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previous: Mitch I've built marshall clones and fend... -- 5/31/2000 12:41 AM

Re: What clone the best to build?

5/31/2000 8:18 PM
Joe L	Re: What clone the best to build? I know what you mean Mitch, my tweaked to death Boogie Mark III clone could get a smooth distortion that just dripped with singing harmonics on the front pickup and sounded great on the rear but had terrible dynamics between Clean and crunch distortion levels. It was either full thottle or it sucked. The SLO clones have a very aggressive rock sound in Lead mode and the Crunch mode is really usable, but like you, the Clean is not anything to get exciting about. The tone is kinda flat and it's lacking the rich harmonics I get from the VibroClone even when nothing is being driven into clipping. Now on to the X88R preamp. Great Lead sound although very aggressive like the SLO but with more gain and compression/sustain. Think of an SLO with a tone shift/emphasis up a hundred hz or so. We are talking EVH! Also, when you roll back on the guitar volume, you get the perfect rock rhythm sound. Think crunchy with adequate dynamics and perfect Marshall type tone and excellent definition. The Clean is sparkly bright with lots of low end but not exactly like a Fender. The mid-scoop occurs at the hottest range of a humbucking rear pickup on a strat type guitar which makes the rear pickup just as good for clean sounds as the front pickup. Position 2 and 4 on a strat are studio quality and very useable, especially for the 80s chorus/reverb clean type sound. Front pickup sound is more Robert Cray than SRV but really nice for blues. The Crunch channel is disappointing. There is something about the tone that just doesn't sound good to my ears and I rarely use it. I've been meaning to throw it on the bench for a closer look but have confirmed it does match the schematic. I'm reserving judgement until I can take a good look at it. Now the Vibroclone. Great for blues at any gain level and downright nasty with the Tube Screamer adding a bit of drive with the amp volume on 4-5. Perfect for a classic rock gig with my 4-12 Marshall cabinet and a Boss DS-1 for the leads. Overall not as high quality a sound as the X88R but it was cheap and quick to make out of the old SF Bassman I've been torturing with rebuilds for 20+ years. You've built one of these also so I'm sure you know what I mean. From the run down condition all my equipment was in last year at this time, I couldn't be happier with what I have to play through now. Like you I'm still looking for the perfect amp but occasionally I think I hear it when the song, guitar, amp, mood and fingers are right. ..Joe L

5/31/2000 8:18 PM

Joe L

Re: What clone the best to build?

I know what you mean Mitch, my tweaked to death Boogie Mark III clone could get a smooth distortion that just dripped with singing harmonics on the front pickup and sounded great on the rear but had terrible dynamics between Clean and crunch distortion levels. It was either full thottle or it sucked.

The SLO clones have a very aggressive rock sound in Lead mode and the Crunch mode is really usable, but like you, the Clean is not anything to get exciting about. The tone is kinda flat and it's lacking the rich harmonics I get from the VibroClone even when nothing is being driven into clipping.

Now on to the X88R preamp. Great Lead sound although very aggressive like the SLO but with more gain and compression/sustain. Think of an SLO with a tone shift/emphasis up a hundred hz or so. We are talking EVH!

Also, when you roll back on the guitar volume, you get the perfect rock rhythm sound. Think crunchy with adequate dynamics and perfect Marshall type tone and excellent definition.

The Clean is sparkly bright with lots of low end but not exactly like a Fender. The mid-scoop occurs at the hottest range of a humbucking rear pickup on a strat type guitar which makes the rear pickup just as good for clean sounds as the front pickup. Position 2 and 4 on a strat are studio quality and very useable, especially for the 80s chorus/reverb clean type sound. Front pickup sound is more Robert Cray than SRV but really nice for blues.

The Crunch channel is disappointing. There is something about the tone that just doesn't sound good to my ears and I rarely use it. I've been meaning to throw it on the bench for a closer look but have confirmed it does match the schematic. I'm reserving judgement until I can take a good look at it.

Now the Vibroclone. Great for blues at any gain level and downright nasty with the Tube Screamer adding a bit of drive with the amp volume on 4-5. Perfect for a classic rock gig with my 4-12 Marshall cabinet and a Boss DS-1 for the leads. Overall not as high quality a sound as the X88R but it was cheap and quick to make out of the old SF Bassman I've been torturing with rebuilds for 20+ years. You've built one of these also so I'm sure you know what I mean.

From the run down condition all my equipment was in last year at this time, I couldn't be happier with what I have to play through now. Like you I'm still looking for the perfect amp but occasionally I think I hear it when the song, guitar, amp, mood and fingers are right.

..Joe L

Replies:

SpeedRacer speaking of SLO clean tones.. has a... -- 5/31/2000 9:19 PM