Beatrice Lang
Electric Wizard is a band known for their heavy distortion tone, and many guitarists seek to emulate their sound. While it is difficult to achieve without the right equipment, there are a few ways to get close. One way is to use the lead channel with high bass and mids and rolled-off highs. Another option is to purchase an orange Behringer Superfuzz pedal, a clone of the pedal used by Electric Wizard, which should cost less than $50.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amp Settings | High bass and mids with rolled-off highs |
| Amp Type | Tube Screamer Clone |
| Pedal | EHX big muff or Behringer Superfuzz |
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What You'll Learn
Use pedals to create a blown-out fuzz tone
The super blown-out distortion known as "fuzz" was developed in the 1950s and 1960s when guitarists pushed their tube amps to break up and distort. This was achieved by pushing soundwaves beyond the amplifier's limit, resulting in a sound closer to a square wave than a sine wave.
Fuzz pedals have played a significant role in shaping guitar sounds and music culture, with iconic guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Jack White, David Gilmour, and Billy Corgan using them to create their signature tones.
To create a blown-out fuzz tone with pedals, you can explore various options and techniques. Here are some tips to achieve that desired sound:
- Transistor Types: Transistors for fuzz pedals are typically made of silicon or germanium. Germanium transistors produce a warmer fuzz sound that is often preferred by guitarists. They distort more smoothly and generate more harmonics. However, they are more expensive and less resilient. On the other hand, silicon transistors offer higher gain, are cheaper, and cover a wider frequency range.
- Fuzz Face: This is the classic fuzz pedal popularized by Jimi Hendrix. It features a simple two-transistor design, originally using germanium transistors. Newer versions often use silicon transistors, resulting in higher gain but a less smooth sound.
- Big Muff: The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff is a classic fuzz pedal known for its large enclosure and versatile tones. It typically uses four transistor stages, progressing from clean to increasingly clipped and distorted sounds. The fourth transistor amplifies the signal back to a usable level after the previous clipping stages.
- Fuzz Factory: The ZVex Fuzz Factory is a versatile fuzz pedal known for its chaotic nature. It was one of the first pedals to intentionally use feedback-loop-style self-oscillation. While it can be challenging to tame, it offers a wide range of tones, from ripping Velcro-style sounds to full-blown wall-of-sound fuzz.
- The Hoof: This pedal from EarthQuaker Devices is a hybrid of germanium and silicon transistors. It offers a "shift" control that allows you to dial in additional midrange to taste. With this pedal, you can achieve a doomy wall of sound or enhance string articulation for your riffs.
- Wah and Fuzz Combination: Combining a wah pedal with a fuzz pedal can create a screeching, oscillating sound due to the low input impedance of the fuzz. To fix this, you can either place the wah after the fuzz or use a buffer pedal between the two pedals to prevent the positive feedback loop.
Experiment with different fuzz pedals, adjust their settings, and combine them with other effects to create your unique blown-out fuzz tone. Remember that each transistor and pedal can sound slightly different, so trust your ears and find the combination that works best for your desired sound.
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Set your amp with high output humbuckers
Setting up your amp with high-output humbuckers can be a tricky process, but it is essential for achieving the perfect electric wizard tone. Here are some tips to help you get started:
First, let's understand the basics. High-output humbuckers are designed to provide a consistent and strong signal to your amp, resulting in a heavy and distorted sound. This is achieved through a higher number of winds on the pickup, which increases the output. However, a trade-off is made as you gain more mids and lows, but lose some of the high-end frequencies.
When setting up your amp, the type of music you intend to play is an important consideration. High-output humbuckers are typically associated with heavy music genres like metal, where speed, definition, tightness in the low end, and volume for solos are crucial. If you are playing metal, you will want to ensure your amp can handle high gains without sacrificing tone quality.
It is worth noting that the type of pickup you choose will impact your sound. Active pickups, for example, can help balance frequencies by boosting and EQing the signal. Additionally, some guitarists prefer to use pedals to achieve their desired sound, rather than relying solely on a high-gain amp.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment. While high-output humbuckers are traditionally associated with heavy music, breaking the rules is part of the fun in rock music. Try different combinations of amps, pickups, and pedals to find the sound that suits your unique style.
With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to dialing in that electric wizard tone you're seeking!
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Detune your guitar
To detune your guitar, you need to loosen the strings to reduce tension. This can make the guitar easier to play, as it requires less force to press down on the strings. Detuning can also add a lot more responsiveness to your playing. With lower string tension, you can get more articulation in the response from both hands, allowing you to make microtonal adjustments that add colour to your voicings. Bending and vibrato become more responsive, which can add a lot of nuance to your playing.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of. With lower string tension, it is easier to over-bend the strings, and if you pick too hard, you can briefly knock your strings out of tune.
To detune your guitar, you can start by turning the tuning knobs at the head of the guitar. Typically, the thicker strings (E, A, D, G) are tuned first, followed by the thinner strings (B, E). You can use an electronic tuner or a tuning app on your phone to help you achieve the desired tuning.
It's important to note that detuning your guitar can affect the string tension and may require adjustments to the truss rod to maintain optimal playability and sound. If you're unsure about making these adjustments yourself, it's recommended to consult a guitar technician or a professional guitar setup service.
Additionally, you may want to consider using lighter gauge strings when detuning your guitar. This can help maintain a similar tension to your original setup while still achieving the desired lower tuning. For example, if you're using *.12 strings*, you could try .10 or .09 gauge strings to reduce tension and make playing more comfortable.
Remember to take your time when detuning your guitar, and make sure you are happy with the sound and feel before moving on. Enjoy exploring new tunings and the unique soundscapes they can create!
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Use the lead channel with high bass and mids
To achieve an Electric Wizard-style tone, one of the key components is using a thick-sounding fuzz. A popular option is the Big Muff, which can be combined with an overdrive/tube screamer pedal for added distortion. For those on a budget, the Orange Behringer Superfuzz is a recommended clone of the pedal Electric Wizard used, retailing for under $50 CAD.
When using a Big Muff, players have recommended adjusting the tone knob to between 1 and 2 o'clock, depending on your guitar. The volume and sustain can be played off each other to achieve the desired attack, volume, and saturation.
For those with a single-channel amp, such as the Dark Terror, you may want to forgo pedals entirely and focus on adjusting the amp settings. One suggestion is to use the neck pickup with the tone set to 0. Additionally, adjusting the amp's shape knob to introduce more mids can help the guitar cut through the noise and achieve a more defined sound.
To dial in the desired Electric Wizard-type tone, it's important to experiment with different settings and equipment. The specific adjustments will depend on your gear and personal preferences, so feel free to tweak the aforementioned suggestions to suit your taste.
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Roll off the highs
To achieve a heavy distortion tone similar to Electric Wizard, you can make adjustments to your amplifier settings and guitar. Firstly, set your amplifier to the lead channel with high bass and mids, and roll off the highs. This means reducing the volume of high-frequency sounds, which will help to create a darker and less trebly tone.
Rolling off the highs is particularly important if you are seeking a deep and heavy distortion tone without the use of pedals. By attenuating the higher frequencies, you are able to shape the overall sound, emphasizing the lower frequencies and creating a warmer and more rounded tone.
To further enhance this effect, you can experiment with different types of guitar pickups. Humbucker pickups, for example, are known for their ability to produce a thicker and fuller sound compared to single-coil pickups. By combining the rolled-off highs with the unique characteristics of humbucker pickups, you can achieve a more pronounced mid-range and an overall darker tone.
Additionally, consider detuning your guitar to lower tunings. This technique is often used in doom metal and stoner rock genres to achieve a deeper and heavier sound. By detuning your guitar, you are essentially lowering the pitch of your strings, which can contribute to the overall dark and heavy tone you are aiming for.
It is worth noting that while rolling off the highs is an important aspect of achieving this type of tone, it is just one part of the equation. Experimenting with different amplifier settings, pickup types, and guitar techniques will also play a crucial role in capturing the Electric Wizard-style tone.
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Frequently asked questions
You can get close to this tone by using the Tone Studio, but if that's not available, you can try using high output humbuckers, detuning, and using the lead channel with high bass and mids and rolled-off highs.
Yes, the orange Behringer Superfuzz is a clone of the pedal Electric Wizard used, and it should be less than $50.
You can try using multiple plugins or get creative with your amp settings by pushing it with high output humbuckers, detuning, using the lead channel with high bass and mids, and rolled-off highs.
