Mak4 gut shots

[threadkiller]

Mak4 came today. First impression is that is sounds phenomenal. The Crunch and Makoplex are unbelievable and worth the cost of the preamp. The Dorado is way over the top with gain but tends towards fizz a little. May just need some tweaking as I have less than 1 hour on the whole thing.

The reason for that is that my clean channel stopped working shortly after I got it hooked up. Andrew was Johnny on the spot answering my email. Turns out the V3 tube was bad, probably due to shipping trauma. Replaced it and it works fine now. By the way, the cleans are actually clean unless you really push the gain. Anyway, I'm not a technical guy but I knew a lot of you like amp gut shots so I took a few while I had it open. Very neat and tidy I must say. I think I'm going to like this thing. I'll update after I have some time on it.

Pics to follow.

 

[threadkiller]

[No message]

 

[Ventura]

So, you see what I was trying to say??

Crunch is off the hook in tonal bliss, Mako is awesome, Clean is, well, clean.... Give Dorado some time - it's nuts but solid

Glad you dig!!

Mo/V.

 

[dstroud]

wow man, what an awesomely clean design for the flexability in that thing! I think that guys shop is right by where I live - I need to get to know this guy!

 

[Ventura]

wow man, what an awesomely clean design for the flexability in that thing! I think that guys shop is right by where I live - I need to get to know this guy!

I've had and have a LOT of heavy hitting amps... This thing has blown me away with it's tone and breadth, flexibility, and pure and simple style!!

Luvin' it!!
V.

 

[threadkiller]

One of my favorite things about it is that it is a rack mount preamp, yet it has knobs. Yes, knobs I can see and turn when I want without scrolling through any menus. OK, so it takes up a little real estate in the rack. I'll take it. I'm eager to see how the crunch and makoplex respond to a little upfront boost with my tube screamer clone today. I have placed the quadraverb line level between the pre and power amp and according to the clip diode on the quadraverb I don't have any problems with overload or weak signal.

 

[threadkiller]

BTW, I have not noticed any noise problems such as were encountered on the early versions.

 

[Bevosss]

The reason for that is that my clean channel stopped working shortly after I got it hooked up. Andrew was Johnny on the spot answering my email. Turns out the V3 tube was bad, probably due to shipping trauma. Replaced it and it works fine now.

Nice outcome, I got a little freaked when I first started reading that, but really not much can go wrong with Andrew's build quality apart from tubes...I'd actually rate it above Diezel quality because of the printed turret board design, plus he's never had a return according to a comment by him. He overbuilds them ala Diezel too, check out the oversized tranny!

Just curious, what preamp tubes does he recommend for replacement? Btw he's been really prompt at answering any of my questions via email, I don't think I've ever encountered that level of customer service before...gives you a lot of confidence ordering off him!

Thanks for the pics of the inside TK. Mine should be shipping any day now, it's already past the 10 week mark here.

 

[threadkiller]

It took me about 12 weeks to get mine but well worth it. He recommends JJ tubes. I stuck in a chinese tube I had laying around but I forgot to mention he said he would mail me some tubes, for free!!!

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

So that is what they look like after shipping!

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

So, you see what I was trying to say??

Crunch is off the hook in tonal bliss, Mako is awesome, Clean is, well, clean.... Give Dorado some time - it's nuts but solid

Glad you dig!!

Mo/V.

Mo...you rock!

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

wow man, what an awesomely clean design for the flexability in that thing! I think that guys shop is right by where I live - I need to get to know this guy!

Not for long man.... I'm hoping to say Adios to Van Nuys very soon.... already packing up for a bigger Mako shop and moving me homestead this weekend...Adios Granada Hills!

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

One of my favorite things about it is that it is a rack mount preamp, yet it has knobs. Yes, knobs I can see and turn when I want without scrolling through any menus. OK, so it takes up a little real estate in the rack. I'll take it. I'm eager to see how the crunch and makoplex respond to a little upfront boost with my tube screamer clone today. I have placed the quadraverb line level between the pre and power amp and according to the clip diode on the quadraverb I don't have any problems with overload or weak signal.

glad you like it 'killa!

 

[mortega76]

Man, that Mak4 would be awesome if it was in a 2U rack... and now looking at the innards... it looks like it could be done! Plenty of space.

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

The reason for that is that my clean channel stopped working shortly after I got it hooked up. Andrew was Johnny on the spot answering my email. Turns out the V3 tube was bad, probably due to shipping trauma. Replaced it and it works fine now.

Nice outcome, I got a little freaked when I first started reading that, but really not much can go wrong with Andrew's build quality apart from tubes...I'd actually rate it above Diezel quality because of the printed turret board design, plus he's never had a return according to a comment by him. He overbuilds them ala Diezel too, check out the oversized tranny!

Just curious, what preamp tubes does he recommend for replacement? Btw he's been really prompt at answering any of my questions via email, I don't think I've ever encountered that level of customer service before...gives you a lot of confidence ordering off him!

Thanks for the pics of the inside TK. Mine should be shipping any day now, it's already past the 10 week mark here.

You are on the good side of the globe and in the future!

I'm going to start shipping tubes "not Installed"... more hassle for the end user but I've had a few DOA and some just cracked in half.

I did have one return on the Mak4 preamp. It was freakishly noisy..... I missed something when I soldered it.

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

Man, that Mak4 would be awesome if it was in a 2U rack... and now looking at the innards... it looks like it could be done! Plenty of space.

Sure it could be done.

I'm going to make it 2U...... 2 chans on the front and 2 on the back....this would be pure awesome..... guitarists need more exercise. Put down your shake weights and turn some knobs on the back of your rack!

 

[mortega76]

Man, that Mak4 would be awesome if it was in a 2U rack... and now looking at the innards... it looks like it could be done! Plenty of space.

Sure it could be done.

I'm going to make it 2U...... 2 chans on the front and 2 on the back....this would be pure awesome..... guitarists need more exercise. Put down your shake weights and turn some knobs on the back of your rack!

Wow... thanks for the quick response... how about just smaller knobs so that all the channels can be accessed from the front?

Quick question... I was under the impression that you needed a tube power amp (like the VHT 2/90/2) to give it that tube power amp saturation... I currently have the Axe-fx into a PV1500 power amp... could I use a SS power amp and get the "full effect" of the Mak4?

 

[threadkiller]

Fastredponycar has you tube vids through peavey 260 which looks like it is meant to be a PA power amp to me and it kills.

 

[The_Mako_Maker]

Wow... thanks for the quick response... how about just smaller knobs so that all the channels can be accessed from the front?

Quick question... I was under the impression that you needed a tube power amp (like the VHT 2/90/2) to give it that tube power amp saturation... I currently have the Axe-fx into a PV1500 power amp... could I use a SS power amp and get the "full effect" of the Mak4?

I don't know... I think I'm old... I hate little knobs and little pots.... I like it now that it so easy, visible, and intuitive to dial in.
I figured most guys playing racks are probably my age.... almost 40. When you get this old the last thing you need is to squint at some knobs. It is not out of the question though, I'm really open to what people want.

Dude, you have a Axe-fx..... no need for a Mak4. But, yes, a tube poweramp is great.

 

[Ventura]

Man, that Mak4 would be awesome if it was in a 2U rack... and now looking at the innards... it looks like it could be done! Plenty of space.

Sure it could be done.

I'm going to make it 2U...... 2 chans on the front and 2 on the back....this would be pure awesome..... guitarists need more exercise. Put down your shake weights and turn some knobs on the back of your rack!

Wow... thanks for the quick response... how about just smaller knobs so that all the channels can be accessed from the front?

Quick question... I was under the impression that you needed a tube power amp (like the VHT 2/90/2) to give it that tube power amp saturation... I currently have the Axe-fx into a PV1500 power amp... could I use a SS power amp and get the "full effect" of the Mak4?

Power amp tube saturation as per Andrew's testimony is NOT recommended for the Mak4, hence the reason I went with a huge headroom poweramp (2/90/2 - there's no f'n way I'll be going up to the limit of 100W a side, it's just not realistic). I am a tube kinda guy, and not a SS fan, this is why I chose Fryette. Furthermore, the Fryette amps are killer quality - noiseless - depth and presence able - high/low wattage - high/low fan - discreet size (2U). Nothing more to say about that.

In using the Mak4, I'll say this - it's a good thing it has relatively large chickenhead knobs - it's very sensitive to changes in its parameters. It'll go from audible to thunderous in a slight turn of the knob...so best to have something to hang onto during the process

It's a brilliantly voiced preamp and that's all I can say - this is not an endorsement, and I'm not getting any kickbacks for saying it - it's just to my ears, this thing's got a lot of positives to it. I love every sound it makes, and that makes it worth every cent. I have no negatives to speak about its size, it is what it is, I'm fine wth it.

V.