Could it really be that simple? While it might not be the only trick to getting good guitar tones, it's a cheap and effective place to start. Check out live clips of Hendrix, Stevie Ray, Beck, Page, and Van Halen and you'll see they're always messing with the volume knob and their pickups. It's also a great way to simplify things while playing live. Instead of tap dancing on pedals you can keep it all to the controls of your guitar.

Start out by getting the best distorted tone you can, then back off on your volume knob and use your pickup selector to clean up the sound for rhythm or clean parts. Keep in mind that while you might not get a sparkling clean tone with this approach, your slightly dirty clean tone will sound clean once the whole band is playing. When the solo or heavy rhythm part comes back in, turn up that volume knob and let it rip! Give it a shot! This super simple approach has saved me many times at gigs. It will let you stick to what really matters which is playing your part right with feeling so you can give the crowd what they want...a good show!

Want to kick your playing up a notch? Check out the website and take your playing from copying other peoples licks to creating your own!

https://www.brettpapa.com/a/23496/wza...

Got a song request? Click the link below to enter your request. If I choose your request you will have a chance at getting a $10 guitar center gift card.
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/song-request

Looking for more free in depth instruction? Check out the videos below where I cover everything from acoustic strumming to how master your fretboard in the major and minor pentatonic soloing series.

Interested in learning how to solo better? Want to understand how and why your favorite artists solos sound so good? Click on one of the free video series below.

Major Pentatonic:
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/major-pen...

Minor Pentatonic:
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/minor-pen...

Want to tighten up your acoustic strumming and rhythm guitar playing check out the strumming tutorial here:
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/strum-pat...

Want a couple of drum tracks to practice your rhythm or soloing? Click on the links below:
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/drum-loop
https://www.brettpapa.com/p/drum-track

Follow me on social media here:
Instagram:   / papastache102  
Facebook:   / brett.papa  

Catch ya next time!