So does anything other than a Mesa Mark sound like a Mark?

[LeftyCatton]

Just been wondering if any other manufactures have gone after this sound? There are loads of "Marshall" based guys putting their own twist on it but I've never heard of anyone starting specifically with a Mark flavour. Anyone ever come across a Mark sound-a-like?

Luke

 

[K-mark5]

hmm hard to tell... I'd say Fryette Sig X may be pretty close..

 

[Tone Monster]

I think bunches of amps do. Peters Gryphon, Cameron CCV does a little, Rhodes Collossus, Mesa Quad and Studio pres, VHT UL.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

I remember Bugera trying to make a copy of the Mark V, or was it IV?

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Mesa Quad


VHT's are polar opposites.

 

[Chris6870]

I remember Bugera trying to make a copy of the Mark V, or was it IV?

Yea it was called the Magician.

 

[Robotechnology]

The Carol-Ann Triptik can do a nice Mark and then some. A TriAxis can as well and a studio pre and a quad. I own an Ultra-Lead and had a Sig:X and I don't feel they cop Mark tones but, nor would I want them to. A Peters Hydra can also sound Markish.

 

[daveg62]

I've had the SigX and currently have a triaxis, and I don't feel that either one sound like my Mark III. The closest thing I've had to it was an Axe-fx Standard. Axe-fx pretty much nails the tone easily. Triaxis feels much different to me.

 

[Tone Monster]

Mesa Quad


VHT's are polar opposites.

I always set up my Mark series amps tight and dry like a VHT for rhythm. Very similar. Of course the Mesa can get more saturated and fluid for leads!

 

[guitarman967]

My first thought was VHT. They feel the same to play to me

 

[ericsabbath]

the triumph seems to be peavey's response to the mark III
the circuit definitely had lots of influence

 

[steve_k]

Just been wondering if any other manufactures have gone after this sound? There are loads of "Marshall" based guys putting their own twist on it but I've never heard of anyone starting specifically with a Mark flavour. Anyone ever come across a Mark sound-a-like?

Luke

Nope.

 

[blackba]

If you look at Mesa's amps, they have a number which are in the ball part, such as the DC series, Express series, Quad/Studio preamp, etc.

 

[rupe]

My first thought was VHT. They feel the same to play to me

You're not the only one in this thread to say that, but I find it somewhat mindblowing that anybody could have that opinion. In my experience, a VHT UL is about as far removed from a Boogie Mark Series as it gets.
I can only assume these opinions are based on slamming the front end with a shit-ton of gain and compression, because the amps are their own are totally different creatures.

As for what does sound like a Boogie? I'd say the vast majority of modded Marshalls

 

[headlessdeadguy]

My first thought was VHT. They feel the same to play to me

You're not the only one in this thread to say that, but I find it somewhat mindblowing that anybody could have that opinion. In my experience, a VHT UL is about as far removed from a Boogie Mark Series as it gets.
I can only assume these opinions are based on slamming the front end with a shit-ton of gain and compression, because the amps are their own are totally different creatures.

As for what does sound like a Boogie? I'd say the vast majority of modded Marshalls

 

[stratotone]

Mark series Mesas are basically fender circuits with locomotive gain. The placement of the tone stack early is why it doesn't affect the tone as much as say a marshall which has the tone stack later. Think of the difference between adding an EQ pedal in the loop vs front of your amp. Not quite as drastic but same ballpark.

VHTs don't feel or sound anything like a Mark series Mesa. VHTs have much more clarity and are tighter. Modded marshalls don't sound much like Mesas either other than the concept of a lot of gain developed in the preamp section. Mesa Quad and Studio sounding like a Mark series is a wash because they are mark series preamps.

You can get a Mesa Mark series amp so cheap now (relatively) that it doesn't really make a lot of sense for anyone to do a real clear copy.

All the above is my opinion, based on owning several versions of the amps above and recently being able to compare my Mesa Mk III Coliseum vs several VHTs I used to own. Even though the Mesa was 180 watts, the VHTs were always tighter. Just the way they were designed.

Pete

 

[Deathonastick]

Mesa Triaxis with a Simul-class power amp does the Mark sound very well.

 

[spirit7]

My VHT UL sounds nothing like my Mark IV. Much tighter and clearer.

Nothing I've played sounds like a Mark, really.

-C

 

[Zachman]

Just been wondering if any other manufactures have gone after this sound? There are loads of "Marshall" based guys putting their own twist on it but I've never heard of anyone starting specifically with a Mark flavour. Anyone ever come across a Mark sound-a-like?

Luke

There are many decaffeinated brands on the market that claim to be as good as the real thing, but NOT for me. In my experience, the matter of "Close enough" is best decided by the user. I have found there are TONS of tonal variety available with the MK amps, and depending on the user's expectations-- close enough may be close enough, or too far away to achieve bliss.

 

[Charvel_King]

From clips i've heard i think the SLO has the right vibe to it. Got the same fluid, smooth disotrtion to it. Gain structure sounds similar and both amps are heavy in the mid-range department.

I can get a pretty good Wicked Sensation tone out of my Mark III!

After all Mike Soldano built his SLO after dispointment with a Mark II he bought. From what i've heard the Mark IIC+ is very similar in the pre-amp to a SLO...

Would still take a SLO over the Mark III though