i want to know what settings i should use to play the distortion tabs/arpeggio part of wake me up when september ends? the sound ends up getting very muddled/mixed i am using a Zoom G2.1u processor.
Sound gets muddy because you are supposed to palm mute the strings while playing. Its not like playing acoustic guitar where strings dampen themselves.
billy joe armstrong is not a big effects user. he gets most of his sound from his marshall. this song is pretty simple, overdrive-light distortion should do the job. as always, you must EQ to get what you're looking for if not using equipment that'll give you the sound readily. i have a feeling that you might be going overboard on the gain. keep the gain about halfway on a british amp model, high mids, slight bass cut, half treble. billy joe picks like a madman, so dig in. it's a very physical way to pick - very little wrist and mostly shoulder.
hey thanks and could you tell me which MARSHAL AMP? as the G2.1u has MARSHALL AMP MODELS it has Marshall JCM800 /Marshall JCM2000 / Marshall Guv'nor Overdrive Pedal
2000 should be more modern sounding IMO. 800 is the classic heavy metal sound - like Judas Priest/Iron Maiden etc
he uses a modified super lead, which predates the 800 by a few years. nonetheless, the 800 model (accuracy notwithstanding) should do the job well. it should be aggressive and raw, and not too modern-gainy and djent.