The Secret Sauce of Legendary Blues Tones: From Amp Settings to Overdrive Pedals

Introduction

Blues music, a genre steeped in emotion and raw feeling, has captivated audiences for generations. Its sound is instantly recognizable – twangy guitars weaving soulful melodies, punctuated by heart-wrenching bends and smooth vibrato. But what exactly makes that iconic blues guitar tone tick?

While the soulful cries and expressive bends are hallmarks of the blues, the foundation for that iconic sound is very much rooted in the gear you choose. Here, we'll delve into the world of blues guitar tone, exploring how guitar amp settings interact with your gear to create that signature blues magic.

Before we begin, it’s important to keep in mind that guitar amps can vary widely in their sounds, and many amps, like the Catalyst 100 shown below, have a variety of amp presets for different levels of gain. To keep things simple, the amp settings in this article will apply to mid-gain amps that are best suited for genres like blues and rock. If you have a low-gain amp designed for genres like jazz, just know that you’ll have to compensate a bit with your overdrive pedal.

General Amp Settings for Blues:

• Gain: 3-4
• Treble: 5-7
• Mids: 3-4
• Bass: 5-7

 

At the Core of Blues Guitar Tone: The Gear

 

Guitars for Blues: Telecaster and Stratocaster

The blues wouldn't be the same without the unmistakable twang of certain electric guitar types. Two of the most prominent contenders are the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster.

 

Telecaster Blues Tones

The bright, twangy sound of the Fender Telecaster is a cornerstone of Texas blues. Its single-coil pickups deliver a sharp attack and cutting tone, perfect for those stinging leads and crisp rhythm parts. Telecasters also have a natural bite and twang that can be accentuated with a touch of treble on your amp, adding a layer of piercing character that's synonymous with Texas blues guitar.

 

Stratocaster Blues Tones

The Fender Stratocaster's versatility shines in blues, offering a range of tones to suit different styles. Its three single-coil pickups provide a sonic palette: the bridge pickup delivers a bright and snappy twang for cutting leads, the neck pickup offers a warmer, fuller sound for smooth rhythm playing, and the in-between positions blend these characteristics for further tonal variations. Adjusting the pickup selector on your Strat allows you to tap into these different voicings, making it a highly adaptable guitar for exploring various blues feels.

Pickups for Blues

While single-coils reign supreme, some blues players favor the warmth and fullness of P-90 pickups. These pickups offer a thicker, more robust tone compared to single-coils, while retaining that essential clarity for those expressive bends and soulful vibrato.

 

Amplifiers for Blues

The amp you choose acts as the heart of your blues tone. Tube amplifiers are highly sought after for blues because they naturally produce a warm, dynamic sound that breaks up beautifully when pushed. However, there are some trade-offs with tube amps. They are best suited for playing at higher volume levels, and at lower volumes, you aren’t able to access the dynamics and natural overdrive. This makes them less than ideal to use outside of live settings where you are able to crank your volume up. They are also more expensive to maintain than solid state amps, as the tubes themselves eventually burn out and have to be replaced.

 

Pedals: Capturing the Blues Spirit at Any Volume

While tube amps remain the holy grail for achieving that classic blues tone, their limitations are well known. Cranking the volume for natural overdrive isn't always an option, especially for bedroom players or those wanting to practice quietly. This is where pedals come in – a guitarist's toolbox filled with solutions.

Enter the overdrive pedal. Designed to emulate the warm break-up and rich harmonics of a cranked tube amp, these pedals allow you to achieve that signature blues sound at any volume level. By adjusting the gain knob on an overdrive pedal, you can dial in anything from a subtle breakup to a full-on roar, perfectly replicating the sound of a pushed tube amp.

Overdrive pedals are a godsend for blues guitarists, offering a portable and versatile way to shape their tone. They not only allow you to practice and play at lower volumes without sacrificing that bluesy character, but they also open doors for further sonic exploration. Many overdrive pedals offer additional features like tone shaping and boost, letting you tailor your sound to your specific preferences.

So, whether you're a bedroom blues enthusiast or a seasoned gigging musician, an overdrive pedal is an essential addition to your blues guitar arsenal. It bridges the gap between the ideal sound and the realities of playing at different volumes, ensuring you can unleash your inner blues wherever inspiration strikes.

The Danelectro Cash Cow Billionaire and Karma ODR-10 are both excellent overdrive pedals for blues.

 

Guitar Techniques for Blues

While I’d like to mostly focus on the gear since that has the greatest impact on guitar tone, I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention the importance of technique in developing one’s blues sound.

• Fingerpicking: This essential technique involves plucking individual strings with your fingers instead of using a pick. It allows for a percussive, rhythmic approach to blues melodies, often used in the Delta blues style.
• Bending Notes: Bending notes is a technique where you literally bend the string slightly to raise its pitch, creating those expressive bluesy cries and moans. It's a technique that injects raw emotion and storytelling into your playing.
• Vibrato: This involves rapidly vibrating your finger on the string, creating a subtle pitch fluctuation that adds depth and emotion to your notes. A well-applied vibrato can make your notes sing with a bluesy character.

These techniques, when combined with the right gear and amp settings, are the building blocks for crafting that sought-after blues guitar tone. In the next section, we'll dive into the world of amp settings and explore how to dial in your own signature blues voice.

 

EQ Settings for Different Blues Subgenres

While the core principles remain similar, subtle variations in amp settings can help you achieve the characteristic sound of different blues subgenres:

 

Chicago Blues

Often known for a thicker, more aggressive sound compared to other subgenres. Try boosting the mids slightly for a fuller body, and experiment with a touch more gain for a hint of overdrive.

 

Texas Blues

Renowned for its bright, piercing Telecaster tones. Here, you can emphasize the treble a bit more for that characteristic Tele bite, while keeping the mids and bass in the mid-range for a well-balanced sound.

 

Memphis Blues

Evolved from a blend of rural and urban influences, Memphis blues can range from clean to electric, with a focus on powerful vocals and a driving rhythm section. For a clean Memphis blues tone, similar to early B.B. King, keep the gain low and focus on a clear, well-defined tone with a slight bass boost for warmth.

 

 

Iconic Blues Tones

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Blues Tone

A Texas blues prodigy, Stevie Ray Vaughan redefined the genre with his high-octane playing and searing tone. Vaughan's sound was characterized by fiery overdrive, thick sustain, and a heavy dose of Texas blues swagger. He primarily used Fender Stratocasters known for their bright twang, plugged into cranked Fender amps like the Super Reverb. Vaughan's use of a Tube Screamer overdrive pedal further pushed his sound into overdrive territory, creating his signature scorching leads and chunky rhythm tones.

 

Albert King Blues Tone

Albert King, known as the "Velvet Bulldozer" for his imposing stature and powerful playing, possessed a thick, aggressive tone that could both growl and sing. King favored Gibson Flying V guitars, typically tuned down a step and half (C# F# B E G# C#), for a heavier low-end, and often played them left-handed (strung right-handed for a reversed string order). His amp settings leaned towards a more scooped midrange, allowing his single-coil pickups to cut through with a pronounced bite. This combination delivered his signature tone - fat, percussive, and brimming with raw blues emotion.

 

B.B. King

The "King of the Blues" himself, B.B. King is renowned for his smooth, singing vibrato and piercing single-note bends. His iconic tone was heavily influenced by his beloved guitar, "Lucille," a customized Gibson semi-hollowbody known for its warm, woody sound. King typically used a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier set relatively clean with a touch of treble boost for clarity. His signature vibrato technique and use of a capo higher up the neck further contributed to his soaring, expressive sound.

 

BB King and his beloved Gibson semi-hollowbody, Lucille.

 

Conclusion

We've explored the world of blues guitar tone, from the essential gear choices to the way amp settings shape the sound of legendary bluesmen. While understanding these elements is crucial, remember – the true essence of blues lies in personal expression. 

Yes, dialing in the right amp settings can unlock a world of tonal possibilities, but don't be afraid to experiment and find your own voice.  There's no single "correct" blues tone – the beauty lies in the soulful stories your notes tell.  Tweak the knobs, explore different pedals, and most importantly,  practice!  The more you delve into the world of blues guitar, the more you'll discover your own unique sonic fingerprint.

So, grab your guitar, crank up your amp (responsibly!), and let the blues flow through your fingertips.  The journey to finding your own blues tone is an exciting one, filled with discovery and endless creative possibilities.  Now get out there and make some music!