• Registered: 2008-05-09
  • Posts: 13

Topic: Epiphone Hollow Body Settings

I'm a beginner electric player with an Epiphone hollow body and a Fender Champ Amp. The guitar has two humbucker pickups with a volume and tone control for each. The amp has three controls--Volume, Treble, and Bass. For me, this is a lot of knobs to turn and many possible sound variations. I would greatly appreciate suggestions for approximate settings to accompany music of different sounds such as:
Western/Cowboy: "Riding Down the Canyon"/Gene Autry, Sons of the Pioneers
Western Swing: "San Antonio Rose"/Bob Wills
Country: "Walking the Floor Over You"/Ernest Tubb; "Okie from Muskogee"/Merle Haggard
Folk: "Country Roads"/John Denver
Popular: "Fly Me to the Moon"/Frank Sinatra; "Unforgettable"/Nat Cole
Rock: "Have I Told You Lately"/Rod Stewart
Jazz: Joe Pass
Blues: Muddy Waters
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated--just to get me in the ballpark for the different types of music. I'm a 74 year old who enjoys playing chords along with recorded music. My experience is mostly with acoustic guitar, but the electric can make so many different sounds, and is easier to play. However, I have trouble finding good guitar and amp settings to match the music.
Thanks,
Verne

  • From: Gander Newfoundland
  • Registered: 2007-05-05
  • Posts: 246

Re: Epiphone Hollow Body Settings

Ok, I play a Casino among others, it's number 2 of my Epiphones so I'll give you a hand, I don't know most of these songs particularly well but I can try and help. Use your amp at a reasonable volume, however you usually play but make sure it's loud enough to really hear yourself.

For a softer sound, try turning the volume on the guitar up (if it distorts, turn it back down) but keep the tone down. The pickup marked rhythm will be better at smooth, buttery sounds but this works with either.

For clean defenition, don't let the guitar distort but get the tone as high as you can until the sound breaks up. Should be nice and quacky, and the strings should define well.

And, finally, for distortion just get everything up as loud as you reasonably can, then play with the tone knobs and selectors. Remember that the pickup marked "Treble" is sharper and the one marked "Rhythm" is smoother.

I love my Epiphone hollowbody, enjoy!

"You have to get over the love of power, and enjoy the power of love, in order to know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix.
  • Registered: 2008-05-09
  • Posts: 13

Re: Epiphone Hollow Body Settings

Thanks very much. This will be helpful.
Verne

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Epiphone Hollow Body Settings

For the Western sounds you want try selecting the neck pickup and giving it full volume, turn the amp down for a reasonable level. Take the tone up to full brightness then back off a bit. Should give a big, 'fat' tone.

For the blues sounds try the bridge pickup. Roll the volume right back till you can just hear it, turn the amp up to compensate. Take the tone right back till the bass strings get muddy then rise a bit up from that. Should be a raw and growly tone.

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2008-05-09
  • Posts: 13

Re: Epiphone Hollow Body Settings

Thanks Cytania,
I wouldn't have thought of doing that. I appreciate the advice.
Best,
Verne