Is this effect, or amp-?

[Sea Chief]

He loves those all-in-one floor multi-effects processors (there's one particular model from the 90's or something, a Boss I think). Sounds to me like he's playing through it, like he always does... So yeah, if you're hearing a compressor, that's probably what you're hearing.

Really? I thought those 'axe-master' silly things might be rather nasty-placcy for a gtr superhero! of such good taste as our JM. Mind you, if so then I may be able to get closer to it with a proper pedal or 2. I know what you mean tho soundwise: its a bit of a mush of this n that.

(Tbh Im hoping he might be such a gtr tech nerd as to be reading this.. and can bloomin well spill the beans please).

Thanks, chief.

[Sea Chief]

DR's do compress. But not as much as that unless they're clipping even more than that. Maybe not even then. If you've perceived that tone from just the envelope of attack from the amp itself it would have been up loud. So then there's acoustic interaction accentuating sustain at certain frequencies as well as your ears own natural compression (look up Fletcher Munson curve). To enjoy the same "perception" quietly I think you'll need a compressor.

Ah now thats what I was thinking.. but had absolutely no basis/ knowledge on which to say so. Ok thanks ChuckH- must say Ive not heard one even cranked sound as ott compressed.. but the damn cam mic puts a spanner in t'works for me the hopelessly poor/ unninitiated on compressor 'effects'.

thx
The Fletcher Muston curve sounds frankly appalling & very scary indeed.

[g1]

If I would have realized sooner that it was Johnny Marr that was the subject of the thread, I would have suggested same as Riz, doubtful he would go "straight in" without some kind of effects.
The following article mentions guitar into Diamond compressor, Boss GT100, to Deluxe.
Johnny Marr @ the 930 Club | Tone Report

[Sea Chief]

If I would have realized sooner that it was Johnny Marr that was the subject of the thread, I would have suggested same as Riz, doubtful he would go "straight in" without some kind of effects.
The following article mentions guitar into Diamond compressor, Boss GT100, to Deluxe.
Johnny Marr @ the 930 Club | Tone Report

Thanks for link g1. Interesting if brief reading. Ok seems likely he used a subtle delay + chorus on that "axe-king / shred-master" effects horrorshow thing, & maybe the Diamond compressor.. whatever exactly that is.

I built a BYOC compressor & how does it sound? pants! with its 2 knobs at 1/2 there's barely an iota of difference. Dial 2/3rds on the RH sustain and a tiniest bit more sustain & squash evident (barely worth bothering with tbh), but the volume is often suddenly cut right back most annoyingly. Above 2/3rds this vol interruption is infuriating. Completely useless!

[Mick Bailey]

One of ther best compressors I've used is the Flatline and dead easy to build on Vero. I use Schottky diodes instead of Ge and an NSL-32SR3 vactrol for quick response, though the LDR/LED combo works fine.

[Richard]

When I run both of the humbuckers on my guitar in parallel I can get a somewhat similar tone but between the recording and YouTube it's hard to be sure what it really sounds like. A slight compression or chorus can really help the sound without being obvious. As a listener you may not realize the effects are there until it's switched off; it just sounds like a really good sounding guitar/amp.

[Sea Chief]

.. it just sounds like a really good sounding guitar/amp.

Im beginning to think you're right Richard.. I remember using similar Ricky in 80's and like a thinline Tele there's a slight spongey 'springyness' you get with a chambered body: the R's do it best with those hot pickups I think.

This gtr signal into one of those nothing-sounds-as-good warm early DR's (+ the compression of the cam mic, which sort of enhances the "effect") he was lucky to snap up prob for a few hundred quid early 80's, then with the trebly edge the mild chorus adds: and I think thats simply it. Natural compression & no compressor pedal.

Its a fabulous sound very hard to recreate. Mind you- the poor comp pedal I had now does its best to get close: Mick did a sterling job for me & its a now a useable, different beastie: an extremely kind favour.

Thanks, SC.