Getting the most (and Marshally-sound from R2 channel MarkIV

[petejt]

Hi,


I am generally satisfied with the Rhythm 2 channel of my MarkIV. I can get useable tones from it, but ideally I would like it to have more of that Marshall Plexi BARK type of sound, or at least like the Electradyne. I gotta say that the Electradyne NAILS that Plexi Bark sound!

At the moment I run R2 on triode, mid-gain,Class A power mode with Svetlana E.D. EL34 valves. It gets somewhat there but not as close as I'd like.


Does anyone have any tips? What can I do? Or do I have to resort to getting an external dirt pedal that has a Plexi-like character? I hope not.

 

[Platypus]

Hi,


I am generally satisfied with the Rhythm 2 channel of my MarkIV. I can get useable tones from it, but ideally I would like it to have more of that Marshall Plexi BARK type of sound, or at least like the Electradyne. I gotta say that the Electradyne NAILS that Plexi Bark sound!

At the moment I run R2 on triode, mid-gain,Class A power mode with Svetlana E.D. EL34 valves. It gets somewhat there but not as close as I'd like.


Does anyone have any tips? What can I do? Or do I have to resort to getting an external dirt pedal that has a Plexi-like character? I hope not.

You can get marshally but I wouldn't say plexi and certainly not dead on. If you've already set it up with EL34 tubes in the outer sockets and are running class A then there's not a lot else you can do. Boost the midrange and upper midrange on the EQ or get a marshally dirt box.

 

[Fronzil]

you do know the mid gain / harmonics switch applies to the lead channel only, right?...anywho, a good OD pedal (i use a bb preamp and diamond J drive MK3) can take rhythm 2 to MANY places..including marshall territory for sure.

 

[gummx97]

try the tonebone plexitube, very marshally sounds and with 2 "channels" pretty convenient to either use solo boost or just another sound pallete. At least you have a usable rhy2 sound as you mentioned. my experience on rhy2 was short of pleasant until i retubed and the rhy2 now has a very usable overdrive sound.

 

[primal]

If you want a more plexi sound, forget R2 and go with R1.

I created a thread in the main vintage forum on this.

Setup
Triode
Class A
Tweed
Main Output level (not the channel master) to 8.
Eq to however you like

Use the R1 Channel master as a gain knob. With the configuration I have stated, anything above 3 on the R1 Channel master is simply adding distortion. Sounds freaking wonderfull with 6L6's, I bet it sounds even better with EL34's

 

[zebpedersen]

+1 on RHY1 & a pedal of some sort.

I've not played any of them, but the Radial stompboxes are used by Eric Johnson, John Jorgenson, Allan Holdsworth, Kirk Hammett... - they've got a decent rep, basically.

 

[primal]

Depending on the tone you are looking for, I haven't found a need to add a stompbox on R1 with the settings above.

It might help a bit with leads, especially if you are looking for pinch harmonics as they seem easier to get with preamp distortion rather then power amp.

But in Class A, triode and tweed with the output at 8 and the channel master above 3 (I like 6), you get a good wall of distortion.

My only recommendation is to keep the bass low as it takes more power to play bass notes and these can flub out if put to high. But I keep them around 3 and it sounds great.