Trick to getting DCFC clean tones?

[Radiohead625]

So I know they might not be popular on this board, but I think Death Cab have some amazing clean/semi dirty tones. What's the trick? I know about some of their gear, but the amps don't seem that special. For me it's that perfect just barely dirty tone and I want it!!! Any tips on how to achieve that kind of tone?

[echodeluxe]

ok so, im kind of a death cab for cuite gear/sound expert. it helps a little that i'm decent friends with the guitarist.

you need a good overdrive and single coil guitars.

chris walla used a fulldrive II from "Something About Airplanes" up until "Narrow Stairs" where he switched to a Klon as his main overdrive. He also uses a Micro Amp fairly often. His amps are always some Fender Variant, and he favors single coil guitars like teles.

Ben has been using a Zvex Box of Rock for years. Thats the secret to his overdrive sound, as well as his custom Acme heads, which are clones of Silvertone 1484 heads. He plays mostly G&L Asat Bluesboys.

uh, anything specific, let me know.

[Radiohead625]

You're awesome dude. I'm guessing they both just roll back the volume on their guitars for the clean tones? Do the Fulldrive and Box of Rock function as their always on pedals?

[travisb9]

I'm a huge DCFC fan and wanted to emulate that same exact sound last summer when I saw them haha. I would definitely take echo's advice. An MXR Distortion+ worked for me as well in getting that clean dirt sound circa The Photo Album.

[MEC]

viewtopic.php?f=146&t=36139

[hazelwould]

I haven't listened to them since Something About... But, look into the Pocket Watch OD. That thing is super responsive and nails that clean to dirtyish sound.

[OddKnowledge]

Chris Walla is my hero! I'd love to record an album with that dude.

[hollowhero]

Need dat ASAT

[D.o.S.]

You need to email yourself the tracks using Hotmail.

[TweedBassman]

DCFC's recorded tonez are always amazing. THOSE DRUMS.

[echodeluxe]

Also, maxon ad999 is what Chris swears by live for delay.

[Radiohead625]

Also, maxon ad999 is what Chris swears by live for delay.

Hey thanks for the info on the Maxon... I'm going to look into trying one. I just watched Death Cab on VH1 Storytellers... the tones were UNGODLY tones. I can't tell who's tones I like more Ben or Chris. What amp would you recommend I try to get somewhere in between Ben and Chris? I know Ben is using a Silvertone 1484 type amp and Chris is using a Fender Tremolux and an Orange Tiny Terror. I'm guessing the Tremolux with pedals would be the way to go right?

[echodeluxe]

No longer using a tiny terror. These days he's all about 64 batsman heads.

Really, anything fender will get you there. Sparkle.

[Radiohead625]

No longer using a tiny terror. These days he's all about 64 batsman heads.

Really, anything fender will get you there. Sparkle.

Ya that's what I was thinking. I've been wanting to get a Fender hotrod deville because their cleans are so awesome, but they are so unreliable. Any idea of a reasonably priced amp that is basically only the clean channel of the deville? If they don't make something like that, they should.

[theavondon]

No longer using a tiny terror. These days he's all about 64 batsman heads.

Really, anything fender will get you there. Sparkle.

Ya that's what I was thinking. I've been wanting to get a Fender hotrod deville because their cleans are so awesome, but they are so unreliable. Any idea of a reasonably priced amp that is basically only the clean channel of the deville? If they don't make something like that, they should.

Get a silverface Fender! Any of em. Can't go wrong.