Dual UNLTD 1/2 Gainer Comparison

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Dual UNLTD 1/2 Gainer Comparison

Postby jpastras » Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:41 pm

Hey!

The only OD I ever liked was the Silver LTD. I play a strat into a vintage DR or VR on every gig, and I felt like it was a god substitute for not being able to crank the amps at certain gigs.

As time wore on, I wanted the mids in a different place, and I stopped using it.

Then the Half-Gainer came out, and I thought of picking one up for the mids knob, but never got around to it.

Yesterday I tried a Dual UNLTD, and really liked it, so I bought it.

I used ut on a gig last night, and I have two questions:

Is the level of compression the same between the Half Gainer and the Dual UNLTD when playing with the same amount of drive?

Are bot units capable of reproducing the same range of high and low frequencies? Basically, can the Dual UNLTD be dialed in to sound like the Half-Gainer when it comes to bass and treble reproduction?

Thanks so much!
Strats -> Vintage Reverb Fenders
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Re: Dual UNLTD 1/2 Gainer Comparison

Postby 78deluxe » Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:11 am

I haven't gone nuts with the internal controls on either yet (as I felt the stock settings were nice on both). But here is my take.

Both are comparably "open, clear, transparent." Compression is an interesting thing, both have compression, but in the scheme of things are quite uncompressed sounding. Neither are compressed in the way I typically think of OD pedal compression. I would say the compression is similar.

They are both "full range" EQ wise from my perspective. Full lows and highs. BUT the bass response is different. I feel the Half-Gainer is looser and the UNLTD is tighter and more modern sounding.

They are voiced differently. Crank the Mids on your unlimited and compare it to your LTD and perhaps you will get the feeling of the difference in "flavor." Of course the Half-Gainer is much more versatile in the mid range control than the LTD SIlver, but I suggest trying out the comparison since it sounds like you have a LTD Sliver and the Dual UNLTD on hand.
Gibson SG, Les Paul Deluxe, Turbo Tuner > BYOC Opto Comp > Micro Pog > Micro Vibe > Half-Gainer > Dual Unlimited > Burn Unit EQ > EH Freeze > Chubacrabra > King of Tone > Box of Rock > Ethos Overdrive > Empress Tremolo > Boss DD-20 > Hardwire RV-7 reverb > JamMan > Radial JDI MK4 (Small Fry, BYOC Triangles, ESV Fuzz, PODHD) Lava Soar and EA Lyric HG
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Re: Dual UNLTD 1/2 Gainer Comparison

Postby jpastras » Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:13 pm

Thanks for the thoughtful reply!

I would compare it to the silver, but I don't have the silver any more. Otherwise, Id; probably be doing exactly what you suggest.

I really like the ability to get two different shades of drive out of the Dual UNLTD, but after using it on a gig, I feel that it's a little too "tight" sounding. Your comments re-enforce what I think I'm hearing and feeling. The settings I liked were with the tone knob at noon, the mids knob at 10:30, both volumes at unity with my amp set with the volume low, one gain at just under 9:00, and one gain at noon. I could never use more gain than what this puts out at noon - that's pretty much the hottest sound I'd want to hear or play.

I dont know whether the Custom Cool or the Half Gainer is the answer, or whether I should just stick with this - it's a pretty cool sounding pedal, but I want something that emulates my old Fender amps as closely as possible when I'm playing at low volumes. I think a touch less gain, and a little more "roundness/looseness" might be the ticket.

Man, is that pant job beautiful, or what?
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Re: Dual UNLTD 1/2 Gainer Comparison

Postby rhoydotp » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:44 am

i would love to see a custom with one channel 1/2 Gainer and the other with uLTD (with mids) :idea:
2008 AmStd Telecaster * 2001 Les Paul Studio * Godin Radiator
1/2 Gainer * unLimiTeD * Direct Drive
Traynor YCV40WR * Dr Z Maz Jr NR
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