Electradyne Wow'd Me to point of Returning MK V (Canx Order)

[JAZZGEAR]

OK, so I returned my Mark V Head with the purpose of ordering a custom 1x12 with the 1x12 ported cab. However, while in the store waiting to process the new order, I got a chance to play a 1x12 Electradyne....and BAM! the wall of tone hit me in a way the Mark V never did (don't get me wrong I like the V), but since I already have the IV, the Electradyne fills a sound that I don't already have. Well I still placed the order for the MK V Custom Combo + Cab. But this AM I am having 2nd thoughts.....

This is an amazing sounding amp with a simple, yet functional layout. I've thought about it all night, and it makes sense for me to go with this amp...the sound is in my head..."it spoke to me"

Now I must decide if to get it in a 1x12 (the one I auditioned) or in a 2x12 with a mix of C90xV30...Hmmmm?

I'm thinking of getting a custom finish like this one:

http://store.mesahollywood.com/bd671.html

 

[Scary]

It's apples to oranges man. The electro is minimalist and from the demo relies on volume to get different tones. You already know the Mark is all about versatility, but I think I know where your coming from based you other posts similar to this.

I think the problem most people are having with the Mark V is it's almost naked sounding, very tight, focused and clear.. even with the gain cranked. I'm wondering if a boost pedal out front like the BB may thicken up the tone enough so people feel the wow factor quicker. Another poster here mentioned a "pull deep" option would be beneficial to those looking for that sort of sweetness. Maybe the BB or a similar boost would help.

 

[rabies]

I don't like shared EQ knobs... So how did you EQ the amp for clean and dirty then?

 

[primal]

Now I must decide if to get it in a 1x12 (the one I auditioned) or in a 2x12 with a mix of C90xV30...Hmmmm?

http://store.mesahollywood.com/bd671.html

So does the 2x12 come with a mix of V30 and C90 standard?

 

[JAZZGEAR]

I don't like shared EQ knobs... So how did you EQ the amp for clean and dirty then?

That's the beauty of it....I didn't need to mess with the knobs when switching modes...it all sounded right from clean to dirty.

Anyway, I am going to keep my Mark V order. But, the Electradyne will def. be a to buy item next year. I'll move one of my other amps (Shiva maybe).

 

[JAZZGEAR]

So does the 2x12 come with a mix of V30 and C90 standard?

I don't know if it does...that combo is just what I would consider to get a nice blend of tones.

 

[JAZZGEAR]

It's apples to oranges man. The electro is minimalist and from the demo relies on volume to get different tones. You already know the Mark is all about versatility, but I think I know where your coming from based you other posts similar to this.

I think the problem most people are having with the Mark V is it's almost naked sounding, very tight, focused and clear.. even with the gain cranked. I'm wondering if a boost pedal out front like the BB may thicken up the tone enough so people feel the wow factor quicker. Another poster here mentioned a "pull deep" option would be beneficial to those looking for that sort of sweetness. Maybe the BB or a similar boost would help.

I like the Mark V just fine the way it is....but you're right, the wow factor was not there with it a immediately as it was with the Electra. I'm sure the minimalist controls has a lot to do with it.

 

[lamadalton]

Check out the electra dyne manual, it's on the mesa site now. all the controls are stacked pots, so there is not that much compromise...they are eq'd differently without changing the controls...

 

[plan-x]

Wow! That finish is Hot!! I didn't realize how closed the back is. No wonder it sounds good. Wall of sound as you said.

 

[kingdomheights777]

I just played one at guitar center houston and i too was blown away. I agree that the simple controls are so nice but still a one trick pony. In my opinion

 

[primal]

Just got done playing one an hour ago.

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!

Loved it.

Awesome Cleans? CHECK
Nice mid gain breakup for classic Rock? CHECK
Thick TIGHT overdrive for hardrock? CHECK

I totally disagree about the one trick pony! This thing will do jazz, country, classic rock, blues and hard rock and venture into metal territory

I know some might think it can't do metal, but I disagree.

No boost required. This thing was a monster. And real tight for muted palm stuff!

I have been struggling to figure out what my next amp was. No more. I am selling the Road King and getting one of these.

Every other amp I tried, even the ones I liked, there was always some little thing that I didn't like about it. This amp blew me away.

Messing with it for 5 minutes I was able to get a great balance between clean low and high.

Awesome amp!

 

[JAZZGEAR]

Just got done playing one an hour ago.

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!

Loved it.

Awesome Cleans? CHECK
Nice mid gain breakup for classic Rock? CHECK
Thick TIGHT overdrive for hardrock? CHECK

I totally disagree about the one trick pony! This thing will do jazz, country, classic rock, blues and hard rock and venture into metal territory

I know some might think it can't do metal, but I disagree.

No boost required. This thing was a monster. And real tight for muted palm stuff!

I have been struggling to figure out what my next amp was. No more. I am selling the Road King and getting one of these.

Every other amp I tried, even the ones I liked, there was always some little thing that I didn't like about it. This amp blew me away.

Messing with it for 5 minutes I was able to get a great balance between clean low and high.

Awesome amp!

BTW, which version did you audition? Head, 1x12 or 2x12 combo?

I am so sold on this amp that, I may still canx my MK V order (I have til Monday 11 AM EST) -- especially in light of some of issues that have been surfacing of late. I may wait until a v2.

 

[JAZZGEAR]

I just played one at guitar center houston and i too was blown away. I agree that the simple controls are so nice but still a one trick pony. In my opinion

Any amp is a one trick pony if you only use one sound... But the Electra has more than one sound -- despite being a single channel amp. This amp is like a 3 channel amp, but with the tone intergrity of a single channel amp.

I am done waffling over this. I am leaving today to cancel my MK V and wait for a while before buying it...and am custom ordering the Electra. "The girl is mine." :wink:

 

[primal]

Just got done playing one an hour ago.

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!

Loved it.

Awesome Cleans? CHECK
Nice mid gain breakup for classic Rock? CHECK
Thick TIGHT overdrive for hardrock? CHECK

I totally disagree about the one trick pony! This thing will do jazz, country, classic rock, blues and hard rock and venture into metal territory

I know some might think it can't do metal, but I disagree.

No boost required. This thing was a monster. And real tight for muted palm stuff!

I have been struggling to figure out what my next amp was. No more. I am selling the Road King and getting one of these.

Every other amp I tried, even the ones I liked, there was always some little thing that I didn't like about it. This amp blew me away.

Messing with it for 5 minutes I was able to get a great balance between clean low and high.

Awesome amp!

BTW, which version did you audition? Head, 1x12 or 2x12 combo?

I am so sold on this amp that, I may still canx my MK V order (I have til Monday 11 AM EST) -- especially in light of some of issues that have been surfacing of late. I may wait until a v2.

1x12 combo.

I can only imagine how the head would sound through my 2x12 recto cab. Yum!

There was nothing I disliked about it. I played some AC/DC, Skynyrd, Metallica, dokken and some originals while I was there. Sounded so good!

Unfortunately I am probably looking around the end of the year before I come up with enough cash!

 

[JAZZGEAR]

1x12 combo.

I can only imagine how the head would sound through my 2x12 recto cab. Yum!

Well, I officially canceled my Mark V Order (great amp....but I prefer the simplicity right now). Placed my order for a custom Electra like the one in the link above. I also ordered a RK 2x12 Cab in standard finish.

BTW, I ran a speaker cable to a Recto 2x12 Cab, and the Electra just ripped through it. It did sound a lot brighter...sight tone adj. required. But the Electra sounded better through the 2x12 cab on the 90 watt setting, and better through the combo speaker on 45 watts.

 

[rabies]

Did you guys try it at the store with 6L6 or EL34? I'm assuming it has both options??

 

[primal]

Did you guys try it at the store with 6L6 or EL34? I'm assuming it has both options??

I think it was 6L6's, though I'm not 100%. It can definately do both as I saw the switch on the back, just don't remember what it was set on.

If you get the chance, try one. This thing really has that modded Marshall sound. Nice, tight gain.

Just make sure you have the gain cut (or something like that) clicked to clean or off, just not high/lo.

When I first tried the amp it didn't sound like there was enough distortion, but I remembered from the demo vid about that switch in the back. When I looked at the switch it was set to Hi/Lo, which cuts the gain to the hi/low channels.

I switched it to clean, which cuts the gain to the clean setting allowing for a lot more distortion on the Hi/low setting and plenty of clean headroom on the clean setting. (Basically because the controls are shared between all the settings)

This amp has been really flying under the radar.

I think once people start trying them out, they are going to be a big hit!

I know I am getting dangerously close to trading in some gear I want to keep just to get one. I have resisted thus far.

 

[primal]

A couple interesting notes about the amp as well.

Tuesday, I called Mesa to order some leather corners for an amp I am refurbishing. The customer support person who called me back was Marcus, from the demo.

After my order I started asking him questions about the Electradyne and the Stiletto.

He said that they where going after that modded Marshall type sound with the Electradyne.

I asked him if that wasn't the purpose of the Stiletto as well.

He said it was, but that with the Stiletto, they were also looking to produce an amp that would sound killer in the mix with a Rectifier, since they both sort of occupy a different space in the mix (Recto more low end, Stiletto more high end).

 

[rabies]

What bands actually use a Stiletto and Recto together live?

Anyways, since I'm such a big EL34 and marshall guy, I might have to go check out the ED after I get a new job and the economy settles down...

I really was not into all the knobs that the mark IV had, I'm more of a "beer and jam" kind-a-guy. Which is another reason I don't like floating trems either...

 

[JAZZGEAR]

Did you guys try it at the store with 6L6 or EL34? I'm assuming it has both options??

The one I tried was stocked with 6L6s.