Hot Mod V2 review!

[Kapo_Polenton]

Here is the newest model that they did in a limited run if anyone is interested. I might actually prefer their original version which surprised me.

 

[fek]

Hmmm. I like the adjustable gain and deep switch on the Lynch version but can hear why the V2 might sound better to some from the comparison vid. If one of these would work with my DSL100HR, I would probably buy one. Need to look into that.

 

[Jack Luminous]

From the video, HotMod V2 with switch up sounds the best to my ears.

 

[controlled_voltage]

sounds very fuzz box ish like a sabbath tone

 

[psychodave]

Here is the newest model that they did in a limited run if anyone is interested. I might actually prefer their original version which surprised me.

I made a video showing the Cameron version vs the Hot Mod II. Please note I didn’t make this video to knock any product. After hearing it, I should have added a little treble to the Cameron demo, but I was really focusing on the bottom end at the time.

https://youtu.be/RUNkiQOiJRo

 

[braintheory]

Here is the newest model that they did in a limited run if anyone is interested. I might actually prefer their original version which surprised me.

I made a video showing the Cameron version vs the Hot Mod II. Please note I didn’t make this video to knock any product. After hearing it, I should have added a little treble to the Cameron demo, but I was really focusing on the bottom end at the time.

https://youtu.be/RUNkiQOiJRo

Other than the tubby bottom end, the Hot Mod V2 sounded better to me in that clip. Sounded to me bigger, more aggressive, more full frequency. The Cameron sounded a little restrained or filtered in comparison, but tight, no flub. Maybe the George Lynch version I have coming in later this week will be less tubby hopefully. It does have a depth knob, maybe it can control that better? If they can fix the tubby bottom end, I think they may have a winner there

 

[psychodave]

Here is the newest model that they did in a limited run if anyone is interested. I might actually prefer their original version which surprised me.

I made a video showing the Cameron version vs the Hot Mod II. Please note I didn’t make this video to knock any product. After hearing it, I should have added a little treble to the Cameron demo, but I was really focusing on the bottom end at the time.

https://youtu.be/RUNkiQOiJRo

Other than the tubby bottom end, the Hot Mod V2 sounded better to me in that clip. Sounded to me bigger, more aggressive, more full frequency. The Cameron sounded a little restrained or filtered in comparison, but tight, no flub. Maybe the George Lynch version I have coming in later this week will be less tubby hopefully. It does have a depth knob, maybe it can control that better? If they can fix the tubby bottom end, I think they may have a winner there

I agree, the amp was set to sound too smooth and a bit quieter than the Hot Mod II. After listening I didn’t care enough to go back and record again since I prefer the Cameron version more after having them together to compare.

I understand Cameron’s version was delayed a bit longer due to the CA fires. I know they were evacuated for several days.

 

[Racerxrated]

Just have to reduce the low end on the amp and the Hot Mod V2 works fine. I typically have it maxed with my pedals; with the Hot Mod it's around 4-5. But I prefer the sound of my pedals and the color they add anyway. There is a difference obviously in the gain structure with an all tube boost. For the price any of these products are very cool and will give the 'tube gain purist' a nice option vs using the 'dreaded' pedal boost. Lol

 

[braintheory]

Just have to reduce the low end on the amp and the Hot Mod V2 works fine. I typically have it maxed with my pedals; with the Hot Mod it's around 4-5. But I prefer the sound of my pedals and the color they add anyway. There is a difference obviously in the gain structure with an all tube boost. For the price any of these products are very cool and will give the 'tube gain purist' a nice option vs using the 'dreaded' pedal boost. Lol

IMO some of the most iconic and favorite guitar tones I admired when I was a teenager wouldn’t be possible without boosting an amp with an overdrive pedal. For example, when I was younger I couldn’t figure out for the longest time how to get a great shred tone with a Strat like Yngwie until eventually I simply boosted my existing tone with one (after getting my very first “dreaded” od pedal), kept everything else exactly the same with setting and stuff, and all of a sudden there it was. Not saying it nailed his tone by any stretch, but captured exactly what I loved about it and finally was able to get a great shred sound using a regular Strat guitar from there on

 

[nigelpkay]

When you simply add another tube gain stage it doesn’t necessarily mean you still don’t need a little boost in front to tighten it up. Adding gain adds bass, so you have to turn down the amp bass the more gain you have if you don’t want to use a pedal.

Pedals do more than just that, in most cases its the pre-amp signal boost and EQ adjustments that most people use pedals for. Gain knob on a pedal is usually very low or 0.

Anxiously awaiting my Hot Mod V2 that just shipped!!

 

[psychodave]

Just have to reduce the low end on the amp and the Hot Mod V2 works fine. I typically have it maxed with my pedals; with the Hot Mod it's around 4-5. But I prefer the sound of my pedals and the color they add anyway. There is a difference obviously in the gain structure with an all tube boost. For the price any of these products are very cool and will give the 'tube gain purist' a nice option vs using the 'dreaded' pedal boost. Lol

IMO some of the most iconic and favorite guitar tones I admired when I was a teenager wouldn’t be possible without boosting an amp with an overdrive pedal. For example, when I was younger I couldn’t figure out for the longest time how to get a great shred tone with a Strat like Yngwie until eventually I simply boosted my existing tone with one (after getting my very first “dreaded” od pedal), kept everything else exactly the same with setting and stuff, and all of a sudden there it was. Not saying it nailed his tone by any stretch, but captured exactly what I loved about it and finally was able to get a great shred sound using a regular Strat guitar from there on

I’m with you guys. I have no issue using a boost with high gain. Whatever sounds good and gives me inspiration wins. I find I use boosts at lower volumes. When an amp is cranked up, I feel less outside influence is needed.

 

[panhead]

When Cameron version available Dave?

 

[Racerxrated]

Just have to reduce the low end on the amp and the Hot Mod V2 works fine. I typically have it maxed with my pedals; with the Hot Mod it's around 4-5. But I prefer the sound of my pedals and the color they add anyway. There is a difference obviously in the gain structure with an all tube boost. For the price any of these products are very cool and will give the 'tube gain purist' a nice option vs using the 'dreaded' pedal boost. Lol

IMO some of the most iconic and favorite guitar tones I admired when I was a teenager wouldn’t be possible without boosting an amp with an overdrive pedal. For example, when I was younger I couldn’t figure out for the longest time how to get a great shred tone with a Strat like Yngwie until eventually I simply boosted my existing tone with one (after getting my very first “dreaded” od pedal), kept everything else exactly the same with setting and stuff, and all of a sudden there it was. Not saying it nailed his tone by any stretch, but captured exactly what I loved about it and finally was able to get a great shred sound using a regular Strat guitar from there on

I’m with you guys. I have no issue using a boost with high gain. Whatever sounds good and gives me inspiration wins. I find I use boosts at lower volumes. When an amp is cranked up, I feel less outside influence is needed.

Right now I'm in awe of the first 'totally stock' NMV amp I've owned, a 72 SuperTremolo. I've had quite a few of the metal panel era JMPs but every single one had an MV mod of some type; If I would have known how great they sound WITHOUT the MV mod I would have kept one and had it returned to stock. Those amps with the MV mod just sounded OK at best. I use an 80s SD1 + an OD1X, with everything at noon on the pedals and it's just magical to my ears. Damn loud but the way this thing sounds, I have no desire for the Wizard that I sold a while back. But the key are the pedals, and the way it sounds through GBs I now know why so many pro players just stick with one of these stock NMV Marshalls and a few pedals. Nothing more needed.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I've been playing around with some preamp gain mods over the last week and while it sounds good, I still feel like my boosted 800 is as good if not better all around. Tighter, bigger, cuts more. It isn't even boost specific. The EWS little brute turns a JCM800 into a fire beather with so much cut. I have an Outlier spec DOD grey box modded YJM overdrive and it honestly sounds as close to an extra tube gain stage as I have heard from any of my pedals. The JHS Bonsai has all the usual contenders which sound incredible as well. My lead boost is a clean boost. Been playing with the xotic super clean booster and that one also is a total winner. I'm actually starting to think that dropping 3K on a boutique high gainer might be cheaper than all the pedals I buy and roll through my board...

For the record, I also like the original V2 with the switch up. I think it will be amp specific but if they had a "tight" switch as well for the bassier amps, it could be a winner. I'd still shape it with a boost though!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

BTW, I inquired about a version with a bass cut switch to tame that low end run away and they told me that might be something that happens to 2021 as they move to a PCB as it would be too tight of a fit. I think the design is just about there if they do that. I like the Cameron too but i think the V2 is a tad fuller and less tangy if that makes any sense. I also don't see the Cameron coming out any time soon unfortunately.

 

[psychodave]

When Cameron version available Dave?

It’s in the works. Keep in mind Mark got caught up in the CA wildfires and they were evacuated. They got lucky, but of course it throws a damper on things.

 

[braintheory]

I just tried my Lynch version Hot Mod with my ‘79 JMP2203 and with the deep switch in the down position it’s not flubby, no need to adjust my amp’s bass, but it is in the up position. It’s a cool unit to have. Kinda like I can give my Marshall a modded sound when I feel like it and is a lot less noisy than boosting with my pedals, but still will mostly just boost it with either my Klon or Thorpy Heavy Water since I love what they do to that amp. Still gotta try boosting it with my old rack PQ’s. The JMP seems to really be a perfect fit with the Klon. That itself is one of my favorite high gain tones I’ve had (JMP+Klon), although I admittedly paid more for the pedal than the amp itself lol

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I just tried my Lynch version Hot Mod with my ‘79 JMP2203 and with the deep switch in the down position it’s not flubby, no need to adjust my amp’s bass, but it is in the up position. It’s a cool unit to have. Kinda like I can give my Marshall a modded sound when I feel like it and is a lot less noisy than boosting with my pedals, but still will mostly just boost it with either my Klon or Thorpy Heavy Water since I love what they do to that amp. Still gotta try boosting it with my old rack PQ’s. The JMP seems to really be a perfect fit with the Klon. That itself is one of my favorite high gain tones I’ve had (JMP+Klon), although I admittedly paid more for the pedal than the amp itself lol

So in other words, if boosting works and sounds awesome, keep at it lol! I have to say I LOVE the sound of my Outlier DOD YJM modded to grey specs OD and the EWS little brute. They feel like an extension to the amp and like it is modded for more gain. I'm a boost bitch I guess! I've got 6 OD's on my board now though.

 

[braintheory]

I just tried my Lynch version Hot Mod with my ‘79 JMP2203 and with the deep switch in the down position it’s not flubby, no need to adjust my amp’s bass, but it is in the up position. It’s a cool unit to have. Kinda like I can give my Marshall a modded sound when I feel like it and is a lot less noisy than boosting with my pedals, but still will mostly just boost it with either my Klon or Thorpy Heavy Water since I love what they do to that amp. Still gotta try boosting it with my old rack PQ’s. The JMP seems to really be a perfect fit with the Klon. That itself is one of my favorite high gain tones I’ve had (JMP+Klon), although I admittedly paid more for the pedal than the amp itself lol

So in other words, if boosting works and sounds awesome, keep at it lol! I have to say I LOVE the sound of my Outlier DOD YJM modded to grey specs OD and the EWS little brute. They feel like an extension to the amp and like it is modded for more gain. I'm a boost bitch I guess! I've got 6 OD's on my board now though.

Yeah I am too! I’ve been through almost 130 boost type pedals over the years and have 6 that are staying and 3 rack PQ’s that I use for the same purpose. The DOD YJM was the 2nd boost pedal I ever owned or tried actually

The Lynch Mod has the advantage of being less noisy and less colored than my pedals, but the color they add is great color that usually improves the amps I use them with