Hi-Gain Amp Shootouts. There's a few Marks around.

[IBA]

I think everyone in the forum may enjoy listening to these files. I found them on the internet. One was held in the US (same cab and same mics-just swapping heads). I think that dividing each file in smaller sections would have been more helpful for comparison purposes, ie. Telecaster lead alone, Tele lead with backing track, same with the P90'ed Paul and another final file for the double tracking section.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=965182&content=music

this second one took place in Holland. Unfortunately they are playing some pointless Dream Theater stuff instead of doing a proper amp test. In spite of that it can always contribute to form an opinion of the amps in question. Here there are different takes of the amps on their own and another take with backing tracks (with the cheesy keyboards way too loud!), so in a way it helps to hear how they sit in a 'mix'. In my opinion many amps fall 'tits up' when it comes to sitting in the mix. They just add 'undesirable noise' some others sit really well while cutting through and contributing to the overall sound. Interesting also to notice how some 'good sounds' in isolation, dont sound particularly well within a mix and the other way around. Also same cab and mics were used thorough this test.

This comes with the backing track and the dodgy organ:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1013885&content=music

This is the same but the amps alone:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1013901&content=music

This is another take of the amps on their own

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1014158&content=music



What do you guys think about the amps in question? (no C+ involved but there are a couple of Mk 4's one Mk3 and a Mk5 in the different tests)

All the best

 

[#2121313]

Pretty cool link. I like the '69 Marshall Jose Modded tone the best so far, skimmed thru a bunch but haven't heard every one yet...

 

[IBA]

I'm pretty sure there was a Mark IV in the American shootout. They must have removed it?? I know because when it came to the final dropped tuning double tracking it sounded extremely good (IMHO). It sounded powerful and controlled. To me the Mark V 2C+ mode is a big disappointment, especially during the double tracking part. I hope someone with a 2C+ chips in and says that a true 2C+ doesnt sound like that.

I wish they had the chance to test a C+ and a III too... and leave the IV where it was

I think I also pasted the 2 final links the wrong way around.

The Dutch shootout guitar parts are really horrible to compare amps. Still I think the MKIII and the MKIV sound really good and the most different from the rest. I would say that the III cuts through a lot better and without being intrusive. (Anything that dampens that bloody keyboard is a blessing).

Pretty cool link. I like the '69 Marshall Jose Modded tone the best so far, skimmed thru a bunch but haven't heard every one yet...

Cheers! Im glad you are enjoying it. That was the purpose of the post, and creating constructive opinions and discussions regarding Mesa Marks in relation to other amps.

Personally I'm not a big fan of modded Marshalls. I still have to hear one that sounds better in my ears than a good sounding old JMP or 800 (plus you can always add boosters fuzz pedals etc to modify its sounds). In the good old marshall affairs I go with the 'If ain't broke, don't fix it' motto. But that's just me.


My way of looking at it is that there are no 'better' or 'worse' sounds empirically speaking. Its all about contexts for each sound and personal taste.

Cheers