Metropoulos Forum

Ok, in an attempt to nail the EVH tone I'm trying out several different speakers and need your opinions on which comes closest. In the recording below the first track is a G12M Greenback reissue, then G12H30 reissue and then an Eminence Private Jack. I'm recording with Wolfgang (CC pickup) into Flanger, into EP3, into Plexi clone (MM OT) into cab, SM57 into mixer into computer. I added a touch of plate reverb from Cool Edit. They all sound pretty similar. Opinions?

Here the link: http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=20873

forgot to say the I had a GE-10 in just after the flanger as a boost.

G12M or which ever u used on the first track -

+1

i like the second one the best!

I've got this posted over at the PlexiPalace site also and it seems the general consensus is the reissue greenback comes the closest. I bought the G12H30's because Mojave uses them in their cabs and assumed the reissue 30's nailed VH the best because thats the tone they try to emulate. I just wish the greenbacks could handle a little more power. I think the Private Jacks roll off treble the most IMHO.

to me the greenback clip is too bright and harsh.do you have basket weave grill cloth across your speaker cabinet?that rolls some highs,and may be the problem!

First one greenbacks sounds the most like the original track. I qued up the my mp3 track adjusted the volume and the original is flat doesn't have the scoop of the second sample. The Eminence didn't sound the same.

The buzzy highs also has to do with fact that I recorded at low volume using the RichMod PPIV master volume. When I crank it the highs roll off a bit. Yeah the reissue greenback are very bright IMO.

The first one sounded closest. However your reverb sounds more like a delay than a reverb IMO.

James

the delay sound is my echoplex, I added just a touch of reverb using Cool edit pro. The problem with the reverb is that it brightens and sterilizes the sound some what. I mistakenly recorded the tracks at bedroom level, should have cranked the amp thru my Mass 150 to cut the brittle highs. I might re-record tracks with knowledge learned.

I went back and forth between your three versions and the original, and I thought 2 was the closest.

IMHO you need some smoothing of the high end.
First place I would look at is mic placement, and are you clipping into the sound card? No amber or red, just green on your meter right? If you have the mic straight in, try it at a 45, and see if it smooths out the over all tone.

What Tubes are you using can affect this.

Also BW will help with this, but it will roll off some high too.
You can lay a thin towel over the front to experiment.

Keep up the good work.

Edit.. I see you recorded at bedroom level. You got to crank it.
I put the cab in the closet, put the mic to it, and surround it with pillows
to keep the DB down so I can hear the backing track through the headphones.

You can also clone the dry track, onto another track, and only apply the reverb to one, and then mix and eq it in so that it stay closer to the original tone. This will also give the feel of 2 mics.

I also have an EP3, and bridge it betwen the channels on my plexi, so that I can adjust the wetness, without affecting the tightness.
LOL sounds like foreplay
It is if you think about it.

Just some ideas
Take it for what its worth.

second cut sounded the best to me. i thought the greenbacks were the worst of the 3 because the intense briteness.

the forst thing i thought of when i heard the greenbacks is - he's got the same problem i do! that brittle attack gets all in the way of the beef and cream.

i have v30s - it was suggested that they are a part of my briteness problem - but i'm not sure what to try - i might have to look into what you used there in cut 2. thanks man.

with all due respect - and i mean that - you guys r nuts here - the voice of the first take is it if anything of the 3 for vh - r u saying you like the sound of the second take? - ok - i can dig it but its not the VH voice - no way jose- the midrange of a v30 is always apparent and always is not vh - come on! listen to the voice not the sound.

I've got to agree with Mark on this one... clip #1 all the way.