Clone vs real deal... mp3?

[geetarpicker]

One of the clips is my personally built clone into a straight 4x12 w/G12M
The other is my original '89 Express into a slant 4x12 w/G12M

The guitar signal was split with a Y cord into both amps and all recorded at the same time to get the same exact performance in both clips. Some loading from amp to amp at the inputs would occur, but since the loading is basically even each amp gets a similar signal so this is still a decent comparison. Yes the cabs are different, but at least the speakers are the same type and era. The clone had about 20 hours on it at this point, and seems to be getting a tiny bit mellower over time since the clips were recorded.

It's not too hard to tell the amps apart and yes one of them is definately sweeter and warmer, but I'm still happy with the clone and it will probably get better with time...

(you have to be logged on to see the clip download links)

[leaveitalone84]

Hey Glen,

The first amp is definitely the original. Am I right?

The 2nd recording doesn't sound bad either. It just has a little less body and highs to the sound. IMHO.

[Structo]

Nice playing, Glen.
I can't tell which is which since I'm not Wrecker.
Not to be negative but it almost sounds like the recording is clipping into the mic preamp.
Were the cabs in different rooms?

[dave g]

Both clips sounded great, but clip Y was definitely nicer to my ears than X.

[dartanion]

Hey Glenn,

Clip Y sounds a little stiff and muffled to my ears through decent headphones. Clip X sounds more open and sparkly. Edgier on distorted notes too.

Which is better? Can't tell from clips for sure, but I preferred Clip X.

[Chad]

double post

[Chad]

I think X sounded better also.No matter what you deffinetly can PLAY!! Chad

[Buschman]

I think that Y is the clone. I also like it the best. Send me your ol junk Express.

[geetarpicker]

Nice playing, Glen.
I can't tell which is which since I'm not Wrecker.
Not to be negative but it almost sounds like the recording is clipping into the mic preamp.
Were the cabs in different rooms?

The cabs were side by side in the same room but were miked right up against the grill. The API mic preamps were well within their headroom range, however mp3 conversion does make things just a tad harsher than non compressed audio. Normally I mic speakers with the mic slightly off axis to the center domes to warm up the tone. However to make these clips more consistent to each other it was easier to center both mics by turning up the hiss and centering each mic to find the exact hot spot high end wise. Like I said, not my favorite mic placement but easy to recreate on each cab to make the comparison effort more accurate.

FYI I just moved the clips around. X is still X and Y is still Y, it's just that I wanted them displayed in that order to avoid confusion.
So now the "1st" clip is X, and the "2nd" is Y just like the alphabet flows which makes more sense.

Thanks folks!

X or Y?

[Trigger]

Both amps sound great, I'm thinking most likely that is the player. You would sound awesome through anything you were plugged into. I am leaning towards Y being the Express, smoother sounding to my novice ears. Always great to hear you play.

[paulster]

The scream at 0.05 and the harmonics at 0.06 suggest to me that Y is the real deal and X is clone.

[spm]

Y sounds better to me ... more open.
Both great but i think x may have to be the clone

[El_Martin]

Hi!

Hmmm...I like x better...

I'm just getting into that TW thing, but if I should judge these clips with only one word:
x: smooth
y: bite

Wonder, if I'd prefer x over y with a Les Paul? Would a different mike position take the edginess away?
Glen, did you try a smoothing cap over the plate resistors of the 2nd or 3rd stage? Probably

Ciao
Martin
PS: excellent playing, Glen (like always

[Tubetwang]

Easy!!!... :roll:first clip Les Paul, second clip Strat...

[Leka]

My guess is that x is the real tw.