shuguang 12AX7 plus SL2 = rock!!!!

[aeroic]

Sooooo guys...

I keep hearing that the SL2 is so "hair metal" but does it excel at just pure raunchy rock tones as well??

I'm contemplaiting it for my first module alongside the T/D. OR get a MHG before they are gone...

Looking for Cantrell "Facelift" tones here.

-Joe

i personally don't think that the SL2 is hair metal at all. I mean you could get those tones if you want, but I feel its a good classic rock tones (on channel a), think unmodded JCM 800 type of gain. CHannel B to me is more of a highly modified marshall tone. My opinion you can get that guns n roses tones from it, but also get some other hard rocking tones from it. It can get very nasty. In my opnion the SL2 is does something similar to facelift tones, but i feel the EG5 is more in line to AiC as its a little punchier and has a little more pronouced mid range. I absolutely love the EG5 with the chinese tubes in it. Probably one of my favorite modules.

HTH.

Eric

Thanks for the response Eric! I will probably own both at some point. I might just pick the MHG right now so I can have one before they are done with.

-Joe

No problem at all Joe!!! Like matt has said before, you can get w/ the EG5 by rolling off some of the highs and the mids. Its virtually the same distortion, just slightly voiced different. Just trying to help you save money, or to be able to get something vastly different!

But, its truly up to you ear...and how you want to rock out!!!!

Eric

 

[EWSEthan]

So we were tracking some guitars this weekend for our demo and I brought SL2, EG5, BMan, and TD with me. As you guys know, I had just put the Ruby Chinese 12AX7s in the SL2 and BMan.

We started with rhythm guitars and I wasnt sure if I was going to use SL2 or EG5. Figured Id start with SL2. I popped it in and THERE WAS THE TONE! Mic'ed up close and cranked it is just pure in-your-face ROCK. Me and my other guitar player just looked at each other with devilish grins. We dont play hair metal (I wouldnt mind actually, but the rest of my band wouldnt go for it!). SL2 was spitting out just a pure unadulterated monsterous rock tone. We loved it immediately and ended up using it for all the high gain rhythm tracks. My other guitar player has a Bogner Shiva that we didnt plug in once for the session.

One song is my Suhr Standard through SL2 in left channel and my other guitar player's Les Paul through SL2 in the right channel. It sounds killer. We wanted to add a little more punch and articulation so we also tracked a Tele through the B channel of Bassman playing the full (non-power) chords and run that straight up the middle. Ill try to get some clips for you guys. I did end up using EG5, but only for a solo. The lead tone is outrageous though!

Basically, anyone who says SL2 is for hair metal only, I strongly disagree. SL2 = RAW Hard Rock

In all seriousness, SL2, EG3/4 and EG5 can all do Hair Metal but alot of that has to do with EQing and what you are playing! If you are playing a Dropped D riff instead of Talk Dirty To Me, I dare you to convince me that it sounds like Hair Metal.

 

[jmgman69]

So we were tracking some guitars this weekend for our demo and I brought SL2, EG5, BMan, and TD with me. As you guys know, I had just put the Ruby Chinese 12AX7s in the SL2 and BMan.

We started with rhythm guitars and I wasnt sure if I was going to use SL2 or EG5. Figured Id start with SL2. I popped it in and THERE WAS THE TONE! Mic'ed up close and cranked it is just pure in-your-face ROCK. Me and my other guitar player just looked at each other with devilish grins. We dont play hair metal (I wouldnt mind actually, but the rest of my band wouldnt go for it!). SL2 was spitting out just a pure unadulterated monsterous rock tone. We loved it immediately and ended up using it for all the high gain rhythm tracks. My other guitar player has a Bogner Shiva that we didnt plug in once for the session.

One song is my Suhr Standard through SL2 in left channel and my other guitar player's Les Paul through SL2 in the right channel. It sounds killer. We wanted to add a little more punch and articulation so we also tracked a Tele through the B channel of Bassman playing the full (non-power) chords and run that straight up the middle. Ill try to get some clips for you guys. I did end up using EG5, but only for a solo. The lead tone is outrageous though!

Basically, anyone who says SL2 is for hair metal only, I strongly disagree. SL2 = RAW Hard Rock

In all seriousness, SL2, EG3/4 and EG5 can all do Hair Metal but alot of that has to do with EQing and what you are playing! If you are playing a Dropped D riff instead of Talk Dirty To Me, I dare you to convince me that it sounds like Hair Metal.

I know exactly what you mean

 

[AdamB]

We need a 'what settings are you using section!'

Spill the beans!

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

Thanks a lot guys!!

I suppose I can pass on the MHG. I have other amps that do that kind of thing well. Maybe I'll stick to my original plan and go with the SL2 and T/D.

-Joe

 

[EWSEthan]

SL2 can do Facelift no problem. TD is great, but if you want essentially 4 channels with the same EQ curve, I recommend BMan. But if you want REAL PRISTINE clean, TD is the right choice. BMan is warmer.

For SL2:

Treble 2 oclock
Mids 2 oclock
Bass 12 oclock
Channel A Gain just about cranked
Channel B Gain 3 oclock

and I THINK Bass Boost switched to left position.

Oh, and master between 2 and 3 oclock on high power.

 

[jmgman69]

Thanks a lot guys!!

I suppose I can pass on the MHG. I have other amps that do that kind of thing well. Maybe I'll stick to my original plan and go with the SL2 and T/D.

-Joe

You will not be sorry with the SL2,The T/D + fender SSS =Clean Heaven

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

Yeah!!

that's what I want. The Bman is tempting, but right now I want a really nice clean as well. I'm not in a band at the moment, so this will be for jamming, writing, recording.

I'll probably pick up the Bman later on.

-Joe

 

[EWSEthan]

TD is fantastic for clean cleans. I used it with some delay for some arpeggios on a ballad this weekend and it was out of this world!

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

TD is fantastic for clean cleans. I used it with some delay for some arpeggios on a ballad this weekend and it was out of this world!

Awesome...

I'd love to hear some clips of this demo if you could.

Did you use your Egnater 1x12??

-Joe

 

[EWSEthan]

TD is fantastic for clean cleans. I used it with some delay for some arpeggios on a ballad this weekend and it was out of this world!

Awesome...

I'd love to hear some clips of this demo if you could.

Did you use your Egnater 1x12??

-Joe

Actually no. Close mic'd v30 from a Bogner 2x12. But only because I was lazy. We are thinking that we want to use the v30 for all rhythms and my Egnater 1x12 with CL80 for leads. We didnt expect to do any leads this weekend so I didnt bring the cab but the moment struck! EG5 is fabulous for leads BTW.

Ill try to get some clips. They arent on my computer so I have to get them somehow.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

TD is fantastic for clean cleans. I used it with some delay for some arpeggios on a ballad this weekend and it was out of this world!

Awesome...

I'd love to hear some clips of this demo if you could.

Did you use your Egnater 1x12??

-Joe

Actually no. Close mic'd v30 from a Bogner 2x12. But only because I was lazy. We are thinking that we want to use the v30 for all rhythms and my Egnater 1x12 with CL80 for leads. We didnt expect to do any leads this weekend so I didnt bring the cab but the moment struck! EG5 is fabulous for leads BTW.

Ill try to get some clips. They arent on my computer so I have to get them somehow.

Cool, that will be much appreciated. I will be using my MOD50 with an Orange 2x12 w/ vintage 30s.

-Joe

 

[Telefied]

Joe I too am a big AIC and Cantrell fan. I agree with Matt that the SL2 is a pure raw rock tone. And before I posted this thread I would tell you that AIC was not in the SL2 but... I swear to jumping jesus on a pogo stick after going Chinese silver dragon 12AX7B in the v1 and v2 of the SL2 that AIC is in your reach on the SL2. One thing to keep in mind is to get those DIRT tones Jerry would quad track or sometimes 8x track the rhythm guitar parts with many diff amps and speakers. I do not mean "reamp" 2 takes a few times each but he would actually play the part like 4 plus times (yes he is that tight haha). Now there is no way to do this live and if you watch and of the live AIC footage you will see the DIRT songs sound much more raw and less thick than the album.

I agree you can get some convincing Facelift tones and some mean as hell Dirt worthy tones from the SL2. Depends on tubes, guitar, speaker and your hands. I do not find the SL2 hair metal but... that sound does not live in my guitars or hands so not sure what that tells ya. Now I am going to find an EG5 (anyone selling hee hee) soon and added it to my rigg but from what I read it may be the better "dirt" module.

I just tracked some cleans in te studio for a demo and thought the B;Man sounded better than the T/D hands down in the room but... with a mic in front of the speaker the T/D on channel A killed it. Best overall clean I have ever recorded personally.

Later

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

Joe I too am a big AIC and Cantrell fan. I agree with Matt that the SL2 is a pure raw rock tone. And before I posted this thread I would tell you that AIC was not in the SL2 but... I swear to jumping jesus on a pogo stick after going Chinese silver dragon 12AX7B in the v1 and v2 of the SL2 that AIC is in your reach on the SL2. One thing to keep in mind is to get those DIRT tones Jerry would quad track or sometimes 8x track the rhythm guitar parts with many diff amps and speakers. I do not mean "reamp" 2 takes a few times each but he would actually play the part like 4 plus times (yes he is that tight haha). Now there is no way to do this live and if you watch and of the live AIC footage you will see the DIRT songs sound much more raw and less thick than the album.

I agree you can get some convincing Facelift tones and some mean as hell Dirt worthy tones from the SL2. Depends on tubes, guitar, speaker and your hands. I do not find the SL2 hair metal but... that sound does not live in my guitars or hands so not sure what that tells ya. Now I am going to find an EG5 (anyone selling hee hee) soon and added it to my rigg but from what I read it may be the better "dirt" module.

I just tracked some cleans in te studio for a demo and thought the B;Man sounded better than the T/D hands down in the room but... with a mic in front of the speaker the T/D on channel A killed it. Best overall clean I have ever recorded personally.

Later

Cool, thanks for the reply man.

Basically I'm looking for the SL2 to be tight enough for some palm mutes if necessary, but still have the loose Marshall thing going on.

If that makes any sense.

-Joe

 

[aeroic]

Joe I too am a big AIC and Cantrell fan. I agree with Matt that the SL2 is a pure raw rock tone. And before I posted this thread I would tell you that AIC was not in the SL2 but... I swear to jumping jesus on a pogo stick after going Chinese silver dragon 12AX7B in the v1 and v2 of the SL2 that AIC is in your reach on the SL2. One thing to keep in mind is to get those DIRT tones Jerry would quad track or sometimes 8x track the rhythm guitar parts with many diff amps and speakers. I do not mean "reamp" 2 takes a few times each but he would actually play the part like 4 plus times (yes he is that tight haha). Now there is no way to do this live and if you watch and of the live AIC footage you will see the DIRT songs sound much more raw and less thick than the album.

I agree you can get some convincing Facelift tones and some mean as hell Dirt worthy tones from the SL2. Depends on tubes, guitar, speaker and your hands. I do not find the SL2 hair metal but... that sound does not live in my guitars or hands so not sure what that tells ya. Now I am going to find an EG5 (anyone selling hee hee) soon and added it to my rigg but from what I read it may be the better "dirt" module.

I just tracked some cleans in te studio for a demo and thought the B;Man sounded better than the T/D hands down in the room but... with a mic in front of the speaker the T/D on channel A killed it. Best overall clean I have ever recorded personally.

Later

Cool, thanks for the reply man.

Basically I'm looking for the SL2 to be tight enough for some palm mutes if necessary, but still have the loose Marshall thing going on.

If that makes any sense.

-Joe

I was jamming on the SL2 yesterday w/ my 2x12's w/ the Warehouse Speakers Vintage 30 clones, and playing along w/ Man in the Box by AiC. I was pretty close to nailing that tone from that album. I have a EH 12ax7 in V1 of the SL2 and the Tung-sol in V2 of the SL2, and it has that marshall sag (a wee bit of mid range mushiness I love since it is very smooth for soloing), but still is very tight for palm muted stuff. If you were planning on using it mainly for rhythm, I'd recommend putting a Chinese in V1 instead of the EH, because it will be a little tighter through the mid range. But since I use a EG5 for my main rhythm tone, I wanted something a little smoother (ala John Petrucciesque lead tone even though i'm not near as fast of a player as he is ) which the EH 12ax7 in V1 provided me.

It still gets a very bitey module (not icepick bitey, but more just mid-range snarl type of bite) and cuts very well through the mix. I love it man. You won't be disappointed. The EG5 has more of a soldano SLO type of vibe.

Eric

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

Joe I too am a big AIC and Cantrell fan. I agree with Matt that the SL2 is a pure raw rock tone. And before I posted this thread I would tell you that AIC was not in the SL2 but... I swear to jumping jesus on a pogo stick after going Chinese silver dragon 12AX7B in the v1 and v2 of the SL2 that AIC is in your reach on the SL2. One thing to keep in mind is to get those DIRT tones Jerry would quad track or sometimes 8x track the rhythm guitar parts with many diff amps and speakers. I do not mean "reamp" 2 takes a few times each but he would actually play the part like 4 plus times (yes he is that tight haha). Now there is no way to do this live and if you watch and of the live AIC footage you will see the DIRT songs sound much more raw and less thick than the album.

I agree you can get some convincing Facelift tones and some mean as hell Dirt worthy tones from the SL2. Depends on tubes, guitar, speaker and your hands. I do not find the SL2 hair metal but... that sound does not live in my guitars or hands so not sure what that tells ya. Now I am going to find an EG5 (anyone selling hee hee) soon and added it to my rigg but from what I read it may be the better "dirt" module.

I just tracked some cleans in te studio for a demo and thought the B;Man sounded better than the T/D hands down in the room but... with a mic in front of the speaker the T/D on channel A killed it. Best overall clean I have ever recorded personally.

Later

Cool, thanks for the reply man.

Basically I'm looking for the SL2 to be tight enough for some palm mutes if necessary, but still have the loose Marshall thing going on.

If that makes any sense.

-Joe

I was jamming on the SL2 yesterday w/ my 2x12's w/ the Warehouse Speakers Vintage 30 clones, and playing along w/ Man in the Box by AiC. I was pretty close to nailing that tone from that album. I have a EH 12ax7 in V1 of the SL2 and the Tung-sol in V2 of the SL2, and it has that marshall sag (a wee bit of mid range mushiness I love since it is very smooth for soloing), but still is very tight for palm muted stuff. If you were planning on using it mainly for rhythm, I'd recommend putting a Chinese in V1 instead of the EH, because it will be a little tighter through the mid range. But since I use a EG5 for my main rhythm tone, I wanted something a little smoother (ala John Petrucciesque lead tone even though i'm not near as fast of a player as he is ) which the EH 12ax7 in V1 provided me.

It still gets a very bitey module (not icepick bitey, but more just mid-range snarl type of bite) and cuts very well through the mix. I love it man. You won't be disappointed. The EG5 has more of a soldano SLO type of vibe.

Eric

Cool, that is what I'm going for.

At this point I'm leaning towards starting with the Bman/SL2, then getting the T/D and EG5 later on.

-Joe

 

[EWSEthan]

It really depends on what you want. SL2 is Facelift. Dirt and Tripod are probably more EG5, but SL2 will still get in the ballpark. Both sound great. Its just what you prefer.

EG5 is more hifi, SL2 is more raw if that makes any sense. SL2 has more of that signature AiC grind and sag IMO. Def go with the chinese preamp tubes though. They are the best Ive heard in SL2.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

It really depends on what you want. SL2 is Facelift. Dirt and Tripod are probably more EG5, but SL2 will still get in the ballpark. Both sound great. Its just what you prefer.

EG5 is more hifi, SL2 is more raw if that makes any sense. SL2 has more of that signature AiC grind and sag IMO. Def go with the chinese preamp tubes though. They are the best Ive heard in SL2.

Cool man...Which, the Shuguang 12ax7s??

-Joe

 

[Telefied]

Joe it is worth noting that, like Eric, am using Warehouse v30's in a closed back 2x12 when I am getting these AIC type tones out of the SL2. Also I am using a Les Paul custom with an overwound 500T at the bridge. I agree with Eric the Chinese in the v1 does give a tighter palm muting tone. Thus why i dig them. For what it is worth... I am using the 12AX7B these are a newer version than the 12AX7A (or C9 as some sites call them). The 12AX7B supposedly is more crisp with a bit more gain then the 12AX7A but I have never has the "A" so I can not compare.

 

[aeroic]

Joe it is worth noting that, like Eric, am using Warehouse v30's in a closed back 2x12 when I am getting these AIC type tones out of the SL2. Also I am using a Les Paul custom with an overwound 500T at the bridge. I agree with Eric the Chinese in the v1 does give a tighter palm muting tone. Thus why i dig them. For what it is worth... I am using the 12AX7B these are a newer version than the 12AX7A (or C9 as some sites call them). The 12AX7B supposedly is more crisp with a bit more gain then the 12AX7A but I have never has the "A" so I can not compare.

don't those warehouse 30's rock man!! i am getting a heritage 140 cm, and am putting a set of motor city pickups afwayu's in it, so I can wait to try that w/ the SL2.

The chinese tubes sound great in my eg5 and my SL2. I got the ones from the tubestore which are the 12ax7a's. where can i get the 12ax7b's, telefied?? I'd be curious to put them up next to the EH's and the 12ax7a's and do a review for you guys. Anyone have one they'd want to send me to do a review ...eheheh

Eric