B
bscfo1
New member
Thanks to Jason's generosity loaning his GnR to me, I have put together a review for anyone interested in this modification. Here's what I found using a Eric Johnson Strat and a SG Standard, through my MOD 100 using Eggies 2x12 cab:
I always compare modules using the same settings, with no bright or bass boost, and with all of the EQ knobs at twelve o'clock. Presence and density knobs were at 9 o'clock. Overall volume was my average band level, so I'm moving some air and getting a little speaker interaction, but not ear bleeding loud.
First thing I noticed about the GnR: To my ears this module is the most balanced of all of my modules. I thought it sounded amazing with NO tweaking at all. I could actually leave it EQ'd straight up like that and be happy. Most of my modules need a mild tweaking to my ears.
Distortion: It seems like the GnR has slightly more gain than the SL2, but this might be just an illusion since the treble has more bite, making it feel gainier.
Bass: Tighter than the SL2, when you palm mute it seems to resonate more with the same settings. As you release the mute, it distorts quicker. With both modules at the same volume, the GnR's bass sounded bigger and seemed to have more clarity too. Not jangly or piano like, just clear and tight.
Mids: I don't know if Eric and Jeff addressed the mids, but it seems to me there's a dip there, compared to the stock SL2. Kind of reminded me of the VX in this area. Very pleasing to the ears, and a little less similar to Egnater's normal midrange take, which I like too. I lowered the mids a bit just to see how sensitive it was. You can easily get that VX bounce in channel A for rhythm when you do that. But overall I thought both channels sound better without any cut in that frequency.
Treble: The highs have a nice sparkle to them, giving you that "easy" feeling to solos. The notes just seem to flow out, even on channel A. The SL2's treble in comparison sounds less out front, and to me feels more stiff when playing single notes, especially in channel A. There just seems to be more harmonics in the GnR's treble, it's very lively and fun to play. Hammer-ons and pull-offs sound especially great here. And overall it's more relaxing to play because you don't have to dig in as much to make it pop. And of course when you do dig in, it growls more. Natural and pinch harmonics are a breeze to nail.
In a band situation it cuts through the mix very nicely - no surprises there since the SL2 cuts pretty darn good. Comes from good stock. LOL!
A bonus to the GnR is how nicely it cleans up when you roll down the volume on your guitar. Like the EG5, the extra clarity really helps when you do this. My Strat and SG sounded really nice, even on the bridge pickup. I could use this as a working clean sound, which is great, saving me a foot stomp. Much easier to roll back a knob than hit a footswitch while singing to me.
One more thing: With a lot of the modules, you have to compromise a little with the EQ from one channel to the other. Not with the GnR. I was just as happy with both rhythm and lead sounds with both of my guitars. With my SL2, I tend to darken up the A channel some for rhythm to get a good full lead sound.
So there you go. A very cool must have module.
Thanks again Jason. -Bill
I always compare modules using the same settings, with no bright or bass boost, and with all of the EQ knobs at twelve o'clock. Presence and density knobs were at 9 o'clock. Overall volume was my average band level, so I'm moving some air and getting a little speaker interaction, but not ear bleeding loud.
First thing I noticed about the GnR: To my ears this module is the most balanced of all of my modules. I thought it sounded amazing with NO tweaking at all. I could actually leave it EQ'd straight up like that and be happy. Most of my modules need a mild tweaking to my ears.
Distortion: It seems like the GnR has slightly more gain than the SL2, but this might be just an illusion since the treble has more bite, making it feel gainier.
Bass: Tighter than the SL2, when you palm mute it seems to resonate more with the same settings. As you release the mute, it distorts quicker. With both modules at the same volume, the GnR's bass sounded bigger and seemed to have more clarity too. Not jangly or piano like, just clear and tight.
Mids: I don't know if Eric and Jeff addressed the mids, but it seems to me there's a dip there, compared to the stock SL2. Kind of reminded me of the VX in this area. Very pleasing to the ears, and a little less similar to Egnater's normal midrange take, which I like too. I lowered the mids a bit just to see how sensitive it was. You can easily get that VX bounce in channel A for rhythm when you do that. But overall I thought both channels sound better without any cut in that frequency.
Treble: The highs have a nice sparkle to them, giving you that "easy" feeling to solos. The notes just seem to flow out, even on channel A. The SL2's treble in comparison sounds less out front, and to me feels more stiff when playing single notes, especially in channel A. There just seems to be more harmonics in the GnR's treble, it's very lively and fun to play. Hammer-ons and pull-offs sound especially great here. And overall it's more relaxing to play because you don't have to dig in as much to make it pop. And of course when you do dig in, it growls more. Natural and pinch harmonics are a breeze to nail.
In a band situation it cuts through the mix very nicely - no surprises there since the SL2 cuts pretty darn good. Comes from good stock. LOL!
A bonus to the GnR is how nicely it cleans up when you roll down the volume on your guitar. Like the EG5, the extra clarity really helps when you do this. My Strat and SG sounded really nice, even on the bridge pickup. I could use this as a working clean sound, which is great, saving me a foot stomp. Much easier to roll back a knob than hit a footswitch while singing to me.
One more thing: With a lot of the modules, you have to compromise a little with the EQ from one channel to the other. Not with the GnR. I was just as happy with both rhythm and lead sounds with both of my guitars. With my SL2, I tend to darken up the A channel some for rhythm to get a good full lead sound.
So there you go. A very cool must have module.
Thanks again Jason. -Bill
Jeff??
