Hey all. I was just wondering if anyone might have any tips on how to get my guitar to sound more like Keith's usual sound? I use a (made in mexico) Stratocaster, and I have a Fender Deluxe amp. I also have a Tokai Love Rock, but I only use it for songs like Sympathy or Carol. I've been messing about with the settings, but I usually have it at
-very high treble
-medium bass
-and I use a Fender drive pedal that came with the amp. Any help is really appreciated. Thank you!
P.S. I know that getting a Telecaster would get me a closer sound, but I figured that Keith sometimes uses a Strat, and I believe it's easier to make a strat sound like a tele than vice versa



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-06-02 01:48 by stones2000.

Turn the mid up with the treble.

Also, maybe try a clean boost pedal?

I think Keith has used a Zinky Master Blaster in the past.

A tele, slap echo and cranked tweed twins is the real deal but the other may get you somewhat close.

Keith likes stratocasters too. His current sound is just a small example of his many useful tones.

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DoomandGloom
Keith likes stratocasters too. His current sound is just a small example of his many useful tones.

That's true! I think his sound was pretty different in the 1972 DVD, for example

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beachbreak
Turn the mid up with the treble.

Also, maybe try a clean boost pedal?

I think Keith has used a Zinky Master Blaster in the past.

A tele, slap echo and cranked tweed twins is the real deal but the other may get you somewhat close.

Thanks so much for the tips! I'll try out what you said

Dont sound like Keith. Sound like yourself.

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More Hot Rocks
Dont sound like Keith. Sound like yourself.

More hot rocks has a point. If you try to sound like Keith you will fail but if you try to sound like yourself but let Keith's influence come in then you will get closer.

That being said learn open g. That will help a ton.

Go Dawgs!

At your age try to sound like Keith all you want, just don't try to live like he did, you'll never make 16.

peace

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More Hot Rocks
Dont sound like Keith. Sound like yourself.

Agreed, trying to imitate someone else's sound (especially Keith's, who has a very distinctive one) will only restrict your musicianship. Just branch out and don't worry if you sound like Keith or not. You're probably better off not... you don't wanna be the guy who everyone says about, "Hey, that's the guy who sounds like Keith Richards." You want your own identity, not someone else's.

If you know how to solder or know somebody who can do it for you, there is a mod for the Strat that adds a switch to turn on the neck pup irregardless of the position original selector switch. Google it (Strat switch mod, or 7 sounds Strat mod). With the mod, you can have the neck and bridge pickups on at the same time (not possible on a stock Strat that doesn't have S1 switching). That makes a Strat sound very Telecaster-ish. You also have the option to have all 3 pickups on at the same time (a feature you will not use as much as one might think).

Also, as with any MIM (made in Mexico) Fender, if you can upgrade the pickups to MIA pups, you'll be much happier.

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More Hot Rocks
Dont sound like Keith. Sound like yourself.

Good advice, thank you. But at the same time, it's cool to be able to get closer to that guitar sound I love so much

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nankerphlege

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More Hot Rocks
Dont sound like Keith. Sound like yourself.

More hot rocks has a point. If you try to sound like Keith you will fail but if you try to sound like yourself but let Keith's influence come in then you will get closer.

That being said learn open g. That will help a ton.

I actually already have learned Open G! My Strat is almost always in Open G now, and my Tokai's usually in standard. It does help a ton!

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Naturalust
At your age try to sound like Keith all you want, just don't try to live like he did, you'll never make 16.

peace

Lol yeah. I don't consider the drugs/alcohol to be an integral part of Keith's personality, anyway. He was/is an amazing, incredible guitarist, and a really cool guy regardless of all the "booze and pills and powders". And he's proven that now that he's clean. He's every bit the Keith he always was. To me, it least

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5stringTele
If you know how to solder or know somebody who can do it for you, there is a mod for the Strat that adds a switch to turn on the neck pup irregardless of the position original selector switch. Google it (Strat switch mod, or 7 sounds Strat mod). With the mod, you can have the neck and bridge pickups on at the same time (not possible on a stock Strat that doesn't have S1 switching). That makes a Strat sound very Telecaster-ish. You also have the option to have all 3 pickups on at the same time (a feature you will not use as much as one might think).

Also, as with any MIM (made in Mexico) Fender, if you can upgrade the pickups to MIA pups, you'll be much happier.

Ooh, I might have to try that! Thanks for that advice, greatly appreciated!

Sometimes, when a guitarist is struggling to find a specific tone, other guitarists refer to it as, "chasing the dragon."

There is no known cure.

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5stringTele
Sometimes, when a guitarist is struggling to find a specific tone, other guitarists refer to it as, "chasing the dragon."

There is no known cure.

That's a good analogy. I'll keep at it, and try out all the great tips I've been given

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stones2000

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DoomandGloom
Keith likes stratocasters too. His current sound is just a small example of his many useful tones.

That's true! I think his sound was pretty different in the 1972 DVD, for example

yup, he also used a maple neck stratocaster for 5 string in the 70's. He's always been a Gibson man as well. Learn TD, Exile and Brussels, there's many Keithisms hidden behind the verses. I guess Exile TD is a Gibson Flying V!

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DoomandGloom

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stones2000

Quote
DoomandGloom
Keith likes stratocasters too. His current sound is just a small example of his many useful tones.

That's true! I think his sound was pretty different in the 1972 DVD, for example

yup, he also used a maple neck stratocaster for 5 string in the 70's. He's always been a Gibson man as well. Learn TD, Exile and Brussels, there's many Keithisms hidden behind the verses. I guess Exile TD is a Gibson Flying V!

I already know most of Exile TD. I'll check out Brussels!