Another Balance-era tone attempt

**GoKart Mozart** · 09.12.18, 06:51 PM

Since a few of us were discussing the Balance-era tone in the "Balance Tour Rig - Marshall Heads" thread, I was originally going to reply there but thought that it would be a little off topic.

In the past, the closest that I could get to a decent Balance-era tone with my existing equipment was to run a MXR 5150 OD into my trusty Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble out of the stereo outputs into two amps. It's a HUGE sound in person but not very practical since it requires two amps. Plus, this approach isn't do-able if you're getting your dirt from one amp.

I was thinking of a way to get that big shimmery tone from my recently acquired Soldano Hot Rod 25. Funny enough, it was right there in front of me. I plugged the CE-5 into the loop and then ran the Soldano into my UA Ox using factory rig #6, which has some stereo delay and a little plate reverb. I'm running the line-level outputs of the Ox into some studio monitors but this could easily be hooked up to powered PA monitors as well.

OH MY!!! Balance-ish tone for days!! I could sit around and play this all friggin' day!!! Here's about 5 minutes of noddling:

And here's the gear:

**Brett** · 09.12.18, 06:56 PM

Sounds awesome dude!

**bsbll4** · 09.13.18, 08:33 AM

Awesome tone. It just envelops the ear to the point you feel like you're bathing in guitar tone. Just a great warm, thick sound with a punch that sounds like it goes on for days.

**RRvh1** · 09.13.18, 09:03 AM

Whoa!
That sounded awesome. Insane sound you got going there, and it's very pleasing to hear. Very nice touch by adding the intro to Crossing Over. Great job.

**evhintexas** · 09.14.18, 06:14 PM

Listened to this 3 times at work yesterday...beautiful tone, absolutely beautiful...
Your version of Crossing Over is badass--Its one of my favorite Sammy songs and you have it nailed...
Piss on all those who disagree....Lol

**RRvh1** · 09.14.18, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by evhintexas

Listened to this 3 times at work yesterday...beautiful tone, absolutely beautiful...
Your version of Crossing Over is badass--Its one of my favorite Sammy songs and you have it nailed...
Piss on all those who disagree....Lol

I love the tapped harmonics in the intro, that have a ping pong delay going, or maybe a stereo panner? Then the octave melodies that Eddie plays, along with those massive sounding D and C chords... It's a great song!

**GoKart Mozart** · 09.15.18, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by bsbll4

Awesome tone. It just envelops the ear to the point you feel like you're bathing in guitar tone. Just a great warm, thick sound with a punch that sounds like it goes on for days.

Thanks man! Thats a perfect description for it! Just hitting a single note hard and letting the delays kind of take over is so magical. I wish you guys could hear it in the room! Haha

This is a really a revelation for me. That tone has always been somewhat of the pinnacle for me since I was like 13 years old and I never thought Id ever get anywhere close without having an Eventide, WDW setup, etc.

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**GoKart Mozart** · 09.15.18, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by evhintexas

Listened to this 3 times at work yesterday...beautiful tone, absolutely beautiful...
Your version of Crossing Over is badass--Its one of my favorite Sammy songs and you have it nailed...
Piss on all those who disagree....Lol

I have always LOVED that song! I remember buying the cassette single to CSLY at the mall when I was 12 or 13 and it was the track on the second side. I probably listened to it just as much as CSLY. Those octave harmonies toward the end just give me chills every time I hear it.

Anyway, I couldnt replicate the crazy stereo ping pong stuff but a tremolo pedal might get you in that territory. I just used my JHS Unicorn (Univibe circuit with tap tempo) as an approximation.

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**JPP** · 09.15.18, 08:20 AM

Fantastic job!

**RRvh1** · 09.15.18, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by GoKart Mozart

I have always LOVED that song! I remember buying the cassette single to CSLY at the mall when I was 12 or 13 and it was the track on the second side. I probably listened to it just as much as CSLY. Those octave harmonies toward the end just give me chills every time I hear it.

Anyway, I couldnt replicate the crazy stereo ping pong stuff but a tremolo pedal might get you in that territory. I just used my JHS Unicorn (Univibe circuit with tap tempo) as an approximation.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a great song!
I first heard it just before my Aunt passed away, several years ago. She was hugely into Led Zeppelin and knew how much I loved Eddie. She once told me "I could listen to him play all night!" and "Whenever you jam, I'll be sitting right on top of your amp, listening to you..." R.I.P.

Sorry for the sentimental rant. Just know that the song means a lot to me! The tone you got, as well as the playing, is badass. Thanks for sharing the audio and the setup info!

**5150rob** · 09.15.18, 01:56 PM

very, very nice... my favorite tone bro from the VH era and you nailed it to a tee dude.

awesome job,

Rob

**we die young** · 09.18.18, 06:57 AM

Great job! I've long said the CE-5 is THE way to go without the use of a Harmonizer.
This proves it in spades!

**IslandBoy** · 09.18.18, 05:04 PM

Awesome Job!!

**Mikew9788** · 10.03.18, 06:40 AM

Would anybody be kind enough to post a pic of there ce-5 knob settings? This is a tone I've been after for ever. I just broke down and ordered the eventide pitchfactor but until that arrives I'd love to mess with the ce-5.