Golden Age preamp vs SSL mic preamps (clip inside) Pt2

[Denim n Leather]

There was a problem with my first pass at doing this; I was using the wrong input on the Golden Age!!! D'oh!

This is a comparison clip of the much-touted Golden Age Pre-73 Neve clone vs the SSL Xlogic mic pre. The left guitar is one preamp and the right guitar is the other. The preamps sound very different from each other, so I won't tell you which is which, but leave that up to you to decide.

Guitar used was Ethel (Warmoth/Fender Strat) using a Lollar Special in the bridge. Splawn Quick Rod, Gear 1, OD 1. Sennheiser e609, Monster Cable mic cable.

https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=UmNJa0ZRT01CMTVMWEE9PQ

[Transcend]

how have you recorded the clip?

Is it golden age (left ) then SSL (right) then golen age (left) and so on and so forth?

if so the golden age is a hell of a lot clearer and punchier sounding.

[indysmith]

I prefer whatever's on the right!
Not keen on the e609 on guitar amps though.

[Denim n Leather]

I prefer whatever's on the right!
Not keen on the e609 on guitar amps though.

I have a love/hate thing with the 609. I'm planning on renting a Royer for a couple of days this summer.

[PhilKing]

On my speakers the track starts on the right and then goes to the left.  I find the right sound to be less forward in the mix and not as dynamic or full as the left side, though it has a nice tone in isolation.  I'm guessing that the right is the Golden Age and the left the SSL.

[Keven]

I recently tried the audio technica AE2500 mic for guitar cabs. will have clips soon but damn this thing is sweet. it's a dual element so you can mix dynamic take with condenser take as much as you want and it has a low proximity effect but will still take the 'woof' of the take if it's Over the top.

[indysmith]

Listened again and definitely prefer the right! It's thicker and chewier and just sounds nicer!

EDIT: Oh and I think it's the SSL on the left, and the Golden Age Nevey thing on the right.

[_tom_]

The one on the right sounds so much better. Thicker, warmer and not as scratchy sounding.

[Keven]

the one on the left has too much clickiness to the pick scratching the strings on your muted runs, the right one is just fat and perfect. and the pick mutes sound like strings, not strands.

[indysmith]

On my speakers the track starts on the right and then goes to the left.

You've got your speakers hooked up backwards Phil! :lol:

[Denim n Leather]

As for which preamp is which ....

[38thBeatle]

I prefer the sound of the right too.

[Denim n Leather]

The guitar on the left was recorded through the Golden Age.
The guitar on the right was recorded through the SSL.

[indysmith]

The guitar on the left was recorded through the Golden Age.
The guitar on the right was recorded through the SSL.

Intriguing! I guessed wrong!  That's really quite a surprise to me actually. Go SSL!

[HTH AMPS]

I liked the one on the right best as it had nice body, but the left one had some great attack on it.  The two together (mixed in the correct ratio) would sound fantastic.