I've always thought of them as massive tone suckers... Every time I've tried them whether it be in store or rehearsal rooms, I've always found that no matter how I've EQ'd or what pedals run in front of it, they've always made everything sound 'smooth'. I almost didn't buy a EBMM Sterling5 because of trying through an ashdown amp. Took it suspecting the amp was the problem, plugged into my TC head and there was the tone!