which models would suite me best?

[kbause]

http://www.myspace.com/mailinredemption

above link should give you an idea of my style/sound.

Will be purchasing a brand new head around the middle of the month if I don't find one used, and I'll need modules.

I'm thinking I'm going to buy a Lynchbox and the only module I'm sure of is the Blackface.

I've been considering Treadplate, 1086, Ultra, Ultra XL, and XTC.

One needs to be a crunchy relatively gain heavy channel for rhythm (plexi isn't enough) and the second I'd prefer a nice gain heavy yet smooth lead channel, you know lots of gain on tap but not ice pick sounding.

Currently thinking Treadplate and XTC but I have no personal experience with either, this is just from reading others descriptions.

 

[JKD]

Listening to your music...I wouldn't overlook the Modern.....but it's a hard decision I know...hard to beat a Grail/Treadplate/Recto

 

[NCdan]

I think the module best suited to your style from your list is the Treadplate. For what you're doing you don't want something with tons of gain. Maybe the XTC would be a good solo module. However, I think an SL+ would be better for your high gain sounds, and a Plexi or maybe a Top Boost would cover your mid gain sounds.

 

[kbause]

Listening to your music...I wouldn't overlook the Modern.....but it's a hard decision I know...hard to beat a Grail/Treadplate/Recto

Modern?

Couldn't find that one on the randall website

 

[kbause]

I think the module best suited to your style from your list is the Treadplate. For what you're doing you don't want something with tons of gain. Maybe the XTC would be a good solo module. However, I think an SL+ would be better for your high gain sounds, and a Plexi or maybe a Top Boost would cover your mid gain sounds.

With my setup plexis just don't sound good.

Which BTW is

LTD Viper 301w/EMGs (18V) Or Schecter C-1+ w/ Duncans

Framus Cobra 4 x 12 w/G12-T75s and V30s in an X.

Rack contains graphic EQ, compressor, BBE 362, and ISP Decimator.
Also have a TS-808 but I don't use it much I'd rather just have a different channel for leads rather than boosting.

 

[kbause]

and my only prob with the SL+ is that my other guitarist is playing a TSL through a 1960 with an SG and a similar rack set up.

And I'd like the guitar tones to be distinctively different, yet blend well you know?

 

[crankyrayhanky]

a Treadplate would be a great fit for the rhythms on your music...that being said, I wouldn't want to rely on that module for solos. XTC is a nice match with the Treadplate because I like the solo vibe on that unit!

Having a SL+ which is close to your bandmate's TSL is not necessarily a bad thing, and it would allow more flexibility in terms of rhythm and solos. This is a great Marshall module, and it would interesting to put it in direct comparison

The Modern, as well as the really cool Brown module, have been discontinued. Come to think of it, Brown is a great module for that tapping stuff I hear on your site, worth considering if you can find it. Someone mentioned that the KH2 is in the same ballpark as the Brown (?)

 

[KillTone]

The KH2 is pretty similar to the Brown. The mids on the KH2 are more of the "scooped" sound and it has a little more gain. Other than that they are pretty close. The can be dialed to sound the same.

 

[JKD]

Listening to your music...I wouldn't overlook the Modern.....but it's a hard decision I know...hard to beat a Grail/Treadplate/Recto

Modern?

Couldn't find that one on the randall website

It's discontinued...but a great modern high gain sound...the only problem I've heard is people say it's tricky to dial in for cut without sounding harsh...but I think if you added enough Treble it would sound great, especially in a band situation where there's so many other frequencies going on.

 

[kbause]

ok

as far as rhythm guitar is concerned

how do Grail and Treadplate compare?

Differences between them as far as EQ and amount of gain on tap.

 

[mfshockey]

I just bought an RM100 the other week and after playing both the Grail and Treadplate, I chose the Grail. I felt it had a wider ranger with its gain and sounded a lot tighter. I'm very pleased with it. It very much has that Mesa rectifier sound to it.

 

[kbause]

I just bought an RM100 the other week and after playing both the Grail and Treadplate, I chose the Grail. I felt it had a wider ranger with its gain and sounded a lot tighter. I'm very pleased with it. It very much has that Mesa rectifier sound to it.

Cool thanks.

Any chance I could check it out sometime maybe?
I'm in Glen Ellyn actually, take lessons in Wheaton.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

From what I've read (since I never played the Grail), The Grail is a better module when both are stock. But I think you can get the Treadplate/Recto modified to get a Grail switch (tighter bass gain?)which make them real similar.

So if you're planning on modifying, the Treadplate should be a cheaper buy in the longrun, the Grail gets the nod stock.

 

[NCdan]

and my only prob with the SL+ is that my other guitarist is playing a TSL through a 1960 with an SG and a similar rack set up.

And I'd like the guitar tones to be distinctively different, yet blend well you know?

OK, I see what you mean. Well, if he's already going for the "Marshall sound," then you might want to go for the "Mesa sound," which would be the treadplate and an Ultra XL for solos. I think you're realizing the important thing here, that the guitar tones need to be "distinctively different." If they're the same, it can be difficult to pick them apart. Are you playing lead or rhythm? Lead should be bright, and rhythm should be chunky. So, maybe you need to have a chitchat with your other guitarist to figure out who gets what tone ?

 

[JKD]

I just bought an RM100 the other week and after playing both the Grail and Treadplate, I chose the Grail. I felt it had a wider ranger with its gain and sounded a lot tighter. I'm very pleased with it. It very much has that Mesa rectifier sound to it.

Stock the Grail has 500pf Silver Mica in C3, with 150Ohm R1,2 and 3..it sounds glorious but I put in a 1000pf Orange Drop in mine to thicken and sweeten it just a little.

Treadplate was supposed to have 2200pf but it may be 4700pf still..and I think they used poly caps (blue squares) in some of 'em...with 150Ohm in R1 but I don't know anout R2 and R3.

 

[Rellik]

Can the Ultra XL get a smooth lead tone if dialed correctly? I've read the description, but I would rather hear personal opinions. I'm trying to get a good combination of modules in my RM50, and I'm looking to see if the Ultra XL can handle rhythm and lead well.

 

[kbause]

and my only prob with the SL+ is that my other guitarist is playing a TSL through a 1960 with an SG and a similar rack set up.

And I'd like the guitar tones to be distinctively different, yet blend well you know?

OK, I see what you mean. Well, if he's already going for the "Marshall sound," then you might want to go for the "Mesa sound," which would be the treadplate and an Ultra XL for solos. I think you're realizing the important thing here, that the guitar tones need to be "distinctively different." If they're the same, it can be difficult to pick them apart. Are you playing lead or rhythm? Lead should be bright, and rhythm should be chunky. So, maybe you need to have a chitchat with your other guitarist to figure out who gets what tone ?

Well we switch back and forth A LOT.
neither is the clear lead or rhythm player, it kind of depends on the song or part. So I need to be able to do both.

I usually dial both amps in slightly scooped on rhythms and mid heavy on the lead channels to help both be clearly defined.

 

[kbause]

update.

found an RM100 Locally with Blackface and Recto modules.

Going to be picking that up early next week or this weekend.

So I'm thinking XTC or Ultra (or Ultra XL?)

what do you guys think?

I'm already planning on modding the recto with the mods I've seen suggesting for tightening up the bass.

 

[paintkilz]

should really do the R1-R3 change too if you find it too fizzy...


and go for the XL...or save up $375 for a single channel modded EG5 from egnater...jeff says they are built around the premise of a soldano but without being nasaly in the mids..

thats what im doin...thinkin of unloading some gear for it.

 

[audioholic]

At first i didn't love the Ultra XL, but now, its one of my favorites. For my cab, it was pretty bright, but dialing in just a little treble, instead of where the knob usually sits, smoothed it out tons, as did putting in a slightly different preamp tube. It is a singing lead module, great for leads, and can do rythm quite well as well!! Tons of gain, though bringing up the gain really just adds sustain rather then totally unsuable saturation. But my gain hasn't gone much past noon.