I've tried all I can think of to cop the tone Montrose used on the first Montrose album, but I'm just not getting it. How did he get that great high end clarity? I can't even find any info on his gear from that era. Any help?

Fiddler,
I may have some 411 on Ronnie's gear from that time--bear with me and let me check the "Williebudda Archives " Seriously, I had a band a few years ago and we played ALOT of that first Montrose album: Space Station #9, Bad Motor Scooter, One thing on my mind, Rock candy, etc. I had a guy that could sing all that Sammy Hagar stuff to a T! Big Fun! The closest I ever got was a (stock) program on my Rocktron Voodu setting I found--It literally NAILED it--sounded just like the "Rock Candy/One thing on my mind tone." I ditched the rack gear a while back. If I had short notice and was going to play that stuff again, I'd probably shoot for a Keeley DS-1 Ultra for most of the distortion work. It wouldn't be "dead on", but it would dang sure kick some arse! I'll holler back...

"Give me a Kendrick and a chain saw and....wait, what was I talking about?"

Thanks Willie! Yeah, I've been thinking about a DS-1...may have to check one out. Let me know what else you find!

DS1/Ultra nails that full tilt amp tone. Funny this came up with Montrose. I was listening to Sammy Hagar's Live Album and I think the DS1/Ultra absolutely nails the tone on that disc. The best example would be the Three Lock Box track.

Great rock guitar tone on that CD.

Hey Slide and Fiddler,
I've been thru more boutique pedals than I can count and I STILL run back to that Keeley DS-1 like crazy! I bought it on a "whim" a few months ago and have never looked back. Nice thing is that they are plentiful. God, how I use to listen to R.Montrose and the Hagar man--you guys are gonna make me go home and dig up old cassets/albums/cd's etc!
Fiddler, I think I have an old Montrose interview w/some gear info, let me dig around and I'll post something if I find some good 411 for ya.

"Give me a Kendrick and a chain saw and....wait, what was I talking about?"

Fiddler,
Email me when you can, I have some DS-1 info you *might* be interested in...
WILLIEBUDDA@HOTMAIL.COM

"Give me a Kendrick and a chain saw and....wait, what was I talking about?"

Found this VG interview with Ronnie:

http://www.vintageguitarmagazine.com/artists/details.asp?ID=102

Check the discussion on Bad Motorscooter...LP Jr. to Big Muff to Bandmaster? Interesting...

Picked up an Analogman DS-1 Pro Mod of eBay this weekend...see how it works out.

Hey Fid,
Man, I dropped the ball on the Montrose 411--my bad, just can't see to locate it anywhere in the archives. My apologies. More than likely, I'll find it in 2 weeks when I'm not looking for it . BIG congrats on the DS-1. I've not tried Analogmike's version, but I SWEAR by my Keeley DS-1--can't be all that much difference in the two--let me know how it does for you. I think it will get you in the ballpark you are looking for...

MoFuZztOya..:-)

Here's a link with a sound example of the DS-1.Sounds really nice I might have to get one.

http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=10

If it ain't broke,fix it anyways.

Hey BB,

The sound clips are very accurate on the tone of the pedal. Yeah, IMO the Keeley modded DS-1 Ultra IS THE coolest pedal he mods (and I've had all the TS, Rat pedals, etc). About as far from a TS pedal as you can get (and I'm SICK of TS pedals!). It can really crank! Pretty much "instant guitar-God!" I have two Ultras and recommended for Fiddler49 to get one as well. I was playing the other nite and pulled out my slide--got some familiar sounds--with a minor amount of tweaking, I pretty much nailed tones from ZZ Top's "Eliminator" CD---ummmmm fun!!!

MoFuZztOya..:-)

The Analogman DS-1 Pro Mod arrived Saturday, so I've had a little time with it. Great open drive to it without the compressed TS type sound. Compared to the Keeley DS-1 sound clips, it seems a bit more edgy/gritty, which I like. Not quite the Montrose sound, but pretty close. Regardless, I'm really diggin' it, and it has replaced the Keeley Phat BD-2 on my board.

Listened to the EH Big Muff on Buzzfox, and it sounds much closer to what Montrose did on his first album, mainly at the high end of the tone setting:

http://guitarpedal.com/el-bigmuff.html

Of course, I don't have room on my board for this oversized pedal. Now the MJM Foxey Fuzz is supposed to be a clone of the Big Muff. Is this something I should be looking at?

Hey Fid,
Glad you are digging the DS-1, I'll have to try Analogmike's version--very cool!! I love how the DS-1 is sooooo far removed from the TS sound, it does rock and it's good for lower gain things too. The high gain stuff is just TOO much fun though!
No experience with the MJM Foxy Fuzz, they seem to be well built pedals. Might be worth checking into. I think there's some modding guys around to correct some of the "shortcomings" of the Big Muff....Thanks for the update.........

MoFuZztOya..:-)

Montrose ROCKS!!!!!