just starting out on the MUSE-ic!

[mcuosver]

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hello all!just signed up as a S.O.F.Tie after looking through the forums here and finding them helpful!
hope you guys can help me out now,though!i wanna buy myself some equipments after my current O levels and need some advice.going to be playing a lot of MUSE-ic(yes,yes,yes,my biggest inspiration to pick up guitar),maybe also music from other bands,for eg.green day??(wow,my fren just lent me their album called american idiot & the whole album was so nice!)

need to know what type of guitar i should be looking for!what amps as well.then,what kind of other equipment i need too.cos' i've done a fair bit of research and learnt that MUSE has used lots of pedals & effects on their songs.but at the same time,i want to try to stick to the minimum here guys,cos i'm trying to keep to as low a budget as possible for everything i need(including picks,straps all that stuff).i also saw this video on youtube with matt playing a les paul(isit??)-like guitar during one of MUSE's early gigs instead of the masons which he use nowadays,so thinking if i can actually play MUSE-y music without all the effects and pedal but still retain the same kind of sound.

hope everyone can recomend me what equipment to get,but also @ a cheap price!
(PS:i'm a total newbie at guitar,but i've been learning & researching alot of here and also on other sites around,so it'll be great if you guys add in explanations on the more technical terms!)

 

[hutkahn]

Hey there, and welcome to SOFT!

Me and my friends do cover some Muse when we jam, stuff like hysteria, exo-politics, supermassive black hole..

Reproducing the actual sound is very, VERY hard, unless you have an acute mastery of a kaoss pad to begin with, and own one. I've found that by just using distortion, high-gain amp, and your bridge pickup you can actually get pretty close to their sound. Another thing I do on songs like exo-politics without much dist is using my overdrive and turning on my Wah and leaving it all the way down..surprisingly gives me a satisfying sound!

Of course, starting out it may be futile to jump straight into high-end gear, so my recommendation is to set aside a budget, maybe $500-700? Head down to penin and try out various guitars, amps pedals to get a feel of what you would like. Of course you can never sound exactly like Matt (due to his much more expensive gear) but hey! Important thing about covers is to be able to hear an element of yourself!

Hope that helped

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

the easiest and cheapest way, though by no means considered cheating, is to use an above average multi-effects unit like the pod x3 or the boss gt-10.

I'm currently using a pod x3 live and there are some patches create by many other users around the world online that emulates matt's tone in various muse songs. these pedals will set u back by about $600 to $700, but it is a sure way to nail the tone u are looking for.

 

[xfigox]

Multi fx is the way to go if your budget is low. Economical and efficient. You might wanna check out the line 6 Pod X3 Live or the Zoom g9.2tt, I mentioned the zoom because it has quite alot of interesting modulations and stuff especially with the unique Z pedal.

While on the other hand the X3 has tonnes of Amp Models and allows you to use 2 different signal chains at once, so you've more variety of tones in your disposal with the X3.

Both pedals are within your budget with the Pod X3 Live at around 600++ and the Zoom at 400-500+ If I'm not wrong. Both can be found at City Music.

 

[mcuosver]

ooohhhh,okay.if i'm getting it right,i think what i'll need is a guitar,an amp as well as a pedal to try and get myself as close to MUSE's sound as possible am i right?
well,i've been out and about retail sites,and i'm wondering if i should be getting a les paul copy by epiphone or a cort cos i'm pretty sure strats won't bring me as close to the alt. rock sound that MUSE has as an lp or cort,am i right??amps wise,i've only come across the roland cube series,which has been said to produce a great line of amps.i've heard of line 6 and am not really informed about what's so great about marshalls(heard alot of musicians use this live AND in studio).also,for pedals,i'm only quite sure that i'll need a fuzz effect(and have been hearing about this zvex fuzz factory),but i think according to what u guys have just mentioned,i'll be needing multi fx.
hmmm,so what should i get?
what make of guitars should i be after?lp copies,corts,or maybe even an ibanez???
what's the recommended amp in my case?
what's the cheapest,bang-for-buck multi fx pedal around(while i check the ones you guys have recommended)??
budget wise...as mentioned,i'll probably set aside maybe around $700 for everything i need(since i'm a begineer after all):-D

 

[jskadiang]

Well if you really want to get as close as possible to the Muse sound, you'd need to get a high-gain fuzz. *coughDeviEvercough* The Z.Vex was used by Matt in a few songs, Plug-In Baby is one off the top of my head.

 

[Blurcandy]

Hey. Muse fan aswell
Firstly do you already know how to play guitar? Matt mainly uses his fuzz factory for his tone but thats abit expensive for you budget.

 

[mcuosver]

oh.is the multi fx mentioned earlier on supposed to be cheaper than the fuzz factory then?and,no haha,i've not really laid my hands on any guitars before.just been scrutinising footage of bands playing live alot ever since a few months back.i think it's safe to say i have 20% knowledge on guitars,then.i know that pickups exist for one!:-D
(PSlug in Baby on my top 10 list for most epic muse songs!)

 

[hutkahn]

multi-fx units are actually more expensive than most pedals..but more bang-for-the-buck in the sense that it can accomplish alot more! your best bet would be trying to score one second-hand from the buy/sell section (saves money, too!)

guitar-wise, would be good to get one with a humbucker, regardless of brand/model..besides epiphone and cort, can consider other brands like rally, smash from standard value also. More importantly go down and try it out, doesn't matter if you can't play much, just randomly 'wank' on the guitar haha (by that i mean playing random notes) and see if you can 'connect' with it.

amp-wise, maybe a roland cube? getting one with modelling features might replace the need for a multi-fx unit..more money for guitar and possibly pedals then. vox valvetronix models also come into mind here

 

[EugeneSmasher]

+1 to Multi-effects. So many tones in just one device. I personally use a Line 6 and I have used it for live performances without backup (I used separate distortion pedals previously, and still do sometimes), so if you get a good multi-effects, it will really go a long way. The larger Line 6 PODs would be good as they really have a lot of effects in them that you could experiment with.

Amplifiers-wise, since you're getting a multi-effects, you technically won't need an amplifier since it is a pre-amp in itself, but it does work well through an amplifier. You should avoid modelling amplifiers, and get a simple, clean-sounding amplifier as it will not clash with your multi-effects processor and cause problems. I'd recommend the Sound Drive SG-10 combo from Standard Value or SV Guitars. I personally find that it's a great-sounding clean amplifier for less than $100.

You'll need a humbucker, so while you're at Standard Value or SV Guitars (if you decide to check out the SG-10, that is), you might want to try the Smash S2, it is a stratocaster copy with a bridge humbucker and two singlecoils, so you can get quite a variety of tones from that guitar alone. It's been getting a lot of positive response here on SOFT.

Hope this helps!

 

[mcuosver]

arhh!wait a min,getting a lil' confused here.
"Amplifiers-wise, since you're getting a multi-effects, you technically won't need an amplifier since it is a pre-amp in itself"
so multi fx's are actually amps in their own right??????

also,i've heard about the smash s2 on around here as well.has anyone went down to try the guitar?does it sound okay?(i'm asking cos' the price is reasonably low but at the same time i just want to be safe!)i want to know what genres the smash s2 is best for as well.cos' i'll mostly play MUSE stuff(alt. rock,i suppose?),but sometimes a lil' bit of rock,like green day.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

multi effects have line-out/headphone jacks, where the amplified signal goes out of the multi effects into amps / speakers of sorts (like computer speakers etc)

so yeah, it does amplify in a way, the signal just needs to be produced to sound by a speaker. but u can plug this into a normal guitar amp too that's fine.

 

[xfigox]

If you don't want to get an amplifier, get a set of monitoring headphones would perform better than most practice amps out there, moreover you can monitor your sound in stereo.

For 100$ you can get your self a pretty decent set of monitoring headphones or IEMs.

 

[mcuosver]

okay,okay guys,i just thought about it while dreaming yesterday night,LOL!
here's what i think i might get:

Guitar - Epiphone Les Paul Standard
AMPs - Roland Cube 30X (i really think i'll have to get a cube cos' of the power squeezer feature since i'll be using my amp for bedroom practise(we're talking 5-room HDB here!) as well as maybe outdoor gigs)
Pedals - didn't appear in my dream! T_T

sounds reasonable for what i want to be playing,guys??:-D
also,would be great if someone can help sum up the lowest possible cost prices of these gear that you have come across!

 

[shokakukai]

standard value sells the epi les paul standard at 720.

btw you can also look into rally guitars which is quite a good deal. pretty high quality guitars and more affordable. the les paul goes at 390 at standard value as well.

hmm for pedals you should get a multi fx with an expression pedal. i've used zoom for the past 3 years and played muse with it. managed to play songs from their showbiz album to BH&R album. multi fx give u a wide range of sounds which you can explore and tweak.
i also recommend multi fx for the fact that matt pretty much puts on alot of modulation for his songs. newborn, blackout, hysteria, cave, muscle museum.

if you wanna use single pedals to get muse's sound. like the digitech whammy, fuzz factory etc.. its gonna cost a bomb.

i've used a zoom g2.1u which costs like 250 new and maybe around 150 second hand. maybe you can look into line 6 pedals as well, idk much about it cos i have never used one before.

 

[mcuosver]

standard value sells the epi les paul standard at 720.

btw you can also look into rally guitars which is quite a good deal. pretty high quality guitars and more affordable. the les paul goes at 390 at standard value as well.

hmm for pedals you should get a multi fx with an expression pedal. i've used zoom for the past 3 years and played muse with it. managed to play songs from their showbiz album to BH&R album. multi fx give u a wide range of sounds which you can explore and tweak.
i also recommend multi fx for the fact that matt pretty much puts on alot of modulation for his songs. newborn, blackout, hysteria, cave, muscle museum.

if you wanna use single pedals to get muse's sound. like the digitech whammy, fuzz factory etc.. its gonna cost a bomb.

i've used a zoom g2.1u which costs like 250 new and maybe around 150 second hand. maybe you can look into line 6 pedals as well, idk much about it cos i have never used one before.

cool!this is why i jump onto S.O.F.T every now and then!ever so often,something new to me will pop up and i'll get insight into them.
i've heard of the rally brand before.as with the smash(like how it's a cheaper strat copier as squire is to fender),it's supposed to be the cheaper les paul copier as epiphone is to gibson,yeah?
i know the prices of these brands are much,much cheaper than the epis/squires,let alone gibson/fender.but then again,i still wanna know if their QC is okay.cos' some of these companies announce that this guitar is made out of this body,but then due to production issues,the wood and all that are actually different material,therefore the lower cost.so,if shokakukai,if you really,highly recommend me the rally lps from SV(better you,tell me you tried it yourself:mrgreen,i think i'm really going to go for it.i rather trust the opinions of people on here than the shops themselves,because...WELL PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY!!!!:twisted:

(PS:can i know where you buy your multi effects??lol,it'll be great if it's from SV also.then one day,i drop by and just buy everything from there haha!)

 

[hutkahn]

Props to Rally as well, tried one of the LP-copies out when I was down at SV. Feels great, the one I tried had low action (even lower than mine!) without any buzz and the overall feel was pleasant. I recommend you to try it yourself!

Speaking of multi-fx at SV, they are recently selling a nux, i believe? never heard of the brand before but still, it can't hurt to try, would it Although priced at 399, and a Rally LP copy costs about as much, you would be hard-pressed to fit an amp into the budget..

What I would do is get a guitar (Smash S2, or Rally LP, head down and try!) Roland Cube 30x for its built-in effects, and perhaps a stand-alone distortion pedal? Just for starters

As you know, being a guitarist makes you susceptible to GAS! Sooner or later you would find yourself hankering for the OD pedal, or that wah, or flanger, etc etc. Especially with the possible year-end sale season coming up..hoho

 

[mcuosver]

Props to Rally as well, tried one of the LP-copies out when I was down at SV. Feels great, the one I tried had low action (even lower than mine!) without any buzz and the overall feel was pleasant. I recommend you to try it yourself!

Speaking of multi-fx at SV, they are recently selling a nux, i believe? never heard of the brand before but still, it can't hurt to try, would it Although priced at 399, and a Rally LP copy costs about as much, you would be hard-pressed to fit an amp into the budget..

What I would do is get a guitar (Smash S2, or Rally LP, head down and try!) Roland Cube 30x for its built-in effects, and perhaps a stand-alone distortion pedal? Just for starters

As you know, being a guitarist makes you susceptible to GAS! Sooner or later you would find yourself hankering for the OD pedal, or that wah, or flanger, etc etc. Especially with the possible year-end sale season coming up..hoho

haha,looks like i'm really going to get myself a rally lp then.hmm,which one specifically would you guys suggest?i'm thinking one of the GL-400 series.looks great,not sure about the specs though(best if one of the pros here can help me take a look)

http://standardvalue.com.sg/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=125

er,then,what's low action,hutkahn?lol,sorry,i'm a newbie as mentioned,so don't know all these chim technical terms!:???:
and i'm thinking GAS is something along the lines of Guitar Acquiring Syndrome,or something like that?LOL!

editpps,forgot to ask.looks to me as if the rallys don't come with a pickguard,which actually looks better,but i wanna know if it's going to "hurt" my guitar,without a pickguard T_T

 

[fyan]

hey man! im a muse dude too. hmm..i use a fuzz factory -> mxr eq 10 band -> digitech ex7(for synth sounds) ->line 6 dl4 -> korg dt 10 tuner -> marshall jcm 2000. ahahs. hmm..ohh. and pickups play a role too. i've got a bare knuckle nailbomb on my bridge ala matt's chrome bomber manson. but its kinda ex. i recommend the kent armstrong motherbucker. it retails at 125 bucks at guitar connection(penin). kent armstrong pups is the closest i can get to a bare knuckle nailbomb before i got the nailbomb. ahaha. you can try it. well just giving my opinion and suggestions here. hope it helps.

 

[fyan]

for more info go here. www.musewiki.org

there's a hell lot of useful muse stuff. the impt thing to get a muse 'tone' is the fuzz and the line 6 delay coz the line 6 has the sweep echo which mattt uses quite a lot for his performances during showbiz, absolution and especially the hullaballoo era.