What would you say is the best van halen module?

[mentoneman]

There is the "perceived" VH1 tone and the "real" VH1 tone. Many would say SL2 or SL2X but, in reality, those modules have a ton more gain than EVH used back then. Go back and listen and you will find that he had less gain than we think, minimal low end and lots of high end. In reality the SL B side is probably closer. I remember comparing our modules to a great sounding Plexi Marshall using a switcher so we could flip back and forth between the Marshall and the modules. That was an enlightening experience. With the guitar volume knob full up, we thought we had nailed it with the SL2. Turning the guitar volume down revealed we had WAY more gain than the Marshall even thought they sounded very close with the guitar knob full up. Turned out the SL B was much more like the real Plexi though the SL2 with more gain was , of course, easier and more fun to play. So, when you say VH1, you must clarify in your mind what is real and what is perceived.

Egnater....

bingo
don't starve your eggie; drop preamp gain as far as you can stand it and crank the power tubes. That is where you start looking for the brown sound.

 

[EWSEthan]

There is the "perceived" VH1 tone and the "real" VH1 tone. Many would say SL2 or SL2X but, in reality, those modules have a ton more gain than EVH used back then. Go back and listen and you will find that he had less gain than we think, minimal low end and lots of high end. In reality the SL B side is probably closer. I remember comparing our modules to a great sounding Plexi Marshall using a switcher so we could flip back and forth between the Marshall and the modules. That was an enlightening experience. With the guitar volume knob full up, we thought we had nailed it with the SL2. Turning the guitar volume down revealed we had WAY more gain than the Marshall even thought they sounded very close with the guitar knob full up. Turned out the SL B was much more like the real Plexi though the SL2 with more gain was , of course, easier and more fun to play. So, when you say VH1, you must clarify in your mind what is real and what is perceived.

Egnater....

Interesting... Thanks a lot Bruce, this helps a ton. How did Eddie get his tone to sound like he had more gain?

I would say a cranked power section and multiple tracks.

 

[jlbaxe]

lol evh was on 2 and a half men monday night.

 

[Superunknown]

Here are samples of the raw RWTD VH1 tracks. One track is with the Celestians and one with JBL's....the combo of speakers had a great deal to do with the tone....

 

[marvcus]

There is the "perceived" VH1 tone and the "real" VH1 tone. Many would say SL2 or SL2X but, in reality, those modules have a ton more gain than EVH used back then. Go back and listen and you will find that he had less gain than we think, minimal low end and lots of high end. In reality the SL B side is probably closer. I remember comparing our modules to a great sounding Plexi Marshall using a switcher so we could flip back and forth between the Marshall and the modules. That was an enlightening experience. With the guitar volume knob full up, we thought we had nailed it with the SL2. Turning the guitar volume down revealed we had WAY more gain than the Marshall even thought they sounded very close with the guitar knob full up. Turned out the SL B was much more like the real Plexi though the SL2 with more gain was , of course, easier and more fun to play. So, when you say VH1, you must clarify in your mind what is real and what is perceived.

Egnater....

Interesting... Thanks a lot Bruce, this helps a ton. How did Eddie get his tone to sound like he had more gain?

I would say a cranked power section and multiple tracks.

and a Variac at 89-90 volts.