Which pedal best get an SL close (gain wise) to SL2?

[Resonant Alien]

So, I have the SL and EG3/4 modules (as well as the T/D and VX). I keep wanting to get an SL2 also, but also keep thinking that it's a little overkill on the "Marshall" area to have the SL, SL2 and EG3/4. I am wondering if there is a boost/overdrive pedal that I could put in front of the SL that would get it into SL2-ish territory. I was thinking of something along the lines of an Xotic BB Preamp or Fulltone Fat Boost/FullDrive, etc.

....or am I barking up the wrong tree, i.e. is it even possible with more gain and some eq to get an SL close to an SL2?

Any suggestions? (Besides the obvious "just buy the SL2" answer )

 

[Gino]

From what I understand, the SL takes pedals very well as it doesn't have as many gain stages as, say, SL2. The SL is like a Plexi or JMP, so an OCD or any of those other pedals in front of it should rip. Can you get the SL into SL2 channel B territory? I don't know, but I'm guessing with the right pedal you can get something within the vicinity. There's a thread around here about the SL + pedals, but I can't seem to find it. I saw it maybe a month ago.

 

[Resonant Alien]

From what I understand, the SL takes pedals very well as it doesn't have as many gain stages as, say, SL2. The SL is like a Plexi or JMP, so an OCD or any of those other pedals in front of it should rip. Can you get the SL into SL2 channel B territory? I don't know, but I'm guessing with the right pedal you can get something within the vicinity. There's a thread around here about the SL + pedals, but I can't seem to find it. I saw it maybe a month ago.

Thanks......of course now that I think about it...by the time I put $200 into a pedal, I am already half way to an SL2 module....hmmmm

 

[muudrock]

The SL is more of a "blank canvass" meaning it will take alot of different pedals vith varying degrees of gain. The SL2 has more preamp gain in the module so the choice of pedals with good results is limited. The SL2 has somewhat less flexibility in this way although it is voiced perfectly IMO. If you want a good mid to low gain tones with the ability to add in higher gain flavors of your choice, I would opt for the SL. If you want to plug in and play and sound good without pedals, go for the SL2.

 

[aeroic]

The SL is more of a "blank canvass" meaning it will take alot of different pedals vith varying degrees of gain. The SL2 has more preamp gain in the module so the choice of pedals with good results is limited. The SL2 has somewhat less flexibility in this way although it is voiced perfectly IMO. If you want a good mid to low gain tones with the ability to add in higher gain flavors of your choice, I would opt for the SL. If you want to plug in and play and sound good without pedals, go for the SL2.

I agree with this comment here. I have both, and agree that the SL2 doesn't take pedals as well as the SL. I use the Voodoo Labs sparkle drive on all modules with great results for a boost / tube screamer sound. Its the only pedal I use for "boosting / distortion" as the SL2 / EG5 / Bassman / T/D / VX / COD are all the tones I really need. I just use the Sparkle Drive mainly on the Bassman, T/D, COD, and sometimes for a gain boost on solos, if I want UBER gain .

Eric

 

[Buckeyedog]

Like the guys said, most o/d pedals will get you there or at least close. You can go expensive and do the BB pre amp or Fulltone OCD or less expensive like the MI Audio stuff is great, or the basic Bad Monkey or SD-1 for cheap.

 

[gdgross]

I've got a rat clone and an 808 clone in my rack with the M4.

My SL module loves them both. Actually most of the modules I have take pedals well, but the SL and vox (ch A) in particular. I agree with the blank canvas comment.

Those two pedals and one more (adding a tonebender-type fuzz to the rack soon) and the modules I have will get me almost amywhere I want to be gain wise, but I'm not really a medal player. Alterbridge is about as heavy as I'll ever be.