Plain Old SL

[Buckeyedog]

Never hear too many comments about the SL......any experience with this one? Just curious as I've never played through one.

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

Well, I have been gigging and touring with two SLs in my two MOD 50 heads for over a year now. The Module sounds best to me with the MOD 50 power section as opposed to other power amps. It's got that creamy medium-gain complexity we love form hearing a Plexi dimed. Also, it is super friendly to boosting either in stages with an EQ in front of it (like I do for most of the classic rock/metal lead tones on my clips) and with gain pedals. But, ti si super toneful all by itself. If you were going to do some AC/DC covers, then here you go. At lower gain settings it reminds me of a JTM 45. Also, it is my channel of choice for getting that EJ woolly mammoth fuzz tone. I like to hit it with the (now discontinued) Fulltone '69 when I cover EJ tunes and really try my best to dial in that vibe.

 

[richedie]

you boost in front with an EQ? Wouldn't that need to be in the loop?

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

you boost in front with an EQ? Wouldn't that need to be in the loop?

Well you can increase gain three ways: with a volume boost pedal that just raises the overall level across all freqs evenly; with an EQ to selectively boost particular bands; and lastly, the old distortion pedal. One of the classic examples of gain from surgical EQ boosting is a good part of the VH1 tone.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Cool, thanks John. Does channel B have more gain than A ala the other modules??

And can channel A stay "fairly" clean? Or does it clean up with the guitar volume??

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

Cool, thanks John. Does channel B have more gain than A ala the other modules??

And can channel A stay "fairly" clean? Or does it clean up with the guitar volume??

1. Yes! That's the one I'm getting most of the more distorted tones from live.

2. Yes, and yes.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

This is a module that STAYS in my MOD 50. Yep, it does really excellent clean tones, beautiful, shimmering, ever so slightly saturated. It's a fantastic clean tone. Channel B rocks out and like John said it takes pedals really well. You need one of those type of channels in your rig 'cause ... well there are just way to many freaking cool pedals in the world not too. Love the SL!!!

 

[EWSEthan]

Guys are the SL tones not possible simply by backing the gain off with SL2?

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

Guys are the SL tones not possible simply by backing the gain off with SL2?

If I understand it correctly, the SL2 uses three gain stages within the tunes whereas the SL only uses two. So, oddly enough, even when you back the gain of an SL2 down somewhat, it is still hyper sensitive to gain-based effects - even mores so if the power section is cranked. Not a good idea, and not necessary in my opinion. You could get by with a wah, on the SL2, but a fuzz?...just forget about it. Even with the gain down low, it will still be super squirrelly. But this is pretty much the same for most high gain, fire-breathing modern high-gain amps. Maybe others have had different experiences.

 

[EWSEthan]

Guys are the SL tones not possible simply by backing the gain off with SL2?

If I understand it correctly, the SL2 uses three gain stages within the tunes whereas the SL only uses two. So, oddly enough, even when you back the gain of an SL2 down somewhat, it is still hyper sensitive to gain-based effects - even mores so if the power section is cranked. Not a good idea, and not necessary in my opinion. You could get by with a wah, on the SL2, but a fuzz?...just forget about it. Even with the gain down low, it will still be super squirrelly. But this is pretty much the same for most high gain, fire-breathing modern high-gain amps. Maybe others have had different experiences.

This is interesting and definitely something I didnt consider or realize. Good info!

 

[jkdsteve]

I probably shouldn't do this here but I have been trying to trade my Dual SL for a Vx or COD recently....whistles innocently

 

[jmgman69]

I probably should do this here but I have been trying to trade my Dual SL for a Vx or COD recently....whistles innocently

Are you sure now?

 

[jkdsteve]

I probably should do this here but I have been trying to trade my Dual SL for a Vx or COD recently....whistles innocently

Are you sure now?

Am sure I meant to write shouldn't..ah well

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Although the SL module obviously has a master volume I think it emulates the sounds more closely associated with non MV type amps. Like a JTM 45 or an old plexi. This is what John is saying about fuzz and why I like to use it as a "blank palette" to paint overdrive tones on top of it. With an SL module and a Xotic BB Booster I have four shades of overdrive and gain types happening. And then it's a must if you want to do fuzz tones like Mark Ford or Doyle Brahmall III or something along those lines. That's how I think of the SL. It's real slutty with pedals, it loves them. And like I said, channel A is very underused as a clean channel.

 

[MarcoR]

It's real slutty with pedals, it loves them.

I love sluts with pedals

 

[Buckeyedog]

I probably shouldn't do this here but I have been trying to trade my Dual SL for a Vx or COD recently....whistles innocently

JKD, that's actually why I was asking..........I have a VX...........hmmmmmmm

 

[jkdsteve]

I probably shouldn't do this here but I have been trying to trade my Dual SL for a Vx or COD recently....whistles innocently

JKD, that's actually why I was asking..........I have a VX...........hmmmmmmm

Trade for a bit and if it doesn't work out, trade back? Should probably take it to PM though...sorry Jeff

 

[richedie]

you boost in front with an EQ? Wouldn't that need to be in the loop?

Well you can increase gain three ways: with a volume boost pedal that just raises the overall level across all freqs evenly; with an EQ to selectively boost particular bands; and lastly, the old distortion pedal. One of the classic examples of gain from surgical EQ boosting is a good part of the VH1 tone.

Thanks John! So did you find the EQ a better way to boost and stand out for solos rather than a compressor or distortion pedal? I ask because I am about to start experimenting. Hehe. Dist. pedals can be nice because the kick in some gain for compression and naturally add some mids.

What EQ do you use? I was chekcing out a Monte Allume modded Boss EQ.

Man, you smoke on that SL! I need the SL and SL2.

 

[Hectic Watermelon]

Thanks,

To conserve modules in my live rig, I like to use an SL in each head and with a T/D in one and various (usually VOX or COD) in the other. The SL is my straight up rck rhythm tone, my boosted rock lead (boosted with an old Lexicon G2 EQ in front - some of the rig schematics on my website in the gear section shwo the diagams, I think) and a Fuzz. So, I don't really ever use a distortion in front of it. I only use the EQ to boost some bass, a little mid, and no trebel. With the head just cranked, it just doesn't need much more gain. It's jsut right as is for me. The fuzz is jsut to cop that vibe.

J

 

[richedie]

I hear ya! I don't really want more gain on this head either....but I was thinkng an overdrive pedal like a modded SD-1 would provide the mid boost and some compression due to the gain....but your idea of the EQ is golden. I never thought of using it up front. I am going to try it! Honestly sometimes I want more compression but just boosting some bass and mids is what I want for leads! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thikn I am going to get a Monte Allums modded Boss GE-7.

By the way...you have shown me that the SL can ROCK for lots of styles...man that thing can sound chunky and mean. I also use the Ear Candy Buzzbomb with Sugars and love it so i am thikning I can get in the ball parl, LOL. Next on my list are the SL2 and SL.

Nice choice on the Steve Morse guitar. Is that stock? Man, sounds great! I was surprised they use 250k pots and .047 caps but man for the longest time I have been telling people using lower value pots can really beef up an axe and man you have the beef.