Cheap amp doesn't work with 8 string blackouts

[blackjackslsc8]

Wow, I need some help here, guys. I just got my sls c8 blackjack and its beautiful and everythibg, but I can't get a clean tone--just good distortion. I tried hooking up through my zoom pedal and tried just with the amp, and the clean tones just fart and pop and fizzle out, or on the zoom pedal they barely are audible, and the heavy two strings just pop and fizzle out. I do get an awesome sounding industrial sound, but that's it. Nothing clean and pretty. Do I need a better amp, or eq (I'm not even sure what that is to be honest--total noob), or what? The processed nine inch nails sound is cool and all, and the distortion sounds wicked, but I really enjoy my clean, pretty sounds too for that extra dynamic! My p90 worked fine, but this guitar has too much horsepower or something. Please help me!
The amp is a 10 watt cheap rogue amp.

 

[Robrecht]

Have you tried rolling off the volume a little using the knob on your guitar? The Blackouts have a very high output.

 

[Larrikin666]

Turn down the volume knob on the guitar. Blackouts are ridiculously high output, so clean tones aren't going to happen a lot of the with the volume maxed.

 

[Leuchty]

What amp are you using?

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Yes, fiddled around with all the different knob combinations...its a 10 watt rogue. Without volume the sound just disappears, but even at the lowesr audible setting I get guitar pop and fizzle. How do I use eq, and would that work somehow?

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Keep in mind, when the overdive is on I get AMAZING distorion, very sonically clear. Just no soft, or clean. Thrugh zoom I get an amazing overly processed nin sound that's pretty cool, but I can't write songs in just that one vein, I need the shimmery, soft sounds too to work proper dynamics.

 

[liberascientia]

Buy a new amp.

 

[blackjackslsc8]

That's what I was thinking. I was hoping I could just grab a cheap eq pedal, but it sounds like a better amp is the way to go. Any suggestions for something affordable? Price is a concern, as I really couldnt afford the guitar in the first place! Thanks to all who replied, and any suggestions? Would a fender mustang work okay?

 

[Robrecht]

It might well be the amp. Before you spend money on a new one, though, do you have (or can you borrow) another guitar to test the cleans with?

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Yes my six string p90 epiphonr works just fine. Has passives, p90s.

 

[Skygoneblue]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but I can't say enough good things about this little guy:

Blackstar ID15 1x10 15W Programable Guitar Combo Amp w/ Effects | GuitarCenter

It's like most programmable combo amps, but what really sets it apart is the TVP feature (true valve power). It lets you add a boost to your signal that emulates common tube configurations. All I can say is Jesus. H. Christ. It takes the sound into an entirely new realm of awesomeness.

I have no clue how to do good recordings, but if you'd like, I could try to get a sample together for you.

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Hey thanks for the info, everybody. Looks like i'll be heading down to the local hawaiian music shop to test out some amps. I feel like the techs out here are clueless when it comes to 8 strings, just like me, so wish me luck!

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Wow, okay, that blackstar does look intriguing. Anoher thread suggested that too, that or a line 6. Looks like i'll be checking out some amps then. Thanks!

 

[Rook]

How new are the batteries?

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Brand new batteries--first thing I did. And the distortion sounds really awesome, no complaints, just the cleans.

 

[kris_jammage]

Very strange. All I can suggest is to maybe try the guitar through a different amp to see if you get the same or different results.

 

[UV7BK4LIFE]

Please help me!
The amp is a 10 watt cheap rogue amp.

 

[nin2thevoid]

^ lol and +1

If I were you I'd want to identify the problem before trying all sorts of other gear. The distortion on a cheaper digital or transistor device may mask a lot of problems which could lead you to believe it's just a clean sound issue. Furthermore there could hardly be a bigger difference between Blackouts and p90's (huge output difference but passives are also prone to impedance mismatching).

I could suggest a hundred things to try, but a recording of the four sounds (p90 clean/distorted, blackout clean/distorted) would help a lot.

 

[Señor Voorhees]

For cheap amps with passable tones I liked the Peavey Vypyr. Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but for $99 it wasn't a bad amp. They recently released a new one too I think. Blackstar amps are fun though and certainly worth the price.

 

[blackjackslsc8]

Sorry to waste your time guys--I'm such an idiot! It was the stupid HEADPHONES! I am a complete moron. Everything sounds great! It was the headphones that sucked! Man, what a noob I am. Never thought to see if it was the headphones, cuz they work great with my other guitar, but I guess the difference in output or whatever. So I've just been playing in the daytime when its not too annoying for neighbors, and everything works handsomely! This close to buying a $300 amp, too! Time for some beats by dre headphones..