My Monday Module Testing Madness

[ruso]

Ok, so I just got done testing a variety of modules (Thanks Jeff!) and here's what I have found...

First off, a comparison between the EG5 and the MHG...

I've been hearing from various people that you can get the EG5 to sound pretty close to the MHG by backing off of the middle and treble, so that's what I set out to do. First, I set the masters of both modules so that they were similar in volume. I also set all of the gains to 1 o'clock. I then set all of the tone controls on the MHG at 12 o'clock for a fair means of comparison. I then proceeded to switch back and forth between both modules, adjusting the EG5's tone controls until I got a close match. The closest I could get the EG5 to the MHG was to set the middle between 9-10 o'clock and the treble at 9 o'clock. However, the EG5 still stood out regardless of what I adjusted. Furthermore, I could not eliminated any of the "jangley" sound from the lower strings (I play a seven string so that could have something to do with it). From a visual standpoint, It appears that the EG5 has roughly 25% more middle and treble range of adjustment.

Next, I attempted to get the MHG to sound like the EG5 set to 12 o'clock across the board. The closest I could get the MHG was to set the middle and treble around 3 o'clock but this is where the MHG grew a personality of its own. It didn't really sound "nasely" to me which Jeff had suggested in a previous thread, but it was almost like the presence was turned up on the power side. It really started to sound brittle compared to the EG5's midrange. I should also add that setting the presence anywhere over 1 o'clock with the EG5 really started to sound bad.

So I guess I need to decide between the two. Being that I don't play gigs and that I'm more of a home musician, the MHG might be a better choice for me. If I could get the EG5 to sound exactly like the MHG, I'd keep it, because having that option of being able to cut through more is appealing to me. However, I can't justify having to turn down the middle and treble that far for most of my playing. Plus the "jangley" sound of the lower strings sounds kind of awkward to me. I'm just not sure yet. So the MHG was starting to be my go-to module until...

I threw in the SL2...

Not really much to say about the SL2. To my ears it really sounds a lot like the MHG. Am I hearing things correctly? Other than a different midrange voicing, are they kind of similar? And am I right in saying that the SL2 sounds more "organic" and that the MHG sounds more "digital" or "modern?" To me the MHG also has more "fizz" to the sound when compared to the SL2. The SL2 actually seems to be a little smoother. Power chords and palm muted rhythms seem to be more liquid and less gritty. Are there any other modules similar to the SL2 that you guys would suggest?

And... the ERECT...

I don't really have much to say about the ERECT either... just like Jeff said... "it is what it is." It's capable of some really deep rhythms and can really get the Egnater 112 to shake the room like a ghetto blaster, but that's about it. It has a really raw gritty sound which could be useful for some of the heavier metal riffs I record, but I think I'd rather spend the $400 on something more useful. And are both channels of the ERECT the same?

I'm going to spend a little more time with these before deciding on which ones to keep. Any input or comments you guys may have would be great.

-Ryan

 

[bduersch]

Nothing to add, but I will say this is really helpful as someone who has been debating sending in his MHG to get modded into an EG5. (I'll admit, I love the MHG alone, but it completely disappears at band practice.)

--B

 

[ruso]

Nothing to add, but I will say this is really helpful as someone who has been debating sending in his MHG to get modded into an EG5. (I'll admit, I love the MHG alone, but it completely disappears at band practice.)

--B

Well, I just had my wife listen to both the EG5 and MHG side by side. First I set the EG5 to sound similar to the MHG and she couldn't tell them apart. Next I set the EG5 to 12 o'clock across the board and she immediately knew right away that it sounded better. I then boosted the middle and treble of the MHG to try and match the EG5 and it just wasn't able to. Her description was that the EG5 sounded more "in your face." I guess that's the other extreme of referring to the MHG as more of a "bedroom module."

With that said, I think I'm keeping the EG5. Now I just need to decide what else to keep.

 

[guitarslinger]

I don't share your dismissive feelings for the Erect.

Maybe, it's the music I've been playing or something, but the Erect is magical for big rhythm sounds. I mean, it seems essential at the moment for me.

I thought I was really buying my M4 for the EG5, but I find myself playing most of my leads on the SL2, cleans on the VX, and heavier riffs on the Erect.


I'm just saying, it's a totally sweet module.

 

[ruso]

I don't share your dismissive feelings for the Erect.

Maybe, it's the music I've been playing or something, but the Erect is magical for big rhythm sounds. I mean, it seems essential at the moment for me.

I thought I was really buying my M4 for the EG5, but I find myself playing most of my leads on the SL2, cleans on the VX, and heavier riffs on the Erect.


I'm just saying, it's a totally sweet module.

Oh, I'm not dissing the ERECT just yet. I'm hoping to spend a little more time with it, but at the moment I'm really digging the EG5 and SL2. The SL2 is just so damn smooth! Any ideas how to smooth out the ERECT? Have you tried different tubes?

 

[Gino]

I threw in the SL2...

Not really much to say about the SL2. To my ears it really sounds a lot like the MHG. Am I hearing things correctly? Other than a different midrange voicing, are they kind of similar? And am I right in saying that the SL2 sounds more "organic" and that the MHG sounds more "digital" or "modern?" To me the MHG also has more "fizz" to the sound when compared to the SL2. The SL2 actually seems to be a little smoother. Power chords and palm muted rhythms seem to be more liquid and less gritty. Are there any other modules similar to the SL2 that you guys would suggest?

SL2 = Hot rodded JCM800
MHG = Modern High Gain

That, to me, is right in line with your above statement. Does this make sense?

 

[guitarslinger]

I don't share your dismissive feelings for the Erect.

Maybe, it's the music I've been playing or something, but the Erect is magical for big rhythm sounds. I mean, it seems essential at the moment for me.

I thought I was really buying my M4 for the EG5, but I find myself playing most of my leads on the SL2, cleans on the VX, and heavier riffs on the Erect.


I'm just saying, it's a totally sweet module.

Oh, I'm not dissing the ERECT just yet. I'm hoping to spend a little more time with it, but at the moment I'm really digging the EG5 and SL2. The SL2 is just so damn smooth! Any ideas how to smooth out the ERECT? Have you tried different tubes?

I bought mine loaded with JJ ECC83S's.

That was too dark for the erect. I loaded it with 9th gen Shuguangs. AWESOME..

I have a JJ in V1, BTW.

I can't stand sovtek pre tubes.

 

[ruso]

SL2 = Hot rodded JCM800
MHG = Modern High Gain

That, to me, is right in line with your above statement. Does this make sense?

That makes perfect sense to me. I'm starting to think that I'm more into those tones than the modern stuff. Hell, I may end up just keeping both.

 

[jkdsteve]

Definately replace the tubes in your Erect with some good Shugang c8 or c9s...I have a few GT and Ruby ax7c around from various module swaps over the years.....much better than the Sovtek in the Erect.

I'm itching to try an RFT ECC83 in the Erect too..but can't find it in my stash..LOL

 

[richedie]

I don't find the EG5 jangley at all! Interesting....

I find it more 3D and alive, refined than the MHG...plus CUT is a bonus! I tihkn it is more fun to play.

I find the SL2 different from the MHG, less compressed and buzzy, less gainy.

I can't justify the Erect because I need lead tones.

I have the stock SOVTEK tubes...should I change them?

 

[jkdsteve]

I don't find the EG5 jangley at all! Interesting....

I find it more 3D and alive, refined than the MHG...plus CUT is a bonus! I tihkn it is more fun to play.

I find the SL2 different from the MHG, less compressed and buzzy, less gainy.

I can't justify the Erect because I need lead tones.

I have the stock SOVTEK tubes...should I change them?

I can understand what he means.

The EG5 can have a little 'jangle' in the top end depending on the pickups and EQ settings..I prefer to think of it as clarity in the high end...you can hear the high end almost ring out on couple of my guitars with the EG5..effect is more pronounced with Bright On and more Hi end of course.

 

[EWSEthan]

I agree that the E-Rect "is what it is". You either like the buzzsaw bass-in-your-face tone of a Rectifier or you dont. E-Rect wont change your mind but if you like that tone and it suits your music, you'll love E-Rect.

I really dont think MHG sounds much at all like the SL2. SL2 is definitely more "vintage" and MHG is more "modern." MHG feels stiffer, more compressed, and has way more gain. EG5 also shares those MHG properties, but cuts better and is definitely more "in-your-face".

I get what you are saying about EG5 being jangley, and I like it!

 

[ruso]

I agree that the E-Rect "is what it is". You either like the buzzsaw bass-in-your-face tone of a Rectifier or you dont. E-Rect wont change your mind but if you like that tone and it suits your music, you'll love E-Rect.

I think I like listening to that type of tone in music but I don't really write or play that type. Being in the home audio and car audio business, I guess I'm kind of sensitive to distortion. The ERECT to me sounds like the woofer itself is distorting rather then at the amplifier or preamp stage. I think I'd rather have more of a scooped MKIV tone for heavier riffs. *cough* *Jeff, Bruce* *cough*

I really dont think MHG sounds much at all like the SL2. SL2 is definitely more "vintage" and MHG is more "modern." MHG feels stiffer, more compressed, and has way more gain. EG5 also shares those MHG properties, but cuts better and is definitely more "in-your-face"

Yeah, the MHG is definitly going back, the EG5 is definitely a keeper. The MHG should be discontinued IMO. I actually like the SL2 more when playing "power chords" and for bedroom volumes, the SL2 suits me much better than the EG5. I just have to keep the EG5 to be able to have it available when needed.

I get what you are saying about EG5 being jangley, and I like it!

You know, I blew the dust off of my Ibanez last night and fired up the EG5 and all the "jangleyness" disappeared. The Ibanez doesn't have as hot of pickups as my EBMM so maybe it has something to do with the pickups... I dunno. The MOD50 actually made me enjoy playing my Ibanez again. And to think I almost put it up for sale last weekend.

 

[ruso]

The EG5 can have a little 'jangle' in the top end depending on the pickups and EQ settings..I prefer to think of it as clarity in the high end...you can hear the high end almost ring out on couple of my guitars with the EG5..effect is more pronounced with Bright On and more Hi end of course.

Try cranking up the Presence knob if you think the Bright switch makes it more pronounced. You can almost shave with it.

 

[Gino]

The MHG should be discontinued IMO.

I believe this is the case, actually. Everyone loves the EG5 so much and the selling point of "It's just like the MHG but you will cut through the mix" is enough for Egnater to not bother with the MHG any more. In the end, EG5 > MHG.

 

[ruso]

The MHG should be discontinued IMO.

I believe this is the case, actually. Everyone loves the EG5 so much and the selling point of "It's just like the MHG but you will cut through the mix" is enough for Egnater to not bother with the MHG any more. In the end, EG5 > MHG.

There seems to be a lot of overlap with these modules IMO... at least to my ears. One would think that you could achieve the tones of 2-3 modules if the module had more controls... kind of like how Boogies have a hundred knobs on them? However, it's the simplicity of these amps that attracts me to them. I even find it hard to believe sometimes that the tone I am getting is only my guitar, a cord, and the amp. I have friends that have hundred of dollars in overdrive pedals, rack gear, etc. connected to their rigs and they can't get anywhere close to the tone I get out of the MOD50.

 

[EWSEthan]

I agree with you Ruso to a certain extent. There is some overlap for sure. SL2 and EG3/4 are close. MHG and EG5 share definite similarities. But I disagree that you can make SL2 and E-Rect sound very similar, much like you cant get a Dual Rectifier to sound like a Marshall!

And as for Boogies having a lot of knobs, that is true, but they generally only sound good when all those knobs are aligned a certain way (which to me defeats the purpose of having all of them). Ask how many Mark IV owners change those knobs once theyve got it finally sounding decent!

I think one sure characteristic of a well-tuned amp is that even with everything straight up it sounds great. The Egnater stuff and Soldano stuff definitely has that down.

 

[dfrattaroli]

And as for Boogies having a lot of knobs, that is true, but they generally only sound good when all those knobs are aligned a certain way (which to me defeats the purpose of having all of them). Ask how many Mark IV owners change those knobs once theyve got it finally sounding decent!

This is a generalization that I disagree with. In the case of the Mark IV, it's an extremely versatile amp and there are a huge number of them in service after many years so they must have done something right. If Egnater can come up with a Mark IV module, it'll be their best seller.