Mark Design Question

iceman · Apr 3, 2013

Like everyone here I love the tones and versatility of the MKV. I just have one confusion about the design. Why do some of the controls have such a small usable range (mostly thinking of the bass control). It just seems like a design flaw (and not an over looked one either, since the manual explains it well). I understand it is a side effect of preamp tone stack, but just seems odd that the resolution wouldn't be increased and the overall range decreased for some controls. If I had to guess it is just a carry over from the first Mark designs that is now a characteristic. I would say the exception is channel 2, because edge and MK1 modes are at such opposite sides of the spectrum. Maybe I'm missing something and there are certain applications for the more extreme settings on those controls. Just wondering if anybody has insight or opinions on this.

SteveO · Apr 3, 2013

The controls are so interactive that extreme settings on one will often diminish the effectiveness of another one. It's one of those little Boogie quirks that takes some getting used to, and one of the main reasons why people who are accustomed to the more traditional tone stacks found on most other amps get so frustrated with these amps.

screamingdaisy · Apr 4, 2013

Part of it is design carry over from early Boogie models, part of it is the interactivity of the various controls, and part of it is that they needed to select pot values that function with three different sounding modes on each channel.

K-Roll · Apr 5, 2013

what's wrong with the bass know?

i've learnt that i use it sparingly with my 7string guitar (around 9 o'clock) and I may crank the bass pre-EQ knob when using teles and single-coil pups up till 12-1 o'clock.. it helps the tone get fuller.. so, to me it's just another dimension of tweakability..

iceman · Apr 5, 2013

K-Roll said:
what's wrong with the bass know?

i've learnt that i use it sparingly with my 7string guitar (around 9 o'clock) and I may crank the bass pre-EQ knob when using teles and single-coil pups up till 12-1 o'clock.. it helps the tone get fuller.. so, to me it's just another dimension of tweakability..

Nothing is "wrong" with the bass. Just looking to further my understanding based on others experiences and knowledge as to which applications use more of the range. And if there were not any, then just questioning why have such a wide range in the first place (and keep it through the various generations). Good to see there is use for it. Just speaks to the versatility of this amp. From seven stringers to teles

cherbst · Apr 6, 2013

I like that they give you the option to go way over the cliff if you want. It's like the Ferrari of amps, way more range in all the controls than you would practically need. I just wish it wasn't so heavy carrying all those options

About the bass control in particular, I feel like the pre-dist tone stack of the Mk series amps mitigates the need for a Tubescreamer or similar to do the 'cut bass/mid bump/goose the gain' trick. But for lower gain sounds it is there to dial in too.