Pick Attack

[ziff9000]

Hi Everyone,

I just got my Nitro this week and it's an awesome amp, but the feel of it is way different than my other amps (Mesa Roadster and a Marshall DSL). When I play chords this thing sounds absolutely devastating, but I can't play any decent leads. My other amps are spongy and more forgiving so my picking dynamics don't seem to affect the sound as much, but when I play the Nitro I can get audible pops/noise when picking single notes. My goal is to get a smooth lead sound without too much popping/clicking. I turn the resonance up to spongy things up a bit, which seems to help a little. I've also tried lighter picking but there are times when I just feel like picking hard.

Splawns have a reputation for being unforgiving amps so I'm chalking this up to my crappy guitar skills. I've only been playing guitar for a few years so if this is how the normally behaves then it'll definitely motivate me to practice more.

I also play mostly in my bedroom so I turn the volume up to right around the spot where it goes from super quiet to super loud (around 8-8:30). I also use the volume pedal in the loop trick sometimes with the volume at 9 o'clock. Maybe I'm just not turning it up loud enough to mask the sound of my pick hitting/scraping the strings?

Have you guys experienced anything similar when using a Splawn for the first time?

Thanks for reading.

[shreder75]

you'll get used to it, dude

I came from playing a modelling amp and a b 52 at 100 immediately prior to the splawn...the line 6 allowed you to play anything and the b 52 was really saturated as well...

there are more difficult amps to play, but there are also easier amps to play...give it a little while and you'll start to feel right at home on the thing

[stompboxfreak1972]

Now I absolutely love the " unforgiving " nature of my Nitro. I am a alternate picking player. I don't do much legato. I use Dunlop 2.0 picks.... the things are like poker chips. I also use 10 gauge strings and I would use 11 gauge if they did not tear my fingers up so bad. I was very concerned about the Splawn exposing me as a sloppy player. After playing ( well, wrestling) with a Dual Rec for 8 years the Nitro actually has made me realize how the DR was LIMITING my lead playing. I would give the Splawn a chance, get out a metronome and get some heavier strings and picks.

If, in the end, you decide the Nitro is not for you then please email me as I need a backup ! Hell, I''ll trade you a Dual rec for it !

[LooseCannon]

Don't try picking lightly, Splawns were made for picking hard and digging in, you'll get the best tone that way. I suggest practicing with the clean channel, after a while the OD channel will be much easier to play.

[Ayton(e)]

Splawns are just very articulate and dynamic and let you hear everything you do – everything!

I know everyone's got suggestions, but I would take a close look at your picking. Spongy forgiving amps let you get away with all manner of technical sins, and encourage bad habits. Generally, using the pick absolutely parallel with the string will give you the least audible attack; the more angle you use the more attack you'll hear. There's a good Paul Gilbert video on You Tube demonstrating this.

[Dirrty Craig]

If you've only been playing a few years don't be too hard on yourself. Get a metronome and work on that picking. Splawns are unforgiving but it'll make you better and after a while you won't even notice it anymore.

[ziff9000]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! The amp didn't jive with me after a few days of owning it but now that I've been paying more attention to my picking dynamics and overall playing it's really growing on me. I'm glad I have an amp that can immediately tell me where my playing is lacking.