Review: GnR vs SL2

[3 Mile Stone]

I found the SL to naturally have more bite than the SL2. Not sure if the "GNR" mod on the SL would be overkill.

just to get the SL to lean more this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXvVKORySPg

would be very cool

That sounds awesome. That is what my impression of the GnR mod sounds like on channel A maybe? Comments GnR guys???

 

[bscfo1]

I found the SL to naturally have more bite than the SL2. Not sure if the "GNR" mod on the SL would be overkill.

just to get the SL to lean more this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXvVKORySPg

would be very cool

That sounds awesome. That is what my impression of the GnR mod sounds like on channel A maybe? Comments GnR guys???

That tone is really great. When I did the review of the GnR at the beginning of this thread, I never pushed the midrange to the level of that Marshall in the vid. But the tight bass and treble bite could easily get there. GnR's mids seem to have a natural dip to them. But the range of the frequency is so dead center (not shifted, like EG5) that a simple turn of the pot should get you close.

I don't have a Les Paul, but the GnR made my SG a beast.

 

[RockStarNick]

GnR's mids seem to have a natural dip to them.

It's more of a percieved dip, if any, because of the added extra upper-mid/treble bite.

 

[blumuz123]

GnR's mids seem to have a natural dip to them.

It's more of a percieved dip, if any, because of the added extra upper-mid/treble bite.

Would you mind describing it going from an SL as the starting point.
I have read on the forum how its differs or changed from the SL2

Thanks

 

[bscfo1]

GnR's mids seem to have a natural dip to them.

It's more of a percieved dip, if any, because of the added extra upper-mid/treble bite.

Would you mind describing it going from an SL as the starting point.
I have read on the forum how its differs or changed from the SL2

Thanks

Yeah, I couldn't put my finger on what was going on with the mids, but they're not as smooth as the SL2, and they do feel/sound like they're slightly pushed back by the treble bite.

As for the SL, I don't have one yet, but it's on its way! I could post my findings. From listening to John's stuff with the SL alone and boosted, it's a great base tone for any distortion sound your chasing. Kind of like the Bman is.

 

[swimrunner]

Stupid question - what does "stiff in the high end" mean?

Not a stupid question - I'll try to explain it in a different way.

Because the GnR's treble has more bite than the SL2's, when I solo with a lower gain, the notes just feel like they flow better and don't sputter out. It's a feel thing. They "pop" better off the fretboard.

Some of the better pickers might not notice it because they have more accuracy as they pick every note. But I'm not that consitent sometimes. Someday's I'm better than others, but even on good days, on most phrases, I'll use some kind of mixed picking/hammer/pull off thing to make it smooth.

This is where I notice the difference. The clarity just seems to be better on the GnR. The SL2 (although excellent) is not as easy to play for me.

Thank you! Do you feel it is still ear-friendly, even with the extra treble/bite?

 

[muudrock]

Well, I got my GnR back today and I have to say that you guys were right...this thing freaking rocks! I agree 100% with those that have said this is how the SL2 should have been all along.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with the SL2....No more. Sounds to me to be the perfect compliment to the the EG3/4, EG5 and the VX since it fills the void tonally between those 3 modules.

What I find amazing is that while the module is tighter and perhaps brighter, it sounds so much smoother and well defined than the stock SL2. I always had trouble dialing in the treble frequencies with the mids before. Seemed either ice-picky above 12:30 and too dark and dead below. I could leave everything at 12:00 and be happy after the mod. I am also a bit of a treble-nazi and this module doesn't grate on my ears at all.

I guess I am just impressed. Nice work Jeff! and Eric!

 

[aeroic]

Well, I got my GnR back today and I have to say that you guys were right...this thing freaking rocks! I agree 100% with those that have said this is how the SL2 should have been all along.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with the SL2....No more. Sounds to me to be the perfect compliment to the the EG3/4, EG5 and the VX since it fills the void tonally between those 3 modules.

What I find amazing is that while the module is tighter and perhaps brighter, it sounds so much smoother and well defined than the stock SL2. I always had trouble dialing in the treble frequencies with the mids before. Seemed either ice-picky above 12:30 and too dark and dead below. I could leave everything at 12:00 and be happy after the mod. I am also a bit of a treble-nazi and this module doesn't grate on my ears at all.

I guess I am just impressed. Nice work Jeff! and Eric!

Jeff definitely hit a home run with this one. I am SOOO happy with that module since he modded it!

 

[bscfo1]

Thank you! Do you feel it is still ear-friendly, even with the extra treble/bite?

Definitely. But from what I understand the dip in the midrange is really a boost in the upper/mids/treble frequencys. So when I was experimenting I lowered the mids, and it was very noticeable, especially in the lead channel. More with a Strat than a SG.

So what I'm saying is the extra bite is very musical and rich as long as you keep some midrange in there. To my ears at least. Straight up with everything at twelve o'clock was very balanced. Hope that helps.

 

[bscfo1]

Well, I got my GnR back today and I have to say that you guys were right...this thing freaking rocks! I agree 100% with those that have said this is how the SL2 should have been all along.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with the SL2....No more. Sounds to me to be the perfect compliment to the the EG3/4, EG5 and the VX since it fills the void tonally between those 3 modules.

What I find amazing is that while the module is tighter and perhaps brighter, it sounds so much smoother and well defined than the stock SL2. I always had trouble dialing in the treble frequencies with the mids before. Seemed either ice-picky above 12:30 and too dark and dead below. I could leave everything at 12:00 and be happy after the mod. I am also a bit of a treble-nazi and this module doesn't grate on my ears at all.

I guess I am just impressed. Nice work Jeff! and Eric!

I agree - it does fill the void between those modules.

For kicks I tried to make the SL2 sound like the GnR. The only way I could get it close was by putting the bright switch on 2 and dialing back the treble pot. Then I dialed back some midrange (9:30), and put the bass switch on 1 and it's pot at 12:00. Then I had to bump the gain to match it. It gets close, but it doesn't feel the same and the mids are still slightly different. The GnR's mids remind me of the VX.

 

[muudrock]

Well, I got my GnR back today and I have to say that you guys were right...this thing freaking rocks! I agree 100% with those that have said this is how the SL2 should have been all along.
I've always had a love/hate relationship with the SL2....No more. Sounds to me to be the perfect compliment to the the EG3/4, EG5 and the VX since it fills the void tonally between those 3 modules.

What I find amazing is that while the module is tighter and perhaps brighter, it sounds so much smoother and well defined than the stock SL2. I always had trouble dialing in the treble frequencies with the mids before. Seemed either ice-picky above 12:30 and too dark and dead below. I could leave everything at 12:00 and be happy after the mod. I am also a bit of a treble-nazi and this module doesn't grate on my ears at all.

I guess I am just impressed. Nice work Jeff! and Eric!

I agree - it does fill the void between those modules.

For kicks I tried to make the SL2 sound like the GnR. The only way I could get it close was by putting the bright switch on 2 and dialing back the treble pot. Then I dialed back some midrange (9:30), and put the bass switch on 1 and it's pot at 12:00. Then I had to bump the gain to match it. It gets close, but it doesn't feel the same and the mids are still slightly different. The GnR's mids remind me of the VX.

I agree on the mids-at least the low mids. I also hear a hint of EG5 in the upper mids. Overall all the GnR mod sounds like a combination of the SL2, VX and EG5.
I'm definitely liking it.

 

[bscfo1]

I agree on the mids-at least the low mids. I also hear a hint of EG5 in the upper mids. Overall all the GnR mod sounds like a combination of the SL2, VX and EG5.
I'm definitely liking it

What you said really sums it up well. The GnR is rich and very forward, but very balanced too. My favorite right now.

 

[jakeddy]

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

Cool! My GnR is on the way as I type.

On another note just a "thank you" to Jeff for the great customer service. He was having a little trouble getting my shipping address to work with his shipping software and called me to verify. It was cool he cared enough to ask. Also the turn around has been good too, about a week.

 

[Perttu]

I also joined the club, just sent my SL2 to Jeff...

 

[viking22]

I read somewhere the Rebel was based on a SL2.Is it true?

 

[Doubleneck]

Eric, I know your online checking out this thread. CLIPS PLEASE!!!!!!!

 

[jakeddy]

Oh yeah! My GnR arrived today and it's everything it's cracked up to be.

 

[jmgman69]

Oh yeah! My GnR arrived today and it's everything it's cracked up to be.

Another satisfied customer

 

[jakeddy]

Absolutely! I was thinking about it today when the mod arrived, you can have an amp tweeked for about $50.00 without shipping it across the nation, what other amp can do this? The more I think about it the Mod 50 isn't just a cool idea it's a stinking great idea. There is always bound to be a new mod or tweek or even a new new module and I can try it without having to "unmod" the amp if I don't like it.

I know you all here are fully aware, I was just honestly thinking through this today.

The only other thing I might make a suggestion for would be a switch inside the module that would allow you to assign the boosts to either or both of the channels. That way the EQ could be tailored to them separately. (if that makes sense?) A cake and eat it thing.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Absolutely! I was thinking about it today when the mod arrived, you can have an amp tweeked for about $50.00 without shipping it across the nation, what other amp can do this? The more I think about it the Mod 50 isn't just a cool idea it's a stinking great idea. There is always bound to be a new mod or tweek or even a new new module and I can try it without having to "unmod" the amp if I don't like it.

I know you all here are fully aware, I was just honestly thinking through this today.

The only other thing I might make a suggestion for would be a switch inside the module that would allow you to assign the boosts to either or both of the channels. That way the EQ could be tailored to them separately. (if that makes sense?) A cake and eat it thing.

Yea, or an internal switch that assigns different EQ curves to the A and B channels.