Rockabilly Slapback

Gazzer86 · June 5th, 2009, 06:53 AM

Ok, so i've got a new G5120 and I have complied with rules 1,2 & 3!, now I am trying to get that authentic rockabilly slapback sound (up until now i've mainly been playing rock guitar). I have a Blackstar HT 5 valve amp but it doesnt have a reverb. I have been fiddling with my trusty old Aria analogue delay for what seems like hours (I also have a Behringer digital delay) and just cant seem to nail the sound. Any advice on delay and amp settings for a newbie?

Cheers

Gazzer

Scott · June 5th, 2009, 09:04 AM

First of all, don't worry about reverb. If you're wanting to play rockabilly, reverb isn't necessary.

For settings, it depends on what you're using. Different brands set up their controls differently. For a basic slap, I find Danelectro's Fab Echo to be a pretty good pedal for rockabilly around the house. Only set me back 15 bucks.
There are other units out there obviously. Onstage I use a vintage Boss DM-2 analog delay.

The trick is to not set the delay time too long; after all, it's called slapback. A good setting is very quick, right after the original note you picked. And there should only be one repeat after the note, no more than two IMO.
Play with your settings...the sound is in there, you just have to adjust for less than you're probably used to.

Hope this helps.

ruger9 · June 5th, 2009, 01:11 PM

The easiest pedal to nail the sound with is the Danelectro BLT. It's delay time is preset to the perfect rockabilly slapback. It has only mix & repeat controls. And it's cheap!

Gazzer86 · June 5th, 2009, 02:16 PM

Cheers Scott and Ruger

I will have to be a bit more persistant with my settings. I will also check out the Danelectro pedals you mention.

Thanks alot for your help guys.

Gazzer

dafreeze · June 5th, 2009, 06:10 PM

Howdy Gazzer. Here's a link to a thread that's fairly recent on the subject.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/sh...ighlight=delay

Scott · June 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Yeah, the Fab Echo I believe is the successor to the BLT because I don't think Dano makes the BLT any longer. The Fab Echo is the same thing in a little bit sturdier housing.

Excellent pedal for rockin' around the house.

Gazzer86 · June 7th, 2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Howdy Gazzer. Here's a link to a thread that's fairly recent on the subject.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/sh...ighlight=delay

Cheers Dafreeze

Gazzer

Gazzer86 · June 7th, 2009, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Yeah, the Fab Echo I believe is the successor to the BLT because I don't think Dano makes the BLT any longer. The Fab Echo is the same thing in a little bit sturdier housing.

Excellent pedal for rockin' around the house.

I will check this Dano out.

Rock on Scott......

Cheers - Gazzer

Crooner · June 7th, 2009, 03:47 AM

Congratulations, Gazzer!
I feel pretty stupid asking this, but on the chance that I'm actually missing out on something important, what exactly are rules one and two and three?

gigatron · June 7th, 2009, 05:02 AM

Rule #1 Post pictures
Rule #2 Post more pictures
Rule #3 See rule #1

Crooner · June 7th, 2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigatron

Rule #1 Post pictures
Rule #2 Post more pictures
Rule #3 See rule #1

Jukebox · June 7th, 2009, 08:17 AM

Yep, it that simple!

Gazzer86 · June 9th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Cheers Guys

Thanks alot for help. I think I've nailed the sound finally. Now I just need to learn some rockabilly songs! Any suggestions for a rockabilly rookie such as me?

Gazzer

gigatron · June 9th, 2009, 11:52 AM

I'm a rockabilly rookie too, and I don't think I'll ever be able to play some of the fancier songs. I suggest for starters trying "Mystery Train", "Summertime Blues", and "I Fought the Law".

There are simpler lessons on Youtube, but this is a good one for

Mystery Train

.

Scott · June 9th, 2009, 11:57 AM

"Twenty Flight Rock", "That's All Right"(or any Sun-era Elvis), "Blue Suede Shoes"(or any Sun-era Carl Perkins), "That'll Be the Day" or "Peggy Sue"(lots of Buddy Holly to choose from)...

Really any three chord guitar dominated rock & roll from the 1950s will get you in the ball park.

huddlestonderek · June 9th, 2009, 11:53 PM

Man I'll tell ya, I really dig the MXR Carbon Copy analog delay. I have the Regen set down to a single "Slap" and the pedal sings. I do think it's a little price"y" but I'm fortunate enough to have a job at Guitar Center (good discount) if you get a chance check one out. there are reccomendations in the literature.

Hot Rod Michelle · June 10th, 2009, 01:39 AM

Hey! I was going to ask about slap-back.

Good info here.

Hot Rod Michelle · June 10th, 2009, 01:40 AM

Lets see some fotos of the aforementioned slap-back device, please.

fjr_wertheimber · June 10th, 2009, 02:27 AM

If you want to learn rockabilly I HIGHLY recommend Paul Pigat's rockabilly instructional DVD. You can get it here. Great stuff, very thorough, he really goes out of his way to make sure you can understand what he's doing.

Gazzer86 · June 10th, 2009, 03:34 AM

Thanks all.

Some good advice here, much appreciated.

I am learning Summertime Blues (the Brian Setzer version) and apart from a couple of the riffs, I've think pretty much nailed it. I was at a friends house last night and took my new G5120 and we had a bash at it together. We had a few beers and had a great night strumming away until the early hours!

Cheers - Gazzer

dafreeze · June 10th, 2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazzer86

Cheers Dafreeze

Gazzer

Here's too you, Bud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Michelle

Lets see some fotos of the aforementioned slap-back device, please.

Michelle, it's the dark green pedal to the left of the Vox Wah. Pretty nice sounding analog delay. I really lik them, too. Here's a link to a fairly recent thread discussing various pedals folks here use for slapback, and another to the Carbon Copy at MusiciansFriend.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/sh...light=slapback

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...dal?sku=150571

Hot Rod Michelle · June 10th, 2009, 11:57 AM

The white one second from the left is the one I've been looking at. But, they tell me it cost around $120 bucks. I just thought that might be a little pricey.

dafreeze · June 11th, 2009, 05:50 AM

Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Octavio Fuzz. A reproduction of his 'Cheese Wedge'. Bought it new off the bay early last year for $115. At first, I'd thought I had issues with it, but turns out most were due to an inexpensive power supply I have since returned. I don't use it a lot, mainly when I feel like being Norman Greenbaum. But it is an extreemely powerful sound, feels very quality when you inspect it and manipulate the pots.

This is actually the first pedal I bought. It wasn't at the top of my list for pedals, a Tubescreamer was, but I researched and decided the price was good enough to justify it.

Many years ago (I was 10) my tutor, name of John Setters, in Wichita, had an early 60's SG and a Twin Reverb. He told me the first things to get after guitar and amp was a fuzz box and a Wah wah pedal. And the sound from this wah and fuzz are exactly what I had had in mind.

I was sure it was truely bypassed when off, but I don't see that mentioned now in the link below.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...dal?sku=151066

fjr_wertheimber · June 11th, 2009, 07:27 AM

LOVE my Carbon Copy...

foyos · July 2nd, 2009, 01:35 PM

I use a fab echo and i like it a lot

fjr_wertheimber · July 2nd, 2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Here's too you, Bud.

Michelle, it's the dark green pedal to the left of the Vox Wah. Pretty nice sounding analog delay. I really lik them, too. Here's a link to a fairly recent thread discussing various pedals folks here use for slapback, and another to the Carbon Copy at MusiciansFriend.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/sh...light=slapback

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...dal?sku=150571

Hey, I recognize that pedal to the far left!

rcboals · July 2nd, 2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigatron

I'm a rockabilly rookie too, and I don't think I'll ever be able to play some of the fancier songs. I suggest for starters trying "Mystery Train", "Summertime Blues", and "I Fought the Law".

There are simpler lessons on Youtube, but this is a good one for Mystery Train.

Take a look at the pedal he is using for "slapback" Did I ever tell anybody the ZOOM G2 is a fantastic pedal?

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/pe...s-awesome.html

iorr · July 2nd, 2009, 04:28 PM

Hi,
Checkout the Roland/Boss RE 20.
It's my fav stomp box for slap echo and the sleepwalk.

Karsten

bobkat · July 2nd, 2009, 06:08 PM

i am playing a Dano Reel Echo now, but I am planning buying a Roland RE20. I am going to check out my son's and see if I like it.

bobkat · July 2nd, 2009, 06:10 PM

This what a Reel Echo looks like. It is pretty cool with a warble tape effect and tube distortion.

Synchro · July 2nd, 2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkat

i am playing a Dano Reel Echo now, but I am planning buying a Roland RE20. I am going to check out my son's and see if I like it.

Good thing you aren't shopping for a girlfriend.

bobkat · July 2nd, 2009, 06:14 PM

Oh you sick puppy!!! LOL

Synchro · July 2nd, 2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkat

Oh you sick puppy!!! LOL

Gotcha!

guitarfarm · July 2nd, 2009, 06:28 PM

Digital effects are great! Some of my favorite movies employ CGI. This is how slapback used to be attained (and, sometimes, still is).

rcboals · July 2nd, 2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarfarm

Digital effects are great! Some of my favorite movies employ CGI. This is how slapback used to be attained (and, sometimes, still is).

What a neat way cool set up that is. I bet it sounds as good as it looks. I agree the old original gear when working right just has something the new stuff can't quite get.

RepentOrPerish · July 2nd, 2009, 08:36 PM

i always love seeing guitarfarms guild. cool.

bobkat · July 2nd, 2009, 08:51 PM

Rop, when you gonna post pics of that strap????Where is that goldurn meditator with his Rule 1 Rule 2 rule 3?? He is probably out on a date with some Californy gurl!!!

Scott · July 3rd, 2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkat

i am playing a Dano Reel Echo now, but I am planning buying a Roland RE20. I am going to check out my son's and see if I like it.

I suspect when you try out the RE-20 you'll be forgetting about the Reel Echo...

fjr_wertheimber · July 3rd, 2009, 09:48 AM

Ya know, I tried an RE20 and just didn't like it at all... Sounded very digital and sterile to me.

Scott · July 3rd, 2009, 09:52 AM

I dunno...there's a warmth there that I couldn't get out a DD-3 for example. Now there's a digital sound...not dissing it, just saying it really sounds digital(which for one quick slapback, honestly it shouldn't make a difference).

My main beef about the RE-20 is when you cut off the echo effect it seems that the unaffected signal has slightly more "noise" to it...and it's not a defective unit, I have two RE-20s and they both do it. But this is neglible because to my ears this is really a good sounding unit.

That said, I'm pretty much stuck with my DM-2...no complaints here. But I'm finding myself using it, and effects in general, less and less these days, preferring to just let my fingers, the guitar, and the amp do the work.