saw this posted here and there in the different threads but not an official one, sorry if I missed it, I love the new album but Mike's distortion is way off live. the older songs, (evenflow, why go) have no punch to them. Stone's mix sounds fine. It does sound like mike is using tube amps but his distortion sounds like really crunchy distortion sounded in the early 70's (Aerosmith first record comes to mind). I love "Present Tense" but had to skip past it on the Gibson night 1 show. I saw them back in DC in 2008 and thought Mikes distortion was bad then too. Over the years it seems like his distortion is switching from a really heavy chunky sound to a very light crunchy sound. Not sure if he is using the tube screamer still. Some songs still sound great, the solo on porch comes to mind. but others seem way off.

I agree....I also think some of his guitar is drowned out by the rest of the band...where in the past it was always right out in front of everything else.

the tubescreamer is the pedal that produces the 'light crunchy distortion' you talk about mate.

the heavy stuff he uses dirty channels of the amps and/or other pedals like Boss DS-1 distortion?

i agree though i dont like his tone this tour so far

stones on the otherhand is awesome now that he's gone back to his old marshall. how good does porch and alive sound!