How to get my Behringer V-Tone GM108 not to sound like shit? - General

I've had my guitar for almost three years now, (I got it for Christmas three years ago). It came as a Behringer guitar plus amp package, and has been quite mediocre so far. However, I'm now realizing how different it sounds compared to other guitars. I'm not sure if it's the amp or the guitar, (The guitar is a Behringer Stratocaster rip-off I think), but it sounds like shit. I'll try to explain as best as I can. For the most part, the amp sounds too clean no matter what I do. I set the drive to 10 and mess with every combination of mode, (It has three switches, Amp, Mode, and Speaker, each with three settings), and nothing makes it sound like what I hear with friends guitars/amps. I'm not sure how I should be explaining it, as I'm not too keen on guitar terminology, but that's how it seems to me. I've tried experimenting through trial-and-error with the EQ, (High, Med, and Low), settings to no avail. The guitar itself is quite basic as well, with two tone nobs, (Not sure what effect they have, I can't hear it), and one volume nob. It also has a pick-up switch which has somewhat of an effect, but nothing amazing. Two of the pickups make the amp sound unbearably fuzzy, and the other few make little difference. The guitar has nothing on it to indicate model or anything of the sort, so I can't provide that. The amp is a Behringer V-Tone GM-108, and from what reviews say, is a good amp for it's price. I didn't pay much for the combo, (My neighbor used to work at the music store, so I got it quite cheaply), but I'd still like to know why it doesn't sound like what I see in videos demonstrating it. For example: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbKwD9J4tmg[/media] Mine sounds nothing like that, even with suggested settings from other videos. What I'm asking is, are there any settings I should try to get it to sound right? Otherwise, are there any specific distortion petals I should look into? I don't have the money to spend for a new guitar or amp, so I'd really like to find someway to make this work. Thanks in advance, sorry if come off as sort of new with instrumental talk, as I am, but please cope with it and help me with this annoying problem.

I'm guessing it's the guitar if it's just some strat ripoff

It would be the amp. Although the guitar pickups will be low output, you should always be able to get some distortion out of them with a decent amp. You may just need to turn it up loud. Basically, to get the most distortion out of it, you can try this: Select the bridge pickup on your guitar (flick the pickup selector towards the bridge) Set the tone knobs to past halfway when turning clockwise Amp on full gain, and you may need to make it quite loud Highs at 7 or so Mids at 5 or so Lows at 4 or so

[QUOTE=TheGuru;18636537]It would be the amp. Although the guitar pickups will be low output, you should always be able to get some distortion out of them with a decent amp. You may just need to turn it up loud. Basically, to get the most distortion out of it, you can try this: Select the bridge pickup on your guitar (flick the pickup selector towards the bridge) Set the tone knobs to past halfway when turning clockwise Amp on full gain, and you may need to make it quite loud Highs at 7 or so Mids at 5 or so Lows at 4 or so[/QUOTE] Thanks, I'll try this. [B]EDIT:[/B] That is, when it's not 5:29 AM, I need to sleep. I've been learning 'One' for five hours straight.

The demo vid sounds nice, might try it out next time I'm at the guitar store. And anywho, if it is your guitar, it may be a good idea to get new pickups. You might be able to get some good ones for about $50 at most guitar stores, or you could probably order some online.

Well, I just tried my guitar on a neighbor's amp, (I don't know what kind it is), and it sounds great, so I'm convinced that it is the amp. I've tried TheGuru's suggestion, and it makes no difference. So, should I be looking for a new amp or just a distortion pedal?

[QUOTE=tarkata14;18652823]So, should I be looking for a new amp or just a distortion pedal?[/QUOTE] You probably don't want to put too much more static through a static-y amp, and that's what a distortion pedal will do. Get a 30watt something for practice, or just go right for a halfstack or 120w for shows.

Buy a decent valve amp and dist. pedal. Worthwhile investment.

May aswell go big (within your budget/space limits) if you're sure you'll never give up playing

Haha, that guitar in the video sounds like shit.