On the Gig: SL2 vs. EG5

[jarrett]

I thought I would throw this out there for people interested. I've been gigging the EG5 almost exclusively since it came out. I think I got the first one that actually said EG5 on it, but not certain. In most rooms we play the EG5 sits perfectly in the mix. Last Wednesday we played in a chapel and it sounded kinda buzzy/had a sizzle in there. I was wishing I had my SL2 to slap in to compare, but I left it at home. So I decided to A/B the SL2 for yesterday's set just to see how it sounds.

During practice/sound check I swapped the SL2 and EG5 out at different times and decided that I liked the EG5 hands down. Not because it sounded better as both modules sound great on their own, but because the EG5 cuts so much better in a live mix. At home I could go either way on those two modules because they both sound great and have their own character, but on stage I love the EG5. The SL2 sounded great when I was tuning up/warming up. It has all the modded Marshall goodness going for it, but when the full band kicks in at full stage volume, I lose a good chunk of the spectrum and just hear the low mids/mids mostly with the SL2 (also as I have with several amps in the past)

The EG5 on the other hand sits so well in the mix and does not get lost at all. When going back and forth between them I did notice the sizzle again, so I worked on the EQ a bit. Made sure the bright boost was turned off, dialed back the treble a hair, rolled up the mids a hair and brought back the overall presence on the amp to noon. That brought the sizzle down enough that it still cut in the mix, but also retained that clarity and punch while giving a little more of the SL2 Marshall flavor. Somewhere between modded Marshall and a Soldano-ish thing. I was completely happy with my tones at that point. VX/EG5/6L6s in this amp makes me a happy camper. I think I am going to sell the SL2 at this point if anyone is interested.

 

[EWSEthan]

I actually noticed this as well. I never had any trouble being heard in a mix with an SL2 and I still dont. However, the EG5 really seems to find the sweet spot and dare I say it, even sometimes dominate a mix.

That said they sound really different and while they can more or less cover the same ground, they feel very different and are each best at their own thing. When I want more vintage high gain, its all SL2. When I want modern and in your face its EG5 (or E-Rect). For that reason alone I couldnt ever part with one or the other!

 

[muudrock]

I I think I am going to sell the SL2 at this point if anyone is interested.

Um, I'm interested......

Let me know when/if you do.

BTW, great write-up. I have an MHG that is going in for the EG-5 mod and what your describing is what I'm looking for.

 

[richedie]

A friend of mine traded the MHG for the EG5 but found it way to bright and 80s so he went back to the MHG. For this reason, I fear buying that module. I like thick warmth in my tone. I bet the SL2 would be another I love. I wish Bruce would make a modern high gain module that was not as bright as the EG but not as dark as the MHG. Anyone find a good Bogner type module???? Randall makes a nice Bogner module!!!
I don't think I could buy the E Rec because I need good lead. Rectifier always have thin, thin lead.

 

[MarcoR]

I'm loving the EG3/4 I bought from Buckeyedog; The B channel is great for solos! I didn't like my UXL/EG5 either as it was too bright for my taste and didn't mesh well with the Bman. The SL2, EG3/4 and Bman all seem to have the same EQ curve; with the EQ at 12:00 going through each of the channels, there is a natural progression of gain and compression.

 

[jarrett]

Have you guys listened to Jeff HIlligan's comparison clips of the MHG and EG5? His clip of the EG5 doesn't sound bright to me, just good.

 

[richedie]

I'm loving the EG3/4 I bought from Buckeyedog; The B channel is great for solos! I didn't like my UXL/EG5 either as it was too bright for my taste and didn't mesh well with the Bman. The SL2, EG3/4 and Bman all seem to have the same EQ curve; with the EQ at 12:00 going through each of the channels, there is a natural progression of gain and compression.

Yes, I am thinking, my modules will be SL2, EG3/4, MHG and Bman. Now I just need the SL2 and EG3/4. Loving the BMan and MHG.

 

[EWSEthan]

Have you guys listened to Jeff HIlligan's comparison clips of the MHG and EG5? His clip of the EG5 doesn't sound bright to me, just good.

I agree. My EG5 does not sound bright. It sounds RIGHT. The key is to EQ with your ears not eyes. I run my treble at about 10 oclock (Before Noon, GASP!). I found with my MHG that even running my treble at 3 oclock didnt give me enough highs.

And the EG5 does not sound 80s to me. Its just thick, full, and in your face... just like my (wait Im not going to go there... ) Its interesting how amps like SLO-100 are known as "80s amps". I think alot of people would be suprised on just how many records amps like SLO-100 appear on that do not sound "80s". Producers rely on studio staple amps like this and we often have no idea. Modern bands like Lostprophets are known to use SLO-100 and their sound is not very 80s most of the time.

Alot of it has to do with how you EQ, how you play, and what the rest of your gear is.

 

[richedie]

That is cool. I am just saying for my tastes the MHG has plenty of highs for me. I have used it live and heard it from the audience and loved it so I havn't felt the need to switch. To each his own I guess.

The lead tone is unreal.

 

[EWSEthan]

That is cool. I am just saying for my tastes the MHG has plenty of highs for me. I have used it live and heard it from the audience and loved it so I havn't felt the need to switch. To each his own I guess.

The lead tone is unreal.

True that. They are somewhat different flavors of the same thing. One question: when you play out, are you the only guitar player? I can see the MHG working alot better in that setting. In my band, the other guitarist plays a Bogner Shiva and when I used to use the MHG I had a hard time hearing myself. Not with EG5!

 

[jmgman69]

I'm really dying to try one of these out before I make the plunge!

 

[MarcoR]

jmgman69, do you use your M4 with your MOD50 via an axess switcher? If so, how's that working out for ya? I'm considering this as I'm afraid I'm going to wear out the connectors swapping the modules all the time...

 

[jmgman69]

jmgman69, do you use your M4 with your MOD50 via an axess switcher? If so, how's that working out for ya? I'm considering this as I'm afraid I'm going to wear out the connectors swapping the modules all the time...

No,I use them separate.I bought the M4 because I thought I would wear them out swapping back and forth.

 

[MarcoR]

jmgman69, do you use your M4 with your MOD50 via an axess switcher? If so, how's that working out for ya? I'm considering this as I'm afraid I'm going to wear out the connectors swapping the modules all the time...

No,I use them separate.I bought the M4 because I thought I would wear them out swapping back and forth.

What power amp are you using for the M4?

 

[jmgman69]

I have the RT2/50 ,and the G system for a control/fx,sounds stellar

 

[blumuz123]

I am curious.....

How does your M4 setup sound different than the Mod50 when you use the same modules in each?

Have you ever plugged the M4 directly into the Mod50? How does that sound compare when using the same modules?

thanks
blumuz123

 

[jmgman69]

I am curious.....

How does your M4 setup sound different than the Mod50 when you use the same modules in each?

Have you ever plugged the M4 directly into the Mod50? How does that sound compare when using the same modules?

thanks
blumuz123

I've never plug it in the MOD but they are pretty similar in overall sound,when using same power tubes,but a different feel,I use 6L6 and E34ls in the RT and I have YJ triodes in my MOD right now,so they are totally different in feel and overall sound,the RT plays like a 100 watter even in switching mode and just gets enormous in stereo mode,I really love them both.