Alice in Chains tone using markV head and cab...

[Zakkmylde]

Hi guys I'm new to this form and definitely new to Mesa boogie amps, I just purchased this head and I love it but to be honest it's a little over whelming and I may not be best guitarist at dialling in tones. I can't seem to find anyone who's offering settings on their MarkV amp for a chains tone. I'm in a chains cover band so I wanna do it justice, I totally have faith this amp can do this, just not sure how to go about getting that magical tone from Jerry.



Jerry Cantrell is the riff master

 

[Zakkmylde]

I apologize if I've posted this in the wrong part of this form. I 37 years old I should know better just I've new to forms and postings. So once again excuse me for the ignorance.

 

[shredhead72]

Hey there. I have the Mk V combo and I've been searching for a Chains like tone as well. Here's what I've come up with (I'm no tone wizard either)...

Jerry (I think) uses EL34 tubes, not 6L6s. The 6L6 don't offer the looseness of his tone. I have the 6L6's in my combo.

I found using the Crunch mode in the 2nd Channel gives the best clarity and note definition for open chords (Using Les Paul Traditional with 57 Classics). You can boost it with an OD pedal for lead, or just setup Channel 3 for leads.

In crunch mode, I don't use the EQ sliders, I use the preset knob and dial it to about 12:30

However, he uses so many different amp combos,that his tone is very different song to song. If you find anything better, let me know.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Thanks man. I guess I can try and switch stock tubes and see if I notice a difference. You feel there's a difference in tube change?

 

[shredhead72]

I think there would definitely be a big difference in Tubes. I haven't had the luxury of switching mine, but I'd imagine the tone would be altered significantly.

Also, he uses Vintage 30 speakers in his cabs.

Plus, he's Jerry Cantrell which means his hands do a lot of the work. Probably my favorite riff writer aside from Page and Hetfield.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Ya his hands for sure. No doubt he's a music legend for his tone and riffs.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Your definitely right, swapped tubes and found 34's to be bit brighter and bite....more British type tone. Switched back to 6l6's and it seems to be more in the mids.....more like we die young kinda tone. So ya huge difference. Both great guess, just finding which works best in band situation.

 

[screamingdaisy]

However, he uses so many different amp combos,that his tone is very different song to song. If you find anything better, let me know.

That's what I've noticed. The tone changes, but the feel is always there.


Anyway, for AIC I use channel 2/crunch. Gain somewhere between most and all the way up, presence around 11:00, treble around 11:00, mids around 9:00, bass at 12:00, and the preset EQ at 9:00. I prefer to use 45w and tube rectifier for a slower, saggier response.

Also, he uses Vintage 30 speakers in his cabs.

Live he uses a dual amp rig. One is set to a higher gain, more scooped "metal" sound and is connected to a cab loaded with V30s. The other less gain and more of your standard "rock" sound and is connected to a cab loaded with G12M-25s

That said, I don't think you need all of the above to get his sound. He's changed amps plenty of times over the years and still maintains the same general sound as he did back in the 90s. I've experimented with the amp and speaker mix and while the sound is huge it's quite easy to get by with a single amp and cab so long as you get the right feel in your playing.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Cool man. So this amp should be no issue getting that great tone. It will take some time to get used to this amp, lots of little tricks and playing to do. Hopefully tones get posted on grail tone site for this particular tone and amp.

 

[Adambomb]

The best advice I can give you have already been givin a couple of times already... Switch to EL34's. Runs the amp a little hotter and I feel it opens up Ch2 WAY more and Ch3 also. Cleans will take a little bit of a hit but MKV is super clean amp anyway. And hang in there Boogies ARE hard to dial in. I'm running EL34s with GMajor in loop level at 11 o'clock. Here's a pic on my setting and I use channel 2 for all my bands 90's rock like STP AND AIC music... Try them settings with EL34's.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Thanks alot, that should be great help. Are u single guitarist in that band? Reason I ask cause 34's seems little brighter and less bottom. So I thought maybe I should stick to 6L6 since it seems more chunky and Beefier. But my singer plays also so no a huge issue. Just want that Jerry rhythm and great channel for lead. Thanks again. I'll swap tubes again tonight and dial in your settings. Ill let you know as band practice tomorrow. I'll get band feedback.

 

[Zakkmylde]

One more question MARK III, I'm not sure what you meant by running G Major in loop level at 11 o'clock? Assume it's some sort of effect?
Anyhow I noticed your channel volumes are high, since I can't see master volume to the right side beside EQ I assume that fairly low, as this amp can rip your head off I find I can barely crank it at practice. I'm still now sure how to utilize the volumes and master volumes. One master volume on the right side and one on the back, effects loop volume. Doesn't seem to make huge different which master volume I use, still trying to work all that out and remain quiet enough so bandmates to complain on volume.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I get my best results by running channel 3's master at 9:00, then adjusting the remaining channels so that they balance channel 3.

 

[Adambomb]

I get my best results by running channel 3's master at 9:00, then adjusting the remaining channels so that they balance channel 3.

What he said...^^^ I don't seem to lose any low end with the EL34s with the V. Just more saturations and mid range punch. You can always dial in plenty of more low end. And my main master for shows are around noon almost. Just letting u know what I'm doing with my effects loop. U don't have to, but every detail of the knobs and what you run with the V makes a big different. Good luck. Keep dialing to taste. If your not use to Boogie, it takes a bit. It's like a learning curve with Mesa amps.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Thanks a lot ADAMBOMB, your setting is a great tone and will get me started for sure in my quest for AIC tone. I miss directed my above post to "mark III" when in fact I meant to ask "ADAMBOMB ". My bad sorry, that's what I seen when I looked at your post.

You totally right, tons of bottoms. I find the trick with this amp lies in the EQ sliders as them seem to have biggest impact on tone shaping over EQ knobs on channel.

Also thanks to the others for their suggestions. All have helped me out a lot with this new learning curve. I also have a DSL 100 and 5150 head but since boogie is new I wanna try it with this amp as I love the multiple watt switchable if I have to dial it down to 45 watts.

My cabs are both "peavey" 4-12 5150 cab and a JSX 4-12 cab. Again not sure which cab would be suited better. Didn't really notice a lot of differences. Bad ears I guess.

 

[Adambomb]

Well as far as gear and tone everybody's different but I think the V sounds best through a Mesa 4x12 loaded with V30's. I used to have a peavey 6505 cab and changed the speakers to V30 and played my Dual Recto through it, it sounded great, but not near as loud and 3D as the Mesa 4x12.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I find the trick with this amp lies in the EQ sliders as them seem to have biggest impact on tone shaping over EQ knobs on channel.

I generally use the front end EQ to control the way the amp feels and responds, then adjust the graphic/preset EQ to shape the final sound. There's a bit more to it than that (the 2200 slider in particular can create a lot of punch), but in general it helps me remember what's what.

Here's the settings I'm currently using if you want to play around with a few more ideas:

 

[screamingdaisy]

I think the V sounds best through a Mesa 4x12 loaded with V30's.

Yup.

 

[Zakkmylde]

Cool. Off hand I'm not sure what 5150 cab or JOE's JSX CAB are loaded with? No idea. I'll look into it.

 

[screamingdaisy]

If I remember correctly 5150 cabs are typically loaded with a Sheffield (Peavey) speaker that's voiced along the lines of a G12M-25 (Greenback).