High Gain Amp Shootout, Saturday June 20th, Hollywood, CA.

[sebby123]

everything through the same cab,

 

[jabps]

The files are cleared for download now:

https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

I just downloaded them all and toggled back and forth on my stereo at home. So many of the amps sound great. The '71 just destroys me. That recording was with the Presence on 2.5 and Treble on maybe 6. The Jose is a little smaller and a little slicker sounding, it could be the brightness of that amp. The '76 and '74 seem to have the most meat of the Marshalls. It seems like the '71 sits between the 76/74 and the Jose. For fun, I'm gonna experiment with upping the high end and cutting lows and mids on the '71 and '76 and see if I can get the Jose sound with them.

The other amp that get me going are the; Marsha (would want one if I didn't already have 2 Friedmans), both Soldanos, Mesa Boogie Dual Rec (2 ch) and the Bogner XTC. I absolutely love the voicing of the XTC, just sounds right. The Boogie is definitely on a way different trip but that's what I like, it really gives a different look at the sound. The Soldanos just f**kin' rock! They were both so much fun and so easy to play. If I add another amp to my collection it may be the XTC.

You couldn't go wrong with most of these amps.

Just listened through again, using iTunes to just keep hitting the same section at the end with all the amps. The '71 is flawless. My favorite of the day. It's also fun to play and looks cool. It's articulate without being stiff like some modded Marshall are. Friedman really crushed it when he modded her, he put the whole 'Kitchen Sink' mod, so she real versatile too; Brown Eye, Custom45, Hairy Brown Eye.

James, what is your opinion on the 5153? How did it stand up in person? All the clips sound great but how did it compare live? The 71 sounded fantastic...i owned a Cobra and don't rmember it sounding that thick and saturated. But yeah I was wondereing about the EVH amp. Thoughts?

 

[Jay Strange]

What a great day. It started off with the best pizza Ive had in a long time.

James and Dan did such an incredible job with everything from the playing, to the production, just insanely well done. And can James sing his ass off or what I got that 30 days song stuck in my head

I would love to give my opinions of the amps. But unfortunately, im not in a position to do that

I will say that Dave Friedman's Marsha was pretty much the best sounding Marshall type amp Ive ever heard in person and it recorded fantastic. I think the next event should be a MONSTER GAIN shoot out. Where we REALLY crank up the gain, throw in some really tuned low guitars along with standard tuning and we can CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA away. Ill talk to James about it

+1000000!!!

 

[yngzaklynch]

I thought the Marshalls, the Soldanos, the Bogners and the PT100 sounded best.


Was the gain on the Marshalls maxed out? They sounded more classic than modern.


Actually the MArshalls and Soldanos sounded kinda similar to me but the Soldanos sounded a little more wicked while the Marshall sounded more classic.

 

[James Lugo]

The files are cleared for download now:

https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

I just downloaded them all and toggled back and forth on my stereo at home. So many of the amps sound great. The '71 just destroys me. That recording was with the Presence on 2.5 and Treble on maybe 6. The Jose is a little smaller and a little slicker sounding, it could be the brightness of that amp. The '76 and '74 seem to have the most meat of the Marshalls. It seems like the '71 sits between the 76/74 and the Jose. For fun, I'm gonna experiment with upping the high end and cutting lows and mids on the '71 and '76 and see if I can get the Jose sound with them.

The other amp that get me going are the; Marsha (would want one if I didn't already have 2 Friedmans), both Soldanos, Mesa Boogie Dual Rec (2 ch) and the Bogner XTC. I absolutely love the voicing of the XTC, just sounds right. The Boogie is definitely on a way different trip but that's what I like, it really gives a different look at the sound. The Soldanos just f**kin' rock! They were both so much fun and so easy to play. If I add another amp to my collection it may be the XTC.

You couldn't go wrong with most of these amps.

Just listened through again, using iTunes to just keep hitting the same section at the end with all the amps. The '71 is flawless. My favorite of the day. It's also fun to play and looks cool. It's articulate without being stiff like some modded Marshall are. Friedman really crushed it when he modded her, he put the whole 'Kitchen Sink' mod, so she real versatile too; Brown Eye, Custom45, Hairy Brown Eye.

James, what is your opinion on the 5153? How did it stand up in person? All the clips sound great but how did it compare live? The 71 sounded fantastic...i owned a Cobra and don't rmember it sounding that thick and saturated. But yeah I was wondereing about the EVH amp. Thoughts?

I thought the amp sounded good and was fun to play, I have to listen through again.



Well Dan and I just got done cleaning and putting the studio back together. I found beer bottles everywhere, very rock-n-roll. Here's a pick of our stack today;
Mesa Boogie Dual Racto
'76 Marshall JMP (Friedman Mod)
Diezel Herbert
'71 Marshall Super Tremolo (Friedman Mod)
'74 Marshall Super Lead

 

[simbasa]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

 

[James Lugo]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

Maybe a big drop tuner next...



Sound Clips:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

Video Clips:
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGO5frt69Q
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFUt4Kj4vY
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdDlQgG6IE
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zDhzhwRa0
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55umNiqJgw
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrgBF7v9fo
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwutjYMURN0
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz2ahamueRM
9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fxsgaXRLw

Pics:
http://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/477715/1/High Gain Amp Shoot-Out?h=7d44ab

 

[aeroic]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

Maybe a big drop tuner next...



Sound Clips:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

Video Clips:
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGO5frt69Q
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFUt4Kj4vY
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdDlQgG6IE
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zDhzhwRa0
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55umNiqJgw
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrgBF7v9fo
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwutjYMURN0
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz2ahamueRM
9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fxsgaXRLw

Pics:
http://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/477715/1/High Gain Amp Shoot-Out?h=7d44ab

I hope there is something like this next. With the speakers / cab that you used, they lent themselves to make the "marshalls" sound best, since Marshalls LOVE greenback styles of speakers. The Eggie IMHO would have sounded much better with a V30/T75 cab...or a T75/CL80 type of cab. Same with the Bogners / Deizels. Most would rather have heard those in particular with a cab w/ K100s or a uber kab w/ V30s/T75s. I think it was very interesting to hear all of the different tones, but definitely agree there needs to be a "true" high gain shootout...I'd call this a good "rock amp" shootout...but we need the same with some heavier Drop B, Drop A, "brootalz" tones! This shootout combined with that type of shootout would fucking rip!

But man you did a lot of good work here for sure. Thanks for a lot of fun watching the videos!

 

[James Lugo]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

Maybe a big drop tuner next...


It was an M75/V30 combo, both were miced. I have an H75/V30 cab but the M75/V30 was the best overall for the amp range.
Sound Clips:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

Video Clips:
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGO5frt69Q
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFUt4Kj4vY
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdDlQgG6IE
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zDhzhwRa0
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55umNiqJgw
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrgBF7v9fo
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwutjYMURN0
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz2ahamueRM
9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fxsgaXRLw

Pics:
http://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/477715/1/High Gain Amp Shoot-Out?h=7d44ab

I hope there is something like this next. With the speakers / cab that you used, they lent themselves to make the "marshalls" sound best, since Marshalls LOVE greenback styles of speakers. The Eggie IMHO would have sounded much better with a V30/T75 cab...or a T75/CL80 type of cab. Same with the Bogners / Deizels. Most would rather have heard those in particular with a cab w/ K100s or a uber kab w/ V30s/T75s. I think it was very interesting to hear all of the different tones, but definitely agree there needs to be a "true" high gain shootout...I'd call this a good "rock amp" shootout...but we need the same with some heavier Drop B, Drop A, "brootalz" tones! This shootout combined with that type of shootout would fucking rip!

But man you did a lot of good work here for sure. Thanks for a lot of fun watching the videos!

It was a cab with M75/V30 combo. I have an H75/V30 cab but this cab was better overall with a range of heavy amps. We shot it out using many amps.

 

[aeroic]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

Maybe a big drop tuner next...


It was an M75/V30 combo, both were miced. I have an H75/V30 cab but the M75/V30 was the best overall for the amp range.
Sound Clips:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... rentPage=1

Video Clips:
1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGO5frt69Q
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIFUt4Kj4vY
3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOdDlQgG6IE
4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9zDhzhwRa0
5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55umNiqJgw
6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrgBF7v9fo
7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwutjYMURN0
8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz2ahamueRM
9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2fxsgaXRLw

Pics:
http://www.getdropbox.com/gallery/477715/1/High Gain Amp Shoot-Out?h=7d44ab

I hope there is something like this next. With the speakers / cab that you used, they lent themselves to make the "marshalls" sound best, since Marshalls LOVE greenback styles of speakers. The Eggie IMHO would have sounded much better with a V30/T75 cab...or a T75/CL80 type of cab. Same with the Bogners / Deizels. Most would rather have heard those in particular with a cab w/ K100s or a uber kab w/ V30s/T75s. I think it was very interesting to hear all of the different tones, but definitely agree there needs to be a "true" high gain shootout...I'd call this a good "rock amp" shootout...but we need the same with some heavier Drop B, Drop A, "brootalz" tones! This shootout combined with that type of shootout would fucking rip!

But man you did a lot of good work here for sure. Thanks for a lot of fun watching the videos!

It was a cab with M75/V30 combo. I have an H75/V30 cab but this cab was better overall with a range of heavy amps. We shot it out using many amps.

I understand where you are coming from here James. I was just saying, there are some of us that would generally agree that the Deizels, Egnaters, Bogners, etc. would sound better with something like K100s, G12T75s, CL80s, and V30s. Nothing against those M75s...those things rock! But not for heavier music IMHO.

Eric

 

[jmgman69]

The XTC SLO and the Mod 100 Erect,man that thing sounded huge,was it modded or stock.Lots of great sounding amps in there for SURE!!!!

 

[thiswaythatway]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

haha, funny how everyone hears things different. I loved the Elmwood clip and everything about the Mark V. Electradyne didn't do much for me and neither did the Diezel's. Especially the VH4, it sounded too refined and not rude enough.

 

[Digital Jams]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

haha, funny how everyone hears things different. I loved the Elmwood clip and everything about the Mark V. Electradyne didn't do much for me and neither did the Diezel's. Especially the VH4, it sounded too refined and not rude enough.

Yup, everyone is going to have a favorite, I liked the way the Diezel VH4 sat in the mix and thought the Marshalls just cut threw like butter.

Uber knuckle dragger gain shootout my money is on VHT to kill during the mix part where it really counts as well as modded Marshalls boosted. I cannot deny it either I loved the XTC.

 

[Stramm8]

VH4...Good Uberschall, not so much. I'm pretty sure it would sound great with dropped tunings but the lead tone??? The clips and the video sounded like they were fighting it. Marsha, uh...yeah! But the Jose Modded Marshall was the shit "I'd give my left two lug nuts" for one of those (sorry, I've been watching CARS with my 2 year old son every night, Gotta love Mater!!)!!!

 

[James Lugo]

Been listen again tonight. I think my favs are the '71, VH4 and the SLO. The Jose is great on the riffy stuff but is pretty hollow and doesn't speak much on the final track and that's more the sound we do, heavier thick doubled rhythm sounds. My Herbert is really mid forward which could be a mistake on my part, I had the mid on 6 or so, the mids are more subdued on the VH4 and not as evil but a little softer and sweeter sounding. That Tritone has some great cut and that guy's not done designing that amp, should be a killer too.

I'm gonna experiment with some fresh EQ ideas on my amps. Thinking about dumping some gear and getting a VH4 and SLO. Need to listen more.

 

[mentoneman]

The twin jet scared me.
Probably the most hi gain to my ears.

The Jose and the hbe mods had the most sinister upper end edge and grind which gives off a more metallic personality

based on the clips and my experience I'd say the Cameron ccm and Mojave peacemaker and dirty boy are still in their own ways very very hard to beat in their unique ways

 

[Tone Merchant]

its interesting that when I first listened to all the clips, i tried to pick out the one or two I like the best. I then thought to myself, if I was recording an album with a top notch producer like James and had access to all these amps and I wanted to create a tone for the album, what would i use. I then listened to them all again and decided i would use 3 different amps. one for the bottom end, one for the mids and one for highs. that would be nice

 

[sebby123]

its interesting that when I first listened to all the clips, i tried to pick out the one or two I like the best. I then thought to myself, if I was recording an album with a top notch producer like James and had access to all these amps and I wanted to create a tone for the album, what would i use. I then listened to them all again and decided i would use 3 different amps. one for the bottom end, one for the mids and one for highs. that would be nice

One of dave's modded marshall for high
Diezel herbert for Mids,
And a 20th nv. aXTC for the lows

What a wall of sound that would be

 

[simbasa]

Great posts!!!! My hat's off to you for putting together a competent setup with so many amps in the little time you had with them. You the man.


I love the Electradyne and Marsha clips. Rackto was good and different from all the 'brit' tones. One of the worst for me was the Mark V for rhythm but good for leads. Elmwood was blah and the Engl recorded well. Wish I could have been there to hear all those great amps in person.

I do hope there is another shootout but with the uber gain and detuned metal riffing, as mentioned. It MUST be done. Uberschall vs. Herbert vs. Engl SE vs. VHT UL vs. Splawn Nitro vs. 5150 vs........... Oh man, that would be killer!

haha, funny how everyone hears things different. I loved the Elmwood clip and everything about the Mark V. Electradyne didn't do much for me and neither did the Diezel's. Especially the VH4, it sounded too refined and not rude enough.

Elmwood sounded too compressed and maybe not enough treble was used. Mark V does sound killer on the video where Bruce Bouillet is playing it. Some of the top lead tones there. I think the Electradyne sounds not as harsh as some of the other Marshall style amps and it sounds perfect in the mix on Jame's song. I wonder what amp would be preferred most if you polled a bunch of non-musicians?

Out of the 'metal' amps there, I would definitely pick the Uber. I can hear the low end beast wanting to come out on the clips.

 

[James Lugo]

Doing my bills this morning and listening to the downloads. The only thing that I think I gotta get is a VH4. It sounds so good to my ears, I wish I wasn't so out of tune with the Goldtop on the f**kin clip. We were going at warp speed to get everything recorded.