Stupid Question of the Day regarding top end "bite"

[marvcus]

Marshall top-end bite, mainly. I love a biting Marshall tone. Is it achieved from the
power section or the preamp section?

 

[mboogman]

Yes.

 

[Bucksears]

Don't forget the speakers

 

[dan desy]

Yes.

*Like*

 

[mboogman]

So to put the smart aleck comment aside, that signature marshal top end bite (AKA "Kerrang") is definitely a combination of the preamp and power amp section, but with the right module you can get close. Try a lower gain setting with the EG5. It gets pretty close IMO. The SL is a great module for this too, but it doesn't seem to have the nasty attitude for that kind of sound, which is why I say EG5. With the gain around 9:00 and the tone controls around noon, put the bright switch on 1 or 2 depending on your cabinet, and that should put you well on your way. I like to sometimes set the EG5 up with just enough gain to not be hairy, but lots of high end. Overall a great sound.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

I have a Tourmaster, so I can't speak to modular, but I want to emphasize the power amp role in it. The Tourmaster has some settings that will get close, particularly if you crank it up.

Turn that mutha up, in other words!

 

[muudrock]

Preamp and power amp , but don't discount the transformers part in the overall sound either. Some trannies are known for being smooth (Heyboer), 3-d hi-fi sounding (Deyoung) and in you face (Dagnall).

 

[broknstuff]

When I want more bite, I turn the bright to 1 or 2 on the modules. I think volume/power section helps as well.

 

[marvcus]

So to put the smart aleck comment aside, that signature marshal top end bite (AKA "Kerrang") is definitely a combination of the preamp and power amp section, but with the right module you can get close. Try a lower gain setting with the EG5. It gets pretty close IMO. The SL is a great module for this too, but it doesn't seem to have the nasty attitude for that kind of sound, which is why I say EG5. With the gain around 9:00 and the tone controls around noon, put the bright switch on 1 or 2 depending on your cabinet, and that should put you well on your way. I like to sometimes set the EG5 up with just enough gain to not be hairy, but lots of high end. Overall a great sound.

I think you are right about this. I did some high volume testing yesterday and I found the EG5/Channel A/Gain about 9:00/Master about 2:00 to be pretty close to that. Closer than I could get with the SL. I wonder if an "X" modded SL would do this?...

Preamp and power amp , but don't discount the transformers part in the overall sound either. Some trannies are known for being smooth (Heyboer), 3-d hi-fi sounding (Deyoung) and in you face (Dagnall).

Cool info! I didn't realize that about the Heyboers. I know the SLO is an SLO (as opposed to HR) because of the Deyoungs.

I have a Tourmaster, so I can't speak to modular, but I want to emphasize the power amp role in it. The Tourmaster has some settings that will get close, particularly if you crank it up. Turn that mutha up, in other words!

Right on, brother!


Funny, I have learned more technical info about amps and sound since I have gone Egnater than with anything else. Great stuff!!

 

[mboogman]

I wonder if an "X" modded SL would do this?...

IIRC, the SL is one of the modules that didn't get the desired effect with the "x" mod. The thread is probably a couple years old now, but I think I remember RockStarNick trying it, and it not working out very well.