Low volume when fingerpicking
-
Having some issues getting anything but really low volume fingerpicking using a Gretsch 5120 and the Spark amp. Fingerpicking is all I do so I'm a little disappointed. Using a clean tone the guitar pickups are at max, the gain is at 5, the master/volume in the app is at 10 and the output is at 10. I see guys fingerpicking on youtube and they seem to have lots of volume. I would not consider my fingerpicking style especially light. Anybody got any comments/solutions/advice?
-
Make sure the output knob is turned up also. That really sets the volume. Gain and master are about tone more than volume. Also make sure the gate is not overly aggressive. Turn it off to test. I finger pick with vintage Tele pickups. If I turn the output over about 3, it will blow my head off!
-
I play a Strat with passive single coil pups and ime clean tones have MUCH lower volume than presets that have some amp gain, drive pedals, etc. The difference in volume is so pronounced that I've often wondered if there's something wrong with the amp or app, or maybe I'm just overlooking something. And the amp is useless with my Martin acoustic guitar with a passive pickup -- the guitar's volume is actually louder than the amp -- unless I use a preamp. Doesn't seem right but I'm not aware of a solution so I use some workarounds when I want a clean tone:
- Like Scott said, turn off the noise gate or turn the threshold way down.
- In the app, turn the volume way up on whatever amp model you're using. Also, some amp models are significantly louder than others so it matters which one you choose.
- Use the clean boost pedal and crank up the gain and output just shy of breaking up.
- Use other pedals (such as a compressor) as a clean boost by turning down the effect(s) and turning up the volume.
- Use an external clean boost pedal and/or volume pedal going into the amp.
- When you're playing along with a backing track just accept the fact that you're going to have to turn down the track volume in the mix just so you can hear your guitar.
None of these tweaks alone or combined produce a volume comparable to a high gain preset but they help.