This one can mean a good few things , depending on who ’ s talking . In the “ normal ” world , jangling is what bells do , and like we discussed in Part I , bell-like can usually mean prominent high mids , low mids , highs , or all of the above . Where jangly usually differs from bell-like is usually in the decay of the notes and the body ; bell-like is punchier with a more pronounced body and a less prominent decay , while jangly is bright with a more prominent decay . A good example of a jangly tone would be a Gretsch through a Fender Bandmaster or Bassman .
This is one I hear a lot , and usually it refers to pickups , specifically humbuckers . Humbuckers have a lot of midrange body to them , as well as a fair bit of output compared to their single coil cousins . The way they are designed and wound has been a subject of debate for a long time , but it is well known amongst all humbucker enthusiasts ( modern high-output and vintage PAF lovers alike ), that a good humbucker tone requires a fair bit of “ meat .” This usually means a hefty and deep midrange that you really feel in your gut when you play clean . Dirty , the sound gets big and warm , further accentuating the wallop of the sound .
Depending on who you talk to , this can either be a good thing or a bad thing . Graininess in both the hi-fi and guitar worlds usually means a lack of detail or sharpness in the high end . Although this may sound like a bad thing , many amps ’ inherent graininess is part of what gives them their classic tones that many guitar players know and love . Take Marshall amps ; their sound is characterized by their bell-like midrange , and grainy ( almost subdued ) highs . Many tone enthusiasts also consider Vox ’ s classic Top Boost grainy , but it ’ s part of what makes it sound so good , especially with humbuckers .
I ’ m sure many of you have heard the classic quip “ Tele twang ,” when somebody is trying to sell you a compressor , Telecaster , or both . Twang is a word synonymous with that combination , and can evoke the feeling of bumpkins bouncing down a country dirt road in Nowhereville , Tennessee . The description “ twang ” is almost exclusive to single coil guitars , specifically Telecasters . A “ twang ” position on a Tele is either both pickups selected , or a really low output bridge pickup . Twang is really hard to define , but you will know it when you hear it . It ’ s got a lot of snap to the attack , and is probably the closest sound you can get to a banjo without having to learn another tuning , which makes it a mainstay in most — if not all — modern country music .
JANGLY
This one can mean a good few things , depending on who ’ s talking . In the “ normal ” world , jangling is what bells do , and like we discussed in Part I , bell-like can usually mean prominent high mids , low mids , highs , or all of the above . Where jangly usually differs from bell-like is usually in the decay of the notes and the body ; bell-like is punchier with a more pronounced body and a less prominent decay , while jangly is bright with a more prominent decay . A good example of a jangly tone would be a Gretsch through a Fender Bandmaster or Bassman .
MEATY
“ A good example of a jangly tone would be a Gretsch through a Fender Bandmaster or Bassman .”
This is one I hear a lot , and usually it refers to pickups , specifically humbuckers . Humbuckers have a lot of midrange body to them , as well as a fair bit of output compared to their single coil cousins . The way they are designed and wound has been a subject of debate for a long time , but it is well known amongst all humbucker enthusiasts ( modern high-output and vintage PAF lovers alike ), that a good humbucker tone requires a fair bit of “ meat .” This usually means a hefty and deep midrange that you really feel in your gut when you play clean . Dirty , the sound gets big and warm , further accentuating the wallop of the sound .
GRAINY
Depending on who you talk to , this can either be a good thing or a bad thing . Graininess in both the hi-fi and guitar worlds usually means a lack of detail or sharpness in the high end . Although this may sound like a bad thing , many amps ’ inherent graininess is part of what gives them their classic tones that many guitar players know and love . Take Marshall amps ; their sound is characterized by their bell-like midrange , and grainy ( almost subdued ) highs . Many tone enthusiasts also consider Vox ’ s classic Top Boost grainy , but it ’ s part of what makes it sound so good , especially with humbuckers .
TWANG
I ’ m sure many of you have heard the classic quip “ Tele twang ,” when somebody is trying to sell you a compressor , Telecaster , or both . Twang is a word synonymous with that combination , and can evoke the feeling of bumpkins bouncing down a country dirt road in Nowhereville , Tennessee . The description “ twang ” is almost exclusive to single coil guitars , specifically Telecasters . A “ twang ” position on a Tele is either both pickups selected , or a really low output bridge pickup . Twang is really hard to define , but you will know it when you hear it . It ’ s got a lot of snap to the attack , and is probably the closest sound you can get to a banjo without having to learn another tuning , which makes it a mainstay in most — if not all — modern country music .
40 TONE TALK // A Beginners Guide to Guitar Buzzwords