Soundstorm
Well-known member
For the brutal heavies, low tuned chugs/doom/thrash/black metal. They all seem to have a lot of gain and seem similarly voiced. What are the main differences between these three?
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
Soundstorm
Well-known member
You've compared it against the others? Leviathan/Butterslax sounds like it could be cool. I'm really liking the Jose sound of the Yeti/Chupa. Not sure which of those two to get.You want the Leviathon.
Zado
Well-known member
The Levi definitely sounds mean
PurityS.L.G
Well-known member
I agree with this. Especially if you want a little of that Jose tone. Second vote goes to the JoeJoe which is the Cantrell JJ sig clone. With a good boost you get in 800 territory.You want the Leviathon.
Is the Gargoyle supposed to be the Meshuggah sig or just a regular Cali? If it’s the latter, I’d stay away from it. Never played the real Meshuggah sig (only Neural plugin) so can’t give a valid opinion on that. Not even sure how different it is.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
It's supposed to be the Meshuggah sig, although Nik said it has less gain than the Yeti or Chupacabra. I love the Neural Nameless X plugin, but I usually use one of the two provided boost pedals to get where I want. I've seen a couple clips of the Yeti that remind me of the Nameless without having to use any pedals.
Beyond Black
Well-known member
Not familiar with the Gargoyle, but the Chup and Yeti can do that shit all day long in spades.
Both are super high gain modded Marshall firebreathers, the Yeti darker and smoother, the Chup brighter and more aggressive.
Both are super high gain modded Marshall firebreathers, the Yeti darker and smoother, the Chup brighter and more aggressive.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
Well I just went ahead and put in an order for a Yeti 50. EL-34, no Ceriatone badge.
Thought they’d be more customizable according to what I’ve read, but maybe he’s streamlined his building process. No options on transformers or any components. I asked about Tung-Sol tubes, no go. Asked about half power switch on the 100 watt model, no go. So I went with a 50 and will see what’s up. He quoted me 4-7 weeks, now the wait begins. I’ll report back, gents!
Thought they’d be more customizable according to what I’ve read, but maybe he’s streamlined his building process. No options on transformers or any components. I asked about Tung-Sol tubes, no go. Asked about half power switch on the 100 watt model, no go. So I went with a 50 and will see what’s up. He quoted me 4-7 weeks, now the wait begins. I’ll report back, gents!
headlessdeadguy
Well-known member
Gargoyle. One of the most pissed amps I’ve had.
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MetalThrasher
Well-known member
Sorry to derail, but I'm curious as well? Which model would work best for thrash/death metal with a seven-string tuned to A? These amps always interested me, but I know shit about them.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
Since I haven’t played any of these amps, I can only tell you what I’ve read and watched on demos. From Nik (owner of Ceriatone)- the Gargoyle is the most modern but has less gain than the other two and is the tightest. The Yeti is tighter than the Chupacabra and more classic modded Marshall voiced, but can get into modern metal territory if set up that way. The Chupacabra has slightly more gain and snarl, with a slightly looser low end. The Yeti seems like it can do thrash and death metal tones without the need for a boost.
I’ve seen videos of all three amps sounding killer for metal so it’s really just a matter of preference. Since I use a baritone I’m always looking for a tighter low end, but also love the more classic voicing of the modded Marshall camp so I went with the Yeti.
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Holy-diver
Active member
The yeti is great, definitely capable of those tones. I had one for a bit and I play a lot of 7 string. Never played the others but would definitely like to try the leviathan or get another yeti
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2dor
Member
I have the Molecular 50W, Chupacabra 50W and the King Kong 100W.
They can all easily cover any type of metal. Tighter, modern tones are easy to squeeze out with the help of the "Feel" switch on the Molecular & King Kong and the "pull" Focus mode on the Chupacabra (Gain 1 pot is push/pull).
The key with these amps is to use & explore the bright switches.
Combined with the clipping diode modes (ERA) and the Pussy Trimmer at the back, the amps can cover a LOT of sonic landscape really.
And they are REALLY quiet for the amount of gain they have - good amps.
@Soundstorm if you have the option, get the buffered loop as well. It'll make a lot of difference if you do 4CM, use effects in the loop or a noise gate like the Zuul which hooks into the effects loop.
They can all easily cover any type of metal. Tighter, modern tones are easy to squeeze out with the help of the "Feel" switch on the Molecular & King Kong and the "pull" Focus mode on the Chupacabra (Gain 1 pot is push/pull).
The key with these amps is to use & explore the bright switches.
Combined with the clipping diode modes (ERA) and the Pussy Trimmer at the back, the amps can cover a LOT of sonic landscape really.
And they are REALLY quiet for the amount of gain they have - good amps.
@Soundstorm if you have the option, get the buffered loop as well. It'll make a lot of difference if you do 4CM, use effects in the loop or a noise gate like the Zuul which hooks into the effects loop.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
I asked about getting the buffered loop, but he said the return pot would take up one of the speaker out jacks, which sometimes I use both with my old Marshall cabs, so I opted out. The only thing I use in the loop is my Decimator II in 4CM. I wonder if he can do one without the return level pot? Is it necessary even only using a noisegate?
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2dor
Member
Mine doesn't have a Return pot (it's a trim pot instead inside the amp & Nik had it dialed in for unity gain) but still a buffered loop. It'll depend on the input / output impedance ratings of the noise gate / effects you throw in the loop. I'd go for buffered if at all possible but I can understand why it's not a priority for others.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
Does it really make a difference only using a noisegate? Like I said a few posts back, he doesn’t seem very willing to customize the amps anymore, but I can ask him if it’s necessary to have the buffered loop.
2
2dor
Member
Only 1 way to find out I guess. Usually if you go from a higher impedance source into a lower impedance you'd get some parts of the frequency spectrum F-ed up. Most noise gates ought to have high enough input impedance & low enough output impendace. Best thing to do is check the spec sheets of the gate & see if Nik can confirm the impedance rating on the Chupa with the passive loop in.
napalmdeath
Well-known member
The standard, non-buffered loop sucks ass. If you need a good loop, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Soundstorm
Well-known member
I'll ask him if he can do it without the return level pot. Just set to unity like most other loops.
napalmdeath
Well-known member
Don't think he can. That's what's kept me from getting another Yeti. But, maybe he's figured out a workaround. Their standard effects loop is awful.