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

[richedie]

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.

You are correct, channel B is sick on that module and totally stock - I agree. I guess I am craving the more Plexi tones. The SL2 B is sweet, but John you have to admit the EG3/4 is even fatter for leads and in the same ballpark tonewise.
Good points though because the SL2 channel A can straddle the Plexi JCM 800 line a bit and takes pedals well! The BB or AC into SL2 channel A is great.

 

[dfrattaroli]

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.

You are correct, channel B is sick on that module and totally stock - I agree. I guess I am craving the more Plexi tones. The SL2 B is sweet, but John you have to admit the EG3/4 is even fatter for leads and in the same ballpark tonewise.
Good points though because the SL2 channel A can straddle the Plexi JCM 800 line a bit and takes pedals well! The BB or AC into SL2 channel A is great.

Would either of you say that EG3/4 has more gain than an SL2?

 

[dfrattaroli]

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

Definitely. I find I only play on the EG3/4. When stuff starts to go unused, I move it. I'll let you know if I sell it.

Dave

 

[ned911]

The EG3/4 doesn't have more gain it's just different than the SL2. SL2 is more 70's/80's style and the EG3/4 is more modern. Saying that I love the EG3/4 with my 80's cover band and I have a SL2 as well.

 

[richedie]

Dave, why don't you use the MHG as much - too aggressive or not enough cut?

Guys, chanel B of the SL2 is about the same amount of gain as EG3/4. However, Channel A of SL2 has much less gain than either channel of the EG3/4! MUCH less, SL2 A is like a JCM 800. It needs a pedal out front to get it as gainy as the EG3/4.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Dave, why don't you use the MHG as much - too aggressive or not enough cut?

The EG3/4 is just smoother. Before I had the EG3/4, I used the MHG more than any other. Now, it sits in between the 3/4 and 5.

 

[richedie]

What type of music do you play? We do more of a heavy modern thing pulling from classic rock, progressive rock, and hard rock/metal. I like some aggression in my tone.

 

[gtr31]

Rich .Maybe you would be a good candidate for the GNR??

It will give you a bigger mid snarl ,a tighter bottom end .plus I am sure If you asked Jeff nicely he could also bring up the gain in the A channel as well so you don't need to boost.

if you like the EG5 but find it too stiif ,And you like the SL2 but don't find it tight or agressive enough this may a good option

 

[dfrattaroli]

What type of music do you play? We do more of a heavy modern thing pulling from classic rock, progressive rock, and hard rock/metal. I like some aggression in my tone.

I play instrumental guitar rock. Kind of progressive. I listen to guys like Govan, Petrucci, Kotzen, Satch, Vai, EVH. I like high-gain tones mostly.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Rich .Maybe you would be a good candidate for the GNR??

It will give you a bigger mid snarl ,a tighter bottom end .plus I am sure If you asked Jeff nicely he could also bring up the gain in the A channel as well so you don't need to boost.

if you like the EG5 but find it too stiif ,And you like the SL2 but don't find it tight or agressive enough this may a good option

The GNR sounds like something I might like. I'm not sure I find the EG5 too stiff but it may be a step in that direction. But so far, it hasn't been anything I can't handle by adding some bass and losing some treble. At least that gets me closer to the EG3/4 and MHG.

 

[richedie]

What type of music do you play? We do more of a heavy modern thing pulling from classic rock, progressive rock, and hard rock/metal. I like some aggression in my tone.

I play instrumental guitar rock. Kind of progressive. I listen to guys like Govan, Petrucci, Kotzen, Satch, Vai, EVH. I like high-gain tones mostly.

Sounds like my kind of stuff. Throw in some Lynch and Lifeson and it sounds like what I like, LOL. I am going to keep at it with the EG3/4 but I had the 500 pF cap installed over the 1000pF to add a touch or prescence. Did you try this or are you stock? Stock can be too dark for rhythm.

I think I am having a friend mod a Randall Ultra XL into what is one of the best modern hard rock/high gain tones around, serious 5150 tones.

Dave is your EG3/4 stock????? Mine sounds like an EG3/4 with added hair. But, rolling back treble and adding mids makes it like a stock EG3/4! Try it!!!!

 

[jasco]

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.

I'm with John here - the SL2 B channel was it for gainy rock for me as soon as I heard it - the perfect hotrodded marshall tone that I'd been hearing in my head. Not too vintage not too modern, not too smooth not too cutting. Obviously other parts of the signal chain will affect the final tone, but as far as preamp goes I can't imagine a better starting point for me to get 'that' tone. One great thing about the Mod platform though is that you don't need to buy another $3-4000 head to try another flavor - just swap modules with others in the same search for tone until you find your favorites . . .

 

[jmgman69]

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.

+1 and just a little tweaking

 

[richedie]

I know what you guys are talking about but if you are talking about hard rock lead, I would say the EG3/4 is even better because the tone is much more full and thick....better for leads.

I was more thinking in terms of a Plexi like tone that takes pedals well!

The other problem I have with the SL2 is that I like it EQed much different lead than rhythm. I like more gain for lead and more mids, less highs for sure! Luckily my Rocktron Xpression in the loop is helping big time with EQ and compression. For now, I'll use channel B on about noon to 1:00 for rhythm but I like it bumped up a notch for leads. That is where I think my Sparkle Drive may help.

Maybe I can try using the SL2 channel A for my rhythms but that is more JCM 800. Works with a boost pedal.

This is where the E2 will come in handy.

 

[blumuz123]

Rich .Maybe you would be a good candidate for the GNR??

It will give you a bigger mid snarl ,a tighter bottom end .plus I am sure If you asked Jeff nicely he could also bring up the gain in the A channel as well so you don't need to boost.

if you like the EG5 but find it too stiif ,And you like the SL2 but don't find it tight or agressive enough this may a good option

Sounds like a little pre amp tube testing may fix this

 

[richedie]

Rich .Maybe you would be a good candidate for the GNR??

It will give you a bigger mid snarl ,a tighter bottom end .plus I am sure If you asked Jeff nicely he could also bring up the gain in the A channel as well so you don't need to boost.

if you like the EG5 but find it too stiif ,And you like the SL2 but don't find it tight or agressive enough this may a good option

Sounds like a little pre amp tube testing may fix this

For which module?

 

[muudrock]

I was more thinking in terms of a Plexi like tone that takes pedals well!

Rich, VX on Ch B! Takes drive/booster pedals well and has the plexi vibe. Hit it with a BB in front and it will sing for heavy rhythms or leads.

 

[jmgman69]

I was more thinking in terms of a Plexi like tone that takes pedals well!

Rich, VX on Ch B! Takes drive/booster pedals well and has the plexi vibe. Hit it with a BB in front and it will sing for heavy rhythms or leads.

The VX is STILL one of the all time favs it needs no mods did I say that

 

[muudrock]

I was more thinking in terms of a Plexi like tone that takes pedals well!

Rich, VX on Ch B! Takes drive/booster pedals well and has the plexi vibe. Hit it with a BB in front and it will sing for heavy rhythms or leads.

The VX is STILL one of the all time favs it needs no mods did I say that

You did and you are correct! The VX has found a permanent home in my Eggie setup. Just sounds so damn good! Eh, but so do the rest of em

 

[dfrattaroli]

My EG3/4 is stock.