BMAN or SL???

[Anonymous]

I have about a month until the M4 gets here (knock wood). I have the VX and EG5 on order now. I'll have the jangly clean and crunch tones I'm looking for. Still mulling over the super bonus module. Ultimately what I think I need is another widely voiced module that I can use for another clean tone, yet get a decent medium gain on channel 2.

I love fender cleans so the BMAN is an obvious candidate. I haven't heard much BMAN channel 2 and I'm wondering what type of application it suits. How does it handle leads? How much useable gain is on tap?

On the flipside I'm sold on the SL channel 2 clips I've heard. I love the plexi-ish tone. I'm wondering about channel 1. How clean can it get? Is it comparable to the BMAN or VX or is it it's own animal?

 

[muudrock]

Just get both and be really happy...

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I've considered that possibility

I've given significant thought to how I'd like to structure the other two slots. I've considered a T/D and hitting each with an OD once I get my switchblade. I'm also seriously considering the SL2 or EG3/4 for that 800 tone. I'm just thinking of the here and now. My gut says SL but folks on here really dig the BMAN and I like the clips I've heard. I see another M4 in my future...

 

[jlbaxe]

I have the Sl and channel A can get CLEAN (vol. on 8). i use it for an old jtm 45 sound,vol. on 10 and it starts to break up. SL on ch. B I have set just a little bit dirtier. For my harder marshall jcm800 sound i use the SL2 ch. A and ch. B heavier. This is using my 2008 standard Fender Strat. My Les Paul pushes it more with alnico picups. so depends on the guitars and speakers.

 

[gdgross]

I haven't played a BMAN, but FWIW, I really really like my SL module.

It inspires me to play AC DC every time I turn it on. Boosted, it's probably my favorite lead tone in my M4 arsenal. (DLX, VOX, SL, and COD) It also takes different drive pedals very well.

 

[bbaug14]

It really depends on what you are looking for here. When you say you want Fender cleans, do you mean the famous TWIN clean sound? If so, the BMAN is not going to give you that. The BMAN channel is a very nice thick clean, not sparkle/ice pick clean the T/D can give you. Channel B breaks up very nicely and can get you into the cleaner plexi Marshall style tones. Channel A of SL is very much like the JMP I have. It's basically a clean Marshall sound. Channel B gives you a lot more gain but still holds that plexi style tone. Both will take pedals very well also.

Personally, my choice was to get the BMAN and SL2 and not the SL. BMAN channel B can cover SL channel A pretty closely (not exact, but good enough). Throw an OCD on top of that and you've got SL channel B (close enough), and you still have the clean on channel A. Best of both worlds.

 

[Anonymous]

I like pretty much anything I've played that has come from Fender. I've played a 60's era Twin, a Deluxe, an Ultimate Chorus, and across the board the cleans are superb but I don't care for the distortion. Possible exceptions would be the Hot Rod and Cyber Twin but those are garbage IMO.

I need another utility module to plug the gap between the VX and EG5. I'm nearly positive the last module will either be the EG3/4 or SL2 for another rhythm/lead tone. I definitely want that thick Marshall sound in the arsenal. I don't want any redundancy though.

The type of stuff I play is melodic rock ala Foo Fighters/JEW/Brand New with some keys and drum loops via my Triton Rack. I play some funk/ska type stuff as well, but I figure the VX with some p-90's will eat that stuff alive. I want a darker clean tone and a cleaner classic rock distorted tone.

I was sure it was the BMAN but now I'm heavily leaning toward the SL. I'm sure I'll like either (or both ). This one may come down to the wire...

 

[EWSEthan]

The type of stuff I play is melodic rock ala Foo Fighters/JEW/Brand New.

I was sure it was the BMAN but now I'm heavily leaning toward the SL. I'm sure I'll like either (or both ). This one may come down to the wire...

This is very close to the type of band Im in. BMan and EG5 (or SL2) is my setup. BMan is awesome.

 

[aeroic]

I like pretty much anything I've played that has come from Fender. I've played a 60's era Twin, a Deluxe, an Ultimate Chorus, and across the board the cleans are superb but I don't care for the distortion. Possible exceptions would be the Hot Rod and Cyber Twin but those are garbage IMO.

I need another utility module to plug the gap between the VX and EG5. I'm nearly positive the last module will either be the EG3/4 or SL2 for another rhythm/lead tone. I definitely want that thick Marshall sound in the arsenal. I don't want any redundancy though.

The type of stuff I play is melodic rock ala Foo Fighters/JEW/Brand New with some keys and drum loops via my Triton Rack. I play some funk/ska type stuff as well, but I figure the VX with some p-90's will eat that stuff alive. I want a darker clean tone and a cleaner classic rock distorted tone.

I was sure it was the BMAN but now I'm heavily leaning toward the SL. I'm sure I'll like either (or both ). This one may come down to the wire...

I vote for the SL / SL2 or the BMAN / SL2 combo w/ your VX / EG5. I'd say the SL2 / BMAN will get you want you want. The SL can get clean, but not as much as the BMAN can. The problem for me w/ the BMAN was it isn't as tight as the T/D or the VX modules. So when I had VX, EG5, SL2 in the mix, the BMAN (for me) was a little too loose. So, if you want all the modules to be very tight, then get the SL....(to complement the SL2, EG5, and VX). If you want a little looser tone (not loose in a bad way...just more sag..), then I would go for the BMAN. Both will give you a bit darker clean tone. The SL is just a tighter module in my opinion. It's one reason I want an SL back. I love the COD, but I'm wanting something in my arsenal that's a bit more "like the others" in terms of tightness and punchiness in my main rig (M4 w/ DLX, EG5, and SL2).

The COD has a way different EQ spectrum than the other 3, but I LOVE it .

Eric

 

[broknstuff]

The type of stuff I play is melodic rock ala Foo Fighters/JEW/Brand New with some keys and drum loops via my Triton Rack. I play some funk/ska type stuff as well, but I figure the VX with some p-90's will eat that stuff alive.

It will, both channels will work great for those bands! Vx does not disappoint!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm delighted I have this problem

In every previous case, I've had an issue with one aspect of any amp I've used. Not versatile enough. Great clean, muddy distortion. Meh cleans delicious distortion. I'll get the best of all worlds with this setup.

The problem for me w/ the BMAN was it isn't as tight as the T/D or the VX modules. So when I had VX, EG5, SL2 in the mix, the BMAN (for me) was a little too loose. So, if you want all the modules to be very tight, then get the SL....(to complement the SL2, EG5, and VX).

I've been pouring over the Indoor Storm vid where they A/B both and I can hear it. That's pretty key I think. In terms of of the tonal spectrum it makes more sense to get the BMAN. Thanks Eric, I really think that helped sway my immediate decision. I think the SL will find it's way into the rig eventually. That channel A tone he gets with the SL is mighty tasty and channel B sounds like it can get pretty thick.

The COD is a module I'm fascinated about as well. Very little out there about it.

 

[EWSEthan]

The problem for me w/ the BMAN was it isn't as tight as the T/D or the VX modules. So when I had VX, EG5, SL2 in the mix, the BMAN (for me) was a little too loose. So, if you want all the modules to be very tight, then get the SL....(to complement the SL2, EG5, and VX). If you want a little looser tone (not loose in a bad way...just more sag..), then I would go for the BMAN. Both will give you a bit darker clean tone. The SL is just a tighter module in my opinion. It's one reason I want an SL back. I love the COD, but I'm wanting something in my arsenal that's a bit more "like the others" in terms of tightness and punchiness in my main rig (M4 w/ DLX, EG5, and SL2).

The COD has a way different EQ spectrum than the other 3, but I LOVE it .

Eric

Eric, are you saying the clean or dirty side of the BMan is loose? Im with you on the cleans. They are warmer and looser compared to the Twins, but I find the B Channel is really tight on the BMan compared to the overdriven Deluxe. Thats the main reason I decided to let go of my T/D... the D side had too much sag for my mid gain rhythms that I keep really tight with BMan.

 

[aeroic]

The problem for me w/ the BMAN was it isn't as tight as the T/D or the VX modules. So when I had VX, EG5, SL2 in the mix, the BMAN (for me) was a little too loose. So, if you want all the modules to be very tight, then get the SL....(to complement the SL2, EG5, and VX). If you want a little looser tone (not loose in a bad way...just more sag..), then I would go for the BMAN. Both will give you a bit darker clean tone. The SL is just a tighter module in my opinion. It's one reason I want an SL back. I love the COD, but I'm wanting something in my arsenal that's a bit more "like the others" in terms of tightness and punchiness in my main rig (M4 w/ DLX, EG5, and SL2).

The COD has a way different EQ spectrum than the other 3, but I LOVE it .

Eric

Eric, are you saying the clean or dirty side of the BMan is loose? Im with you on the cleans. They are warmer and looser compared to the Twins, but I find the B Channel is really tight on the BMan compared to the overdriven Deluxe. Thats the main reason I decided to let go of my T/D... the D side had too much sag for my mid gain rhythms that I keep really tight with BMan.

I found the exact opposite . The Deluxe at about 3 o'clock on the gain, with Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive was SOOO spanky tight and such, I fell in love with it . It was SOOO country...with that chick'n pick'n sound I just absolutely love. Tubes make a big difference on the D side of the module. The Bman just had a loose low end that didn't agree with me , and didn't play well for me with my other modules. But, for "AC/DC" type stuff, the D side won't do that as well as the BMAN B Channel. I like the SL better for that though, but that's me .

Eric

 

[EWSEthan]

Interesting. Great thing about the MOD series is we can agree to disagree and still love the same amp!!!

(Oh but we do agree on COD and EG5!!! )

 

[jmgman69]

Interesting. Great thing about the MOD series is we can agree to disagree and still love the same amp!!!

(Oh but we do agree on COD and EG5!!! )

cough cough.... DUH!

 

[richedie]

I like that the Bman is a little looser than my other modules like the SL2, I don't want all my modules to have the same or similar characteristics. I think this adds to versatility, plus the Xotic BB Preamp pedal adds like a third channel to the Bman channel B to make it really tight and capable of any Led Zep, AC/DC, even some modern rock, you name it. Might save me from buying another module for a while. Plus, with the economy, I won't be buying any modules for a while anyway.

I tried the Deluxe or T/D when I first got the Bman and preferred the BMan I recall. One caveat, I wish the channel A was a touch louder! I'll have to wait to get the Deluxe, T/D and Vox. I forget the other Fender I tried but channel B did not have the gain of Bman channel B so I chose the Bmann. However, adding a pedal like the BB gives you the ability to add what you want to channel B.

bbaug14, you should check out the BB Preamp man.....I have been digging it the last few days. I was close to trying an OCD though.