Lead struggle.....a bit.....

R

richedie

New member
Lead tones have been a struggle since getting the Mod 50 - well almost.
I like a relly thick midrange lead tone, liquid, yet tight and smooth, not choppy or stiff - more Marshall than Mesa, more Saldono and Bogner than VHT or Diesel. Don't laught but think of some of John Sykes leads tones on the WhiteSnake albums (Hey, I grew up in the 80s) - still of the night, Here I go again. I grew up a big Lynch fan. OK, I am getting side-tracked because I also like a variety of lead tones. I love what I can get with the Bassman channel B, especially wit a boost for classic rock tones and leads. Then again, I think I am in a bad mood over my lead tone because last practice I used the Erect! Next time it will be the SL2 or EG3'4. I wish the E2 was out so I could have all at my disposal.

I started off loving the MHG for this purpose, then I struggled when playing with a dude on a Marshall. Now, I am the only guitarist in the band so I can more easily use what I want. I didn't find the EG5 played as easy for leads as the MGH. The MHG kicked for leads when I played with a guy running a Randall RM100 using more modern tones for rhythm. Next came the SL2 - very good but still not my ideal. EG3/4, great, but seemed like maybe not aggressive enough at times or tight enough? I did have the cap mod done, took it from a 1000pF to a 500pF.

Don't laugh but one of my favorite lead tones I had in a rig was the Line 6 Agro in my old Vetta head.

I am thinking of getting a Randall Modern module and having it modded with all top caps, resistors, etc and making that my lead module. I'll keep trying the EG3/4.
 
I thought Sykes used Mesas on the Whitesnake albums. And I remember you liking the E-Rect for leads.

Are you sure you are more Marshall than Mesa???
 
Definitely, not sure what I was thinking at the time if I said I prefer Mesas for leads, LOL. I have owned Rectifiers and always loved them for heavy rhythm and hated them for lead. Maybe Sykes used a Mark series? Big sifference ya know? I think I'll end up with another MHG or modded Modern module for leads.
 
Sykes used Coliseum Mark series Mesas.

FWIW, on the "Is This Love" solo (one of my fav. Sykes tones) he used a Marshall Plexi.
 
I had a feeling it was a Mark series! Thanks. Loved his tones.

Love Plexis! I need to find the perfect Plexi module since I have been using pedals more like the BB preamp and the Cusack Screamer. I am wondering how my tones would be with the Egnater SL or Randall Plexi module(modded!).
 
playing the SL next to the GNR was killler. The SL was super thick and warm like the Plexi's I've owned in the past. Again...the Marshall type modules sounded the best I've heard them to date w/ the TS5881 and V30s. I was pleasantly surprise! Thanks again Matt ... ahahhahaha :)

Eric
 
+1. I'm really using the SL a lot lately.

richedie: What about the EG5 isn't fitting the bill? Too smooth? Bright switches do anything for you?
 
Really, for me, it's the COD for lead tones. Channel B is pure liquid gain! Not to say it can't get mean, but it is the "pretty" kind of mean. :)
 
Another option is the Randall Ultralead module. It's VERY thick and mid-rangy, and it's one of my favorite lead tones out of all of the MTS modules I have. IMO it does the John Sykes Whitesnake tones quite well.
 
Yes, the Sl is on my list! 58814s, huh?! I would think EL34s....but I do kind of like the 5881s. However, Eric has me into the 6550s now. LOL.

EG5 was too tight for me, not enough give.......too one sided to me.

I tried a friend's modded Randall Plexi and it might be the best plexi sound I have heard to date although I'd love to hear it next to a SL.

COD sounds interesting if it works for high gain as well!

Yes, the Randall Ultra XL is one I want. I have a friend who mods it into a great modern high gain sound.

So I know I want a Plexi type like the Plexi or Sl and the Ultra XL.
 
richedie":2w88f5og said:
Valtiel":2w88f5og said:
The COD is very midrangey, definitely a lead players module.
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like the eg3/4.
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No, they are VERY different. EG3/4 works well for heavy rhythms, whereas the COD does not so much. The COD has a much looser feel to it as well as an EQ that cuts very well.
 
Valtiel":1oayjrob said:
richedie":1oayjrob said:
Valtiel":1oayjrob said:
The COD is very midrangey, definitely a lead players module.
Click to expand...


like the eg3/4.
Click to expand...

No, they are VERY different. EG3/4 works well for heavy rhythms, whereas the COD does not so much. The COD has a much looser feel to it as well as an EQ that cuts very well.
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'll have to add that to my list. The EG3/4 does both bell, ryhthm and lead. Do you know the Randall module equivalent?
 
Actually I was talking about the Randall Ultralead module, not the UltraXL. Different animals entirely. They are discontinued but they do pop up for sale now and again.
 
Before I had an EG3/4 I preferred my MHG to the EG5. I can make the EG5 work by rolling back lots of treble but the MHG was already there. But then I got an EG3/4 and it quickly became my favorite. I love it's warmer, darker, smoother flavor. The MHG is like the EG3/4 with a bit more hair. It's still dark but with a little more sizzle. Then the EG5 is the more aggressive of the three.

Anyway, I LOVE the EG3/4 for everything. Not just leads. In fact, I'm considering trading/selling either my MHG or EG5 to get another 3/4 and just use 2 in the M4 with different EQ settings.

Dave
 
Wow, it just sounds like you are describing the SL2 to a T to me. I have played a brazillion amps and think the SL2 B channel is worth the price of a whole MOD50 for that one tone alone - for me that is. You seem to have one already, so maybe if it's not working, it's not working. I have found there is no rule as far as how long you need to chase a tone in your head. One belief is that it needs to be love at first sight thing, and the other is that you need to go on the hero’s quest for the sacred tone. I have realized sounds I am happy with both ways, but for my rock lead tones, the SL2 was love at first sight.
 
dfrattaroli":3nr23u2p said:
Before I had an EG3/4 I preferred my MHG to the EG5. I can make the EG5 work by rolling back lots of treble but the MHG was already there. But then I got an EG3/4 and it quickly became my favorite. I love it's warmer, darker, smoother flavor. The MHG is like the EG3/4 with a bit more hair. It's still dark but with a little more sizzle. Then the EG5 is the more aggressive of the three.

Anyway, I LOVE the EG3/4 for everything. Not just leads. In fact, I'm considering trading/selling either my MHG or EG5 to get another 3/4 and just use 2 in the M4 with different EQ settings.

Dave
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Let me know if you let go of the MHG. I'm looking for one.
 
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