Mako Amplification

[AusTexCap]

I'm considering trying a Mako amp sometime in the near future and am wondering if anyone can tell me a bit about the Custom Hundred. There isn't anything but a picture of it on the Mako website.

Also, has anybody had the opportunity to play a few of the different models, enough to compare them? Does the Mak2 have the same voicing as the Dorado but just with the extra channel?

Any info would be appreciated. Also, has anyone gotten their hands on a Fuchs Viper?

 

[RedB4Black]

Mak2 white (knob color being white)- has the dorado preamp
Mak2 black (knob color being black) - has the makoplex preamp

that's about all I know.

 

[killertone]

My Dorado experience was bad. Made any gas for a Mako disappear.

 

[thegame]

My Dorado experience was bad. Made any gas for a Mako disappear.

My Custom Hundred Watt experience was worse

 

[Juggernaut]

Makoplex kicks all sorts of ass...... love mine, I'm a MASSIVE gear whore, I've had the Makoplex for 6 months now, and still love it.

FWIW, I dont know much about the CH, but Andrew has some new stuff coming out this later this summer, Mak3, New versions of the Makoplex, and Dorado, and a 4 channel preamp that has both the Makoplex and Dorado preamps in it, as well as a mono 100 watt power amp.

 

[AusTexCap]

I'm guessing the Mak3 is a 3 channel amp?

What was so bad about your experiences?

 

[Juggernaut]

yeah, clean, crunch, your choice of the plex or dorado

 

[Juggernaut]

youtube clips of mine here.....

https://www.youtube.com/user/gunslinger1970

 

[thegame]

I'm guessing the Mak3 is a 3 channel amp?

What was so bad about your experiences?

Keep in mind some of these issues have (I've heard) been resolved in later models, but for me......

Effects loop was next to useless. Dramatic signal drop when using rack or pedal FX.

Slave out wasn't even hooked up. WTF ???

Loud pop when channel switching via front panel

Servicing was made next to impossible by any local tech since all internal components had their values blacked out. How convenient

I could forgive all that if the amp sounded killer. It did not. Dynamically it felt pretty good & articulate, I'll give it that, but the sound was lacking for me. Very 'vanilla' boring tone with little character. Though I did really enjoy J.B's Dorado clips & I'm sure I would've liked that alot more.

 

[AusTexCap]

Interesting. Those are definitely big issues. Do you remember what year your amp was made and possibly when these issues were addressed?

 

[RedB4Black]

My Dorado experience was bad. Made any gas for a Mako disappear.

I believe that one was modded by someone other than Mako.

 

[thegame]

Interesting. Those are definitely big issues. Do you remember what year your amp was made and possibly when these issues were addressed?

2005 I think. It would seem he addressed those issues by discontinuing that model. I recall some Dorado owners had issues with their loops too.

 

[Juggernaut]

Cant comment on the loops, dont know what the issue was there, but I know there was a CH and a Dorado making the rounds that someone had their grubby paws in, and screwed them up.....

For the service part of it, the old PTP modles had their parts blacked out, so to protect Andrews design, (at least it wasnt like the camerons with the epoxy), like this:

The newer PTB (printed Turret Board) is by far the most outstanding construction job I've seen on an amp thus far, the Chassis are thick as hell, mounted to the headshell with S.S. bolts and lock nuts instead of screws, here is some pics of my plex:

 

[thegame]

Cant comment on the loops, dont know what the issue was there, but I know there was a CH and a Dorado making the rounds that someone had their grubby paws in, and screwed them up.....

For the service part of it, the old PTP modles had their parts blacked out, so to protect Andrews design, (at least it wasnt like the camerons with the epoxy), like this:

His new printed turrent board design is amazing. I'm glad he stepped it up since the CHWs. I can assure you though that my CHW was not tinkered with as I bought it from Amplifier (paige). He was the original owner & only had it for approx. 1 month.

I would like to try a Dorado someday but I know it won't be "my tone".

 

[CaseyCor]

Damn, that looks sturdy as hell!

I know Pete (ihave27frets) loves his Makoplex, and I've really dug his tone every time I've heard him play.