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* EDIT: Up-to-date information is available in Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Amplifier Models *
Cali Leggy: based on Carvin Legacy VL100
Legato 100: based on Carvin Legacy VL100, owned by Steve Vai
These models are based on the first series of Steve Vai’s signature amp: Carvin's Legacy VL100.
The VL100 is a two-channel EL34 100 watts head. The controls on the Lead channel are: Presence, Treble (11 kHz), Mid (650Hz), Bass (80Hz), Drive and Volume. The clean channel has not been modeled.
The amp is a bit of a strange beast because of its tone stack (Bass, Middle, Treble). Cliff:
And indeed, the controls are less interactive and their range is unlike other amps. For example, the difference between the outer positions of the Middle control is enormous. The "James" tonestack is also referred to as the "Baxandall" tone stack.
Here’s what Carvin say:
The "Cali Leggy" model has been the subject of lengthy discussions in the past. Some people write it doesn't resemble the real amp enough or that it doesn't let them achieve Steve Vai’s tones. I didn’t touch the model for a long time because I simply didn’t bond with its sound. I played it again when preparing this article and I found great juicy tones after some tweaking. Surprisingly I later came across those same settings in a demo video of the real amp. So I guess the model does represent the real amp well enough. Here’s what I settled on: Drive 6.50, Bass 7.00, Middle and Treble 3.50, everything else default. For higher gain, engage the Boost switch and turn down Drive.
The "Legato 100" model was added in firmware Quantum 4.01 and is another, more recent model of this amp. It's based on Steve Vai's actual VL100. It's a dark model at stock settings with loads of bass. Don't hesitate to turn up Treble and Presence.
The Legacy is used with a matching 4x12 or 2x12 cabinet with V30s.
Stock cab #118 “2X12 SV Legend Mix” is a non-UltraRes IR of a 2x12 Legacy.
Cab Pack 10 provides more Legacy IRs.
Personally I prefer another V30 cab such as #126 (“4x12 Citrus Mix”).
A selection of YouTube videos:
Cali Leggy: based on Carvin Legacy VL100
Legato 100: based on Carvin Legacy VL100, owned by Steve Vai
These models are based on the first series of Steve Vai’s signature amp: Carvin's Legacy VL100.
There are no Fractal Audio models of the Legacy 2 (which Steve Vai himself didn’t really like, alledgely) and Legacy 3 guitar amps.
The VL100 is a two-channel EL34 100 watts head. The controls on the Lead channel are: Presence, Treble (11 kHz), Mid (650Hz), Bass (80Hz), Drive and Volume. The clean channel has not been modeled.
The amp is a bit of a strange beast because of its tone stack (Bass, Middle, Treble). Cliff:
"The thing that makes a Legacy unique is the tone stack. It uses a "James" tone stack which is more like hi-fi tone controls."
And indeed, the controls are less interactive and their range is unlike other amps. For example, the difference between the outer positions of the Middle control is enormous. The "James" tonestack is also referred to as the "Baxandall" tone stack.
Here’s what Carvin say:
“For mild tube saturation, set the DRIVE control between 1 & 2. For some of the best saturation, set the control around 3 & 6. For full blown overdrive, set the control between 8 and 10.
Drive settings above 8 are subject to over saturation depending on the output of the guitar pickups used. High-output pickups can over saturate causing sluggish distortion.
Play your guitar with it’s volume at 10 and decrease the amount of drive until the crisp highs come back.”
The "Cali Leggy" model has been the subject of lengthy discussions in the past. Some people write it doesn't resemble the real amp enough or that it doesn't let them achieve Steve Vai’s tones. I didn’t touch the model for a long time because I simply didn’t bond with its sound. I played it again when preparing this article and I found great juicy tones after some tweaking. Surprisingly I later came across those same settings in a demo video of the real amp. So I guess the model does represent the real amp well enough. Here’s what I settled on: Drive 6.50, Bass 7.00, Middle and Treble 3.50, everything else default. For higher gain, engage the Boost switch and turn down Drive.
The "Legato 100" model was added in firmware Quantum 4.01 and is another, more recent model of this amp. It's based on Steve Vai's actual VL100. It's a dark model at stock settings with loads of bass. Don't hesitate to turn up Treble and Presence.
And reproducing Steve Vai’s sound? Well, you would have to use those Evolution pickups on his guitar, and add a Boss DS-1 or Ibanez Gemini pedal, and insert a chip into your head with his skills and creativity. Not everyone likes his extravaganza, but IMHO there isn’t a shredder today who is as creative and adventurous as Vai.The Legacy is used with a matching 4x12 or 2x12 cabinet with V30s.
Stock cab #118 “2X12 SV Legend Mix” is a non-UltraRes IR of a 2x12 Legacy.
Cab Pack 10 provides more Legacy IRs.
Personally I prefer another V30 cab such as #126 (“4x12 Citrus Mix”).
A selection of YouTube videos:
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