New Owner advice needed..

[PaulC555]

Hi all
Just got my new Gretsch 5222 today for my too old to mention birthday....looking for some advice.
Have been a lifelong fan of Malcolm Young hence the choice of new guitar...As a relative newbie to playing I have spent the last year playing a LTD guitar through the Spark Amp. Using some of the tones I downloaded got a really pleasing Malcolmish.....sound.
Tried the Gretsch through the same tone this morning and doesn't sound as good.....
I'm guessing that because this guitar is more closely suited to that type of playing I wont need as many of the effects to get the sound I am after.....It all seems wildly complicated to me so am looking for some advice on how to move forward. What would be the best starting point amp wise through the spark from the many choices available.....I guess Malcolm's sound starts clean and then is pushed by him digging in more on the strings.....I have relied so much on the Spark giving me the sound I would like to know how to achieve it from scratch.....I appreciate its never going to be perfect but how can I get that starting point?
thanks...Paul

 

[Camaban]

Hi Paul!
I'm not so much the AC-DC type, but still:
Congratulations on your beautiful new GreTscH guitar (photos? We love photos!),
welcome to the forum
and best wishes for your birthday

On the subject of Malcolm, I'm sure many friendly people will help you

 

[Dana Rudd]

Hello Paul, welcome to the forum. I've not had a 5120 or 2420 so I can't help you chose.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advise from current owners.

 

[hcsterg]

On the subject of Malcolm, I'm sure many friendly people will help you

Sure ! At least there's one of them who can surely help : @Back in Black



A+:

 

[ChloeDogsDad]

I have a G5222T, and a vox Cambridge 15 ( with the 12ax7 preamp and solid state power section). I went straight into the amp and flipped the gain switch, and got a very convincing MY sound. If I recall, he didn't use many effects, just a boost pedal I think, then straight into a Marshall. On a modeler, I'd think you could download a Marshall super bass model, crank the gain and off to the races.

 

[Back in Black]

Hi all
Just got my new Gretsch 5222 today for my too old to mention birthday....looking for some advice.
Have been a lifelong fan of Malcolm Young hence the choice of new guitar...As a relative newbie to playing I have spent the last year playing a LTD guitar through the Spark Amp. Using some of the tones I downloaded got a really pleasing Malcolmish.....sound.
Tried the Gretsch through the same tone this morning and doesn't sound as good.....
I'm guessing that because this guitar is more closely suited to that type of playing I wont need as many of the effects to get the sound I am after.....It all seems wildly complicated to me so am looking for some advice on how to move forward. What would be the best starting point amp wise through the spark from the many choices available.....I guess Malcolm's sound starts clean and then is pushed by him digging in more on the strings.....I have relied so much on the Spark giving me the sound I would like to know how to achieve it from scratch.....I appreciate its never going to be perfect but how can I get that starting point?
thanks...Paul

Hi Paul,

Welcome!

Happy Birthday!, you're only as old as you feel young!

Malcolm played through a stack of Marshall amps.

Like you, I also have a new (2020) G5222. I pay mine through a VOX AC MV50/VOX 2/12 Celestion cab.

As you can see, I changed my G5222 (ever so slightly), and the total combination works very well.

As far as ''Malcolm Tone'', you really needed Malcolm for that, coupled with tons of volume, almost to the breaking point.

But...my G5222 rocks!

Oh, by the way, the new G5222, is the one on the left.

Best,

BIB.

 

[thunder58]

Welcome to the forum @PaulC555

 

[Gregor]

Welcome to GT Paul. I'm assuming you've exhausted everything in the Tonecloud under Malcom Young or his songs. Most of the time I make my own patches from scratch...although not familiar with what Malcom uses. You might try the Spark amp forums to see if anyone has a patch for his sound. When I do use a tonecloud patch, I invariably have to modify it to suit my guitar..way to much gain for my Gretsch humbuckers. Love the amp but a steep learning curve though.
Best of luck

 

[SAguitar]

Welcome to Gretsch-Talk! Make yourself at home and good luck on your quest.

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @PaulC555 !

 

[johnny g]

don't worry about age. when get too old to play like me you are old enough to give advice

 

[Stefan87]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know much about the spark range of amps and what they emulate but I would start buy trying what ever Marshall patch they offer, just the 'plexi/1959SLP' or even a JCM800 and your guitar should start you off.

If you ever have a look at AC DC's guitar rigs there's not much, not even pedals just a guitar, a lead and an amp, but it is one of the hardest sounds to emulate.

 

[PaulC555]

Wow thanks for all the welcomes and responses, what a friendly bunch you all are.....
I have tried various Malcolm offerings from the Tonecloud, in fact this is what I have been using for the last year...
but Gregor is right there is just far to much gain and it sounds awful...But taking the advice on board I will start with whatever Marshal I can find on the Spark and start of with the basics.....I make it sound like a task, but it will be all part of the fun of learning what this fantastic new guitar can do........thanks again for the warm welcome