Is Synergy still Worthy?

[Shask]

I have been playing guitar since 85' and over the years have had huge tube amps and solid state and also chased the trends. I had a Johnson Amplification amp, LINE 6, Tech 21 analog, Fractal, etc.

Several years ago I started feeling like my tone was not organic enough and wanted that tube or close to tube tone but also wanted lighter, simple, etc. The thing I like about amp modules is that you can be a desktop recorder, coffeehouse player, or arena, and can take that module and create around it.

I really liked the Synergy tone with my 20IR amp. Then I got the Fryette and love it even more. These preamps are from the companies and then you are using whatever you need to get volume, convenience, etc. If i hadn't gone down the Synergy route I probably would have snagged a Fractal unit and did the modelling thing again. I'm glad though that I have tube sound but in a convenient package.

Right now I have my Syn-2 hooked up through a Fractal VP4, a Mesa 2:90, and 2 Marshall 4x12 cabs. HUGE tone! Best of both worlds!

 

[Shask]

I can echo some statements here. Power amp matters a surprising amount.

At first, I had a SYN-1 and no power amp. I was running it through my EVH 100S and Mark VII power sections initially. Running the IIC module through the Mark VII in IIC+ mode, we could barely tell any difference. Easy to forget which is the module and which is the amp.

I tried a couple of the small pedal board SS power amps, and they were not good.

I tried a Power Station, and felt it was too neutral.

Eventually, I landed on a KSR PA50, and it brought these modules to life in a surprising way. The Powerball module quickly became my favorite with that power amp. By then, I had already moved the IIC module (redundant with the VII), and I replaced it with the UL module, which was a close second behind the Powerball.

I also ran the Powerball module through my other guitar player's Powerball II, and there was no difference. We could not tell a difference between the module and the amp. Literally identical tone. It was kind of shocking.

I have been curious about the KSR power amps. I didnt pay too much attention to them since they weren't stereo, but the more I play, the more sometimes I prefer mono because it is punchier and clearer for high gain.

I switch my modules out all the time, but I am also currently loving the Ultra Lead and Powerball.

 

[mentoneman]

I can echo some statements here. Power amp matters a surprising amount.

At first, I had a SYN-1 and no power amp. I was running it through my EVH 100S and Mark VII power sections initially. Running the IIC module through the Mark VII in IIC+ mode, we could barely tell any difference. Easy to forget which is the module and which is the amp.

I tried a couple of the small pedal board SS power amps, and they were not good.

I tried a Power Station, and felt it was too neutral.

Eventually, I landed on a KSR PA50, and it brought these modules to life in a surprising way. The Powerball module quickly became my favorite with that power amp. By then, I had already moved the IIC module (redundant with the VII), and I replaced it with the UL module, which was a close second behind the Powerball.

I also ran the Powerball module through my other guitar player's Powerball II, and there was no difference. We could not tell a difference between the module and the amp. Literally identical tone. It was kind of shocking.

i run the dry in my wdw through the return of my mark III simul head/halfback 4x12 and it sounds killer.

 

[mentoneman]

I run a wdw system with three Syn 2’s. I use the Fryette PS100 for the dry and an ART SLA2 for the wets. I have other stereo tube power amps (Engl and Mesa) but I find that I like the PS100 best with the Synergy modules because it is more transparent and lets the individual character of each module stand out. The stereo power amps or a head for the matter always have a distinct coloring that they add to the sound, which I find make the modules sound more similar, especially the high gain modules.

this would be a good topic for one of the youtuber to cover. synergy power amp shootout.

 

[mentoneman]

 

[mentoneman]

wonder when this and the pedalhead will be available, and cost??

 

[Shask]

If the convenience was the only thing, it would be a toss up. The fact that it slays the all in one amps I have played makes it a no brainer. I am being patient to be responsible, but I will be getting my synergy setup as soon as it is feasible

What other amps have you compared Synergy against where you thought Synergy slayed them?

 

[Shask]

I know Ola was picky enough to drag his KSR KA50 around to get more tube feel live, so if he likes this pedal, I think that says something.

 

[japetus]

I know Ola was picky enough to drag his KSR KA50 around to get more tube feel live, so if he likes this pedal, I think that says something.

Shask, my SS posse homie.. look how cheap the Fly Rig Tech 21 PL are going for...I'm just saying

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

What other amps have you compared Synergy against where you thought Synergy slayed them?

Wizard, mesa, bogner, fryette. I have played a ton of amps. It would probably be shorter to give a list of amps I haven't played

 

[Shask]

Shask, my SS posse homie.. look how cheap the Fly Rig Tech 21 PL are going for...I'm just saying

Sweetwater is having a really good sale on the Tech 21 Sansamp PSA-1 2.0 pedal for only $129. I considered getting because I dont know if I have ever seen those that cheap, and I remember having and liking the rack unit years ago.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...r2DTDjYMUF3vfV_ZCslOw1QYwFyfo4hUaAjTbEALw_wcB

 

[japetus]

Sweetwater is having a really good sale on the Tech 21 Sansamp PSA-1 2.0 pedal for only $129. I considered getting because I dont know if I have ever seen those that cheap, and I remember having and liking the rack unit years ago.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...r2DTDjYMUF3vfV_ZCslOw1QYwFyfo4hUaAjTbEALw_wcB

Thank you for the heads up, always a OG knows

 

[Shask]

Wizard, mesa, bogner, fryette. I have played a ton of amps. It would probably be shorter to give a list of amps I haven't played

I still always wonder because I just dont see all those fancy brands around here, but I always wonder just HOW much better they could be over Synergy when you are using a nice big power amp.

I know the modules that are similar to amps I own, or have owned, like 6505s, Rectos, JCM800s, etc... aren't dramatically different.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I still always wonder because I just dont see all those fancy brands around here, but I always wonder just HOW much better they could be over Synergy when you are using a nice big power amp.

I know the modules that are similar to amps I own, or have owned, like 6505s, Rectos, JCM800s, etc... aren't dramatically different.

Yeah. With the right power amp, they are impossible to detect the difference. However, some of the power amps can add something the original never had.

When Matt told me he was moving a bunch of his amps for synergy, I thought he was just trying to get a cheaper setup. But I know now

 

[Skinwalker]

Sweetwater is having a really good sale on the Tech 21 Sansamp PSA-1 2.0 pedal for only $129. I considered getting because I dont know if I have ever seen those that cheap, and I remember having and liking the rack unit years ago.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...r2DTDjYMUF3vfV_ZCslOw1QYwFyfo4hUaAjTbEALw_wcB

That is a crazy low price. I have always assumed this pedal is NOT the same as the old rack unit from the early 90s but I don’t know. I had one of the original PSA 1.1 with a MosValve power amp from ‘93-‘94 but it was complicated for my young dumb mind LOL. Ditched it for a JCM 900 which suited me better.

As for the Synergy stuff, it sounds good and is knob-based rather than menu-based which is awesome IMO. I had the SYN-2 with Pitbull, Uber and the Fender Twin modules. Of those, I loved the Uberschall; could take or leave the other 2. As has been mentioned, the power amp matters a lot. At first I used it with one of those Duncan 170 SS power amps and was very underwhelmed. Then I got an old VHT 2902. BOOM! That sounded killer with the Uber module. Ultimately I decided I didn’t like it better than my amp heads and just decided to let it go. Can’t keep everything.

 

[stratjacket]

I have 4 SYN2’s running through a KSR PA100R with 6L6’s and it’s what I play 99% of the time. I was up to 9 amps and it took my a long time to come to grips these little modules sound right up there with heads. I sold 5 amps and kept 4. I’m not going to say Synergy is “better”, but it’s damn good and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I highly recommend with a good power amp.

 

[ElMuchoDingo]

So a question for those who have had the 50/50 or the 50 head. As far as cabinet response, bass, punch if you compared with the actual amp in s it close or equal? I find that a lot of power amps don’t punch with the same intensity of the amp

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

So a question for those who have had the 50/50 or the 50 head. As far as cabinet response, bass, punch if you compared with the actual amp in s it close or equal? I find that a lot of power amps don’t punch with the same intensity of the amp

The combo was a bit lacking. The 2/90/2 punched harder than most amps besides Wizards, groundzero, monomyth

 

[CarlF]

So a question for those who have had the 50/50 or the 50 head. As far as cabinet response, bass, punch if you compared with the actual amp in s it close or equal? I find that a lot of power amps don’t punch with the same intensity of the amp

I got the 50 head about a year. Regardless of what anybody says, that head weighs as much or very close to any SLO 100 I've had.
There are nice trannys inside. Big, like my PRS Hendrix head.
IMO, based on my amps, what you see in the pic, and in the other room is a Mesa MK VII and Soldano X88ir. I got the 3rd Power Dragon 100 too. The Synergy hangs with any of them.
I currently have the Marshall 800 and SLO 2 modules and the other Marshall module Plexi style.

I play at relatively lower volumes, and I round- robin the amps often. The Synergy holds it's own. Most times I prefer it. In a blind test it may not be so obvious.
Now if Power Amp distortion is something you need, maybe then, it's the wrong amp.
I'd love to know where anybody is playing, using Power Amp distortion (without an attenuator) Most venues will not stand for it.
All I could say is, I WISH the Synergy was around when I had bands.
I got the footswitch, so I can switch between 2 channels of Marshall and 2 channels of SLO. I love it.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I got the 50 head about a year. Regardless of what anybody says, that head weighs as much or very close to any SLO 100 I've had.
There are nice trannys inside. Big, like my PRS Hendrix head.
IMO, based on my amps, what you see in the pic, and in the other room is a Mesa MK VII and Soldano X88ir. I got the 3rd Power Dragon 100 too. The Synergy hangs with any of them.
I currently have the Marshall 800 and SLO 2 modules and the other Marshall module Plexi style.

I play at relatively lower volumes, and I round- robin the amps often. The Synergy holds it's own. Most times I prefer it. In a blind test it may not be so obvious.
Now if Power Amp distortion is something you need, maybe then, it's the wrong amp.
I'd love to know where anybody is playing, using Power Amp distortion (without an attenuator) Most venues will not stand for it.
All I could say is, I WISH the Synergy was around when I had bands.
I got the footswitch, so I can switch between 2 channels of Marshall and 2 channels of SLO. I love it.

View attachment 459612

Yes. This makes sense, somewhat. If you play at low volumes, it may be fine.

But if you want punch, go big or go home