The Mark III R2 Channel TONE

[SonicProvocateur]

Ok, so as much as everyone humps and bumps over lead tones, it doesn't seem that many people here discuss their R2 channel tones.

I've recently been having an R2 revival, and i'm curious to whether if everyone love/hate affair is the same with the R2 channel as well?

I happen to love mine, it seems to be able to do alot more than I originally gave it credit for, and is much more ear pleasing than I thought.

Since there are so many stripes and tones, much like the lead channels, i'm curious to what everyone elses R2's sounds like. If they are moreso varied?

I made this video; I'll just leave this here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7HHlBlnSLk

 

[kdorsey]

That sounds gooood! What Marshall cab are you using? Loaded with what speakers?

I heavily use all three channels with pretty good results, if I say so myself. :mrgreen: On R2, I typically use my Keeley TS-9 to push it a little harder or as a less dark lead tone (compared to Lead). I use an RFT 12ax7 in socket 3 but Tung-Sol in socket 2, which gives me a darker ch3 leaving R2 more crystalline...kinda like your results. With my PRS Cu24, I just roll off the volume to adjust crunch level. Very tasty!

 

[>Photi G<]

I always turn to R2 for old-school tones, and bluesy leads. it has a great warm, round tone that is quite out of place with the Mark III's extremely bright and aggressive cleans, and leads. I think that's why people really overlook it. Sonic, that was a good video, and all, but I have a feeling that you put the camera directly in front of the cab, so all the bass got cut out. :lol:

 

[SonicProvocateur]

That sounds gooood! What Marshall cab are you using? Loaded with what speakers?

Thanks man, it's just a cheap MG412 with the junky stock low wattage celestions. Works ok with the 60 watt Mesa and best with the Orange TT.

I always turn to R2 for old-school tones, and bluesy leads. it has a great warm, round tone that is quite out of place with the Mark III's extremely bright and aggressive cleans, and leads. I think that's why people really overlook it. Sonic, that was a good video, and all, but I have a feeling that you put the camera directly in front of the cab, so all the bass got cut out. :lol:

Believe it or not, I don't have a good booster like a BB, so when I had very high gain tubes in for it to sound like the lead channel I couldn't boost it for a singing double lead channel. I actually had the pull deep off so the tone for "And Your Bird Can Sing" would sound more like a Vox and less boomy, despite what the ear hears. On record it lets the bass and kick drum cut through more this way, even on the lead channel.