Electra-Dyne on the way...

[phyrexia]

-Doesn't sound anything like a Mark III, except you could probably call the clean channels similar since they are both fendery in style.

-Volume imbalances are minimal in my experience. You should have done the R2 mod back in '92 so you could get a good balance of volumes.

-It is quite thunderous when called upon.

I have had several Mark IIIs and have been able to get good low volume usage out of them. The pots are touchy. It's not the amp design, just the taper of the pot.

This amp isn't so much about all power tube saturation. you need a good tight bottom end nowadays. I was surpised they didn't set the amp up as 90w/45w/10w like the Mark V.

Op or anyone who has Hands on Experience with this amp....
Is it basically an improved MKlll ? As far as the Volume/EQ imbalances between the 3 modes go? Having been a Mostly Frustrated MKlll Simul owner since 92 this could be exactly what I have been searching for.

Is the Low gain Mode what it is billed as? Meaning, with Volume / gain settings between say 11 and 2 O:Clock can it go from a usable "alternate Clean" = Compressed - bluesy Light Crunch to a nice Alternate Lead - Med Crunch, Med Sustain, broken up sound
If so, Can the amp, when set to Low gain mode and the volume around 1 or 2 O:clock be Easily Cleaned Up with a slight roll off of the guitar Volume pot? With out a loss of overall tone and major volume Drop? hope I explained that right -

The "Middle Channel" has Always been a Frustration on the MKlll for me. You must choose Clean and Lead or Crunch, Not all 3! - If you Dial the Crunch in for a "low gain" type Mode the other two are off, Dial the Clean and Lead in and the Crunch is off.

One other question, Is it as brutally loud as the other Boogies 90/45 Watters?
I am way passed the, My amp is Louder then Yours Stage. And having 90 Unusable Watts, only to keep the master on less then 1.5 for Home Playing or 3 for most Garage Jamming, is a waste of good Wattage and Doesn't do much For good Old Power tube Saturation. Its like having a Ferrari and only being allowed to drive it around a Parking lot.
What i am trying to say is I realy Like 3 usable modes on an amp, Hate Pedals and do to low volume use can't Do a Non Master volume Amp.


P.S.
Is anyone else Wishing this amp was offered in a 2x 6v6 /2x EL 84 version A nice 15 - 18 Watter with 1/2 switch would be PERFECT!
( Yes I am aware of the 5:25 express but it "Lead" Channel is like my MKlll = Which is Over kill or For me)

Anyone familiar with the MKlll, Knows that it goes from Basically Silent at about 1.4 on the Master to, to loud for home at anything higher then about 1.8. In Class A mode! Mine is that sensitive, Not to mention using your guitar volume at this point is an exorcise in tonal / volume Futility.

Sorry for the long Post!

 

[JJones74]

"This amp isn't so much about all power tube saturation. you need a good tight bottom end nowadays. I was surpised they didn't set the amp up as 90w/45w/10w like the Mark V."


Now that would have been sweet!!

 

[jab]

Jason: you've been quiet for days now. How's the ED going? What are your favorite settings thus far?

 

[Murphy Slaw]

Thanks for that.

Murph.

 

[JJones74]

Jason: you've been quiet for days now. How's the ED going? What are your favorite settings thus far?

Hey Jab..
I don't think you should have buyers remorse at all..
I'm lovin this amp alot..
As far as the "cleans" go, i haven't really deviated much from the "sample" settings from the manual.. No need to..
I love the sound.. I can't wait to play a Strat on this channel..
As I said before, there is a volume jump between the clean and the vintage modes.. It's inevitable..
Vintage low is my "blues" channel..
Neck pickup, SD '59
I usually turn the gain down to 11 or 12 o'clock (from 2 o'clock). Or I'm also just leaving it at 2 o'clock and rolling down the volume on my guitar.. Either way works..
The only other knobs I may tweak would be to drop a little bass (depends on which "switch" I have it set on)..
BTW, my guitar has a 5-way switch.. That's why I added that "depends on...." part..
I was playing around a couple hours ago with the Vintage Hi channel.. Bridge pickup (seymour duncan JB).. with these settings:
Master: 9 o'clock
Presence: 10-11 o'clock (kinda compresses it a bit)
Bass: 10:30-11 o'clock
Mids: 11 o'clock
Treble: 11 o'clock
Volume (Gain): 3-3:30
and WOW.. I was impressed!!
Granted there was some hiss from the added gain, but individual strings stayed clear, not muddy.. And power chords sounded awesome.. Very punchy, and hard hittin.. I immediately started the MOP riffage!! LOL..
I wish I had more experience with Mesa products to give a better comparison.. But I'm still very happy with this amp and I think you will be too Jab.. Also, let me know when you get yours.. And if I'm my interpretations are close or far away from yours..
BTW, I've got my dealer notifying me when the MarkV heads come in!! LOL..
I could have already had the combo by now, but i've got a 2x12 just sittin here waiting for a head.. LOL..
I've got MAJOR gas for that amp..
:mrgreen:

Edit: All of the above was done on the 90W simul setting..

 

[JJones74]

Also keep in mind.. this was my first go round with the high-gain setting with my bridge pick-up.. I will dig in deeper to see what else I can come up with too..
There's definitely a wide pallete of sounds available in each "mode"..
8)