Ever plug a guitar into an amp that by all rights shouldn't be a very good combination, but turns out to be stellar?
Usually my instincts are pretty good, but every so often, I get wowed by some unsuspected combination that works in just the right way. Here's an example:
I have a head and cab switcher, so I usually turn several amps on at once and switch between them while practicing, just for grins. My inclination with the HXDA is to use a fat sounding solid body guitar to achieve the tones I like. That usually means a thick solid body electric. In fact, I bought the amp for just that purpose.
Yeah...Not. So. Fast!
I discovered that I love the Special Semi Hollow with the HXDA with the guitar volume rolled down for clean tones, and that in fact, it's my very favorite amp with the SSH in Positions 2 and 4, where I can also roll the volume up for gorgeous edge-of-breakup tones. It's also the amp that works by far the best for me with the SSH's coil splits.
Something about the amp's voicing is simply a natural match for that guitar, which took me by surprise when I started using them together. Doesn't even need reverb or delay, my usual go-to things. I also like the way this amp and guitar combination work with a compressor for certain things, and with a tremolo pedal, it's the cat's ass. The more I use this combination, the more I like it.
I'm sure that most of us have experienced something similar. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Usually my instincts are pretty good, but every so often, I get wowed by some unsuspected combination that works in just the right way. Here's an example:
I have a head and cab switcher, so I usually turn several amps on at once and switch between them while practicing, just for grins. My inclination with the HXDA is to use a fat sounding solid body guitar to achieve the tones I like. That usually means a thick solid body electric. In fact, I bought the amp for just that purpose.
Yeah...Not. So. Fast!
I discovered that I love the Special Semi Hollow with the HXDA with the guitar volume rolled down for clean tones, and that in fact, it's my very favorite amp with the SSH in Positions 2 and 4, where I can also roll the volume up for gorgeous edge-of-breakup tones. It's also the amp that works by far the best for me with the SSH's coil splits.
Something about the amp's voicing is simply a natural match for that guitar, which took me by surprise when I started using them together. Doesn't even need reverb or delay, my usual go-to things. I also like the way this amp and guitar combination work with a compressor for certain things, and with a tremolo pedal, it's the cat's ass. The more I use this combination, the more I like it.
I'm sure that most of us have experienced something similar. Discuss amongst yourselves.
