DC-5 VS Mark III

[kmanick]

what does a DC-5 sound like as compared to my mark III red stripe.
would it worth grabbing one or would it be so similar sounding to my mark III that it wouldn't really bring anything to the table?
I'm really only intrested in tone differences not options/flexibility etc.
thanks

 

[edward]

what does a DC-5 sound like as compared to my mark III red stripe.
would it worth grabbing one or would it be so similar sounding to my mark III that it wouldn't really bring anything to the table?
I'm really only intrested in tone differences not options/flexibility etc.
thanks

Hey there,

I have a DC5 and a MKIII Simul Green. They have tonal similarities as both clearly have that "boogie" voice. But the differences are enough that I justify keeping both (where I have let many other amps/gear go out the door because they just don't "do it" for me so I have no nostalgia for gear that just sits there but brings nothing different to the table ). There are old threads outlining the diffs between the two (of which I have chimed in), but I can give it to you in a nutshell:

-MkIII clean has gobs more clean headroom and bigger bottom ...think Fender Twin; its OD is more "raw" and aggressive with much more high-end on tap ...has a "bite" to it that is crisp and in your face, in a great way.

-DC5 clean seems to always have just a bit of hair around the edges (which is really rich and musical!); its OD is smoother and more "modern" for lack of a better descriptor.

I won't go into the III's R2 voice as that is another animal, but that's a channel that offers great tone as well (IMHO), and one you don't get in the DC5. And the Class A EL34-only tone as you prob already know is a softer, "vintage-y" voice that the DC can't cop.

All this said, I love both and have deemed them "keepers," but for my musical style I have kept my DC5 my #1 play-out amp ...yet would have no qualms about using the MKIII at any gig ever, and would prob choose it were I playing "harder" stuff or a pure clean set. Hope that helps you a bit

Edward

 

[kmanick]

thanks Edward, I guess what I'm really interested in is the differences between the lead channels.
with a clean boost in front and my trusty MXR 10 band EQ in the loop , I can get a ton of great usable styles of tone from the lead channel of my Mark III.
Is the lead channel different enough from the Mark III lead channel to bother chasing one of these down?
or would I be better off going after something like a 6505+
or a Tremoverb?
(I'm looking to round out tonal possibilities)
I'm currently running ruby winged C 6L6's in the inner slots and JJ KT-77's in the Class "A" slots and I've got to say , this little f*cker is pretty
versatile.

 

[edward]

...Is the lead channel different enough from the Mark III lead channel to bother chasing one of these down?
or would I be better off going after something like a 6505+
or a Tremoverb?
(I'm looking to round out tonal possibilities)....

Yup, I've done some tube changes to really personalize mine to suit me. I LOVE my III.

Now as to whether a DC5 will offer "enough" difference is entirely up to you. I think it does. The OD is "smoother" with less bite (some would say "darker" but I would not call it a "dark" amp) "How" it saturates is hard to describe except to say that the thick lead tones just sound more modern and "liquid" with the DC, more compressed is a good way of thinking of it. Not "better" mind you, but certainly different. FWIW, I love my III's lead tone as well: Winged-C 6L6s and NOS Siemens for EL34s ...just awesome in Simul mode, but especially in Class A!!

Compare to a 6505 or TremVb ...well, dunno. The TremVb enjoys killer reviews from lots of devoted users; heck, even I'm curious about trying a head (combo too big/heavy for me to deal with). And to be fair, I know of one user that loved his DC5 greatly, but then was swayed to the TV ...if that says anything. That said, I like the DCs lead voice for what it is, lush and musical ...as opposed to a kick in the gonads from my Mk.
Edward