10 Nov AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” New Series
Well, with the arrival of the Aracom PRX150 DAG (Power Attenuator) I can finally reach new heights. Why? Because this is a REAL attenuator, like I’ve never owned before (review coming soon). This attenuator – a passive one – lets me crank properly any amplifier power section – included the ones of MVs amps, such a 2203 or a 2204, as in the case with this video – and obtain finally proper sound. I know, I seem a bit too revolutionary, but please listen for yourself.
Technical Details.
The Aracom PRX150 DAG receives a cable from the amp and sends a cable to the cabinet (image coming soon). This way, it serves as a power/loudness attenuator for a tube amp.
The sound from the amp goes to the cabinet once it has been attenuated, retaining as much as possible the characteristics of transparency that most if not all attenuators on the market strive to provide. This way, I cranked the power section of a 2204 (50 watts Marshall JMP) to 6-8 (depending on the part to be played) with the preamp around 6-8 as well (depending on the part, rhythm or solos). Impressive. This is the way that one can reproduce decently true Marshall cranking at bedroom levels.
Cabinet was a 1960B with G12Ms. Two AT4047 Microphones used. Equalization was not dramatic this time, since the amp delivers better tone from the start (equalization curves to be added). A tad of reverb (Sonnox) and it was done.
Tutorial for this song coming soon.
Guitar is a recent acquisition, not yet catalogued here, another 1969 Gibson SG Standard.
The original track has been separated, and right channel has been muted (Angus). Then, the left side has been made mono, so now you have Malcolm in the centre.
I played on the right side (all to the right) the rhythm track, while solos are in stereo.
I think I am extremely close to “If You Want Blood” Angus’ tone. I won’t say to the whole “HighWay To Hell” Album, as I have to study the other songs. However, I may stretch to the point of saying that most if not all of the album was played with Marshall Master Volume amps. I can hear Angus clearly using some both on rhythm tracks and solos. Distinctive pre-amp tone!
OldSchoolRocker666
Posted at 14:50h, 30 OctoberNice one! 🙂
A bit offtopic!
Do you like early Motörhead Fil?
Was thinking if you sometimes play old Motörhead songs, was thinking the earliest albums up to lets say Ace of Spades or Iron Fist.
I like the oldest Motörhead records, like Bomber, Overkill, their self titled Motörhead album and so on, Ace of Spades has some nice songs as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geVkvTeBq9w&noredirect=1 Iron Horse is a nice song i think 🙂
I like “Fast” Eddie Clarke when he was in the band still, he could play fast but it feels more like he focused on giving the soloes some soul and feeling into it when he was in the band, you know like some groove or something. He had tasty soloes in my opinion, just listen to the solo part of the Bomber song and you hear what i mean for example 🙂
NathanBrazil
Posted at 05:20h, 30 OctoberHey, can someone help me with one thing?
I’v just got my 1970 SG Standard, yey!!
But, it had cracked during the flight… not a big deal, it’s already fixed, but…
It has been a week since it arrives here and it still don’t want to stay in tune! It’s insane, all strings are 100% in tune, but when you strikes a G chord it gets so out of tune! The intonation(bridge) is nicely tuned… I’m using a set of new Schaller tuners….
Do you think the weather may contribute to it not to stay in tune?
The guitar was in NY, now it’s in Brazil, hot and humid.
Thanks
depuis1899
Posted at 11:35h, 30 OctoberWell, that’s kinda weird yes, it should have adapted after 2 or max 3 days…
Maybe check the strings, might be that you’ve not put them on the tuners very well, but I dont think so, I listen to you quite often, and I can imagine you know how to put strings on a guitar …
If I were you I’d let it check one more time… :/
But I really hope it’s something which can be easily fixed
rjofig
Posted at 13:14h, 30 OctoberCongrats on the guitar! I hope you find what’s causing this problem…
Is it one particular string that gets out of tune, or many? I’ve had problems with tuning in the past at the nut (G and/or B strings would get a bit tight/stuck in the nut and, when released, mess up tuning); string lube helped there. Also, maybe it was just my impression, but I once noticed that the guitar would go out of tune many times (slowly though, not right away) after string gauge change from 10 to 9; adjusting the truss rod seemed to help.
Cheers
Ant
Posted at 01:47h, 31 OctoberAre they fresh strings? I always pre stretch my strings once installed, i find its helps make them “set”
depuis1899
Posted at 07:56h, 31 OctoberYeah but after 10-20 minutes it shouldn’t go out of tune anymore…
Jase
Posted at 20:12h, 17 DecemberI hope for a tutorial for the solo soon because im not very good at reading tab and am no good at learning by ear. The solo is a problem for me
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:50h, 17 DecemberI will re-do all of my tutorials, including this.
There still is my old tutorial and the solo is not too bad there as well. I think it’s on that site that is “5 minutes studio” or something like that? That would help you immediately. Going to look for a link
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:56h, 17 Decemberand solo
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Play-If-you-Want-Blood-by-ACDC—Solo-72419897
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:52h, 17 DecemberYep, part 3:
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Play-If-you-Want-Blood-by-ACDC—Part-3-72421200
Jase
Posted at 21:51h, 19 DecemberCheers Fil… :]
GIBSONGUY97
Posted at 22:36h, 07 JuneGreat vid, I just find it amazing how you get those tones. You nailed it! If you don’t mind me asking what neck pickup are you using?
Kinglance
Posted at 23:09h, 29 DecemberIt would be interesting to see how Fil holds his pick. I know this is very basic. But it seems that the end of Fil’s thumb is farther than the edge of his pick. I see this with a lot of guitarplayers. With me the end of my thumb is above (still on) my pick. Maybe this is something about millimetres differences, but it’s totally different to play.
And where can I find that Sonnox reverb? :p
Harley James
Posted at 17:18h, 22 DecemberSolloDallas,
I keep asking this question in posts you are in, but to no avail. If you don’t know could you please just tell me so? I will gladly stop asking, as I don’t want to clutter your site chasing you around 🙂
I love the sound of your 2204 and am trying to find out if you have the stock 6550 tubes or EL34s? Also, do you know what it is biased to?
Thank you very much for your time!
SoloDallas
Posted at 19:49h, 22 DecemberI apologize to you. I think I have replied already, somewhere below here. I have EL34s inside, I only like EL34s on Marshalls (I have tried 6L6 in JTM45s but never grew to like them). I am not sure about what the BIAS was made with though, as I haven’t opened it to check, I am still using it the way it came to me. But I made sure I chose one that had EL34s inside. I think it’s Groove Tubes
solocali
Posted at 23:10h, 13 Novemberhey fil I loved the echo in the highway to hell did you use a pedal or something else? sounds so good.also they are shipping my 78 jmp today thanks for all the help and I will keep you posted on how it sounds it was only 5 bucks more than the 77 haha
SoloDallas
Posted at 23:12h, 13 NovemberSorry I had to reply to you earlier. No echo, is reverb (echo is supposed to sound like a delay). There should be some little delay, too, but I didn’t add any. The reverb here is a medium hall, I tried to add as little as I could. AC/DC hate big reverbs. The reverb is a ProTools professional plug in from Sonnox.
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 22:19h, 13 NovemberHey Fil 🙂
Amazing performances (both this and Highway to Hell)! I closed my eyes and I though I was listening to the Highway to Hell album 😀
When the solos kick in I couldn’t stop grinning: This is just PERFECT!
May I ask what guitar is this? 😛
I can’t remember seeing it before (at least not without the neck PU cover)
Did you receive my E-mail. by the way? 🙂
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:26h, 13 NovemberOhhh… just YOU I needed here and now. Been missing you. NO, no email from you. What’s the news? Of course you can get to know ANY info about all of this. The two guitars are recent purchases, made in recent months and not yet catalogued here. Nothing strange or better than any of the others already listed. I was willing to keep on amassing gear because something tells me that these things will have their value raised in time. One is a ’69 with missing neck pickup cover. Both pickups are original ttops, pretty screaming both of them. Medium to light weight, nothing special, nothing extra-ordinary. A good sounding SG I got from Singapore. The other one looks near mint, and it’s a late ’68/early ’69. Heel (neck joint) is a ’68, just like my ’67 and blackie ’68 listed here. Same heel. Usually ’69s have another heel. This is why I think it was ’68 parts assembled in ’69 and sold in ’69. Guitar is very light, thin neck (not as thin as AY signature though). It has some trouble because of its thin neck: despite a pro refret job and a PLEK job, its D string “plinks” all the time in the middle fretboard area. Only way to stop it is to raise the strings to a point I don’t enjoy playing. So I keep it low action and try and resist to the “plink”. Both pickups are unopened ttops of the era, original to the guitar. There, you have it 🙂
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 22:36h, 13 NovemberNews aare about the Freebird tutorial.
After a tough week, with almost no time to work on it… I finally finished it! Well… I still have to revise it and make some final adjustments
I had some problems deciding where to put or not tabs on it, since there are a lot of repeats and it might get annoying to have a tab of the same part coming up all the time.
Anyway… What do you think about it?
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XWKX4G2H
I need your opinions. What should I change or if you like the color, size and position of the tab or what not.
Once everything is ok, I’ll make an HD file 🙂
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:44h, 13 NovemberHoly cow! Hang on, downloading and letting you know. Thank you!
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:45h, 13 NovemberSays temporarily unavailable. Maintenance for sure, will retry in a bit
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 22:55h, 13 Novemberhmmm
Did you try this?
http://www.megavideo.com/?d=XWKX4G2H
SoloDallas
Posted at 23:13h, 13 NovemberPERFECT. Sold. Please go on and make the HD version. It will be posted along with the non-tab version, both in the same page and the post will get a “Updated with TAB” and be bounced up here on top. THANK YOU, great job.
SoloDallas
Posted at 23:17h, 13 NovemberBy the way André, the Tab version will be credited to you. Your full name – if you want – or just your screen name. Your preference.
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 23:53h, 13 NovemberAlright 🙂
Glad you liked it.
I’ll revise it the last time and create an HD file. 720p?
Well… You don’t need to worry about credits so much. I just want to contribute to the comunity. But if you want, I appreciate it 🙂
SoloDallas
Posted at 00:10h, 14 November720! 🙂
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 05:47h, 15 NovemberHere it is Fil, At last.
But…. Errr… Please… Tell me you have a Premium account on Megaupload…
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QZ6TBHI7
If you don’t, then I’m screwed >.<
12 hours of wait going down the tubes…
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 06:06h, 15 NovemberAh… Heck… I’ll have to think of another way of sending it to you tomorrow. (3 am around here).
Sorry mate… I should’ve guessed that they would block it to non-premium users…
I’ll probably compress it and split it into parts.
Then you just download them all and they will automatically merge.
banane
Posted at 07:01h, 15 NovemberHi Andre, I could provide you both enough space on my own server here for swapping data. Just let me know.
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 14:37h, 22 DecemberAh…. Sorry for the late reply! I didn’t see your comment before! =\
I’m not sure if Fil missed it too.
Thanks for the support! 🙂
Fil said he was going to get a Premium account on Megaupload though. So, I don’t know what we are going to do now.
SoloDallas
Posted at 15:04h, 22 DecemberOuch. I hadn’t seen Franz’s message either. I just bought space on megaupload! Next time I’ll buy space with Franz. I have I have to pay, I’d rather pay a friend. Andre, you now have email with details. Cheers Franz!
banane
Posted at 22:00h, 22 DecemberBuying? No Fil, that data exchange space for you both would be free, of course 🙂
HagusYoung
Posted at 18:19h, 13 NovemberEh, always thought it was a D to G change in the rhythm, you just play the a D alternating with a D5? you know what i mean ^^, no open G string ? Is this the “record only” way to play ? I play it a lot, very cool rhythm and drive in this one.
As you read on my comment to highway to hell im seriously shocked by the tone … I just don’t want to get to jealous about it 😀
SoloDallas
Posted at 18:26h, 13 NovemberWell, this is something I still can’t understand completely (G or D5?). I *think* it’s a D5. I think he consciously played as a sort of “inversion” to counter play Malcolm. I have heard it dozens of times, though not in slow motion, and I really couldn’t hear the G string ringing in there. I tried and tried and nope, couldn’t hear it. But I may be wrong! I have seen live he does it with a G, but that means almost nothing. They always did live parts different than the ones on record. Jealousy is such a common and human reaction, and I am jealous at times, for some time. Than, I recover from the shock and work from there 😀 ( 😉 )
HagusYoung
Posted at 21:28h, 13 NovemberTried it, the record is a D5, but live its a G. Back then till Today (2003 Toronto Rocks Concert). There is a lot of stuff they change small things, I guess the G is just better separating than the D, D5 change, so if they play it live the G makes the groove more stiff and distinctive.
Dont laugh at me now the D,D5 thing sounds like the di — di – di di (more happy open sounding, the happy D 😉 ). while the G one (also note that live they do a short open strum like a 1/8th of a note length and than there comes the G on the E string, bottom strings fretted of course) sounds more like a ba – ba badab. More defining, depending on the Amp settings the D5 thing can easily get muddy and you have a hard time seperating the notes to keep the groove up.
You version is perfect for the Record.
I’m not weird or crazy 😀
banane
Posted at 22:08h, 13 NovemberLol, why should you be weird? 🙂 Thanks for the exact description.
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:16h, 13 NovemberNot only I don’t think you are crazy (what would I be then? totally nuts??? Maybe :P) but I think your analysis is terrific. THANK YOU! Finally someone else that heard that damn D5 in there. I am so glad 🙂 Also, all the rest of your analysis made total sense and I agree to it wholly.
mbstring
Posted at 00:26h, 13 NovemberThe sound and playing are spot on, perfect!! And is that an awesome background or what 😀
banane
Posted at 02:14h, 13 NovemberYeah, my thoughts too. “Wall of Marshalls”, hehe 🙂
Kinglance
Posted at 19:23h, 12 NovemberHey, what do u think about a Shure SM57 microphone? Someone experience with thisone? I can’t afford me a more expensive one for the moment…
SoloDallas
Posted at 19:40h, 12 NovemberIt’s a great classic, and AC/DC have used it extensively even in studio. GO for it.
Dave4433
Posted at 22:21h, 12 NovemberI just had to ask: what would You think of an AKG perception 200 ? Would this be better than an SM(57, 58) ?
Or would it just be a waste of money ?
Thanks in advance. 🙂
banane
Posted at 23:52h, 12 NovemberDidn’t know this one. Didnt found the 200, but the 220 model. Relative cheap large-diaphragm condenser mic, about 160 Euros.
Looked around for reviews, all of them saying it’s very good for home recording but you have to take care of environment noise. As Fil also records with condenser mics (however, he uses professional and expensive ones from Audio Technica) and his records sound excellent, this one may be my third candidate. Good finding 🙂 I dont think that it would be a waste of money, however, you will be on the safe side with a SM57.
Dave4433
Posted at 10:03h, 13 NovemberThanks alot! That’s pretty much what i wanted to know. Will have to do more reaserch.
banane
Posted at 20:02h, 12 NovemberThat’s also an actual topic for me. The Shure SM57 is a classic, but I read some musicians saying the Sennheiser E906 is a bit better overall. Costs circa 50 Euros more than a SM57. Need to do some more research here.
However, you can’t do anything wrong with the SM 57, its a classic used by almost all musicians.
And if Fil says AC/DC used them too, then its right.
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:11h, 12 NovemberBorrowing would be fine, but buying a guitar I don’t need, I wouldn’t do it 🙂
Most likely Marcus, the difference (if any) would show in my playing. I play better with inspiring instruments, low action, butter-like bending, etc. For me, instruments DO make a difference. I’d be a filthy liar if I didn’t say it plainly
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:52h, 12 NovemberOh sweet Jesus, sorry mate. I thought it was that guitar the Vintage something lol I think the VM is a GREAT amp. Let’s discuss the settings. Tell me what you are doing
SoloDallas
Posted at 17:29h, 12 NovemberNever tried one out. It might be the circuit then.
SoloDallas
Posted at 18:03h, 12 NovemberNo mate, better email, getting lots of ’em these day sorry