Bxlxaxkxe
Amp ho
Guys with experience with these things, what do you like about them over Hundreds/Simuls etc? These fuckers have quite a reputation. What is it about them? Massive power section = massive sonic footprint or what?
Zachman
Well-known member
Bxlxaxkxe":1qydmnvr said:
Pretty much, you covered it. MASSIVE Power section w/ MEGA Clean headroom. Tons of usable gain, and a wide variety of tones one can dial in, solid and built like a tank too.
Original owner of '1986 MKIII Coliseum Simul-Class head (No stripe). Still have it and love it!!!
R
Racerxrated
Well-known member
They have this 'bloom' at volume(high) that really is amazing..if you've played other great high wattage amps (Wizard, SLO, Triple Rec, 2203/1959) and loved what they do/how they react when pushed, the Coliseum takes it to another level. One treat with this amp is with the Mesa halfback cabs with the EV/C90s...they are killer through any cab but if you find the Mesa metal grill with those speakers and can push them it might be the best tone I've ever heard. Those cabs were sold with the Mark IIs/IIIs and I understand why..they are just OK at lower volume but loud they take on a really aggressive tone that rips your face off. Boosting the clean channel too is another great tone to be had. Underrated cleans. But it also sounds GREAT at low volumes also...where some others amp struggle a bit the Mesa Coli stays with the same tonal characteristics.
They are amazing and if you can find one, grab it.
They are amazing and if you can find one, grab it.
Zachman
Well-known member
Racerxrated":xjjqvq73 said:They have this 'bloom' at volume(high) that really is amazing..if you've played other great high wattage amps (Wizard, SLO, Triple Rec, 2203/1959) and loved what they do/how they react when pushed, the Coliseum takes it to another level. One treat with this amp is with the Mesa halfback cabs with the EV/C90s...they are killer through any cab but if you find the Mesa metal grill with those speakers and can push them it might be the best tone I've ever heard. Those cabs were sold with the Mark IIs/IIIs and I understand why..they are just OK at lower volume but loud they take on a really aggressive tone that rips your face off. Boosting the clean channel too is another great tone to be had. Underrated cleans. But it also sounds GREAT at low volumes also...where some others amp struggle a bit the Mesa Coli stays with the same tonal characteristics.
They are amazing and if you can find one, grab it.
psychodave
Well-known member
The coliseum was just too much. Too much sound, too much bottom end, for a house player like me. I could see where it would be great when playing outside with a band though. I felt the same way about the two Mark III coliseums I owned as well.
B
braintheory
Well-known member
These responses basically cover the coliseum vs 100 watt differences. I’d also say as well just more horsepower, note definition, clarity and thump, but same overall flavor/tone
The coliseums don’t necessarily put out much more volume than the 100 watt counterparts, but they just put out the sound in a noticeably more efficient/effortless way. I think that effiency is a big thing in what sets the coliseums apart. It’s kinda like if me or someone like Arnold Scwhartzennager were to both bench 200lbs. Sure we can both do it, but it’ll look a lot more impressive when he does because it’s nothing for him
The coliseums don’t necessarily put out much more volume than the 100 watt counterparts, but they just put out the sound in a noticeably more efficient/effortless way. I think that effiency is a big thing in what sets the coliseums apart. It’s kinda like if me or someone like Arnold Scwhartzennager were to both bench 200lbs. Sure we can both do it, but it’ll look a lot more impressive when he does because it’s nothing for him
GJgo
Well-known member
The extra HP is not about the volume- it's about the girth. One tone vid I have in my queue is to take an amp, set it to say 105 db, and do separate recordings with 2 / 4 / 6 power tubes. Or something like that. Colis & Triples as you say just have a massive sonic footprint.
Exo-metal
Well-known member
All the cake you can eat, just huge and 3D like nothing man made. Mine is a 2C +/++ simulclass that lays waste to any amp I personally have ever played.
R
Racerxrated
Well-known member
I understand the perceived volume differences. 100w vs 180w, when both are pushed may not sound that much different...but to me there is a HUGE difference. I had a loop modded 2B Coli at the same time as an HRG C++. I ran both at the same time with an ABY box...the Coli flattened, buried and just told the HRG to STFU. Lol.
I know the 100w/50w difference isn't all that great when the volumes are maxed but that experience I had with the HRG vs the 2B Coli, the difference was HUGE.
I agree too the girth at low volume/equal volume between 2 amps, the higher wattage will always have 'more' to the tone. Definitely bigger. I also feel the Coli is a fantastic low volume amp, great for home playing and maybe the best of any amp I've owned. And, I hardly ever use the limit knob. Great volume versatility with the multiple volume options.
I know the 100w/50w difference isn't all that great when the volumes are maxed but that experience I had with the HRG vs the 2B Coli, the difference was HUGE.
I agree too the girth at low volume/equal volume between 2 amps, the higher wattage will always have 'more' to the tone. Definitely bigger. I also feel the Coli is a fantastic low volume amp, great for home playing and maybe the best of any amp I've owned. And, I hardly ever use the limit knob. Great volume versatility with the multiple volume options.
psychodave
Well-known member
...for the record, notice I never mentioned volume in my above post. 
Zachman
Well-known member
psychodave":1vaygpwo said:...for the record, notice I never mentioned volume in my above post.
Hope all is well. I love your gear. You hold hero status in the tone and gear department, as far as I'm concerned.
I salute you
J
journeyman73
Well-known member
man, i need to get me one of these!
psychodave
Well-known member
Zachman":9uio6swz said:psychodave":9uio6swz said:...for the record, notice I never mentioned volume in my above post.
Hope all is well. I love your gear. You hold hero status in the tone and gear department, as far as I'm concerned.
I salute you
Not me bro... you’re the HMFIC.
Zachman
Well-known member
psychodave":l9w0ptu8 said:Zachman":l9w0ptu8 said:psychodave":l9w0ptu8 said:...for the record, notice I never mentioned volume in my above post.
Hope all is well. I love your gear. You hold hero status in the tone and gear department, as far as I'm concerned.
I salute you
Not me bro... you’re the HMFIC.
Well, thank you my friend, but you truly inspired me, and have provided countless great bits of info over the years, not to mention I love listening to you play-- and for that I am better off, so thank YOU
J
JimAnsell
Well-known member
i played an outdoor gig with a blue stripe coli mark III and an all EV metal grill + LP custom.
https://ibb.co/GtkKc39
i think thats Jenna Jameson on the faceplate from some mid 2000's guitar mag
...and yeah, that shit sounded amazing.
its a nice, confident feeling, walking on stage with tonez like that. just play the songs right now
https://ibb.co/GtkKc39
i think thats Jenna Jameson on the faceplate from some mid 2000's guitar mag
...and yeah, that shit sounded amazing.
its a nice, confident feeling, walking on stage with tonez like that. just play the songs right now
GJgo
Well-known member
It's hard to capture on the mic, but you can kind of get the feeling of difference here comparing my IIB KRG (6 tube) to my III DRG (4 tube). Don't listen for the tone, because they are different, listen for the body & girth.
Same thing here comparing my IIB KRG to my IIC+ SR. This is even more dramatic going from 6 tubes to 2 tubes.
And then here in the band mix, compare the Five 35 (4 EL84) to the IIC+ SR to the IIB KRG.
Same thing here comparing my IIB KRG to my IIC+ SR. This is even more dramatic going from 6 tubes to 2 tubes.
And then here in the band mix, compare the Five 35 (4 EL84) to the IIC+ SR to the IIB KRG.
D
DeathbyButterslax
Well-known member
GJgo":386arjuz said:
I like the way your triple rec sits the most in the band setting
GJgo
Well-known member
Me too. I much prefer Rectos in this band's mix, at least for rhythm. Unfortunately old Marks are like crack.
Bxlxaxkxe
Amp ho
GJgo":2dhrwcqm said:
Agree I like the Rectos here for sure. Without getting wordy, they just bigger and fuller. And like you said, the problem is that the Marks are just so damn fun, and there are so many fuckin variations. You could spend a lifetime trying them all.
GJgo
Well-known member
Bxlxaxkxe":3ic7qb2w said:
I've owned them all but the Mark I! Only the Mark II Coli is not negotiable. I'm sure I'll end up selling this III++ as well and then there will be only one Mark left.
Marks are kind of like the hot girlfriend. Such a PITA but you can't say no. Rectos are the average chick that would do anything for you. But, we guys are all dumb so...
