It has the controls on it...just another thought.

Generally, guitar players usually bring the distortion in my experience.

Don

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