He has used an older (mid 80's), RAT pedal on every rig he has had. I played with that guy ALOT back in the club days and he went through many amps over the yrs but had a ProCo RAT in front of every amp. And FYI, he could play like that when he was 19 yrs old, we were all terrified of him back in the day..super reserved and quiet, when we used to do gigs, he would be back stage for hours with a little amp and his guitar, practicing, I never saw him without a guitar in his hand..all day. Great vid buddy- J
I think the thing that is apparent when watching Nuno play is how delicate his touch is in the right hand, but how ferociously strong his left hand is. It's really a beautiful sound that nobody else sounds anything like.
I've recently discovered this about my own playing. I have a light right hand touch but my left hand is strangling the neck. I put my buddies guitar with large frets out of tune from pushing down too hard.
Such a great and in depth video Michael, top notch as always! Was absolutely blown away listening to my favourite guitarist, Nuno, live a couple of weeks back. What a monster of a player!
I saw them at Donington 1994 around this album. Loved this album but it was ignored by the masses. Thanks for the video. Great playing as ever Michael!
90% agreed. Production at the other hand does not make it fair for the songs in any way. Terrible production for an amazing record. I wish they could remix it for an anniversary edition or something
Great video as always Michael - love your Nuno-centric deep dives! I’m going to have to check out the H&K Tubeman - I’ve honestly never heard of that before. I imagine used prices are skyrocketing as we speak thanks to your video! That exact Bill Lawrence L500 pick-up that Nuno used is something of a mystery - did he use the Bill Lawrence USA version? The Bill & Becky / Wilde Pickups version? Was it the L500L, or the hotter L500XL? These days the Washburn N4’s come with the BLUSA L500XL installed. One other point - I believe Nuno was using a Soldano Super Lead 60 Series II on III Sides rather than the Hot Rod 50 you mentioned.
I saw an interview recently where he claimed he used the Rat pedal in an almost backward setup, where he rolled the gain,bass and tone almost all the way down, stating it gave him an amazing sustain, which he made up for using other pedals (or rackmount gear) to compensate. I believe it was a “Rick Beato” from a year ago. Great interview that really explains his whole approach, and his emotional connection to the sound and rhythm.
What's most insane about this vid is that you actually dremmel-ed your Friedman guitar!!!! WTF !!!!! You go above and beyond Bro!!!! I'm sure you have other guitars, like most of us do, than can be sacrificed, If not drop me a line next time. Depending of course on what mayhem you are up to. LOL I have the older Cream Machine and Metal Shredder from H&K that are both FANTASTIC sounding. Definitely well ahead of it's time.
@@BigHairyGuitars Yeah, I loved it from the get go and saw them on the Punchline tour, but it definitely didn't get the love it deserves. Love that dry, in your face, sound they went for on this record.
I have seen this mentioned in a few comments, but I want to add to those who have pointed out that this is not the correct bridge pickup. What was called a "Bill Lawrence L-500L" is now known as a Wilde Pickups L-500XL (Wilde was Bill and Becky, Becky and their daughter Shannon after Bill's death): buying a "Bill Lawrence USA" pickup is like buying a guitar made by Wayne Charvel instead of one made by Peter Jackson. Regarding the nomenclature change, the L-510 pickups were merged into the L-500 line such that the former L-500L became the L-500XL, while the former L-510R became the L-500C and the former L-510L became the new L-500L. This means that the L-500's voicing is available in four output levels that ascend as such: * L-500C: 2.9H/6kΩ * L-500R: 4.4H/7.6kΩ * L-500L: 6.5H/12kΩ * L-500XL: 8.7H/15.6kΩ Becky and Shannon still make excellent pickups, and I strongly encourage everyone to support the people who have always made these remarkable pickups rather than the person who exploited them.
We all as WFTP enthusiasts should make Thomas Blug (creator of the Tubeman pedal) implement the WFTP sound on his forthcoming and highly expected „Amp X“ What do you think?
I was thinking the same. It's been 20 years i order B&B pickups for my guitars in Italy. In any case the sound was perfect and honestly the middle position sound very similar to a single coily splitted sound that you can hear in "cynical" for example. @BogHairyGuitars great tone and playing. Your channel is An inspiration place for me.
Where did you find out about the Tubeman usage? I don't remember that in all the guitar mag interviews (they always hold stuff back!!) Man, I had one of those and probably would have held on to it if I had heard he used it on WFTPL.
I have interviews in magazines with Nuno from this era. He said he used a reissue Vibroverb turned up to 10. He used a Twin on some songs, he isn't specific, but he used the Tubeman with the Twin. He doesn't mention about using dirt pedals with the Vibroverb. He said he used MXR Phase 90 and Phase 100. He used a Soldano on Evilangelist. GHS Boomers 9s and Fender heavy picks. He said some of the tubes were microphonic. He said they took the speaker out and used a 1969 Marshall 4x12 cab. He goes on to say that they kept the Fender speaker plugged into the head, because it sounded better, but they buried the Fender speaker under blankets. This is from February 1995 issue of Guitar Player magazine.
I never listened to any Extreme but everyone knew Nuno was a capable 80s shredder dude with a cool guitar that still holds up now even though it’s totally 80s.
Waiting for the Punchline is such a great album. Many hours were spend trying to figure those parts out. Great tones and riffs on that album. At what point did he use those Randall signature amps? I had the chance to pick one up once, but passed on it. I kind of regret that now.
I think he started using the Randall around 2008. Aside from looking cool they allegedly had some issues, like blowing up. Happened to several of them according to what I read. I think he only used them on the Saudades tour. After that he switched to a Marshall JCM 2000 which initially was hidden behind the backline. In my opinion you shouldn't regret passing on the Randall. I've seen Extreme a few times live since 2008 and his tone with the Marshall is far better.
hey Michael, thanks for the video. i think you nailed it solid. just with the exception of the pickup not being Bill and Becky but EZ Wajcman Bill Lawrence USA (a legendary patent feud). cheers!
Nah there isn't, it's the L500, but there's 4 variants (L500C, L500R, L500L, L500XL). Nuno and Dimebag IIRC used the L500XL, but at the time it was just called the L500 or L500 Lead. Also the one that Michael is using in the video isn't a Bill and Becky, but a Bill Lawrence USA. The BLUSA pickups have no logo on top, thinner rails, and a single 4-conductor lead. The B&B pickups have slightly wider rails and a fucking spiderweb of wires coming out the pickup. But FWIW I think the BLUSA is more accurate because from the pics I've seen of Nuno's guitar, he's mostly using the BLUSA model.
@@themodernguitarist I spoke with Becky before (you can email her directly) as I understand it their current offering of pickups are Bill's original designs and the BLusa's are not and were changed upon the two parties splitting and Blusa only owns the name trademark. Both are good. I have the B&B L500 and got rid of my BLusa
WFTP is in my top 10 tones. I will debate it’s his best overall sound. Although Nuno sounded really great live this last year, would love to hear him go to the Punchline tone again.
I saw them opening for Aerosmith (Get A Grip tour) on the Waiting for the Punchline tour with Mike Mangini in Paris, France in June of 1994. Nuno had a Soldano half stack with him. Ridiculous show btw, he tore down the house, the Midnight Express acoustic thing was especially mind-boggling. Note that in November, 1993, Aerosmith came to Paris (also on the Get A Grip tour) with Mr Big opening for them (saw that show too, it was the day after my 18th birthday)...
Alex Lifeson was the first guy of those three to use the Lawrence in the rock/metal fraternity...if I remember correctly I had a Rush magazine in the 80's and this had a run down of everything he was using at that time, and this was the first time I heard of Bill Lawrence.
I hear a little of Ty Tabor's tone in there, probably the hifi, almost single coil-ish mid-hi foward sound. For what it's worth, a close friend of mine had a Gibson Les Paul in the early 80's that had the 500XL in the bridge and a Carvin M22 in the neck. It looked pretty wild, but it was the most balanced sounding Les Paul I've ever heard.
I remember reading something with Nuno saying he used a reissue brown 63 Vibroverb that had a 15 inch speaker instead of the vintage 2x10 Brown Vibroverb config. Supposedly made in the custom shop back then. He plugged it into a 4x12 but also left the 15" speaker plugged in and buried under a bunch of blankets and pillows because it sounded better with the 15 still hooked up. Miced up the 4x12. I remember seeing the brown vibroverb reissues but never seen one with a 15 inch speaker. Only the 2x10 versions which I did check out but they didn't sound like that to me. Maybe the tubeman is what was missing. Also never tried through a 4x12. I wonder if that brown Vibroverb with a 15 was a one off by Bruce Zinky?
To me, the WFPL tone comes more from the amp/preamp setup and playing with both bridge and neck pickups in parallel. I recorded a YT clip of Cynical with a DIY N4 with a Tone Zone (Van Halen) on the bridge and a SD Alnico II Pro (Slash) on the neck with great results.
The pickup is definitely the secret sauce to Nuno’s tone. The resonant peak is so far off from most bridge humbuckers. It nails that squeaky percussive thing.
You probably know this, but they were both Spector NS2 players, both with a pick. Into Ampeg, Mesa 400+ or GK 800RB. Killer players and vastly underrated, each in their own way. Rex from Pantera kind of completes that glorious '90s Spector tone trinity for me.
@ So embarrassed. I did watch that video. I kinda forgot. I did go looking for it after I posted. Really enjoy the content. I was actively gigging from ‘87-‘93 so a lot of this stuff really hits home.
I disagree about a commenter saying waiting for the punch being their best album. The writing on 3 sides to every story is a masterpiece. But i do agree that the use of the vibroverb is awesome. His rat trick on that amp works great but it’s just used as a filter. Although he blew that amp running full out. It’s a killer tone
Into the front (input), same place you’d put a tube screamer. Fender amps won’t typically have a an FX loop so you couldn’t go straight into the power amp
In the mid 80's I had a guitar with Bill Lawrence picks and it was the best guitar I ever had, but the headstock got broken and the guitar was never the same. I have a Nuno pickup, but I haven't tried it. That one sounded great with the Pedal.
The bestest Nuno tone. Thanks for doing that. Not sure the video has it nailed though - to me it sounded closer to single coil tone, regardless of the actual pickup config. Like always in the middle position of the switch. Also I kept reading on the gearslutz forums back in the day that he indeed had used a fender amp a lot Edit: okay. The inbetween tones nailed 100%. Awesome
Thanks. I think the in between tone is dead on. The straight bridge tone really needs a little more live room in the sound. That’s very hard to replicate even with the most advanced reverb units or plugins. It’s just not the same thing as pushing loud air in a room
Sorry about being "that guy" ... the pickup looks like a BLUSA, not a Bill & Becky (wider blades, no visible logo etc). The difference is kind of exaggerated in internet forum circles, as far as I know Nuno used both variants at least live, and as mentioned here has an annoying habit of sounding awesome no matter what he plays through anyway.
@@BigHairyGuitars Yes, it's the OG 500s and the proper B&B "reissues" for lack of a better term that have the bigger blades and no logo. It's a whole sordid tale of business gone wrong to delve into, but I don't think it's worth it in 2025.
Also what tipped you off about the Tubeman? Its only celeb user I know of is Kotzen on Native Tongue. Every Nuno interview from back then just mentions cranking the Vibroverb (with an EVH-style mythical unobtanium microphonic preamp tube, of course) for that natural overdrive. I found it strange, but I remember hearing a fully cranked one once and it indeed could get that kind of gain and tone.
I will say I bought a Wilde L500XL a few years ago and I love it. It's funny because I couldn't stand the L500L I put in a 90s N4 - sounded awful and I went back to the BLUSA it came with. Anyway, their current stuff is really good IMO.
Check out Alex's video of a Nuno style Vibroverb 412 and Rat pedal! ua-cam.com/video/9VRYUkzdhiI/v-deo.html
He has used an older (mid 80's), RAT pedal on every rig he has had. I played with that guy ALOT back in the club days and he went through many amps over the yrs but had a ProCo RAT in front of every amp. And FYI, he could play like that when he was 19 yrs old, we were all terrified of him back in the day..super reserved and quiet, when we used to do gigs, he would be back stage for hours with a little amp and his guitar, practicing, I never saw him without a guitar in his hand..all day. Great vid buddy- J
Cool story man, thanks for sharing!
Sounds like that was the secret to getting the percussive punch in the sound.
I think the thing that is apparent when watching Nuno play is how delicate his touch is in the right hand, but how ferociously strong his left hand is. It's really a beautiful sound that nobody else sounds anything like.
I agree. Super quick and light right hand, Similar to EVH and DeMartini (IMO).
I've recently discovered this about my own playing. I have a light right hand touch but my left hand is strangling the neck. I put my buddies guitar with large frets out of tune from pushing down too hard.
consistently outstanding content on your channel. tone chasing with some cool and unusual gear... love it man!
Thanks a ton! I appreciate that!
@@BigHairyGuitars
Big and Hairy!!!
Merry Christmas Michael. That is absolutely remarkable. Not my favourite Extreme album but you nailed the tones which are so distinctive.
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!
Such a great and in depth video Michael, top notch as always! Was absolutely blown away listening to my favourite guitarist, Nuno, live a couple of weeks back. What a monster of a player!
My favorite Extreme album! Such raw and punchy guitar tone
I love the raw, realistic band sound on Waiting For The Punchline.
When I learned about Nuno, I started to yearn for blade-type humbuckers.
Man... Big fan of your tone approach and your capacity to swin against the tide of "Same Ol' Gear" YT Channels. Cheers from Brazil!
🤘🤘thank you sir!!!
I saw them at Donington 1994 around this album. Loved this album but it was ignored by the masses. Thanks for the video. Great playing as ever Michael!
This is awesome. I hope you make a video exploring Nuno's tone in Extreme III soon. 🤘🏼
Fantastic playing and awesome video!
Waiting for the Punchline is their best album!! Killer song writing, riffs, solos, bass, drums, production and even the singing and lyrics!!
I think Pat is very underrated as a bass player. He delivers AND sings
@ absolutely and his tone on this album is perfect!
It’s still my favorite extreme record.
I was super late to the Extreme party in life, but I always liked Waiting…. The most.
This has that great tight stringy sound Nuno has…
90% agreed. Production at the other hand does not make it fair for the songs in any way. Terrible production for an amazing record. I wish they could remix it for an anniversary edition or something
You’re so modest and humble most of the time that one wouldn’t think you could shred like that! Fantastic.
Thanks a lot ! I absolutely did’nt know that Nuno uses this preamp on Waiting for the punchline ! Very interesting ! Great demo by the way !
There is no God still vibing till now..
Favorite album..
Thanks Michael..you are fantastic player..
Great video as always Michael - love your Nuno-centric deep dives!
I’m going to have to check out the H&K Tubeman - I’ve honestly never heard of that before. I imagine used prices are skyrocketing as we speak thanks to your video!
That exact Bill Lawrence L500 pick-up that Nuno used is something of a mystery - did he use the Bill Lawrence USA version? The Bill & Becky / Wilde Pickups version? Was it the L500L, or the hotter L500XL? These days the Washburn N4’s come with the BLUSA L500XL installed.
One other point - I believe Nuno was using a Soldano Super Lead 60 Series II on III Sides rather than the Hot Rod 50 you mentioned.
Yaaaasssss. I've been waiting for this episode. My fave Extreme album. Thanks mate.
This video makes me realize again how much of a great player you are!
Great great solo at the beginning!
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I WAS WAITING FOR THIS!
Thanks so much for all the info here! Love waiting for the punchline.
Opening song just rocks. Always love your reviews but I am here to first hear your opening track. Very inspiring
Very nice of you to say! Thank you!🙏
I saw an interview recently where he claimed he used the Rat pedal in an almost backward setup, where he rolled the gain,bass and tone almost all the way down, stating it gave him an amazing sustain, which he made up for using other pedals (or rackmount gear) to compensate. I believe it was a “Rick Beato” from a year ago. Great interview that really explains his whole approach, and his emotional connection to the sound and rhythm.
What's most insane about this vid is that you actually dremmel-ed your Friedman guitar!!!! WTF !!!!! You go above and beyond Bro!!!! I'm sure you have other guitars, like most of us do, than can be sacrificed, If not drop me a line next time. Depending of course on what mayhem you are up to. LOL I have the older Cream Machine and Metal Shredder from H&K that are both FANTASTIC sounding. Definitely well ahead of it's time.
Punchline is their Fair Warning. Love that record!
It’s cool that so many people are into this album. I remember when it came out it was a bit of a shock
@@BigHairyGuitars Yeah, I loved it from the get go and saw them on the Punchline tour, but it definitely didn't get the love it deserves. Love that dry, in your face, sound they went for on this record.
Many years ago Butch Walker told me his secret sauce was a 60’s Blackface Bassman head cranked. He said volume at about 7 was the sweet spot.
Really cool video, that album has been hitting the spot for me lately. I wonder if this pedal led Nuno to his relationship with H&K amps later
If I recall my conversation with Thomas Blug about it, that was the gateway.
That Bill L pickup really is a key component to his sound. It's striking once you A/B it. I gotta get one. lol
That cleanish Bassman tone is incredible!
Shredding!
Love the intro!
Thanks!!
NAILED that tone!!!
I have seen this mentioned in a few comments, but I want to add to those who have pointed out that this is not the correct bridge pickup. What was called a "Bill Lawrence L-500L" is now known as a Wilde Pickups L-500XL (Wilde was Bill and Becky, Becky and their daughter Shannon after Bill's death): buying a "Bill Lawrence USA" pickup is like buying a guitar made by Wayne Charvel instead of one made by Peter Jackson. Regarding the nomenclature change, the L-510 pickups were merged into the L-500 line such that the former L-500L became the L-500XL, while the former L-510R became the L-500C and the former L-510L became the new L-500L. This means that the L-500's voicing is available in four output levels that ascend as such:
* L-500C: 2.9H/6kΩ
* L-500R: 4.4H/7.6kΩ
* L-500L: 6.5H/12kΩ
* L-500XL: 8.7H/15.6kΩ
Becky and Shannon still make excellent pickups, and I strongly encourage everyone to support the people who have always made these remarkable pickups rather than the person who exploited them.
And just like that, the H&K Tubeman exploded in price on the used market! 😂
Thank you Michael, always loved Nuno’s tone on that album!
I love the point in the song “Cynical” where you can hear Nuno hit the switch on his guitar and it gives the most righteous CLINK!
Haha! Yes! I always like those “real” moments as well!
We all as WFTP enthusiasts should make Thomas Blug (creator of the Tubeman pedal) implement the WFTP sound on his forthcoming and highly expected „Amp X“
What do you think?
Going "Back to the Future" and dusting off the old gear for some blazing tone. Nice chops too Michael 😉
Thank you kindly!
Another AWESOME video! Love this deep dive into the Iconic NUNO! That BMan sounds great!!
While I really like his WFTPL tone, my favorite recorded tone is still the Furman PQ3 into Wagener’s ADA MP-1 v1.38 of Porno.
100% ADA is life!
Original RAT always on as a boost, gain at 1 and filter noon. From Premier Guitar 27 mars 2024 at 6:10.
HI Michael, the pickup you have there is not the bill and becky L500. The B&B one has thicker rails and it sounds warmer that what you have there
I was thinking the same. It's been 20 years i order B&B pickups for my guitars in Italy. In any case the sound was perfect and honestly the middle position sound very similar to a single coily splitted sound that you can hear in "cynical" for example. @BogHairyGuitars great tone and playing. Your channel is An inspiration place for me.
Ufff that solo man!!!!
Where did you find out about the Tubeman usage? I don't remember that in all the guitar mag interviews (they always hold stuff back!!) Man, I had one of those and probably would have held on to it if I had heard he used it on WFTPL.
I have interviews in magazines with Nuno from this era. He said he used a reissue Vibroverb turned up to 10. He used a Twin on some songs, he isn't specific, but he used the Tubeman with the Twin. He doesn't mention about using dirt pedals with the Vibroverb. He said he used MXR Phase 90 and Phase 100. He used a Soldano on Evilangelist. GHS Boomers 9s and Fender heavy picks. He said some of the tubes were microphonic. He said they took the speaker out and used a 1969 Marshall 4x12 cab. He goes on to say that they kept the Fender speaker plugged into the head, because it sounded better, but they buried the Fender speaker under blankets. This is from February 1995 issue of Guitar Player magazine.
Awesome info! Thanks. The Flanger used is the Eventide Instant Flanger rack unit.
I never listened to any Extreme but everyone knew Nuno was a capable 80s shredder dude with a cool guitar that still holds up now even though it’s totally 80s.
Waiting for the Punchline is such a great album. Many hours were spend trying to figure those parts out. Great tones and riffs on that album. At what point did he use those Randall signature amps? I had the chance to pick one up once, but passed on it. I kind of regret that now.
I think he started using the Randall around 2008. Aside from looking cool they allegedly had some issues, like blowing up. Happened to several of them according to what I read. I think he only used them on the Saudades tour. After that he switched to a Marshall JCM 2000 which initially was hidden behind the backline. In my opinion you shouldn't regret passing on the Randall. I've seen Extreme a few times live since 2008 and his tone with the Marshall is far better.
hey Michael, thanks for the video. i think you nailed it solid. just with the exception of the pickup not being Bill and Becky but EZ Wajcman Bill Lawrence USA (a legendary patent feud). cheers!
Are there markers that would lead you to believe that? I bought it as a Bill and Becky, but it was used. So I can’t guarantee it
‘Evilangelist’ on WFtP was a Soldano SP77
Hugely different tone to rest of the album, and one of the best tones Nuno ever got
Nuno used the Bill Lawrence L500 pickup, I dont remember there being an x500 but I could be wrong. That pedal sounds awesome!
@@johnnyringo8174 ah yes. Sorry, my memory farted there. Thanks
Nah there isn't, it's the L500, but there's 4 variants (L500C, L500R, L500L, L500XL). Nuno and Dimebag IIRC used the L500XL, but at the time it was just called the L500 or L500 Lead. Also the one that Michael is using in the video isn't a Bill and Becky, but a Bill Lawrence USA. The BLUSA pickups have no logo on top, thinner rails, and a single 4-conductor lead. The B&B pickups have slightly wider rails and a fucking spiderweb of wires coming out the pickup. But FWIW I think the BLUSA is more accurate because from the pics I've seen of Nuno's guitar, he's mostly using the BLUSA model.
@@BigHairyGuitars Y
@@themodernguitarist I spoke with Becky before (you can email her directly) as I understand it their current offering of pickups are Bill's original designs and the BLusa's are not and were changed upon the two parties splitting and Blusa only owns the name trademark. Both are good. I have the B&B L500 and got rid of my BLusa
To me the BL-USA sounded more like a hum-free single coil and the B&B pickups more like a metal humbucker
Punchline is awesome as when you pan hard right (or left I don’t remember) the guitar is gone and you can jam on the tracks like you are in the room.
WFTP is in my top 10 tones. I will debate it’s his best overall sound. Although Nuno sounded really great live this last year, would love to hear him go to the Punchline tone again.
I saw them opening for Aerosmith (Get A Grip tour) on the Waiting for the Punchline tour with Mike Mangini in Paris, France in June of 1994. Nuno had a Soldano half stack with him. Ridiculous show btw, he tore down the house, the Midnight Express acoustic thing was especially mind-boggling.
Note that in November, 1993, Aerosmith came to Paris (also on the Get A Grip tour) with Mr Big opening for them (saw that show too, it was the day after my 18th birthday)...
Cool, never knew he used a Soldano live. Only thought it was in the studio. Do you know if it was the SL-60 that he used on Three Sides?
@@dwarkanathpramanik8545 guess so, it was in an arena so I was too far to see what it exactly was, just that it was a Soldano...
I used to own a paduak n4. With a Hughes and Kettner triamp you were pretty much game on.
Alex Lifeson was the first guy of those three to use the Lawrence in the rock/metal fraternity...if I remember correctly I had a Rush magazine in the 80's and this had a run down of everything he was using at that time, and this was the first time I heard of Bill Lawrence.
That Tubeman sounds epic
I hear a little of Ty Tabor's tone in there, probably the hifi, almost single coil-ish mid-hi foward sound. For what it's worth, a close friend of mine had a Gibson Les Paul in the early 80's that had the 500XL in the bridge and a Carvin M22 in the neck. It looked pretty wild, but it was the most balanced sounding Les Paul I've ever heard.
Was thinking just the same and Nuno is a big King's X fan.
Awesome playing and tones there !! btw will you be doing any 2C+ RI review? get some cool DT chugging and metallica?
Possibly! I’m trying to get one
@@BigHairyGuitars cool !!
great vid!
I remember reading something with Nuno saying he used a reissue brown 63 Vibroverb that had a 15 inch speaker instead of the vintage 2x10 Brown Vibroverb config. Supposedly made in the custom shop back then. He plugged it into a 4x12 but also left the 15" speaker plugged in and buried under a bunch of blankets and pillows because it sounded better with the 15 still hooked up. Miced up the 4x12. I remember seeing the brown vibroverb reissues but never seen one with a 15 inch speaker. Only the 2x10 versions which I did check out but they didn't sound like that to me. Maybe the tubeman is what was missing. Also never tried through a 4x12. I wonder if that brown Vibroverb with a 15 was a one off by Bruce Zinky?
To me, the WFPL tone comes more from the amp/preamp setup and playing with both bridge and neck pickups in parallel. I recorded a YT clip of Cynical with a DIY N4 with a Tone Zone (Van Halen) on the bridge and a SD Alnico II Pro (Slash) on the neck with great results.
The pickup is definitely the secret sauce to Nuno’s tone. The resonant peak is so far off from most bridge humbuckers. It nails that squeaky percussive thing.
It’s my favorite record from them. It’s their “Fair Warning” To me its an amazing sound
Huge fan of Nuno’s tone on WFTP album!!
IMO Waiting for the Punchline was influenced by grunge, and the blues revival happening at that time. Thicker, dirtier, etc.
I used to paint the nails just on my left hand, ala Nuno. Didn't fvcking make me play like Nuno at all.
I tried to get a 6 pack of abs, then after a day of trying gave up. 🤣
i always thought Waiting was boogie.....phenomenal sounds
I know you’re a guitarist, but I’d love to see/hear your insights into great bass tones- Pat Badger, Rachel Bolan, etc. - from the same era.
You probably know this, but they were both Spector NS2 players, both with a pick. Into Ampeg, Mesa 400+ or GK 800RB. Killer players and vastly underrated, each in their own way. Rex from Pantera kind of completes that glorious '90s Spector tone trinity for me.
I dig the purple locking nut! does the floyd match?
Thanks! I got that when I had purple pickup covers on this guitar, so those matched. But now I went back to black.
Nuno used a Soldano SL60 on III Sides, not the Hot Rod 50.
yes, with a Boss Turbo Overdrive boosting it, into a GB 4x12 according to Mr. Wagner .
Nice! I always thought it was the 50. I think the 60 was an Asian made version right?
@@BigHairyGuitars I believe Mike made a low number of them in his shop before production shifted overseas. Not sure which version Nuno used.
Yes. But not on every song. I guess one of those was “Evilangelist”
@ there’s no report of him ever using a Hot Rod.
How about a deep dive on Saigon Kick’s “The Lizard” album. I feel like it far more influential than people realize.
Thanks! I don't have this amp any longer, but I did do a dive into Jason's tones: ua-cam.com/video/5Ko96dirmBk/v-deo.html
@ So embarrassed. I did watch that video. I kinda forgot. I did go looking for it after I posted. Really enjoy the content. I was actively gigging from ‘87-‘93 so a lot of this stuff really hits home.
That tube man has some bite
Is anybody doing a good availavle alternative to that pickup?
I disagree about a commenter saying waiting for the punch being their best album. The writing on 3 sides to every story is a masterpiece. But i do agree that the use of the vibroverb is awesome. His rat trick on that amp works great but it’s just used as a filter. Although he blew that amp running full out. It’s a killer tone
good morning!! what is the box that lit up when you play behind the screen ??
Pretty sure 12V ac is easy to get since it was the eventide line standard back in the date for modfactor, timefactor, space pedals.
Ah nice! It was a nice surprise to see it on Amazon
So was the tubeman going into the front end of the fender or the return?
Great tone. So Crunchy
Into the front (input), same place you’d put a tube screamer. Fender amps won’t typically have a an FX loop so you couldn’t go straight into the power amp
@BigHairyGuitars aaahhh. Ok. Thanks Michael!!
Amazing into playing
Do the new L500 pickups that Bill Lawrence make still sound the same?
In the mid 80's I had a guitar with Bill Lawrence picks and it was the best guitar I ever had, but the headstock got broken and the guitar was never the same. I have a Nuno pickup, but I haven't tried it. That one sounded great with the Pedal.
H&K Tubeman pedals just went up 1000% after this vid 😅✌️
Those are some tasty licks😎
I thought he had that sig amp on that one.
Nuno explained this on Beato's channel months ago.
Oh cool. I’ll see if I can find that.
A jcm 2000 and rat pedal will get you there it what he uses live
Xl500 Bill and Becky is one of my favorites.
The first album was 2 amps , I thought? .. a Laney AOR head and a Marshall
I never heard about a Laney… could be. I’ll keep an eye open
The bestest Nuno tone. Thanks for doing that.
Not sure the video has it nailed though - to me it sounded closer to single coil tone, regardless of the actual pickup config. Like always in the middle position of the switch. Also I kept reading on the gearslutz forums back in the day that he indeed had used a fender amp a lot
Edit: okay. The inbetween tones nailed 100%. Awesome
Thanks. I think the in between tone is dead on. The straight bridge tone really needs a little more live room in the sound. That’s very hard to replicate even with the most advanced reverb units or plugins. It’s just not the same thing as pushing loud air in a room
Bill Lawrence USA is not Bill & Becky...😉 Bill and Becky has not thin blades and resin like the USA, it hat thick blades and no resin..
Sounds great! Not that I need another dirt pedal, but the Tubeman is fairly inexpensive on Reverb (for now... ).
Would be interesting to know if you would be able to get that sound out of a Bluguitar Amp1 as well…
That's not a Bill and Becky pickup, that's a BL USA, different company.
Omg I’ve had a solid state tubeman for ages but I can’t find a power supply for it!
@@mitchellfrey I find a replacement on Amazon! I couldn’t believe it. EZ!
@ whaaaat well that is a surprise, I suppose I didn’t look too hard to be fair because I didn’t think the thing would sound that good!😅
The Tone is in His Hands! And the Rest is the way he tweaks his amps…
…and groove is in the heart. I’m mean Groove is in the HeeaaaaaaaaAARRrrrrt!
Sextuplets 😮
🤘😎🤘
Sorry about being "that guy" ... the pickup looks like a BLUSA, not a Bill & Becky (wider blades, no visible logo etc). The difference is kind of exaggerated in internet forum circles, as far as I know Nuno used both variants at least live, and as mentioned here has an annoying habit of sounding awesome no matter what he plays through anyway.
It has the logo on it, it’s mostly rubbed off or faded away now though. It’s quite old.
@@BigHairyGuitars Yes, it's the OG 500s and the proper B&B "reissues" for lack of a better term that have the bigger blades and no logo. It's a whole sordid tale of business gone wrong to delve into, but I don't think it's worth it in 2025.
Also what tipped you off about the Tubeman? Its only celeb user I know of is Kotzen on Native Tongue. Every Nuno interview from back then just mentions cranking the Vibroverb (with an EVH-style mythical unobtanium microphonic preamp tube, of course) for that natural overdrive. I found it strange, but I remember hearing a fully cranked one once and it indeed could get that kind of gain and tone.
I will say I bought a Wilde L500XL a few years ago and I love it. It's funny because I couldn't stand the L500L I put in a 90s N4 - sounded awful and I went back to the BLUSA it came with. Anyway, their current stuff is really good IMO.
Ratt
Haha
@BigHairyGuitars 😆 🤣 😂
everyone here knows more about tone than nuno. terrible sounding 80s multi-effect unit into whatever amp you've been paid to play on this tour
@@robm709 haha! How nice for him though. He just plugs in, and sounds amazing through just about anything.
@@BigHairyGuitars yea, no doubt!
TONEX & Kemper captures of tones from this video: bighairyprofiles.com/products/bhg-tonex-punchline-pack