John Nathan Cordy

Which do you prefer, the Line 6 Helix or the Boss GX-100?

Personally I'm a daily user of the Helix.

Does the GX-100 feel more responsive and lag-free than the Helix?

Not really, but Boss have the best (lowest) latency across any of the modelling devices, including Fractal, Line 6 and Neural.

What amp are you going through here?

No amp here, just direct into the DAW.

What do you use to monitor what comes out of your HX Stomp?

I personally use JBL LSR305s, but you won't be hearing those here, just direct audio.

What are your settings to get this tone?

Just direct into the soundcard, neck pickup with the tone rolled off quite a bit. I think you'll enjoy it.

What amp are you using in the modeler, and did you add an overdrive?

In this video I was using a Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature with a Rat pedal. Ordinarily I'm using an HX Stomp, but I figured this guitar deserved special treatment.

How did you do that intro tone? Some kind of tremolo?

That's the Axe-Fx doing a cool little pitch-shifting thing with a sequencer.

Isn't a Dumble about that creamy tone that blooms after your touch?

That's one flavour of Dumble, there are many. The Suhr Bella was built around Scott Henderson's Dumble-modded Bandmaster (he actually sold the Dumble after he got his Bella).

Would you still have a use for your California Tweed?

The Cali Tweed is a much lower-headroom style of clean in my experience, and 6V6 tubes.

What kind of reverb is that, and why is it so big?

It's a Fender Vintage Reissue '63 Reverb Unit, and it has tubes and stuff in it!

What is the 'chewiness' of a tube amp? I've never owned one.

Probably something like sag, natural compression, the note changing over time.

Are four blocks on the Fractal AM4 enough for a gigging rig?

The Amp block will run Amp/Cab/Hall or Room reverb,Boost so that block actually covers a TON of ground. This leaves space for Delay, Compressor or Wah - but 100% if you're going to need lots more blocks, this is not the unit for that

How does a Boss Katana compare with a Mesa tube amp in the room?

I feel like recording the Mesa leaves a lot on the table in terms of what it sounds like in the room vs what it sounds like recorded, not so much with the Katana. Equally, the Mesa has a less stiff feel, and seems to have a bit more of an envelope/chirp to the note - the Katana seems to be a little bit less lively on that front?

Is a Boss Katana loud enough to keep up with a drummer?

I said I had a way better time gigging this than the Subway Blues. There is absolutely no question that the Boss Katana can keep up with a drummer - they're INSANELY loud.

How big a change are the new cabs in Helix 3.5?

I think if you're into heavier styles of playing, the difference will be drastic, yes. Especially when you consider that up until now the Cab block could only move the microphone closer or further from the cone - the most impactful tonal changes come from moving the mic around the cone in my experience like we can on the new cabs?

Why add a Strymon Big Sky to an HX Stomp or FM3 rig?

No real issues getting these kind of tones (although there are some that are unique to the Big Sky) but yeh - the idea of letting something be fully dedicated to the Reverb in effect should free up quite a bit of DSP potential in either the Stomp or the FM3

How do the Boss GX-100 reverbs and delays compare with Line 6?

I think the Line 6 stuff has the edge in terms of more experimental Chase Bliss Moodish type delays - and personally the new Dynamic Plate and Shimmer really speak to what I like from a reverb. The Boss stuff feels a bit more (to me) utilitarian

Do you need a cab on stage when gigging a modeler?

I think the cab on stage (or FRFR etc) is pretty essential for it to be anything like a traditional rig. The modeling approach is often a little more convenient for like you say going to FOH, and also things like snapshots etc can use less tap dancing to change tones?

Does a drive pedal in front of an HX Stomp affect its impedance settings?

Nope - impedance settings are bypassed altogether by having the Dude in front of the stomp. I took a Henriksen Bud to yesterdays gig - and also straight to PA - sometimes I've been using the return of a Mesa Nomad 45 which works nicely too!

How do you avoid a sound gap when switching patches on a Helix?

That's what snapshots are for - or on the Helix you can actually set it up to have seamless switching by using just one processor - Quad Cortex can't do that, but can do Snapshots (they call them scenes)

What gigs is your HX Stomp snapshot preset built for?

Function stuff - so everything from motown to rock etc - that's why it has been so useful to add a drive pedal up front to get some more "in-between" gain ranges...

Why not put a drive pedal in the HX Stomp's effects loop?

Two reasons: it increases round trip latency by 2x and also you lose the impedance rship between the drive pedal and guitar

What amp were you usually gigging when you tried the Boss Katana?

For this gig - the Boss Katana - I think I said it COULD be a good backup? At the time I was typically gigging a Matchless Lightning Clone

Does a rosewood or maple fretboard change how a Strat sounds?

Honestly in my opinion I wouldn't think fretboard has much impact on tone at all, but the feel under your fingers can be very different. I personally find Rosewood less stick under the fingertips

How does the Sire S7 Vintage feel next to a K-Line?

bigger frets, 2 point trem, looser string feel...umm just feels like a more modern take on a strat, whereas the K Line feels more classic?

How can you make the Mesa Lonestar's clean channel less dark?

Andy Timmons runs the Channel 1 with the Bass very low, even all the way off sometimes - try that?

What makes the Boss Blues Driver hard to copy on an HX Stomp?

Apparently, between the two gain stages of the Blues driver, there is a Fender blackface style tonestack.....Which might be something fairly unique to the Blues Driver?

Can you get Allan Holdsworth's tone with Strymon delay and reverb pedals?

I don't think so - it's quite a specific multi-tap delay type algorithm that you'd need to properly copy it

Do all piezo pickups sound unnatural?

Piezo pickups are generally a little bit gross, in my opinion, especially when compared to a close condenser mic....But it is what it is, with a bunch of EQ you can kinda get there?

Are ToneX amp models as good as the Quad Cortex's captures?

bear in mind that the ToneX tone model takes quite a lot longer to create than a QC capture, but I think it's at least on par, if not perhaps a little more accurate in my experience

Which thick pick do you use?

I use Hawk picks tonebird 3mm. If that's a bit expensive though, Black Ice D'add/Planet waves picks in size 1.5mm are pretty decent, and I don't have to dig them out of drains with tweezers

Do Lollar Blonde pickups feel articulate and touch sensitive?

yes but also id say when you dig in they seem to sort of chew a bit rather than get spikey?

Do you need paid IRs on a Fractal unit, or are the factory cabs enough?

I tend to use Legacy Cab 103 mostly - dynacabs or factory IRs will be plenty for most I'd think!

Would you choose the Fractal AM4, an HX Stomp or a Nano Cortex?

I would choose HX stomp and this over Nano Cortex. Without internet, the Nano Cortex cannot sensibly be edited, so if you're on a dodgy wedding gig with no signal, you're kind of cooked (ask David Beebee). As for vs the HX stomp, I personally feel like (this is subjective mostly) - the Fractal effects and amps are on average probably more versatile, maybe in some cases more realistic too (whatever that means).

What does the Fractal AM4 lack compared with the FM3 and FM9?

Looper, Plex block, Pitch block, multi tap, 10 tap delay are some that I can think of of the top of my head - as well as obviously the ability to run tons and tons of blocks

What is the difference between the Fractal AM4 and VP4?

AM4 and VP4 - simple(r) 4 Block units. The difference between the AM4 and the VP4? VP4 is EFFECTS ONLY - AM4 is all the Amp models from Fractal and a huge amount of Effects

For home playing, is a Vox AC15 worth getting over a Boss Katana?

I don't have a ton of experience with the Vox AC15, but my memory is that to get much breakup it will still be pretty loud. I guess the good news really is that you can find them used for a good price, so it might not hurt to scratch that itch?

How does the Boss Katana Artist head differ from the MkII head?

I think the MAIN differences are that the Artist has some additional EQ capabilities? I think at its core, they are the same models and sounds, so unless there's something you think you're going to need those extra global eq curves for?? Also the artist doesn't have the internal speaker, which I actually think tips the Mark2 over the edge, as it means I really wouldn't need a desktop amp?

Is the Boss GX-100 easier to use than the GT-1000 Core?

I don't think any of the built in sounds are any different, but speaking from my own personal experience, this unit is more inviting than the GT1000core that I did try on a couple of occasions, and there's some subtle things like not hiding the cab choices etc that I think make it significantly more approachable?

How common are Strats under 7 lbs without chambering?

I was looking online for an american professional under 8 lbs this morning in the UK - didn't find many, if any. Under 7 lbs from what I've seen would be pretty exceptionally light unless using Pine? Suhrs and Fenders are commonly reaching 8lbs more often than not when I check the weights on Peach/Coda etc

Is a Jet Elite JT30 worth much more than an entry-level Jet?

I think that's a fair point to make when the entry level stuff is so competitively priced - but this guitar ends up being much lighter, alnico pickups and wilkinson hardware so I think they've ended up with a guitar that compares super favourably with something like a Fender Player

How does the Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 compare with the Sire S7?

Very different - the Sire has a chunkier neck, 12" radius, and relatively conservative pickup choices - the Charvel is pretty hot. Personally the Sire is more the kind of guitar I'd get more use out of, but the Charvel has a ton of character

Is an FGN Standard Odyssey a good alternative to the Sire S7?

The FGN Standard I had was a great guitar - played perfectly, well built, nice pickups - essentially an Ibanez AZ Prestige without the logo or roasting!

How does the PRS DGT neck compare with the Custom 24 and McCarty?

I think the DGT neck is a bit chunkier than the Custom 24, but not as thick as the McCarty, so it is kind of in between the two

Why buy a core PRS DGT when the SE version is this good?

This one is better than the Wood Library Core DGT that I shifted on if my memory is any good

Is a Fender '57 Custom Champ enough for small gigs?

I think much more experienced people than me say that they can gig with a Champ if there is no drummer? Others like Julian Lage seem to do fine with a drummer, but in the jazz world I'm gonna guess those aren't massively loud gigs? If you want clean tone then I wouldn't say the Champ is necessarily a great candidate unless you have pretty low stage volume?

For Fender cleans with pedals, a Tone Master Deluxe or an FR12 with an amp pedal?

I feel like the Tone Master Dverb might win in my opinion versus the FR12? But if you ever got another modeler the FR12 would still be useful (its a really good unit)

Is the 22 watt Suhr Bella Reverb usable at home?

If you're running clean with pedals you'll be ok - any breakup and it's WAY too loud for home.

Will you miss the Strymon Big Sky if you switch to the NightSky?

Personally I didn't ever get the best out of the Nightsky - the Big Sky I find a bit simpler to find what I'm looking for I think?

How does the Flamma FF20 looper compare with the Mooer GL100?

the GL100 is more powerful/complex in some ways (and has a touchscreen), but doesn't have the sync thing nailed down like the Flamma FF20 if that's something you're looking for.

Stock pickups or something else? And what strings?

Stock pickups, and the guitar was direct into the soundcard. Stringwise it just had 11 roundwounds on.

What strings do you usually use?

I tend to use D'Addario 10-46.

Would you change the pickups in it?

The Sire pickups I've found to be ok, not mind-blowing. If I was going to change them out, I personally like lower-output vintage-style pickups like Fender CS69s or Lollar Dirty Blondes.

What is the advantage of stainless steel frets?

Well - it probably means you may never have to get the frets worked on - they wear much much slower that nickel frets

How do you set up a Sire trem so it stays in tune?

Umm it's just been straight as set up from the factory, but you could adjust the springs if you find yours not to be as stable? I guess also a well lubricated/cut nut is essential

Is a two-point or six-point trem better for fluttering effects?

It's just a preference that is probably not based on anything worth worrying about? Fluttering effects are definitely more possible on 2 point style trems than 6 in my experience?

How did you remove the treble bleed on the Sire?

Had to remove the pickguard and physically remove the capacitor and resistor!

Why use roundwounds rather than flatwounds on a 335 or Tele?

I find flats don't really work across as many styles as rounds - but use them on my jazz guitars!

Would 11-gauge strings stop the high E slipping off a Sire S7's neck?

It would certainly have more tension and thereby be slightly stiffer and less likely to pull off?

Who are your main influences?

I guess Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton, Gary Moore might be some of my preferred players?

What helped you get past feeling like a fake jazz player?

I don't know I think it's just an insecurity thing. But learning a lot of tunes has meant that even if I feel like I'm faking it, I can play quite a lot of varied tunes to some level or another and it doesn't always sound awful

Do you record all of your playing, or play to record?

I improvise all this stuff, it'd take way too long to relearn it, ha.

Does a better audio interface make guitar plugins sound better?

Audio interface definitely can make a difference to latency more than anything - but also you'd want something with Hi Z inputs for passive pickups presumably? I think there's probably a limit to how much difference you'd really notice tonally, but it's probably best not to go for the very cheapest?

Should you gain guitar input up to just below clipping for plugins?

Yeh that's advice that makes sense for using a microphone etc, but not for guitars with plugins. Signal to noise is a non-factor since the "self noise floor" of an audio interface is WAAAY lower than the noise floor of pickups which are inherently noisy anyway.

Where should a beginner set interface input gain for amp plugins?

It's not actually about what you see as the final dB - which interface are you using, for most of them, you're going to want to just set the input gain to minimum, and that'll get you closer to where you want to start

Why don't amp plugins show a visual target for input level?

Nope - a visual target would be arbitrary. The target would be in the same place for a Single coil guitar, or a high output EMG. See the problem?

On a Behringer UMC202HD, which setting gives a Hi-Z guitar input?

So you want to go into the first input I think, and have it set to Instrument - that'll be the Hi Z I think

Why do single coils hum so much when recording into an interface?

The hum is quite likely to do with being sat really close to your computer monitor?

How good is the Aston Spirit microphone?

It's really good for acoustic and voice, and guitar cabs....In my opinion - so seems like a great all rounder?

Do you EQ the guitar tracks in your gear demos?

I personally don't EQ on guitar tracks, but perhaps I'm not then giving the "best" view of what the Amp might sound like?

What camera and microphone do you use for your talking videos?

A Panasonic Lumix with 25mm lens, and the mic is a NUX lapel thingy

How long did it take your guitar channel to grow?

In my experience, it took a lot of uploading before things got anywhere - I used to upload a lot of jazz stuff that didn't really get watched.

Would you trade YouTube for a career as a gigging musician?

I wouldn't trade it now that this is my life. I get to actually play guitar at home. I turn down plenty of "real" musician gigs all the time. I also do a few when it makes sense.