Hall & Collins Signature Echo with added EQ before Vox AC15

[milko]

Hi Charlie & all !
Discovering a recent thread concerning Ronnie Gustaffson using a 10 band EQ immediately before his Vox, (after his echo unit); a chain used very effectively by some members; I wondered what the current expert thinking was, using the new H&C Signature Echo before a modern Vox AC15 C1 with a Blue.
Specifically, is it a good idea to use a CALINE 10 band EQ, say, in the chain?
I've got my H&CSE plugged into my (modern) Vox AC15 C1 - retro-fitted with an English Celestion Alnico Blue. (I play with a Strat.) A very simple chain of guitar - echo - amp.
It sounds great, of course, but you guys have much much better ears and experience than me! Especially with modern Vox tube amps. 
I'd be interested in your thoughts on settings on that particular Vox, with the new H&CSE and whether a 10 band EQ would gild the lily even more.
I also possess Cutting Edge and Gemini III bass roll-off filters plus a Carl Martin compressor pedal, in my toy chest, if you thought they were worth dusting off and including in the chain.
I suppose the answer lies in whether the H&CSE already has Shadows type full EQ as part of its DNA anyway, bearing in mind that Charlie has cleverly emulated the idiosyncratic preamp of the Meazzis and other classic Echo units of yesteryear.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts and reports!
Thanks to Charlie and everyone for your anticipated helpful replies.
Kindest regards,
Milko
PS I'm still reeling from the absolute knockout sound quality and yesteryear echoes authenticity of my new H&CSE! You're nothing less than geniuses, Charlie and John!

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Milko,
I probably don't have the complete answer but I'll try.
The Meazzi (without the echo working) is only part of the sound. It doesn't change the EQ much other than to roll off some bass, but it also adds harmonics in a certain way because the first valve stage has lower headroom than most guitar amp valve stages.
The other parts are the amp and guitar and the player. Fortunately most decent Strats sound good and close to what you want, so that leaves really only the amp and the player (the latter I won't discuss here). That leaves the decision about whether the amp needs extra help or can manage the job on its own. Further to that, it also depends on what tunes you play and how close you want to sound to them. It is definitely easier with some tunes than with others. I think most agree that Apache and Wonderful Land are the hardest to nail. This is where I think extra EQ might help. I don't know if your Vox has a normal channel that is not affected by the tone controls. If it does you could try that channel with the Cutting Edge or the Gemini III to approxinately emulate the brilliance setting on the old AC15 and AC30/4 amps. You might need to tame the treble with the amp's cut control to smooth the high notes and if you need to do that then the sound is probably going in the right direction for a lot of the earlier sounds. If you amp doesn't have a normal channel then it may lack some mids for some of the sounds you want, and that is where a graphic or parametric EQ could help. For general use, just try copying the EQ settings that have been shared here in the last few weeks and see where it takes you. Set the amp's controls to suit. Not too much treble or bass if the amp channel being used has those controls. Use the cut control to keep the higher notes sounding warmer but not so much that the low notes lose clarity. I could go on but I think that's enough to try out for the moment. Let us know how it goes.
Regards,
Charlie

[milko]

Hi Charlie!
Many thanks for your teply. That is very helpful. My Vox has a normal channel, so I can try your ideas.
I think for the sake of £30 - the cost of a Caline EQ, I'll get one anyway to try it out, as well as revisiting my Cutting Edge and Gemini III pedals.
Kindest regards,
Milko

[milko]

Hi Charlie,
Having asked the above question and got your very helpful reply, I perhaps didn't make it clear enough that the H&CSE gives a fantastic sound on my rig as it is. Knocks spots of all my EFTP units, including a Q2.
Beautiful quite moving sound, straight off my old  Hank vinyls. I'm a young boy again!
But of course, we all get greedy. We'd still try different diamond jewellery on the most beautiful woman in the world, to see if we can push the envelope even further! Always striving for that little bit further in outer space.
And so it goes!
Thanks again Charlie. You're a gentleman!
Kindest regards,
Milko

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Milko,
Thanks. One of the problems is that just about every tune has a different sound.
Regards,
Charlie