Greetings folks,
I love my ASAT III's. I've posted more than once about the fact that my assembled-from-parts version has a little different, more focused sound, than the factory model. My maple, assembled guitar, has a set of Fender Nashville controls in it, which seems to make a positive difference for me. However, I just found out that you don't need to engage in any Fender-family inbreeding in order to get a bit more focus and sonic juice.
After my LR stint of last week, I chose a Sonic Stomp for my bonus pedal. I have a gigging musician buddy who swears by his Sonic Maximizer. After hearing the type of improvements that the Sonic Stomp offered, which really does serve to "unmuddy" sound, I figured I'd try it with my factory III. My maple '88 has the lower impedance Skyhawk pickups in it and seems to produce tone, that might be prone, to sit behind the mix rather than have any chance of cutting through it. So, I grabbed the '88 and hooked it up through the Sonic Stomp, into my MusicMan 210HD 130. Incredibly enough, it did just what I'd hoped it would; It really livened up those Skyhawk pickups. So, if that nice warm sound is working for some rhythm, bypass the SS. For leads, if I should ever get comfortable with them, I'd kick in the S.S. It seems to work like a charm.
A while back, a member here said that he got rid of his ASAT III for what I believe related to the characteristics mentioned above. So guys, if you happen to own an early ASAT III, and find it a bit less focused than you want, think about the Sonic Stomp before decide to sell off your rarebird with the challenged chirp.
ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
Mr. R.,
Thanks for the advise on the Stomp. I also chose the Sonic Stomp last time I was lunch reporter. My Stomp has not even been taken out of the box yet. I also play early Asat III's and your review has me curious. I guess I need to get that thing out and try it.
Thanks,
y2kc
Thanks for the advise on the Stomp. I also chose the Sonic Stomp last time I was lunch reporter. My Stomp has not even been taken out of the box yet. I also play early Asat III's and your review has me curious. I guess I need to get that thing out and try it.
Thanks,
y2kc
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
Glad to hear your report. I seriously thought about the Sonic Stomp, but in the videos I heard, it really seemed to brighten the sound more than anything. I realize these compressed vidoes aren't the ideal way to test these pedals, but that's all I had to go on.
I have a Marshall JVM, which tends to be a bright amp anyway, and I thought the last thing I needed was a brighter tone. And coincidentally, a member of the JVM Forum picked up a Sonic Stomp around the same time I was considering it, and pretty much stated that it just seemed to brighten his tone. So that made up my mind to get the Green Screamer, which I think I'll like, even though I've already got a TS 808 clone in my Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde...I'll use it mostly as a boost into an overdriven amp.
But I do know a couple people who use an SS with their JVM, so I may do that one day. Besides, it might work well with my homebrew Blackface amp.
I have a Marshall JVM, which tends to be a bright amp anyway, and I thought the last thing I needed was a brighter tone. And coincidentally, a member of the JVM Forum picked up a Sonic Stomp around the same time I was considering it, and pretty much stated that it just seemed to brighten his tone. So that made up my mind to get the Green Screamer, which I think I'll like, even though I've already got a TS 808 clone in my Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde...I'll use it mostly as a boost into an overdriven amp.
But I do know a couple people who use an SS with their JVM, so I may do that one day. Besides, it might work well with my homebrew Blackface amp.
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
That doesn't sound too much off the mark. The pickups that are in my III have the Skyhawk impedance, reads 4.11K ohms in all three. That, along with the maple body, sort of calls for some brightening. So, I think you're correct about that aspect, and it's just what the III needed, IMHO.Muleya wrote:Glad to hear your report. I seriously thought about the Sonic Stomp, but in the videos I heard, it really seemed to brighten the sound more than anything.
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
MrRoundel, I have been out of town for a few days. I saw this post and I am a believer in the Sonic Stomp and Sonic Max. I have Two 882I maximizers which we use on vocals (4 Channels) and I use a Sonic Stomp when I play lead instead of Bass. They do make everything come alive and the vocals sound much better. I do not know what makes them work but we love them. I have a 65 reissue Twin Reverb Custom 15 which is extremely clean and the Sonic Stomp only makes it better. I would use it on my bass but I don,t have time to switch. They are not just tone controls and I was skeptical when I bought a used 882I. They do work! We now use them all the time. Next gig I will be using it on my Gretsch 59 Nashville and my Asat Z3, both Bigsbys. It doesn't get much better than that. --Darwin
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
Hey Darwinohm,
The same guitar player that I just mentioned in a L.R. response, uses his Sonic Maximizer for vocals. I believe he would echo your comments, and actually has. He wants to borrow my Sonic Stomp soon in order to check out how well it works . I should get it to him some day this week. That circuitry sure seems to be a winner for BBE, and those who use their Sonics. Salud.
The same guitar player that I just mentioned in a L.R. response, uses his Sonic Maximizer for vocals. I believe he would echo your comments, and actually has. He wants to borrow my Sonic Stomp soon in order to check out how well it works . I should get it to him some day this week. That circuitry sure seems to be a winner for BBE, and those who use their Sonics. Salud.
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
I have the Sonic Sweet (and Stomp ware) plugins I use when DAW recording.
I first I didn't think Sonic Maximizer did anything positive. But I quickly discovered
that if I put it later in the signal chain and twiddled with it the results are amazing.
The Sonic Sweet has the loudness, harmonic and sonic maximizer effects.
I bought my first G&L last month, a USA legacy with #1C "U" neck. It's
a wonderful guitar. And I think the ASAT III's sound awesome. What are
your thoughts on the ASAT Classic S compared to an ASAT III? It seems
the sonic magic of the ASAT III comes from the vintage S-500 pickups in
combination with the saddle lock bridge? Were the vintage S-500
pickups were somewhere between today's classic pickup and classic custom
neck pickup?
-- John
I first I didn't think Sonic Maximizer did anything positive. But I quickly discovered
that if I put it later in the signal chain and twiddled with it the results are amazing.
The Sonic Sweet has the loudness, harmonic and sonic maximizer effects.
I bought my first G&L last month, a USA legacy with #1C "U" neck. It's
a wonderful guitar. And I think the ASAT III's sound awesome. What are
your thoughts on the ASAT Classic S compared to an ASAT III? It seems
the sonic magic of the ASAT III comes from the vintage S-500 pickups in
combination with the saddle lock bridge? Were the vintage S-500
pickups were somewhere between today's classic pickup and classic custom
neck pickup?
-- John
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
Guys,
I got a Sonic Stomp when I did the Lunch Report too. I love it. I got a ASAT III and a Legacy. The Stomp stays on all the time now.
I got a Kaman/Applause GTX 20 I bought at a pawn shop for $60.00 for some reason I just love that cheap guitar.The bridge pu gets muddy,the Stomp cleans it up.
I got a Green Screamer a couple of months ago I am always looking for the perfect OD I like it also.I am still experimenting with it still.
Chet
I got a Sonic Stomp when I did the Lunch Report too. I love it. I got a ASAT III and a Legacy. The Stomp stays on all the time now.
I got a Kaman/Applause GTX 20 I bought at a pawn shop for $60.00 for some reason I just love that cheap guitar.The bridge pu gets muddy,the Stomp cleans it up.
I got a Green Screamer a couple of months ago I am always looking for the perfect OD I like it also.I am still experimenting with it still.
Chet
My Name Is Chet. I Play A G&L, And A Gretsch.
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Re: ASAT III's, and their love of Sonic Stomp
I remember having a really early maximiser in the 1980's, in my studio, and it was just ace. Somehow managed to be subtle and great all at once, and refreshingly nicer than the Aphex-process mania of the era.
If that's what's in the pedals now, I'm off to get one!
If that's what's in the pedals now, I'm off to get one!