napalmdeath
Well-known member
I got it New Year's Eve. I've had some time to run it through it's paces, and all I can say is WOW!
Now, I've had 3 of these in the past. One when they came out, (sold that to Rayneman), another a year later, and a third, around 2016? I liked them, but never overwhelmed, until now. I don't know what it is, (well, could be a few things, cabs, pickups, speakers), but this one has major mojo. It did, however, make me sell my Schecter Banshee, only because it made me realize I absolutely loathe EMG's. My Solo-6 Custom with a SD Custom-Custom and '59 just breathes fire, and I've never had such an expressive tone, with so much rich, harmonic goodness with an EVH, I've been actually in shock. I'm also running (4) UK Greenbacks in my Randall 4x12. Uh, yeah... Greenbacks CAN get tight AF. And, back off the volume a tad with the '59's, CH2/blue can do Gary Moore blues all day long, (a testament of a great guitar, as well).
I did a couple things, however, which I think really opened things up. Bias was around 29, and plate voltage 495. 70% would be closer to 42mA, but I opted for closer to 60-65%, as I've read many say, (including the amp's designer), that 30mA was recommended for a cleaner power section, but I went 37mA, and I say hogwash to 30. 37mA really opened it up, IMO. I also went with a Tungsol in V1, and Mullard CV4004 in V2, and a lower gain/balanced JJ ECC83S in V3, (it was graded 95/95, when most go 100 or more), and another balanced in the PI. I know the stock tubes are JJ, but there was a noticeable difference, IMO. The Tungsol in V1 brought some grit to CH2/blue, while the CV4004 warmed it back up, and fattened CH3 red a tad. As most know, CH3 is over the top, but also much more high-mid focused. This brought it closer to CH2.
It takes boosts very well. I hung onto the Airis Savage Drive, and I'm glad I did! It's just a beast with the EVH, clean, and quiet. Though, I picked up a Timmy that I'll have tomorrow.
I loved the Thrasher, but there was something I was fighting, that I couldn't put my finger on, (other than I kept telling myself I should have gotten the 120). The tone was there. In spades. But, the EVH is pretty special. I know they tweaked the clean/green channel with these V2's, (along with the added concentric pots for gain/volume), but, compared to the others I owned prior, this one is on a whole other level. I'm extremely pleased. It's just plain killer. I'm running an RP1000 in the loop for FX only, and have everything I need, (except a good harmonizer!)
Now, I've had 3 of these in the past. One when they came out, (sold that to Rayneman), another a year later, and a third, around 2016? I liked them, but never overwhelmed, until now. I don't know what it is, (well, could be a few things, cabs, pickups, speakers), but this one has major mojo. It did, however, make me sell my Schecter Banshee, only because it made me realize I absolutely loathe EMG's. My Solo-6 Custom with a SD Custom-Custom and '59 just breathes fire, and I've never had such an expressive tone, with so much rich, harmonic goodness with an EVH, I've been actually in shock. I'm also running (4) UK Greenbacks in my Randall 4x12. Uh, yeah... Greenbacks CAN get tight AF. And, back off the volume a tad with the '59's, CH2/blue can do Gary Moore blues all day long, (a testament of a great guitar, as well).
I did a couple things, however, which I think really opened things up. Bias was around 29, and plate voltage 495. 70% would be closer to 42mA, but I opted for closer to 60-65%, as I've read many say, (including the amp's designer), that 30mA was recommended for a cleaner power section, but I went 37mA, and I say hogwash to 30. 37mA really opened it up, IMO. I also went with a Tungsol in V1, and Mullard CV4004 in V2, and a lower gain/balanced JJ ECC83S in V3, (it was graded 95/95, when most go 100 or more), and another balanced in the PI. I know the stock tubes are JJ, but there was a noticeable difference, IMO. The Tungsol in V1 brought some grit to CH2/blue, while the CV4004 warmed it back up, and fattened CH3 red a tad. As most know, CH3 is over the top, but also much more high-mid focused. This brought it closer to CH2.
It takes boosts very well. I hung onto the Airis Savage Drive, and I'm glad I did! It's just a beast with the EVH, clean, and quiet. Though, I picked up a Timmy that I'll have tomorrow.
I loved the Thrasher, but there was something I was fighting, that I couldn't put my finger on, (other than I kept telling myself I should have gotten the 120). The tone was there. In spades. But, the EVH is pretty special. I know they tweaked the clean/green channel with these V2's, (along with the added concentric pots for gain/volume), but, compared to the others I owned prior, this one is on a whole other level. I'm extremely pleased. It's just plain killer. I'm running an RP1000 in the loop for FX only, and have everything I need, (except a good harmonizer!)
, I would like to try one again sometime to see if I'd hear it differently.
