TubeStack
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Wish I could both 100 and laugh response this, especially "the slider moved a millimeter..."
NAD: MESA/Boogie Mark VII
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Wish I could both 100 and laugh response this, especially "the slider moved a millimeter..."
TubeStack
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TubeStack
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TubeStack
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Ok, I was finally able to try the Mark VII at band practice a couple nights ago, nice and loud with my Mesa Trad 4x12, and using the Fractal VP4 in the loop! 
Some quick thoughts:
- Crunch is KILLER and I can totally use it as my main sound, love it; I do miss the squishiness/spongy attack of my Dyne, and its hugeness, a bit, but also like being able to dial in more highs and having more clarity in general
- MIIB pushed clean is also fantastic, really enjoyed having this sort of sound that I've never had access to; sounded particularly great on Police and Cure stuff, using VP4 chorus and delay in the loop
- I did not love VII mode as much, could not get it to jive at all with what I'm trying to use it for; it sounded good and was useable, but felt pretty stiff and just didn't do what I was hoping, ie. trying to get a boosted-800 thing happening, like what I get with my MXR CBMOD (SD1-variant) into Crunch on the Dyne, however not loving the VII mode for this; not giving up hope yet, though, as I didn't have much time to tweak and just wanted to keep the practice rolling (can always just boost Crunch, of course, but was hoping to get it out of VII with no pedals needed)
- definitely LOTS of mids with a Mark, 4x12 of V30s, and a 70s LPC with mid-heavy T-Tops... haha but I love it
Some quick thoughts:
- Crunch is KILLER and I can totally use it as my main sound, love it; I do miss the squishiness/spongy attack of my Dyne, and its hugeness, a bit, but also like being able to dial in more highs and having more clarity in general
- MIIB pushed clean is also fantastic, really enjoyed having this sort of sound that I've never had access to; sounded particularly great on Police and Cure stuff, using VP4 chorus and delay in the loop
- I did not love VII mode as much, could not get it to jive at all with what I'm trying to use it for; it sounded good and was useable, but felt pretty stiff and just didn't do what I was hoping, ie. trying to get a boosted-800 thing happening, like what I get with my MXR CBMOD (SD1-variant) into Crunch on the Dyne, however not loving the VII mode for this; not giving up hope yet, though, as I didn't have much time to tweak and just wanted to keep the practice rolling (can always just boost Crunch, of course, but was hoping to get it out of VII with no pedals needed)
- definitely LOTS of mids with a Mark, 4x12 of V30s, and a 70s LPC with mid-heavy T-Tops... haha but I love it
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@TubeStack - what's your favourite mode on the red channel?
EOengineer
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Those mids are precisely why you don’t see a ton of Mark users complaining about not cutting through. Perfect live amps.Ok, I was finally able to try the Mark VII at band practice a couple nights ago, nice and loud with my Mesa Trad 4x12, and using the Fractal VP4 in the loop!
Some quick thoughts:
- Crunch is KILLER and I can totally use it as my main sound, love it; I do miss the squishiness/spongy attack of my Dyne, and its hugeness, a bit, but also like being able to dial in more highs and having more clarity in general
- MIIB pushed clean is also fantastic, really enjoyed having this sort of sound that I've never had access to; sounded particularly great on Police and Cure stuff, using VP4 chorus and delay in the loop
- I did not love VII mode as much, could not get it to jive at all with what I'm trying to use it for; it sounded good and was useable, but felt pretty stiff and just didn't do what I was hoping, ie. trying to get a boosted-800 thing happening, like what I get with my MXR CBMOD (SD1-variant) into Crunch on the Dyne, however not loving the VII mode for this; not giving up hope yet, though, as I didn't have much time to tweak and just wanted to keep the practice rolling (can always just boost Crunch, of course, but was hoping to get it out of VII with no pedals needed)
- definitely LOTS of mids with a Mark, 4x12 of V30s, and a 70s LPC with mid-heavy T-Tops... haha but I love it
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As long as you don't po(o)p too much of a V.
I actually think Mark amps with the GEQ (and their users) are mostly responsible
for Jason Newsted leaving Metallica.
TubeStack
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You're gonna laugh, but I haven't even tried IIC and IV, yet.
I like IIB so much, I don't want to like/need those modes, so I've stuck with just IIB.
However, since I wasn't loving VII mode at practice, I'm thinking I'll try them now. And if I love them, I'll use Ch 2 for clean/pushed clean, maybe.
TubeStack
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As long as you don't po(o)p too much of a V.
I actually think Mark amps with the GEQ (and their users) are mostly responsible
for Jason Newsted leaving Metallica.
Well, you will approve, as I'm actually using the GEQ as a mid boost.
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Hell yeah!!
Don’t discount trying those IV and IIC+ modes entirely, they’re for more than just metal! Especially if you aren’t doing the scoop thkng lol
Don’t discount trying those IV and IIC+ modes entirely, they’re for more than just metal! Especially if you aren’t doing the scoop thkng lol
TubeStack
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A few updates:
- as mentioned, VII mode is great but I didn't love it at band practice as my only higher gain sound
- there's also a very audible gap when switching to VII from Crunch, which makes it not ideal as a main solo option
- I'm going to try boosting Crunch with my usual drives (MXR CBMOD, Keeley Fuzz Head), instead of using VII mode for my higher gain sounds (which are not very high gain, really)
- this is my usual approach; for some reason I've never bonded with any Mesa high gain channel on any of their amps I've owned (which are many, haha); there's something about goosing an 800-level-of-gain crunch sound with a pedal that just works for me, maybe it's the added compression?
- this opens up having Clean as a totally-clean sound, ie. not pushed, in addition to IIB for pushed/dirty cleans, so that's Clean, IIB pushed clean, and Crunch, plus boosted Crunch, for 4 overall tones
- which leaves me unsure how to incorporate the GEQ, if at all?
- the new VP4 midi w/scenes update allows me to use it to switch channels more effectively, so I'm dumping the Ampero controller
- I rebuilt my pedalboard last night and am going to set up the midi switching tonight
- as mentioned, VII mode is great but I didn't love it at band practice as my only higher gain sound
- there's also a very audible gap when switching to VII from Crunch, which makes it not ideal as a main solo option
- I'm going to try boosting Crunch with my usual drives (MXR CBMOD, Keeley Fuzz Head), instead of using VII mode for my higher gain sounds (which are not very high gain, really)
- this is my usual approach; for some reason I've never bonded with any Mesa high gain channel on any of their amps I've owned (which are many, haha); there's something about goosing an 800-level-of-gain crunch sound with a pedal that just works for me, maybe it's the added compression?
- this opens up having Clean as a totally-clean sound, ie. not pushed, in addition to IIB for pushed/dirty cleans, so that's Clean, IIB pushed clean, and Crunch, plus boosted Crunch, for 4 overall tones
- which leaves me unsure how to incorporate the GEQ, if at all?
- the new VP4 midi w/scenes update allows me to use it to switch channels more effectively, so I'm dumping the Ampero controller
- I rebuilt my pedalboard last night and am going to set up the midi switching tonight
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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So has it usurped the ElectraDyne? Or just taken a place semi-beside it? Either way it sounds like it has made it to keeper status and that is always good \m/
TubeStack
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I would say it's a strong contender to have usurped the mighty Dyne, however I've been so busy with work stuff, and have had so little live band time with it (one band practice), its long term status remains to be seen. However, I'd say based on everything so far, its chances are very strong!
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A few updates:
- as mentioned, VII mode is great but I didn't love it at band practice as my only higher gain sound
- there's also a very audible gap when switching to VII from Crunch, which makes it not ideal as a main solo option
- I'm going to try boosting Crunch with my usual drives (MXR CBMOD, Keeley Fuzz Head), instead of using VII mode for my higher gain sounds (which are not very high gain, really)
- this is my usual approach; for some reason I've never bonded with any Mesa high gain channel on any of their amps I've owned (which are many, haha); there's something about goosing an 800-level-of-gain crunch sound with a pedal that just works for me, maybe it's the added compression?
- this opens up having Clean as a totally-clean sound, ie. not pushed, in addition to IIB for pushed/dirty cleans, so that's Clean, IIB pushed clean, and Crunch, plus boosted Crunch, for 4 overall tones
- which leaves me unsure how to incorporate the GEQ, if at all?
- the new VP4 midi w/scenes update allows me to use it to switch channels more effectively, so I'm dumping the Ampero controller
- I rebuilt my pedalboard last night and am going to set up the midi switching tonight
Nice update, TS!
Great to see your thoughts on this after some more miles under the fingies!
I feel ya on Mesa High-Gain Struggle-fest. It can be a very different---almost too stark---of a difference
from the Clean and Crunch. It's why I ended up moving away from Channel Switchers entirely toward
the latter days of my gigging life. I found a Boost/OD (on and off) while also riding my volume on a Crunch
Channel/Setting to just be more seamless and integrated as a tonal landscape. I loathe abrupt sonic changes
on guitar in a live setting. Having every part/tone flow one into the other can be an essential characteristic
for some of us.
TubeStack
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Okay, Crunch takes boosts/drives like a champ, love it! Gels very well with my two longtime faves, the CBMOD and Fuzz Head. Way more my thing than trying to use VII mode, though I'm glad I at least tried the latter. Also love that this gives me a full, high-headroom clean channel with Fat mode on Ch 2.
And... switching amp channels via midi with the VP4 is AWESOME and super easy to set up. Literally took a few minutes and I had it selecting channels when switching VP4 presets, as well as switching channels through scenes within the presets. Also amazing is having the VII recall (or switch) reverb, fx loop, and GEQ status via midi, as well. This plus the Cab Clone out is extremely appealing and useful to me (much more so than tube rectification, Solo level, etc, on the V).
And... switching amp channels via midi with the VP4 is AWESOME and super easy to set up. Literally took a few minutes and I had it selecting channels when switching VP4 presets, as well as switching channels through scenes within the presets. Also amazing is having the VII recall (or switch) reverb, fx loop, and GEQ status via midi, as well. This plus the Cab Clone out is extremely appealing and useful to me (much more so than tube rectification, Solo level, etc, on the V).
TubeStack
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Nice update, TS!
Great to see your thoughts on this after some more miles under the fingies!
Thanks! I've had very little time with it overall, unfortunately, however will be able to dig into things more in the coming weeks.
I feel ya on Mesa High-Gain Struggle-fest. It can be a very different---almost too stark---of a difference
from the Clean and Crunch. It's why I ended up moving away from Channel Switchers entirely toward
the latter days of my gigging life. I found a Boost/OD (on and off) while also riding my volume on a Crunch
Channel/Setting to just be more seamless and integrated as a tonal landscape. I loathe abrupt sonic changes
on guitar in a live setting. Having every part/tone flow one into the other can be an essential characteristic
for some of us.
Exactly, also there's just a totally different feel to a boosted crunch channel vs a high gain channel, at least to me, again I think it's the compression (and eq change)?
In fairness, Mesa advertises the new VII mode as being capable of sounding like an extension of Crunch, which I'd say is true, more so than the high gain modes on other Mesas I've owned. But I still prefer the feel and sound of just boosting Crunch.
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I rarely enjoy boosting, but crunch mode on the V is definitely an exception to that rule… especially with a bb preamp (CS midboost verskon)
…. That reminds me I need to hunt down one of those again for the third time
…. That reminds me I need to hunt down one of those again for the third time
EOengineer
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The Mark stuff sounds so cool with fuzz. It almost doesn’t matter what fuzz, they all seem to work so well. Just dial in a little hair (or a lot) and go for it. I think it’s just the amp’s natural compression characteristics that makes it work so well. The edges get rounded off a touch.
TubeStack
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Yes! I have always been hooked on the Keeley Fuzz Head and certain Mesas, used much like you describe, just a small amount of fuzz and a slight level boost. Makes for a great, mid-heavy and round noodling tone at home, and a nice, thick, almost Sabbath-y fuzzy tone turned up loud with the band. Also very responsive to rolling off the volume for a nice Dickie Betts/early Clapton/ZZ kind of sweetness.
Loved it with the Dyne and a Rectoverb 25 I had, not so much with the Stiletto. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t gel with the VII, but it does, in a big way.
