MAK4 RIG ALMOST COMPLETE... Sneak review (PICS!!)

[steve_k]

Nice rack Mo. The Mak4 takes up some room though. But, for us with CSS (can't see shit), the big knobs, spacing, totally independent EQ, is all a plus.

I don't want one though......

Steve

 

[Ventura]

Couple things to note, first off - yep, the lack of an FX loop is a consideration. However, as well equipped as I am with my other heavy hitters and their decent-to-excellent loops included (the latter being Diezel), I've come to realize I'm a pretty straight forward cat when it comes to playing. This coming from a guy with a sitload of FX, but I use them very sparingly. In the case of this set up, I see using the usual suspects - Clyde Deluxe Wah if needed - and the TimeFactor/PitchFactor - that's it. Both of which can happily sit in front. Now, there is the option of sticking FX at line level in between the preamp and the poweramp, haven't experimented with this yet - as mentioned - the straight forward tone off this thing so far hasn't had me wanting for anything. But I'll check out the possibilities and report back.

In short, it's not cheap - even though the preamp is pretty reasonable. I went for top quality with the poweramp and the cab. I swear, the tone I am dialing in with this rig - multiple personalities on all 4 channels, is to my ears, simply awesome. It's completely different and this is what I like the most. The TimeFactor would only be used to add some "dimension" to the sound, nothing more. So for a straight ahead "holy shit where did you get THAT tone" sound, this rig does it aplomb. I've got no regrets in putting it all together, and I swear I've become a Fryette fanboi since going with Steve's products. I'm really blown away.

That's it - back to playing

V.

 

[jlbaxe]

 

[threadkiller]

Nice rack rig.

My mak4 shipped yesterday Should get it next week sometime.

there is the option of sticking FX at line level in between the preamp and the poweramp,

This is what I plan to do using an old quadraverb. I'll report back as to how it works. I to am an effects minimalist. Some reverb, some delay at times. I'll use a chorus pedal in front. That's about it.

 

[roadifier]

When I have a rack setup, I always Put my FX processors at line level between the pre amp power amp, and It sounds great!

 

[Ventura]

Nice rack rig.

My mak4 shipped yesterday Should get it next week sometime.

there is the option of sticking FX at line level in between the preamp and the poweramp,

This is what I plan to do using an old quadraverb. I'll report back as to how it works. I to am an effects minimalist. Some reverb, some delay at times. I'll use a chorus pedal in front. That's about it.

Have you decided on the poweramp? Well, congrats, it's a really great piece of gear. It stays!!
V.

 

[Ventura]

When I have a rack setup, I always Put my FX processors at line level between the pre amp power amp, and It sounds great!

Might I ask what FX - they'd have to be line level capable (ie Eventide, etc.). Just wondering, thanks!!

V.

 

[roadifier]

When I have a rack setup, I always Put my FX processors at line level between the pre amp power amp, and It sounds great!

Might I ask what FX - they'd have to be line level capable (ie Eventide, etc.). Just wondering, thanks!!

V.

Eventide, mod factor and time factor.

 

[srommes]

there is the option of sticking FX at line level in between the preamp and the poweramp,

This is what I plan to do using an old quadraverb. I'll report back as to how it works. I to am an effects minimalist. Some reverb, some delay at times. I'll use a chorus pedal in front. That's about it.

I'm running my Mak4 with an Intellifex XL between it and a VHT 2150. It sounds killer and of course with the older Rocktron unit, minimal to no tone coloration.

 

[Ventura]

Srommes & Roadifier, this is excellent news. I'll have to make sure Reza sees this. As mentioned, I'm not too worried about "adding" FX into the mix quite yet...I'm still working out what this amp is capable of before I start to augment the sound. I'm impressed with the "voice" option on the poweramp - does a lot of cool stuff, especially when the channel's MIDs are backed off (in Makoplex mode, as the picture above will indicate, I have the mids on strong, and the treble backed off - it soundds ultra KERRANG and punchy... To add a boost, hit the "voice" and voila, another voice unto itself).

Well, enough spamming on this rig - thanks for all your input and insights and opines. Next up will be clips, hopefully this weekend.

V.

 

[threadkiller]

Nice rack rig.

My mak4 shipped yesterday Should get it next week sometime.

there is the option of sticking FX at line level in between the preamp and the poweramp,

This is what I plan to do using an old quadraverb. I'll report back as to how it works. I to am an effects minimalist. Some reverb, some delay at times. I'll use a chorus pedal in front. That's about it.

Have you decided on the poweramp? Well, congrats, it's a really great piece of gear. It stays!!
V.

I have a Fryette 2502 from my current rig. the EL34's may not be ideal with this power amp but at the lower volumes I usually run I doubt it makes too much difference. For some reason our vocalist likes to hear himself. Primma donna!

 

[Ventura]

I have a Fryette 2502 from my current rig. the EL34's may not be ideal with this power amp but at the lower volumes I usually run I doubt it makes too much difference. For some reason our vocalist likes to hear himself. Primma donna!

LVS - Lead Vocalist Syndrome.

V.

 

[flimz]

How do you think the Mak4 would sound with a solid state power amp? Like a QSC or similar?
Thanks!

 

[threadkiller]

Check out fastredpony cars clips on youtube where he is using the peavey 260. Sounds great.

 

[Ventura]

How do you think the Mak4 would sound with a solid state power amp? Like a QSC or similar?
Thanks!

This is no disrespect to anybody in SS land, not whatsoever, but I'm a tube kinda guy. So, I have next to ZERO knowledge about SS amps... All I do know is this thing is a f*ckin' beast, and I love it.

The poweramp, at least to me, is at least 1/3 of the reason this thing sounds as good as it does... The potency and clarity of the 2/90/2 has to be helping this thing get to where it's going, and it's real real good

V.

 

[flimz]

How do you think the Mak4 would sound with a solid state power amp? Like a QSC or similar?
Thanks!

This is no disrespect to anybody in SS land, not whatsoever, but I'm a tube kinda guy. So, I have next to ZERO knowledge about SS amps... All I do know is this thing is a f*ckin' beast, and I love it.

The poweramp, at least to me, is at least 1/3 of the reason this thing sounds as good as it does... The potency and clarity of the 2/90/2 has to be helping this thing get to where it's going, and it's real real good

V.

I hear ya about the tube amp. Im very interested in this pre. I love the 4 channel versatility. I was just wondering if it would sound sterile thru a decent SS poweramp, until a quality tube amp could be had. My only tube amp is a vintage marshall, with no fx loop, so I cant use that. I listened to all of FRPC's clips, and they all sound great. I would be running it thru a vintage marshall style straight 4x12 with WGS vet30s (if that makes any difference). Im eager to hear clips of your rig!

 

[DonSimon76]

Glad to read through this thread! I have a Mak4 on the way. It is going to be going in the loop of my Axe-FX Standard and then to a Mesa 20/20 power amp to a Randall R212 with Celestion G12T Hot 100's.

Should be some fun with some stereo effects going on!

 

[NinjaRaf]

To answer questions about if the mak4 sounds good with a SS amp...Here is a clip I just did of the dorado channel boosted with a hardwire cm-2 going through the power section of an ampeg b2r SS bass head lol. Going into my buzzbomb 212 with eminence legend M12 speakers. Recorded using my sennheiser e609 going into my emu 0404 and into reaper. Double tracked, panned hard left and hard right, only a gate on each track to get rid of the sound of my little wall air conditioning unit in the background lol.

http://www.netmusicians.org/index.php?s ... alue=10577

I blew my load getting the preamp, so a decent power amp is gonna have to wait for me. I just picked up an art sla-2 off ebay earlier this week to use until I can afford something like the vht 2502 or the mako power amp. Im definitely a tube guy as well, but Im also fairly broke since Im trying to get a crapload of school debt and my car paid off...so extra money isnt easy to come by for me. This bass amp has been doing the job for 2 weeks now, and Im sure the art will work for a year or 2, until I can save up for a nice tube power amp. But yeah, I think it sounds fucking INCREDIBLE through a SS power amp...to the point where I intend to play it through one for at least a year.