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How important is tone when sweep picking?

Zachary Virga

New Student
Nov 11, 2019
8
25
26
New Orleans, Louisiana
13
  • #1
    Been trying to learn sweeping for around 5 years now, but I haven’t had any success.
    I’m using an amp sim Mesa Boogie on Amplitube 4, and as well as my 6505 irl with a TS9 Tube Screamer, ISP Decimator, and Boss compressor. and I have a decent tone with it, however i’m not sure if my tone exactly “works” with sweeping. Its more of a rhythm based tone instead of lead. I felt like maybe I was using too much gain, so I turned that down, but it didn’t help at all. I thought maybe my tone was too harsh, but I guess not?
    Not sure if my terrible technique or tone needs improving. Probably both.
    So I ask the question, how important is tone when sweep picking? Does it make a difference? Can a good tone seperate the good sweep picker from the bad?
     

    idssdi

    Sold-out Crowd Surfer
    Nov 11, 2019
    5,336
    6,754
    Groningen
    11
  • #2
    I’m not entirely sure but I don’t really think tone makes the difference. I can sweep on all the settings I have and on my acoustic guitars too which all give a different tone. I’d advice to start slowly and do the exercises that are here in the lesson section and just try those to see if those work for you!
     
    J

    Jak Angelescu

    Guest
  • #3
    A lot of guitarists swear by switching to the neck pickup when sweeping. For me it does sound better, but sometimes it’s not entirely logical in the middle of a solo to switch pickups. You definitely DO want to control your tone because with something like sweeps, too much gain and reverb can make it all bleed together and sound like a chaotic earsore. There’s only ONE way to determine if it’s your technique or your amp – play the sweeps on a clean channel. If you get a good, clear, concise and rhythmic sound, you know it’s your tone. If you’re slopping it and rushing everything together, it may be your technique. I’m not that good with gear but I do know a good tone when I hear one! Why don’t you upload a video of you doing it hear so we can check it out? I’m sure we can figure it out!
     

    Zachary Virga

    New Student
    Nov 11, 2019
    8
    25
    26
    New Orleans, Louisiana
    13
  • #4
    Thank you guys for the replies. I never thought about switching to other pickups on my guitar, so i’m going to try that. I imagine the invaders will sound cleaner and more defined.
    I feel like I need to control my tone just like like you said. Tighten it up a little bit. Maybe a little less gain would do. Better technique would probably be the best. I’m definitely going to need to keep practicing then.
    I’ll have to get a camera and film myself playing soon. Would love to get feedback so i can improve. Thank you for the replies.
     

    Ed Seith

    Supreme Galactic Overlord
    Staff member
    Legend+
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
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    Marana, AZ USA
    soundcloud.com
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  • #5
    Slow down to speed up. It’s frustrating as shit, but it is legit the only way. I’m taking it back to basics and starting with Syn Etudes on sweep picking. Starting with the first one, which only covers B and E strings, at 50BPM and working on getting that shit super clean before I move on. I am expecting this to be a solid year or more of time investment to get decent at PROPER sweep picking.
    But it will be worth it.
     

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