TGF Official Amp Mesa Boogie Mark series. Join the fun and get one today!

[TacoParty]

I have been wanting a closed back 1x12 for awhile. I was leaning towards a Dr.z to go with my Z-40, but they're $800 + the cost of the WGS ET90 Z recommends for that amp, or 3-4 months to order one with the WGS.

I saw the new carbon look Recto 1x12 pop up at Sweetwater with the Z-Wreck grill cloth for a lot less than the Z cab. I have been trying all of my cabs and speakers with the Z-40, but nothing has been quite right for me, closest is the Alnico Cream in the Z plus cab, hence the want for the Z cab. Plugged the Z into the Recto with the stock V30 and holy hell there it is, sounds amazing.

I know it's not a Mark cab, but I did get an email from Mike B yesterday confirming that he is just going to give my IIB a full service and no mods and should be done by next week. Can't wait to try it with the new cab.

 

[newholland]

hey all-

dumb question for y'all- where are you setting your lead volumes?

like most things mesa, you can get to the same place a buncha different ways- but id like to know how yer using the lead volume! do you roll it back down to 2-3 to help control output, or do you crank it way up to open up dynamics or somewhere in the middle?

 

[LCW]

hey all-

dumb question for y'all- where are you setting your lead volumes?

like most things mesa, you can get to the same place a buncha different ways- but id like to know how yer using the lead volume! do you roll it back down to 2-3 to help control output, or do you crank it way up to open up dynamics or somewhere in the middle?

I run both masters around the same value.

 

[newholland]

I run both masters around the same value.

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why? i dont really have any endgame in mind- seriously asking.

meantime- mark iii- great test case cause its kinda close to my iib!

 

[LCW]

why? i dont really have any endgame in mind- seriously asking.

meantime- mark iii- great test case cause its kinda close to my iib!

I want to say that I might have read in the manual (??) that it’s recommended to keep them at similar levels.

 

[EOengineer]

why? i dont really have any endgame in mind- seriously asking.

meantime- mark iii- great test case cause its kinda close to my iib!

The lead master is usually just about balancing the clean and lead mode volumes. It changes somewhat dependent upon your volume 1 and lead drive settings.

 

[newholland]

The lead master is usually just about balancing the clean and lead mode volumes. It changes somewhat dependent upon your volume 1 and lead drive settings.

my thinking is theres a tipping point, dynamically. lately, ive been running mine higher- 5-6 maybe more- just to see what it does, and to my ears, it sounds better. BUT, im controlling clean with my volume knob, and not the footswitch, AND i have a loop attenuator.

i think running it vaguely NMVish it breathes a bit better- but i could be just pushing it through attenuation!

 

[spawnofthesith]

I had a Facebook memory from 15 years ago pop up today of a video playing shitty metalcore riffs through my first mark V in my bedroom. Tone sounds kinda sweet for an Aughts digital camera recording It was going through a Mesa 4x12 there… I have my second mark V now but only have Mesa 1x12s…….

 

[laxu]

my thinking is theres a tipping point, dynamically. lately, ive been running mine higher- 5-6 maybe more- just to see what it does, and to my ears, it sounds better. BUT, im controlling clean with my volume knob, and not the footswitch, AND i have a loop attenuator.

i think running it vaguely NMVish it breathes a bit better- but i could be just pushing it through attenuation!

It's just a pot earlier in the circuit vs a bit later in the circuit and the only difference would be how much signal whatever circuitry comes after them has. When comparing different combinations, use a decibel meter because we tend to perceive "louder is better".

On my Mark V where you can turn off the global master circuitry, with it off the channel volumes are pretty touchy and I can't turn them up much before it gets uncomfortably loud. With the master on, no problem and I just set them to whatever allows for a good channel balance.

I haven't found any benefit to "master high, channel volume low" or vice versa. I've just ended up using whatever gives them the best control where it's easy to adjust volume. I think mine are atm about the same for both master and channel volumes, with some variation based on power scaling level of each channel.

 

[gearJunkie]

Welp, the Mark VII don't need no stinkin' pedals!

I agree, with the exception of the IIb mode on channel 3 when using it as my lead tone. With the gain already dimed, the extra push erupts into a wave of molten silver.

 

[newholland]

It's just a pot earlier in the circuit vs a bit later in the circuit and the only difference would be how much signal whatever circuitry comes after them has. When comparing different combinations, use a decibel meter because we tend to perceive "louder is better".

On my Mark V where you can turn off the global master circuitry, with it off the channel volumes are pretty touchy and I can't turn them up much before it gets uncomfortably loud. With the master on, no problem and I just set them to whatever allows for a good channel balance.

I haven't found any benefit to "master high, channel volume low" or vice versa. I've just ended up using whatever gives them the best control where it's easy to adjust volume. I think mine are atm about the same for both master and channel volumes, with some variation based on power scaling level of each channel.

no i hear that- but i wonder also how much it has to do with what i perceive of as different eqs on volume 1 versus the lead channel. the lead channel- to my ears- has a more low end/mid scoop sound, much like a loudness circuit- and i think it fills out better with MORE of that with the passive attenuator in the loop and manages to get less of that preamp gain at low volume grot. but how much of it is psychoacoustic versus actual resolution change... meh.. i dunno!
i dont suppose it matters TOO much if i like it! thats why i asked though- and i dont know a single person with a mark in the region to confirm or deny!

 

[TSJMajesty]

How long before we get the non-GEQ 60 watt RIs?

Mike B. Is on record saying those have a special sauce to ‘em

There was something different in the circuitry. I'm trying to remember, but I think it was when they were comparing different OG versions, while developing the RI, that he came to hear something that just sounded better in one of those amps, then when he went back, he discovered that there was indeed something the non-EQ versions had. Something like that.

Iow, it's more than just whether it has the EQ or not.

 

[László]

I agree, with the exception of the IIb mode on channel 3 when using it as my lead tone. With the gain already dimed, the extra push erupts into a wave of molten silver.

I'm probably more of a lower gain player, BUT...just for grins, what pedal are you pushing the IIB mode with? I'm always interested to hear how friends are using their gear!

Also, if you're using the GEQ, how are you setting it up when you have the gain full on in IIB mode? This site is great for Mesa tips.

 

[gearJunkie]

BUT...just for grins, what pedal are you pushing the IIB mode with?

Depends on the day, but at the moment I'm enjoying my Lovepedal Tchula, but I also like using Origin Effects DCX Boost or the Mesa Grid Slammer I acquired from @JiveTurkey.

Also, if you're using the GEQ, how are you setting it up when you have the gain full on in IIB mode?

 

[spawnofthesith]

Outlook real bad on the mark III

Got my new fuses…

Any time a new fuse is placed, powers on fine; then the second out of standby fuse blows. Tried fresh power tubes as well…. No dice.

Really at a loss of what happened as there was no specific incident… just wouldn’t power on one day and fuse was blown. Hope the OT isn’t shot…..

 

[dbagchee]

Oh no dude, that sucks. Hope it is something fixable.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Tried a few other pairs of known good power tubes and I’ve just burned through all 5 fuses I bought



Hopefully it might just be a screen grid resistor?

 

[newholland]

Tried a few other pairs of known good power tubes and I’ve just burned through all 5 fuses I bought



Hopefully it might just be a screen grid resistor?

thats literally the only repair ive ever had done to any of my three mesas. im pretty sure thats it.

 

[EOengineer]

thats literally the only repair ive ever had done to any of my three mesas. im pretty sure thats it.

Was also what got my Mark III. It was on borrowed time for needing service at the time.

 

[László]

Depends on the day, but at the moment I'm enjoying my Lovepedal Tchula, but I also like using Origin Effects DCX Boost or the Mesa Grid Slammer I acquired from @JiveTurkey.


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Great info, thank you! I'll try that - half the joy of this amp is using the controls and hearing different setups! While I don't have the same pedals, I have several that do similar things, so I'll give that a try as well.

BTW I love the cream/tan livery. Mine's the one on top of the rack, different look; now of course I think I should have gotten cream.