Early Mark 1

[FedWar]

I would like

if the output stage needs to be pushed then what’s the point of having a master volume?

In my SOB it has a LIMIT control, I replaced the P.I. stage as the solid state device went bad. I turned the LIMIT control into a resonance control, it’s not a bad mod for this amp. If your amp has plenty of bass then this won’t work for your amp.

Regards

Mark

I have an original 1978 mark I 60W no GEQ.
even at volume1 and volume2 set up high, say 7,8 and low master you have what in the modern time would be called a "mid gain" sound.

To have a singing and thick lead, you need to put master past 5 which adds saturation.
Now, to my hears this saturation is from the power tubes, because the sounds starts to be more thicker, full mids and bass tend to be a bit out of control.
Now, is it also PI distortion? might be. but definitively there is also power amp distortion with that master.

This is what I get from my experience, and it is corroborated by the interwiew where all the pros of the time, larry carlton, santana etc they were using the 7 7 7 settings

 

[DC3 Gridlock]

Santana didn’t use an overdrive pedal with these amps. I don’t know what settings he used, but he could get the amp to feedback on various notes.

Regards

Mark

I’ll have to try the amp cranked at 7, 7, 7. My OD pedals are working well for my at home volume levels.