Confession: I still use the Preset EQ, even after 4 months

[eudaimonia02912]

I can't get away from it.

I can get the graphic EQ to sound great, but then when I flip it back to the preset, it always sounds better. Even when I borrow some of your settings, I end up liking the preset better.

I only really use the graphic EQ for Mark I mode on channel 2.

I feel a little noobish.

 

[ESlinker]

No problem with that man, at least you're using your ears and not your eyes to control where the knobs/dials go. I use the preset EQ on channels 1 and 2 and use the graphic EQ on channel 3 but it is nice to switch up every once and awhile. I'm dying to get some new/better tubes in mine besides the stock 6L6s to hopefully get rid of some of that harsh top end I'm having.

 

[jb's 52]

Been using the GrEQ on ch2's crunch mode lately.
Presets on ch 1 and 3...but I started with the EQ off...
Baby steps man...baby steps

 

[niilz]

I can't get away from it.

I can get the graphic EQ to sound great, but then when I flip it back to the preset, it always sounds better. Even when I borrow some of your settings, I end up liking the preset better.

I only really use the graphic EQ for Mark I mode on channel 2.

:mrgreen:
That's exactly how I use the EQs since 08/2009! Preset EQ for every mode but MKI...

...but during the last weeks a tried Extreme with the Graphik EQ and was quite satisfied.
GEQ and PEQ seem to fit equally good to that preamp architecture at rehearsal volumes.
Maybe I'll change my basic strategy, maybe not.

IMHO: Your approach really makes sense!

 

[Heritage Softail]

Maybe the preset eq matches the 'sound in your head'. Lucky.... To sound more like a certain song, I definitely need the GEQ. It is just way way powerful. I hit back to the preset to get my ears back to a reference point. Too much tweaking and I get 'ear fatigue', kinda like going to the mall with my wife and she wants me to smell 10 perfumes... after a while they all smell like flowers in a blender..... The preset in IIC+ gets me back to the baseline rock and roll tone.

You gotta get the EL34's too, then the mind boggling really sets in. A whole new set of 'tone settings' to work, I swear it makes the MKV a different amp. And to think we are missing out on an amp modeler with the 248 presets....

 

[eudaimonia02912]

You gotta get the EL34's too, then the mind boggling really sets in. .

Luckily, I've done that. I put SED EL34s in a few weeks ago and haven't looked back.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Those are on my short list. Debating on those or the Tung Sols. Both get stellar reviews.

 

[MrMarkIII]

They're called "options", not "necessities". If you don't turn every knob up to "Ten", does that mean your not using the amp to its full potential?

 

[Scary]

I use 10watt and Variac power, so for me.. the preset just doesn't have the girth I need to fatten things up. I'm guessing you guys are playing a bit louder to be able to get away with it.

 

[espmaster1]

I've got a confession of my own... I honestly don't use the EQ, in fact all my settings have my EQ out....

 

[Shang Chi 66]

Say guys,

I've been right on the fence for sometime (and boy, it's pretty hard on the testicles, let me tell ya!) about forking over the cash for a quad of 34's

Come on now, do they really give that much a dramatic diff/improvement, (especially on channel 2 modes/high end), or is it more of a subtle kind of, "only picky guitarists will hear it" type of thing?

Thanks for any & all opinions!

 

[spawnofthesith]

Say guys,

I've been right on the fence for sometime (and boy, it's pretty hard on the testicles, let me tell ya!) about forking over the cash for a quad of 34's

Come on now, do they really give that much a dramatic diff/improvement, (especially on channel 2 modes/high end), or is it more of a subtle kind of, "only picky guitarists will hear it" type of thing?

Thanks for any & all opinions!

There is definitely a noticeable improvement! It really brings alive the gain sounds. And especially on channel 2, you'll get more of a british type flavor of gain.

 

[Shang Chi 66]

Say guys,

I've been right on the fence for sometime (and boy, it's pretty hard on the testicles, let me tell ya!) about forking over the cash for a quad of 34's

Come on now, do they really give that much a dramatic diff/improvement, (especially on channel 2 modes/high end), or is it more of a subtle kind of, "only picky guitarists will hear it" type of thing?

Thanks for any & all opinions!

There is definitely a noticeable improvement! It really brings alive the gain sounds. And especially on channel 2, you'll get more of a british type flavor of gain.

Thanks alot Bud! You're helping me to become about 90-100 bucks poorer!

But that's just what I needed to hear, an improvement in the, "Marshally" flavor of things!

Thank you again...anyone else?

 

[spawnofthesith]

I'd say the cleans take a very minor hit from the change to 6l6's, but its not that big of a deal, and I would say its worth it for what it does to channel 2 and 3

 

[eudaimonia02912]

Say guys,

I've been right on the fence for sometime (and boy, it's pretty hard on the testicles, let me tell ya!) about forking over the cash for a quad of 34's

Come on now, do they really give that much a dramatic diff/improvement, (especially on channel 2 modes/high end), or is it more of a subtle kind of, "only picky guitarists will hear it" type of thing?

Thanks for any & all opinions!

There is definitely a noticeable improvement! It really brings alive the gain sounds. And especially on channel 2, you'll get more of a british type flavor of gain.

Thanks alot Bud! You're helping me to become about 90-100 bucks poorer!

But that's just what I needed to hear, an improvement in the, "Marshally" flavor of things!

Thank you again...anyone else?

Yep, he's right. Channel 2 cops a modded Marshall tone really well now. With a good boost and EL34, you can do any kind of Marshall tone on channel 2. (The boost is needed to get it into full-on Marshall metal. For hard rock, you don't need a boost.)

Channel 3 sounds fatter and rounder with the EL34s. Any ice-pickiness is gone.

 

[RocknRory]

****, I find the exact opposite, I do not like the Preset EQ unless I want a more vintage sounding tone, but usually im playing stuff thats more modern, metallica, muse, etc. This amp has lots of versatility, and I'm still tweaking occasionally, but I find I love the heavy tones of Mark IIC+ Mark IV and Extreme with the GEQ and Pentode rectification for some modern killer tones I play at moderate volumes, but my settings change as the volume goes up, backing off the gain and treble.

 

[Shang Chi 66]

Thanks so much you guys.

SED EL34's coming right up!

 

[Heritage Softail]

No exaggeration one bit here.... I put in the EL34's. Started playing Les Paul neck pickup leads.... my wife in the living room could tell the difference in the tone. She came back and asked what I was doing, what made it sound different. In her words it sounded more like 'the album' sound quality. Amaturish description but bottom line, it has that modded Marshallish influence that a casual listener sits up an says 'hey, I know that sound from Album XXX'. She is not a tone freak like we that have the B chromosone :lol:

 

[th0rr]

Great. Just freaking great. You guys are starting to give me a bad case of GAS. I mean that in a good way. I think.

 

[Shang Chi 66]

Thanks everyone for chiming in on the 34's.

I ordered a quad from Tube Depot, they should be here in the next couple of days!

I'll report in and give my 2 cents worth.

Don't ya just love being able to take an already great amp, and being able to make it other worldly?