Active EQ on Peavey Ultra (series) Vs active EQ on Mesa Mark

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needsmoregear12

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Thats a rather long subject heading up there^, but that pretty much sums it up.

Are the Active EQ's on both amps pretty much the same? If I dial in an Ultra to the settings someone uses on their Mark amp, should I be in the ballpark of their tone? (Considering im using a similar guitar,cab,pickups, etc.)

I just picked up an Ultra 212 and Id like to get some "John Petrucci" type tones out of it. :rock: I usually just EQ with my ears, but im really intrigued by the Active EQ. Plenty of tones you can get from it.

Please dont give me the "Stop trying to sound like someone else and find your own tone" crap. I have my own "sound" so to speak, but I still enjoy covering songs and would like to have their tone for it.

Thank you all! :)
 
The 3-band EQ on Mesa Marks are passive. Do you mean the 5-band GEQ? I'm not sure I understand the question.
 
Woah, they are?

For some reason I thought the EQ's on the Mark III's, IV's, and V's were active and thats why everyone said theyre hard to dial in...

I want to know if the Bass knob on the Ultra, corresponds to the same frequencies as the Mark's bass knobs. To see if they are cutting/boosting the same frequencies.
 
The main difference is the EQ on the Boogie is sooner in the circuit path than the peavey. The EQ is based on Fender designs where the tone stack (eq) is before the gain, where the Peavey is based more on Marshall etc where the tone stack is after the gain. That's why on Boogies increasing the bass makes higher gain settings loose and woofy and increasing the treble adds saturation. Think of it like an EQ in front of the amp vs. in the loop. The EQ in the Peavey being after the gain makes it possible to adjust the lows and highs without effecting the saturation level and usually allows for a stronger EQ as well. This is also good in that you can make very quick simple changes to the EQ when raising or lowering the preamp gain where the Boogie takes more adjusting (faster when you've had one for a while) as the EQ settings can be adjusted quite a lot to balance with adjusting the gain knob. It's completely normal on the Boogie to have the Bass almost off when the pre gain is high and then a fair bit higher when the gain is set clean or low. The peavey will just sound thinner or fatter where the Boogie will be tighter or looser.
 
i believe the Recto EQ is active, but not the Mark series. same principle applies though...people always say Rectos are hard to dial in and maybe if you use "normal" settings they are. but you have to look at the EQ as a whole rather than separate. if you increase the gain, you increase the signal through the chain. but the more gain you add, the less the EQ does. you crank the gain, the EQ doesnt do as much. back the gain off (1 o'clock lets say) the rest of the controls now do more to the tone. but if you boost one control, you "steal" from all the others. lots of treble? mids and bass do less. crank the mids? you have less for the treble and bass. too much gain + too much bass = woofy, loose, mushy tone. great for Nu-metal. back off the gain and bass, mids around noon and a little more treble (keep the presence low though, unless on Vintage) and its actually surprisingly tight. its still got the looser Recto feel, but its not mushy by any means.

the only thing i havent gotten on terms with is trying to play leads on my Recto. even with EL34s and mids turned up it just doesnt have that presence that i like to hear. its good, but not great. i can just throw my SD-1 in front though and it fixes the problem! however...

I have a Peavey Ultra Plus on the way. ive always wanted to try one, and ive always loved the Peavey tone (my 5150 was awesome, my Rockmaster preamp killed, before i killed it...need to get it fixed!) cant wait to try the Ultra. it was on Guitar Center's website for 300 bucks...as long as its in sound shape and in working order, ill be pleased. otherwise 30 day return policy will go into effect. but im looking forward to it!
 
soc_monki":2dge4dar said:
i believe the Recto EQ is active, but not the Mark series. same principle applies though...people always say Rectos are hard to dial in and maybe if you use "normal" settings they are. but you have to look at the EQ as a whole rather than separate. if you increase the gain, you increase the signal through the chain. but the more gain you add, the less the EQ does. you crank the gain, the EQ doesnt do as much. back the gain off (1 o'clock lets say) the rest of the controls now do more to the tone. but if you boost one control, you "steal" from all the others. lots of treble? mids and bass do less. crank the mids? you have less for the treble and bass. too much gain + too much bass = woofy, loose, mushy tone. great for Nu-metal. back off the gain and bass, mids around noon and a little more treble (keep the presence low though, unless on Vintage) and its actually surprisingly tight. its still got the looser Recto feel, but its not mushy by any means.

the only thing i havent gotten on terms with is trying to play leads on my Recto. even with EL34s and mids turned up it just doesnt have that presence that i like to hear. its good, but not great. i can just throw my SD-1 in front though and it fixes the problem! however...

I have a Peavey Ultra Plus on the way. ive always wanted to try one, and ive always loved the Peavey tone (my 5150 was awesome, my Rockmaster preamp killed, before i killed it...need to get it fixed!) cant wait to try the Ultra. it was on Guitar Center's website for 300 bucks...as long as its in sound shape and in working order, ill be pleased. otherwise 30 day return policy will go into effect. but im looking forward to it!
Click to expand...

Nope, Recto EQ is passive as well. If an EQ is active, most of the time it won't be so interactive. It's just the way the FMV-style tone stack is...each control affects the others. The difference between Modern and Vintage on the Rectos is the negative feedback...Modern disconnects the negative feedback loop and the presence control is pretty much a treble bleed control to ground. Vintage has the negative feedback loop in and presence there like a Marshall or the like. That Recto-type circuit just is that way really...big sounding but you really have to coax out a "present" sound that cuts. I think they sound awesome though. The active EQ on the Peavey should behave more like the Graphic EQ on the Mark Series amps (cutting or boosting that certain frequency band, and shouldn't have too much interaction).
 
soc_monki":tczzeqhy said:
i believe the Recto EQ is active, but not the Mark series. same principle applies though...people always say Rectos are hard to dial in and maybe if you use "normal" settings they are. but you have to look at the EQ as a whole rather than separate. if you increase the gain, you increase the signal through the chain. but the more gain you add, the less the EQ does. you crank the gain, the EQ doesnt do as much. back the gain off (1 o'clock lets say) the rest of the controls now do more to the tone. but if you boost one control, you "steal" from all the others. lots of treble? mids and bass do less. crank the mids? you have less for the treble and bass. too much gain + too much bass = woofy, loose, mushy tone. great for Nu-metal. back off the gain and bass, mids around noon and a little more treble (keep the presence low though, unless on Vintage) and its actually surprisingly tight. its still got the looser Recto feel, but its not mushy by any means.

the only thing i havent gotten on terms with is trying to play leads on my Recto. even with EL34s and mids turned up it just doesnt have that presence that i like to hear. its good, but not great. i can just throw my SD-1 in front though and it fixes the problem! however...

I have a Peavey Ultra Plus on the way. ive always wanted to try one, and ive always loved the Peavey tone (my 5150 was awesome, my Rockmaster preamp killed, before i killed it...need to get it fixed!) cant wait to try the Ultra. it was on Guitar Center's website for 300 bucks...as long as its in sound shape and in working order, ill be pleased. otherwise 30 day return policy will go into effect. but im looking forward to it!
Click to expand...

I really think youll enjoy the Ultra. I just picked up an Ultra 212 for $190 and it kills. I love it more than my 5150 combo!
 
Regarding the EQ: I guess I was wrong :lol: :LOL:

I honestly could have sworn atleast the Mark IV was active... Oh well...

My girlfriend just stopped by my house and gave me an Ibanez Jemini Overdrive/Distortion pedal as an early birthday present.

I just tested it out and I love it. My singer even said "Thats the sound I had in my head for your solo. Perfect"

But the thing cost her $150 and I feel awful letting her spend that much on me. Ugh... Damn guilt trip is going to cause me to return it...

If anyone is concerned, the Jemini kicks a$$ when paired with the Ultra. If you were considering getting one, go for it. Fantastic pedal with a massive variety of tones.
 
skoora":1yzljeh9 said:
The main difference is the EQ on the Boogie is sooner in the circuit path than the peavey. The EQ is based on Fender designs where the tone stack (eq) is before the gain, where the Peavey is based more on Marshall etc where the tone stack is after the gain. That's why on Boogies increasing the bass makes higher gain settings loose and woofy and increasing the treble adds saturation. Think of it like an EQ in front of the amp vs. in the loop. The EQ in the Peavey being after the gain makes it possible to adjust the lows and highs without effecting the saturation level and usually allows for a stronger EQ as well. This is also good in that you can make very quick simple changes to the EQ when raising or lowering the preamp gain where the Boogie takes more adjusting (faster when you've had one for a while) as the EQ settings can be adjusted quite a lot to balance with adjusting the gain knob. It's completely normal on the Boogie to have the Bass almost off when the pre gain is high and then a fair bit higher when the gain is set clean or low. The peavey will just sound thinner or fatter where the Boogie will be tighter or looser.
Click to expand...

Perfect explanation. :thumbsup:
 
skoora":2tx9vbix said:
The main difference is the EQ on the Boogie is sooner in the circuit path than the peavey. The EQ is based on Fender designs where the tone stack (eq) is before the gain, where the Peavey is based more on Marshall etc where the tone stack is after the gain. That's why on Boogies increasing the bass makes higher gain settings loose and woofy and increasing the treble adds saturation. Think of it like an EQ in front of the amp vs. in the loop. The EQ in the Peavey being after the gain makes it possible to adjust the lows and highs without effecting the saturation level and usually allows for a stronger EQ as well. This is also good in that you can make very quick simple changes to the EQ when raising or lowering the preamp gain where the Boogie takes more adjusting (faster when you've had one for a while) as the EQ settings can be adjusted quite a lot to balance with adjusting the gain knob. It's completely normal on the Boogie to have the Bass almost off when the pre gain is high and then a fair bit higher when the gain is set clean or low. The peavey will just sound thinner or fatter where the Boogie will be tighter or looser.
Click to expand...

Well thank you for clearing that up!

Whenever I get a chance to purchase a Graphic EQ, where should I run it for this amp? In the loop or in front?

Also, How are those Danelectro Fish N' Chips Eq's? They look like a cheap plastic but im not too concerned because it will be in my pedalboard. I just want to know how they sound...
 
Thanks all things killer and tone ;)

I heard the Dano F&C is a great budget EQ. Whether you put it in the front or the loop is up to you. Some loops are too strong a signal for a pedal so you might want to research if the Peavey loop can do a pedal OK. Peavey themselves could probably tell you or see if there's a Peavey forum and ask about it. If there's a switch for the ultras loop that says +10 and -4, put it on -4 and it should work with a pedal, no problem.
 
the fish and chips is a good EQ...ive never had a problem out of mine, although admittedly i dont use it much anymore. keep it around for when i want to use it or do need it. i used it as a slight volume boost + eq for solos. then we put it in the loop of my co-guitarists JCM900...the thing roared after that. they sound great, dont be put off by the small plastic housing.
 
soc_monki":2pj8mugx said:
the fish and chips is a good EQ...ive never had a problem out of mine, although admittedly i dont use it much anymore. keep it around for when i want to use it or do need it. i used it as a slight volume boost + eq for solos. then we put it in the loop of my co-guitarists JCM900...the thing roared after that. they sound great, dont be put off by the small plastic housing.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I keep seeing them pop up used for about $20/25.

Maby Ill scoop one up soon.

Im also looking into a BBE Sonic stomp. How are those? Should I just start a separate thread for these questions? :lol: :LOL:
 
i dont know anything about the BBE stuff...ive never used it. ive always tried to add pedals and other stuff to my rig, but i usually just end up unplugging stuff and saying screw it! a footswitch to change channels is enough for me. about the only piece of gear i really miss and wish i hadnt lost was my CE-5 chorus. other than that, it was always just straight into the amp. i come from a punk background...i just like to plug in and wail!
 
Yea I want to get a chorus also... Man im gonna be spending allot...

Supposedly, the BBE Sonic Stomp is supposed to clean your signal and make it "clear" sounding?

Ive never had the chance to try one out or hear one in person so im not sure If the $40 is worth it...
 
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