Well Motorvember is nearly over and it’s time to move on to another band. So to say goodbye, I present Overkill, off the Overkill album. I’m hoping to complete Killed by Death but time was just not on my side this month.
What have I learned during this intensive crash course in Motörology? Well -
- Light or medium-gauge stainless steel or nickel strings, roundwound for a bright sound. I found Rotosound 66s to be
- Change the strings regularly. Like every couple of days - they take a hammering.
- Use a relatively light pick (1.14mm)
- Hold the pick between the thumb and the outside of the first / second fingers - don’t pinch it between the thumb and first finger - it starts aching pretty quickly
- Avoid using the 4th string, play around the 5th and 7th frets
- Use powerchords in the chorus, and octaves if possible (with the open string)
- Switch to the bridge pickup and turn the tone to maximum
- Overdrive is essential. Maybe some compression in the later tracks, but you don’t need anything else.
- Try to keep the strumming pattern simple - quarter and eighth notes generally.
However, the most important thing (like playing any music I guess), is to go into a track with the right attitude: you have to be in the mood for playing high energy music or it can fall really flat. You can get away with a few fudges provided the feel is there 