JVM Forum

I have my MXR 6 Band EQ first in the Parallel Loop (90% wet) and it cleaned my 410H's Crunch and OD channels dramatically. I was almost ready to sell it and get a Bugera.

I basically have it scooping the mids. Once thing Im not so sure on is wether or not I like it EQ'ing the clean, its a bit of a prick trying to turn it off at the same time I switch to clean as I also run my Chorus and Flanger in the loop.

bsbozzy,

If I understand you correctly, you have your EQ in the loop before your chorus and flanger? Did you try the EQ after those pedals?? If so, what difference did it make?

I didn't have the chance to test it but it appears to be compatible with line level signals, so you should be ok running it in your series loop. You can always switch it off your signal path bypassing it (I believe it has true bypass) or simply switching off the loop. The fact that it works with 18V DC may have a positive impact both in dynamic range (headroom as you mentioned) and signal to noise ratio. I did have the chance to experiment with the Boss GE7 pedal with not so good results; it adds a very noticeable grainy layer to the sound when bypassed (it does not feature a true bypass design, but a buffered one) and some noise.

Always remember that EQing may turn into and endless quest for targeted tones; at first, a couple of DB of cut/boost will make you happy; a week later you will need a little more, and so on. It is related to the way human hearing works - it kind of "remembers" certain frequency patterns, so it's always a good thing to be exposed to the flat signal (without external EQ) from time to time as a valid reference on how your EQ curve actually impacts your tone.

Cheers,
Marcelo

No, I have no intention of doing it either. Ideally all I want it to do is to clean the OD channels up before any other effects play with the signal.

I got the EQ today, for 100€. Tried it out in a store and at home.

Anyone considering the BOSS GE-7, it's not worth it. I wouldn't say that if I hadn't tried it. It was noisy, TOO sensitive (barely moved the knobs and the tone was completely different, in a bad way), and I doubt it would agree with the serial loop. Plus, it colors the tone a lot, muddy-style. The MXR doesn't, even though it's not true bypass, it's hardwire bypass. And even with the unit engaged and the line flat, there's no noticable difference in tone. No suckage either.

The sounds? After about 20 minutes of intense fiddling with my JVM (and about an hour at a store with an ENGL Powerball), I gotta say, this thing is the balls!!! Literally, just a bump of the 31.25Hz or 62.5Hz and the whole room is shaking! It's also easy to clean up whatever you got going, dial in some warmth, dial out some fizz... You name it, it controls it. I haven't zeroed in on what I want yet, but I'm sure this thing will get me there. The only thing I kinda "miss" is the gap between 500Hz and 1kHz... Like a 750Hz or something, but it's not a gripe, it's more of a wish. Oh, and doing as the manual suggests (going through all the knobs and pulling them full cut then full boost one at a time) is really a good way to get you started and acquainted with the unit and it's capabilities.

Thanks for the heads up, Marcelo. I can get pretty obsessed with this kinda stuff, but I'll keep my "this tone, that tone" hunt to myself, and figure out my tone first, and write that down. First "work" then play

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A little update... this thing makes my JVM sound like a fuckin Ampeg SVT rack head with an 8x10 cab run with a JCM800 stack and a Mark IIC+ in three way. I get wall-shaking low end and roaring midrange with sizzling highs, just like I always wanted. I'm in tone heaven

Jackie,

Good to see you are satisfied. Indeed, a good EQ can take a well designed amp like the JVM pretty much to any other high gain amp's tone territory. Perhaps an overdrive pedal would complete the picture (like a BB preamp if your budget allows it or a Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive if it doesn't). The problem is, with so many options, how to stop tone-chasing ?

Very best,
Marcelo
NOWAYBACK

I don't dig OD pedals for rhythm, and I'm not a lead player in any band, so I don't have the need for one. I'm completely satisfied with what I have going on now. I don't think I'll ever stop tone-chasing, which is actually a good thing, so you don't have the same sound on every album, for instance. If we ever get that far of course.

I feel that the JVM's treble knob doesn't control the kind of treble I'd like to add/take away... I couldn't squeeze out the 1-2kHz roar I have now. Plus, I added some serious balls with the first three sliders. My bandmate's ENGL has two bottom switches (always engaged) - now I do too, but I have controllable thunder

I kinda had this feeling that this EQ is "cheating"... then I noticed that most of the big pros have EQs in their setup aswell, and I thought if they can "cheat", so can I

I've been going on about MXR 10 band EQ's forever, glad you find it as useful as I do ...

Now we can "go on about it" together :D

My favourite setting (besides my current curve) is the AM radio (a preset from the manual). Seriously, nothing makes old sh*t sound more authentic than your amp playing like a 30-40 year old radio