KSR Gemini vs Friedman Butterslax

[Meeotch]

After watching lots of clips and reading threads, I'm really GASing for one of these. Honestly, I was dead set on the Gemini but now the Butterslax seems like a solid contender. I play mostly hard rock and metal, anything from Grunge to 80's thrash to modern death metal.

The Gemini just seems more modern in general, not only it's tone, but it's implementation (tone shaping, midi, etc). The cleans sound amazing too.

The Butterslax has that highly regarded hot-rodded tone paired with the most aggressive voicing from Friedman to date, yeah? But no midi, and not even switchable effects loop, sigh...(I run an FX8 and would appreciate MIDI) But it's said to have an amazingly transparent loop.

I know both heads get a lot of love around here, but if you had to pick one?

 

[Gsxrbusa]

After watching lots of clips and reading threads, I'm really GASing for one of these. Honestly, I was dead set on the Gemini but now the Butterslax seems like a solid contender. I play mostly hard rock and metal, anything from Grunge to 80's thrash to modern death metal.

The Gemini just seems more modern in general, not only it's tone, but it's implementation (tone shaping, midi, etc). The cleans sound amazing too.

The Butterslax has that highly regarded hot-rodded tone paired with the most aggressive voicing from Friedman to date, yeah? But no midi, and not even switchable effects loop, sigh...(I run an FX8 and would appreciate MIDI) But it's said to have an amazingly transparent loop.

I know both heads get a lot of love around here, but if you had to pick one?

You have already made your decision bro. I believe the KSR will make you happier.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Gemini gets my vote. Also built like a tank.

 

[errrrrl]

I agree with Gsxrbusa. If you want midi, and are into cleans and tone shaping I'm thinking the Gemini sounds right up your alley.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Butterslax, it's the closest I've ever gotten to a dream amp. I like that it has no switches (BE/HBE/bright/whatever). Just 3 channels, heavy ch3, I like to call ch2 Kill'em all and ch1 is very plexi like to me. I don't tone shape whats so ever, I pretty much set the amp the way I liked it from day 1 on channel 3 and never touched anything since... no od or anything in front is needed. It's the perfect riff chugging amp for me

With that said I also have my eyes on KSR amps as well. I blame Gsxrbusa for his damn great sounding videos

 

[Deleted member 22177]

What about a Revv?

 

[Meeotch]

Yeah, I think you guys are right. I'm coming from an EVH 50w, love that thing to death but just looking for a new flavor. The wifey says she's prego, so I'm like...gotta buy amps NOW!

The Revv's seem really cool for sure. I guess at some point you just got to narrow it down.

 

[7 Stringer]

What about a Revv?

100P!!!

I got my eyes on that one pretty badly.

Love my modded BE though, has the JBE switch and that gets HEAVY!!!!!

 

[LunatiBSW]

Ive actually played both at volume, without rush or restriction.
Own one of them.
They are both great amps, top tier for sure.
If I had to go for straight tone, it would be the slax, there’s a feel to it that’s just awesome, and it can get Marshally modern, with lots of grit, punch, and clarity.
The Gemini has TONS of “modes.” Many of them were good, a few of them are stellar. I was amazed at how many colors or variations could be had. Great for the guys that like to tweak. My buddy was switching through the options and it blew my mind, it changed so many colors. Very cool.
The Gemini is a modern tone at the end of the day. Where the butterslax is like a modern take on a vintage tone. The clean is clean stock on the KSR, where you have to work to get a clean on the slax.
But I’m getting my slax modded for a “clean” mode on channel 1, so that’s always a possibility.
If you need midi, you only have one option.
I’ve found a phenomenal tone on each channel of the slax, and I’m getting it modded to be my perfect modern Marshally flame thrower. The base is still bat shit crazy good.
The Gemini will give you much more modern features though. Friedman’s are more old school in that sense but do have an awesome loop as well.
I will have a KsR in my stable after playing my buddies, but not in a rush right now. Def different amps and tones though. Really what your wanting out of it.

 

[JerEvil]

Man it’s like asking to choose which one of your twin children you should give up! Both are amazing. If you like to tweak then go KSR all the way. If you gig and need a clean you can get it in the Slax but probably need splittable humbuckers and roll the volume back. I show this on my playthrough vids of it.

That said I just ordered a Gemini...

 

[Meeotch]

Awesome feedback guys. Yes the slax just has something about it that keeps me wanting it, some kind of special sauce. Can anyone comment on the bedroom tones of these amps? One thing I noticed with the slax is that it seems to just have channel volumes (even though they are labeled master) while the KSR has true master volume(s), which might facilitate better bedroom volumes?

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Awesome feedback guys. Yes the slax just has something about it that keeps me wanting it, some kind of special sauce. Can anyone comment on the bedroom tones of these amps? One thing I noticed with the slax is that it seems to just have channel volumes (even though they are labeled master) while the KSR has true master volume(s), which might facilitate better bedroom volumes?

Actually I liked the low volume tones of my Gemini better with the global MV up around 11-1:00 and then adjust the overall volume with the 2 channel masters... you can better fine tune the volume the other way around, channel volume up around 1:00 and global mv around 9:00... but it doesn't sound as good... not nearly as alive and present. The Gemini sounds great though at very low volumes, no worries.

I've noticed this same thing on several other high gainers with a similar control layout.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Awesome feedback guys. Yes the slax just has something about it that keeps me wanting it, some kind of special sauce. Can anyone comment on the bedroom tones of these amps? One thing I noticed with the slax is that it seems to just have channel volumes (even though they are labeled master) while the KSR has true master volume(s), which might facilitate better bedroom volumes?

I feel very fortunate that I'm back in a SF home and can play at any desired volume, but the bedroom volumes are phenomenal and the amp was VERY usable when I was in my apartment. In addition to the channel and master, you've got the loop line levels which really help dial in volume/saturation. At least the Ares does.

 

[DeathbyButterslax]

It's a pretty tough call but its one of those good problems, you'll be happy either way. Butterslax is great at low volumes no worries there, tightens up nicely when you crank it though. Honestly I wouldn't think too hard about it, otherwise you'll end up gassing for the one that you don't get haha.

 

[GOHOINC]

Easy to add midi to the slax for $100 or less... Voodoo lab control switcher...

 

[nothingeined]

Definitely love the Butterslax coming from the Revv 120 MK2 I had previously. For bedroom volumes it still works great and has such a great feel. I live on channel 1 with the gain maxed. Perfect mixture of gain on it. The other channels are just as awesome when it comes to the heavier tones.

 

[errrrrl]

Bedroom volume with the slax is a non issue. I was just playing last night from midnight to about 1 am maybe 25 feet from my kid's room. Sounds great at low volumes.

 

[reilly]

I can’t comment on either amp but regarding the fx8 if you are not running any other gear with midi you don’t really need it. I have a Friedman runt 50 that I run 4 cable with a fx8 and can do all my channel switching with the fx8 control switch outs (no midi needed) I run a snake from the fx8 to the amp and I’m done.wireless is mounted on my board.

 

[Rev]

KSR Juno, but I’m completely biased.

 

[Meeotch]

regarding the fx8 if you are not running any other gear with midi you don’t really need it.

Good point!

Yes the Juno really has my attention too, head explosion.

 

[rottingcorpse]

KSR Juno, but I’m completely biased.

Grrr! (Its like I'm jelly of the guy with the hot trophy wife)