Mark V 35?

[Mr. Willy]

In my experience with volume and/or high gain they tend to get mushy on the low end and breakup undesirably. They sound great for clean and mid-gain tones though.

Last question, don't mean to derail the thread...what about Brian May? How does he get such a killer sound out of EL84's?

Guess we have a different opinion of what "mid-gain" tone is.

 

[rlord1974]

In my experience with volume and/or high gain they tend to get mushy on the low end and breakup undesirably. They sound great for clean and mid-gain tones though.

Last question, don't mean to derail the thread...what about Brian May? How does he get such a killer sound out of EL84's?

Guess we have a different opinion of what "mid-gain" tone is.

EL84s are great tubes - very musical. Quite reliable as well. The only things that don't do well are (a) BIG, TIGHT bottom end and, hence, (b) METAL. They are fantastic though for cleans, mid gain and high gain rock tones.

Brian May got a great sound out of EL84s because he wasn't trying to play drop tuned metal with them.

 

[rlord1974]

Yeah, I fail to see the point of this amp since they already offered a 25 watt Mark V. I think it's great that there's options available, but I'd rather see a Mark VI than a Mark V:35. I'm just not seeing the reason for this. I'm sure there is a reason they released it, but I'm not seeing it.

I can totally see it. The Mark V:25 is available as a head only, and many have complained it is a little light on low end and punch. Seems to me the 25 was largely designed as a home player's wet dream - Mesa tones in a 16.5 pound package with direct recording capability.

The 35 ups the ante and provides a bona fide option for a fully featured gigging amp: (a) combo format, (b) foot switchable boosts on each channel, (c) 35 watts and (d) more punch / bottom end. I can totally see a lot of players liking the options on the 35 and the little extra power. 35 watts is perfect for pretty much any gig other than outdoor festivals or arena stages. It would make a great grab 'n' go combo for practice and small gigs, weighing in at just around 45 lbs.

 

[Mr. Willy]

In my experience with volume and/or high gain they tend to get mushy on the low end and breakup undesirably. They sound great for clean and mid-gain tones though.

Last question, don't mean to derail the thread...what about Brian May? How does he get such a killer sound out of EL84's?

Guess we have a different opinion of what "mid-gain" tone is.

EL84s are great tubes - very musical. Quite reliable as well. The only things that don't do well are (a) BIG, TIGHT bottom end and, hence, (b) METAL. They are fantastic though for cleans, mid gain and high gain rock tones.

Brian May got a great sound out of EL84s because he wasn't trying to play drop tuned metal with them.

Ok, thanks man. I just don't have much experience with EL84's. I understand now that they're not good for what I would call "modern high gain." Sometimes these terms can be subjective.

 

[rlord1974]

In my experience with volume and/or high gain they tend to get mushy on the low end and breakup undesirably. They sound great for clean and mid-gain tones though.

Last question, don't mean to derail the thread...what about Brian May? How does he get such a killer sound out of EL84's?

Guess we have a different opinion of what "mid-gain" tone is.

EL84s are great tubes - very musical. Quite reliable as well. The only things that don't do well are (a) BIG, TIGHT bottom end and, hence, (b) METAL. They are fantastic though for cleans, mid gain and high gain rock tones.

Brian May got a great sound out of EL84s because he wasn't trying to play drop tuned metal with them.

Ok, thanks man. I just don't have much experience with EL84's. I understand now that they're not good for what I would call "modern high gain." Sometimes these terms can be subjective.

And I would also say my description is based on what has been available to-date with the EL84. Obviously, amps are really pushing the envelope now. I'm sure there are many owners of the Mark V:25 that primarily play metal on it - sounds pretty good to me in person and in all of the clips I've heard. Unfortunately, it will never truly satisfy the players that are adamant they need the 100 watts of headroom, associated bottom end and overall punch a 100 watter provides.

 

[skoora]

I think the EL84 Lone Star Special is the best Lone Star they make. A cranked AC30 is a beast for hard rock...but metal....no.

I don't see the point in the MK V 35 though. I have a MK V and it has a great Master volume and a 45/10 watt option. Just get one of those. I think the MK V 25 doesn't sound that great.

 

[splawner]