Mark IIA: Master 1 Gain Boost is mush?

[krcassid]

I've been messing with my Mark IIA a bit recently (something I don't do as much these days as it is just WAY too loud!). When I pull the Master 1 gain boost out, my tone turns to virtual mush. It's all low end. The distortion is sweet but it's awfully dark sounding. Even with low (3) Volume 1 settings, treble dimed and treble boost pulled there is still very little cut or high-end in this sound. Is this typical? I'm trying to figure out if this is a tube or pot issue or something else...

Any thoughts from otherMark II owners?

Thx!

 

[zebpedersen]

If it's really really dark there might be something wrong, but I don't use the gain boost on my IIB for that very reason - it's just a bit too sludgy. It's way clear without it, maybe just get a clean booster or something?

 

[krcassid]

Actually, this pretty much describes what I'm seeing. I never used this gain-pull much before. And, you are correct, it is not necessary. I was just curious if it is normal. It's hard to imagine what someone would use this boost for but I guess that's one of the idiosyncrasies of the amp. I don't need additional gain/ boost. I was just curious what the behavior of this boost should be

Thx!

 

[igfraso]

Mike Bendinelli told me it is better to use the volume pot in the guitar.

He also told me to set the Volume 1 low and the Master high (the opposite of what you do in later Marks).

Also, he says that the II A excels with single coil pickups.

 

[krcassid]

As always, good advice from Mike, particularly if you are looking for clean. That last 5-10% of your PUP gain is typically the most critical piece of gain. However, there is also that sound that the Mark 2A is famous for: the "dimed rhythm channel". One of the sweetest sounds this amp makes is Rhythm Ch, V1 on 8-10, master set to whatever is necessary for your application (low w/o ear plugs!). If you are using humbuckers, you might need to take the top 10% off the PUPS. Single coils sound awesome. I was just playing my Gretsch White Falcon (humbuckers) through my Mark IIA. Sounds great!

 

[igfraso]

Mike says the II-A is a unique sounding Mark amp. No other amp in the Mark family offers its sounds. He says it is Mesa's version of the tweed Bassman.

Also, it is better to use the II-A with a clear sounding speaker, like an Altec 417 or the JBL-120 or the EV. Very similar to the Mark I in these regards; both are dark sounding amps.