Crunch Box and PlexiTone redundant?

[PearlCrowes]

Completely re-working my Pearl Jam project. The JHS Sweet Tea has been replaced by a v2 Crunch Box for the Ten and Vs. albums. The Crunch Box nails the whole Tube Screamer boosting a JCM800 much better than stacking the 808 side into the Angry Charlie side of the Sweet Tea.

Now, I know Gossard used a Matchless during the whole Vitalogy, No Code, Yield era. A Peavey was used live at some point as well. Not finding that in a pedal, so I’m sticking with MIAB style pedals and just going for close enough, because the live tones really remind me of a mid-gain Marshally grind.

Anyways, I found a “can’t pass up” deal on a Carl Martin PlexiTone single on Reverb. I’m just wondering if this will be too high gain and redundant with the Crunch Box, or will the PlexiTone have a more vintage grind to it. YouTube demos keep the gain up too high, so it’s hard to really get a feel.

Sorry for the long post. Just wanting to hear some opinions and experiences. Thanks my friends.

 

[jbash]

Crunch box is voiced more like an 800.

PlexiTone (original design- not the Pete Thorn modded version) is completely different. Smoother and more compressed (like a cranked metal/plexi 50watt). I used one for a couople years. I used to talk with the designer (Neils) all the time. He was a member of the Seymour Duncan forums. He also designed the AC tone, and several other Carl Martin pedals. Unsure if he is still online. He got out of pedal designing last I spoke with him, which was at least 5 years ago. He's a fantastic guitar player.

As for the pedal- Eventually I ended up buying one after listening to him talk about the whys and whats of the design (This was 15+ years ago, don't ask me now!)

I'll say this- I've had a whole bunch of booteek MIAB pedals since- Bogners, Catalinbread, Zvex, Wampler, Friedman, JHS, etc and I still think the Plexitone is better than most of them.

 

[PearlCrowes]

I bought the single, so it is the Pete Thorn one based on the high gain side of the big box. Supposed to cut some bass and treble and add a little mids. I know there is a low gain version too, but the deal I got was insane and I’m hoping it will give me a kind of James Gang Walk Away grind, which would suit my needs for at least a couple Pearl Jam albums tone that I’m looking for.

 

[jbash]

I bought the single, so it is the Pete Thorn one based on the high gain side of the big box. Supposed to cut some bass and treble and add a little mids. I know there is a low gain version too, but the deal I got was insane and I’m hoping it will give me a kind of James Gang Walk Away grind, which would suit my needs for at least a couple Pearl Jam albums tone that I’m looking for.

I don't have any experience with the PT version. The High gain side on the original def is more midrangey with less bite /more compression than the crunch side- so if that's what its based on, you should be able to get into that midrange squishyness Joe got on the studio version with the cranked fender amps.

 

[PearlCrowes]

Good to hear. Thanks for the input.

I always mistake cranked up Fenders for mid gain Plexis.

 

[shupe13]

I wish I hadn't gotten rid of my CM PlexiTone.

 

[PearlCrowes]

I wish I hadn't gotten rid of my CM PlexiTone.

I’ll take that as a vote of confidence.

 

[shupe13]

I’ll take that as a vote of confidence.

I used mine with every Fender tube amp I owned. I got a couple of Marshalls and the pedal went away. Got another Fender so I miss the pedal.

 

[jbash]

Good to hear. Thanks for the input.

I always mistake cranked up Fenders for mid gain Plexis.

I think many do, until they get some more time on cranked up old Fenders (which I did).

This is a perfect example- Sounds like a couple of stacks. It's a n early 60s Brown deluxe. Isolated guitar tracks so you can really hear it.

 

[PearlCrowes]

Great example! Thanks for that!

 

[BanditPanda]

Had the 3 button Plexitone thru a Blues Deluxe. Sold both and went Marshall.
BP