clips on MAKO amp web site...questions for MAKO amp owners

[FZRJunkie]

The clips are great. Great sounds, great riffs. Took me across the line from yer garden variety Mako gas, over to deciding I am going to get one. Originally, it was just due to price and quality, but those clips sold me. Can anyone comment on these questions?

1. In the Mak-2, what is the diff between Dorado and Makoplex preamps? (white/black) Does each sound the same as with their respective single-channel head versions?

2. Does Andrew still do turret boards and flying leads, or is it 100% PCB now? Should I care at all? Would he do handwired on request?

3. What is the wait time currently? (used are almost as much $$$, but no wait time. I'd rather have new)

 

[J.B.]

I believe Andrew stopped doing the PTP thing, but I wouldn't worry about that. The irst 3 dorado clips on the site are mine, and the 2 after that are my friends. I can tell you that the clips really do sound like the amp in person. I thought it recorded more accurately than any amp I've owned.

 

[FZRJunkie]

Thanks J.B. After hearing those clips I decided to see how close I could get with my 6505+, and I got to to the parking lot of the ballpark. Similar sound, but without the sneaky cool, deep low end, or the clarity. If you have time could you compare the Mako to the 6505+? It's my bang-for-buck solution, and money is so freakin tight right now, but it works. I mean would you say we're talkin WAAY better, or just a bit clearer than a 6505+? I'm hoping it's similarly voiced, and hoping the Mako does *not* have a Recto voicing to get that low end.

Have you tried a Mak-2? Do you think the only diff between it and the Dorado is a clean channel? Dirt channels the same?

 

[cyndicate]

Thanks J.B. After hearing those clips I decided to see how close I could get with my 6505+, and I got to to the parking lot of the ballpark. Similar sound, but without the sneaky cool, deep low end, or the clarity. If you have time could you compare the Mako to the 6505+? It's my bang-for-buck solution, and money is so freakin tight right now, but it works. I mean would you say we're talkin WAAY better, or just a bit clearer than a 6505+? I'm hoping it's similarly voiced, and hoping the Mako does *not* have a Recto voicing to get that low end.

Have you tried a Mak-2? Do you think the only diff between it and the Dorado is a clean channel? Dirt channels the same?

The Mak2's also have a "freak" knob that changes the midrange voicing of the amp a bit. There's also a "Sub" control added that can control the bottom end.

 

[J.B.]

Thanks J.B. After hearing those clips I decided to see how close I could get with my 6505+, and I got to to the parking lot of the ballpark. Similar sound, but without the sneaky cool, deep low end, or the clarity. If you have time could you compare the Mako to the 6505+? It's my bang-for-buck solution, and money is so freakin tight right now, but it works. I mean would you say we're talkin WAAY better, or just a bit clearer than a 6505+? I'm hoping it's similarly voiced, and hoping the Mako does *not* have a Recto voicing to get that low end.

Have you tried a Mak-2? Do you think the only diff between it and the Dorado is a clean channel? Dirt channels the same?

Well, the Dorado is definately clearer, tighter, and overall more pissed off sounding. But I did find the Dorado to be a major one trick pony. But what it did, it did extremely well. I've never tryed the Mak, so I can't comment on that.

Oh, and it definately doesn't sound like a recto to me.

Sorry I couldn't be more help..

 

[FZRJunkie]

Oh, and it definately doesn't sound like a recto to me.
Sorry I couldn't be more help..

nonsense, that's all kinds of help. Especially the clips!
Glad to hear it's no recto. That was one of the reasons I got rid of an Uberschall.

Some of the clips kinda have a VHT quality, but wetter, and the lows are really smooth and deep. I'm quite infatuated with them...

I sent Andrew an email asking a bunch of questions, like, "does it do controlled feedback?"

 

[Mr. Willy]

Oh, and it definately doesn't sound like a recto to me.
Sorry I couldn't be more help..

nonsense, that's all kinds of help. Especially the clips!
Glad to hear it's no recto. That was one of the reasons I got rid of an Uberschall.

Some of the clips kinda have a VHT quality, but wetter, and the lows are really smooth and deep. I'm quite infatuated with them...

I sent Andrew an email asking a bunch of questions, like, "does it do controlled feedback?"

I own a Dorado. Keep in mind that this amp has rediculous amounts of gain, and I've put a 12AT7 in V1 to tame it. It has a VHT feel in that it's very, very clear, tight, and precise. It puts out exactly what you put in. The voicing is super hot Marshall with a huge, clear, deep bottom (if that's what you want). It sounds nothing like a Recto. It could be set up for the wall-o-sound thing like a Recto but with much better cut. Doesn't mesh well with a boost. I've boosted every other amp I've owned, but my TS9 really degrades the purity of the tone. It's tight enough without it. I've always loved the way a boosted amp feels, and this feels boosted out of the box. Sounds AWESOME at bedroom volumes. It has high and low inputs and when used that way it can be somewhat versatile, but versatility isn't what she's about. Domination is. What is does, it does it in spades and then some. To me it sounds like the bastard child of a menage a tois between an Ubershall (deep bottom), VHT (dryish, but not too dry, clear, precise), and an extremely pissed off Marshall (voicing).

Hope I've helped your gas.

 

[FZRJunkie]

Doesn't mesh well with a boost.

I've never used boosts or dirt pedals, so no worries there. I don't like to "switch channels to play the lead" or push a button either. Just play, and mix up the rhythm and lead parts.

Hope I've helped your gas.

It's a gas attack alright. I'd be curious to know what guitars and cabs were used in those clips, and if they were double/quad-tracked. And which effects were used for the lead sounds on one clip in particular. I downloaded a bunch and been jamming to em!

I've been searching this and other forums for "Mako" threads and reading them all -- it seems only a few people here are/were Dorado owners and everybody else either has the Makoplex or the Mak-2 with the Makoplex preamp. But I'm interested in the "gainzilla" Dorado and the Mak-2 with the Dorado preamp, and just curious if there's any sonic/feel differences between them (except for the clean channel on the Mak-2).

There is one guy on rig-talk (I think) who had the Dorado Mak-2 and didn't like it, and went back to his block logo 5150, which is more or less the same amp I have -- but if I'm thinking of the right guy, he goes through a purple-butt-ton of amps on a weekly basis, so....

J.B.? Do you still have yours? Or, did you want something else more versatile, maybe?

Yeah, if I had the money I'd order one regardless. Just trying to gather info while I figure out where to get the money.

 

[J.B.]

J.B.? Do you still have yours? Or, did you want something else more versatile, maybe?

No, I sold it quite a while ago. Mainly because of the versatility issue.

 

[FZRJunkie]

Sounds AWESOME at bedroom volumes.

I'm not too worried about that. The problem I've had with most amps I've owned or brought home for test drives (all the big names) is they sound great at reasonable volumes, but turn em up, and they just start getting so harsh and white-noisey when playing fast stuff when it's really loud.

To me it sounds like the bastard child of a menage a tois between an Ubershall (deep bottom), VHT (dryish, but not too dry, clear, precise), and an extremely pissed off Marshall (voicing).

Good news. That's some menage a trois. That's almost as good as Zooey Deschanel, Elisha Cuthbert and the cute, thick black chick with the juicy badonkadonk on Reno 911 (totally would).

Perfect. But I wish Reno 911 was on now.

 

[FZRJunkie]

No, I sold it quite a while ago. Mainly because of the versatility issue.

what rig makes you happy now?
or, what do you want to get, if you don't already have it?

 

[Juggernaut]

Here is my Makoplex.....

Keep in mind the gain is on 5.5 on the first part of it.....
I'm uploading another clip tonight with the gain on 5 straight up.

I'm EXTREMELY impressed with the Makoplex, I wasn't sure if I would be or not, but DAMN!!! this thing is MASSIVE, I can't imagine the Dorado having more gain, the Plex has more than enough, anything past 6 is just overkill.

 

[Juggernaut]

Here is Andrews new construction methods...... Fucking Awesome!!!

Mak2

 

[FZRJunkie]

Here is Andrews new construction methods...... Fucking Awesome!!!

Holy crap!!! Those are new pics???
I see turrets and chassis-mounted pots and no PCBs? I thought he went to PCBs to speed up builds?

For the price and the build quality, he's got everybody beat from what I can tell

 

[Juggernaut]

Yep....

Quoted from the Mako site:

"Mako amps are hand wired on Printed Turret Boards (PTB). Not to be confused with standard run of the mill PCBs, which are the norm in lower cost electronics.

The Mako PTB first has its turrets pressed in. Then each turret is handsoldered to t he board. After that, each component gets hand loaded and hand soldered to the turret."


They are built like crazy, tough as hell. I love mine, tone for days, and mines just a single channel but tons of different tones to be had, the eq is very user friendly, and usable. I've not been this impressed with an amp since the Splawn I had, and this blows it away, IMHO.

 

[FZRJunkie]

Yep....

Quoted from the Mako site:

"Mako amps are hand wired on Printed Turret Boards (PTB). Not to be confused with standard run of the mill PCBs, which are the norm in lower cost electronics.

The Mako PTB first has its turrets pressed in. Then each turret is handsoldered to t he board. After that, each component gets hand loaded and hand soldered to the turret."


They are built like crazy, tough as hell. I love mine, tone for days, and mines just a single channel but tons of different tones to be had, the eq is very user friendly, and usable. I've not been this impressed with an amp since the Splawn I had, and this blows it away, IMHO.

well yeah. I've drooled over his "Builds" web page many times -- but everybody's saying he switched to PCBs to speed up operations.

What can I sell to raise funds?????????????? Gaaahhhh! OD'ing on GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Juggernaut]

You'll love it.... AWESOME, AWESOME amps!

Now I'm wanting to "upgrade" to the Mak2.

 

[J.B.]

No, I sold it quite a while ago. Mainly because of the versatility issue.

what rig makes you happy now?
or, what do you want to get, if you don't already have it?

I've had a Bogner XTC for about a year now, which is a record for me. I'm getting the itch for something different now though. Not sure what yet...

 

[FZRJunkie]

You'll love it.... AWESOME, AWESOME amps!

Now I'm wanting to "upgrade" to the Mak2.

I imagine you'll stick with the "black" Mak2 with the Makoplex pre, right? Not the Dorado pre?

I wonder what his cabs are like? I saw the one with the 2 offset speaker holes, looks oversized. What's up with that "hex" back panel? It's not even a polygon, it's a polyhedron ie the sides of the hex are different lengths!!!! Dude's a mad scientist!

 

[FZRJunkie]

No, I sold it quite a while ago. Mainly because of the versatility issue.

what rig makes you happy now?
or, what do you want to get, if you don't already have it?

I've had a Bogner XTC for about a year now, which is a record for me. I'm getting the itch for something different now though. Not sure what yet...

I had a *very* early white chassis XTC - it had more thump and snap than anything but it had to go to save the house/studio....
The Uberschall I had recently had lots of problems and in the end I actually liked the sound of my Peavey better, at least the voicing. The reason I tried so hard to make the Uber work was it stayed focused up loud, was quiet and warm, didn't really ever get harsh. But it just didn't sound right, missing something in the middle. Every time I fired up the 6505+ I was like, ahhh, there it is. So the Uber went away. Best lead tone I've ever had though, with the PV a close 2nd.

Sounds like my future Mako (I'm pretty decided on the Mak-2 Dorado just to have a clean channel along with the mega-distortion of the Dorado channel) will eradicate the frustration and unblock all the creativity and sound great loud, and I will be able to get that warm fat lead tone on the same settings as the type of rhythms I heard in those clips....I hope so, that's the goal anyway.