‘Slaving’ a Mark V 25

[Filamentary]

Hi everyone,

For my first post on this forum I thought I would ask a question to avoid exploding my new amp’s OT.

I recently acquired a Mark V 25 for home use, which has taken over from a PRS MT15 but I still have both amps.

The MT15 uses 6L6s but configured for lower output. The result (from experience) seems to cop a bigger amp feel without the higher wattage.

I’d like to experiment with combining the V25 preamp with the MT15 power section (and forgetting the V25’s power section).

I think I can do this by selecting the V25’s SPKR OFF function to engage the internal resistive load from the CabClone, then running the V25’s FX send to the MT15’s FX return, disconnecting any external load from the V25 and connecting the cab to the MT15 instead.

Any reasons that that’s a bad idea? Has anyone done this themselves?

Note:
- I only have the one cab, so the CabClone will be my only load on the V25 if I do this.
- I don’t have a separate load box.
- I don’t intend to plug anything into the CabClone XLR jack. I’m strictly using the CabClone to avoid frying the output transformer.

Bonus question: Correct me if I’m wrong, but as I understand it the Mark V has the GEQ positioned pre-FX loop, so the above should keep the GEQ within the signal path as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rarebitusa]

Any reasons that that’s a bad idea? Has anyone done this themselves?

No... it's a great idea. Since there is only one cab involved, the V:25's internal resistive load gives you that slaving option without any threat of damage. You should get to experience the feel of those 6L6s which should be denser and stiffer then the el84s.

Yes the V's GEQ is placed before the fx loop.

 

[Filamentary]

No... it's a great idea. Since there is only one cab involved, the V:25's internal resistive load gives you that slaving option without any threat of damage. You should get to experience the feel of those 6L6s which should be denser and stiffer then the el84s.

Yes the V's GEQ is placed before the fx loop.

Thanks! Very helpful reply.

 

[Filamentary]

For anyone that may come across this in the future, I have tried it out and it seems to work well (nothing blew up).

I like the results. The sound through the MT15’s power section is huge by comparison to the V25’s own. The V25’s own power section is thinner and a bit softer sounding.

Also a correction: my MT15 is one of the newer ones with 5881 tubes, not 6L6s.

 

[rarebitusa]

my MT15 is one of the newer ones with 5881 tubes, not 6L6s.

I'd think the 5881s would be close enough to the 6L6s to make the point. Good to hear it worked out.

 

[Filamentary]

A further update:

I have now tried slaving the V25 into my Framus Cobra. That combination is absolutely brutal.

I never really got on with the Cobra as a standalone amp - it had a fizziness which I could never seem to dial out (through V30s, anyway). However, its power section has a lot of thump while staying very tight. Slaving the V25 into the Cobra seems to combine the best features of both amps. The result is a very good mid-2000s metal tone (KsE, BFMV) for those that are into that.

To add to that, the Cobra has two footswitchable master volumes. So slaving into the Cobra makes up for the lack of a solo boost on the V25.

I wouldn’t have thought to try this setup if I didn’t already have the amps lying around, but glad I did.