This makes me want Mark series amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter benduncan
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benduncan

benduncan

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This is near the exact tone that I'm always trying to get out of my UL, though it can get really close, it's still missing something

I might cut a little somewhere in the 400-800hz range, for my taste, but I'm sure that there's already plenty of post work done. Do any of the cheaper Marks sound like this? I remember hearing that the Mesa Studio Preamp was based on this amp. That would probably sound awesome running through the UL's KT88 power section. The Mark iv has always been on my list, but not really that high up. Bah, the differences between this and my amp are so subtle that it's not worth contemplating, but I can't help it :) Should I add this to my amps to buy list? Which :D if you're wondering, is currently:

1. Randall Satan(at least #1 to try, who knows after that)
2. VHT Deliverence
3. Rhodes Colossus
4. Kaos Hatred
5. Mesa Mark IV

6 through 9999999 of the list contains every other amp known to man
 
I bought a MarkII in 1981 I was so excited. It started my hatred of Mesa. The most temperamental hard to dial in amps on earth. Sound different in every environment/room. Push pull active eq my god it drove me nuts tweaking. Reminded me of my forays into modeling. Thank god I kept my Marshall slp 1959 as the Mark didn't last a year. MY ears and playing style just don't work with MESA period. Yes I have played with others that have made it sound good. In live situations they just don't cut it IMHO. Recorded music with Marks and Rectifiers sound good but how many times have you gone to a live show and were impressed by one or could tell it from the bass? The Jar of bees syndrome. I guess I like easy to dial in amps like Marshalls, VHT Deliverance, Hiwatt, and EVH 5150III that cut in a mix. You should try to play one but it may work for you. It's like when Capitol Guitars got into Engl amps I tried them all. The Blackmore seemed to be the only one usable for me.

Mrhiwatt
 
1981 mark IIb's are much different than c+'s and beyond, as pretty much all of you probably already know.
 
I love every Mark amp I've heard, check out the III, IV, V, studio preamp, quad preamp, and triaxis. They'll all be able to get that tone (IIB with OD might as well, but haven't heard much from them). I have a MK III blue stripe and it will be with me forever. The studio and quad you can find around $500, the III around $1000 (deals pop up every so often, snagged mine for $650), the IV around $1200+/-, not sure about the triaxis prices though. I've seen a IIC+ or two pop up around $1500, keep your eyes open.
 
Yes they are different but I still am horrible at dialing a Mesa in with push pull and modes etc. In "81 was chasing Santana like leads and the cleans etc. just couldn't get my crunch on. With the '59 turn it up and boost ride volume knob and rock on. Little Echoplex action I was good to go. LMAO

MrHiwatt
 
I doubt you'll get that tone out of any amp. Sounds like it's been multi-tracked and heavy post production EQ. It looks like a Mark III he's using though. Love my Mark IV
 
Owned two Mk IVs. Never shoukd have sold the first one. Great amps. They can have a bit of a boxy, nasal quality but holy shit are they fun the play through. So much gain and sustain. Think John Sykes tone on the 1987 Whitesnake album. Think Master of Puppets. That ballpark. Neat amps!
 
If I bought a mark iv everytime I've almost bought a mark iv, I'd have a lot of mark iv's.
 
You can get a Mark III for less than 1K that will easily get you that tone. Remember though you're hearing an Ola clip so it's not exactly a straight amp clip, there's multiple tracks and some production going on. Still, it does sound a bit better than most of his clips but I probably feel that way because he's not tuned down soo low or using a 7 string.
 
I used a Mesa MKII something or the other for about 15 years. Sounded killer. Never took a backup to a gig. Can't imagine how many shows I used that amp for. Solid as a rock.

Use a Triple Rec now for the heavy and it kills.
Always sounds great. I guess we all use what we feel comfortable with.
 
benduncan":1beshtwy said:
This is near the exact tone that I'm always trying to get out of my UL, though it can get really close, it's still missing something
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Try channel 2 with the high gain dip switch setting and a boost pedal. The extra saturation and mids from a pedal should get you close I loved boosting channel 2 of my old UL. Then use the graphic EQ for further shaping. :)
 
ok, I know that I have a billion quotes here:

benduncan":rxao3bke said:
I'm sure that there's already plenty of post work done.
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Yes, I'm aware that there is post production and multiple tracks ;)

mrhiwatt":rxao3bke said:
Capitol Guitars got into Engl amps I tried them all. The Blackmore seemed to be the only one usable for me.

Mrhiwatt
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Capital rules!! I personally couldn't get almost any Engl to cut, I haven't tried the Savage yet though. I really want a Deliverence.

Thanks

jkkkjkhk":rxao3bke said:
I love every Mark amp I've heard, check out the III, IV, V, studio preamp, quad preamp, and triaxis. They'll all be able to get that tone (IIB with OD might as well, but haven't heard much from them). I have a MK III blue stripe and it will be with me forever. The studio and quad you can find around $500, the III around $1000 (deals pop up every so often, snagged mine for $650), the IV around $1200+/-, not sure about the triaxis prices though. I've seen a IIC+ or two pop up around $1500, keep your eyes open.
Click to expand...

It will be a bit before I can get some cash, but I think I may be on the lookout for one of the preamps, or a IV

yngzaklynch":rxao3bke said:
They can have a bit of a boxy, nasal quality but holy shit are they fun the play through.
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That's one of the reason I like them, as long as it's not overwhelming(which is probably easy to do) I really like a bit of boxyness

rokket2005":rxao3bke said:
If I bought a mark iv everytime I've almost bought a mark iv, I'd have a lot of mark iv's.
Click to expand...

:lol: :LOL:

Shiny_Surface":rxao3bke said:
Try channel 2 with the high gain dip switch setting and a boost pedal. The extra saturation and mids from a pedal should get you close I loved boosting channel 2 of my old UL. Then use the graphic EQ for further shaping. :)
Click to expand...

I've never tried using channel two for anything beyond lead/crunch. I'll have to try tha when it's not 3am, thanks :thumbsup:
 
Almost every clip I find of the Studio Preamp sucks, lol. A lot of them are direct :no: others were just recorded with a camera phone :doh: Haven't checked anywhere other than youtube yet though
 
Haven't listened to the clips yet. I have a Mark IV that I play through a 4x12 Traditional cab. I agree that the Mark IV can sound nasally or boxy. But I only usually sense that when I've been playing through another amp first and my ears are accustomed to say, a Marshall type tone. When I play through the Mark IV with fresh ears, I don't hear that boxiness. It just sounds focused and tight.
 
I regret selling my Deliverance sometimes but the EVH 5150III has been keeping me happy for over a year. I would like to try the IIc sometime its about the only Boogie I have not played thru. I almost bought the Blackmore but couldn't quite pull the trigger. Good luck in your search. Boogies where really hard to get back in the day in MN. Knut Koupe could order them but it was yours or you ordered from Randall Smith. I ordered from Randall you had to pick up at airport. DO not know how old you are but Brad at Capitol will know that shop been closed for many years. He is an old timer like me

MrHiwatt
 
Shiny_Surface":2ljmvld1 said:
Try channel 2 with the high gain dip switch setting and a boost pedal. The extra saturation and mids from a pedal should get you close I loved boosting channel 2 of my old UL. Then use the graphic EQ for further shaping. :)
Click to expand...



Why haven't I tried this before?! It took quite a bit of GEQ tweaking, but I was able to get much closer. Close enough to where I could fix it up in post, to what I want.

Thanks for saving me lots of money ;)

...eh, I'll probably end up buying one someday anyway :no:
 
mrhiwatt":24f4ouhl said:
I ordered from Randall you had to pick up at airport. DO not know how old you are but Brad at Capitol will know that shop been closed for many years. He is an old timer like me

MrHiwatt
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The airport? lol

I went to High school with Billy's son, I helped(very little) when they opened. I moved to Anoka county awhile ago though and haven't been there a whole lot. Just started going back though, couldn't find a good tech in my area
 
Yes they air shipped to msp airport and you had to go pick it up no home delivery. LMAO. You used to get a hand signed Christmas card for a couple years for buying the MARK I I from Randall. Only couple dealers in the us you mainly bought direct like Carvin
 
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