Hi all,
Well this MKIII "honeymoon period" is starting to wear off now that I've lived with it for a few months. But playing it avidly in this short time, I've learned how to tweak it just so to get the right tones ...and the verdict is I am very impressed! This is one really versatile tone machine!! I am now convinced that those who think (and wrote to no end on other forums) the MKIII's shared eq limits it's usability or usefulness simply never spent the time to learn her ways. This is a true 3-channel amp ...more than just "usefull" but absolutely glorious tones are all there!
OK, so enough of my gushing; now to the specifics. From past experience with my tried-and-true DC5, I learned that an AT7 in the PI spot is the beginning of finding great tone. I have since then "zeroed in" on just the right tube recipe for my DC5 and, without doubt or hesitation, have an amp that I feel can easily hold its own with most anything out there.
But with the MKIII, I kept the mods simple, focusing instead on living with its "core tone" if you will in order to understand how each control interacts (which is a fascinating endeavor, really, with every dang pot a pull pot).
So that done, step one in the MKIII improvement program was a NOS RCA 12AT7 in the PI and V2 positions. This is a huge improvement in softening the hard edge of the R1/R2, and ridding the Lead of much of the grainy quality of the OD. Definitely a "must do" in my book.
Next step was R2 Volume mod ...so simple a mod, yet so useful. This, along with the aforementioned tube swaps, made the R2 a nice tonal voice I could actually use. I must confess that when I first got her, I thought the R2 was the grainiest, nasally sound and just couldn't understand how Mesa created such an abominable tone. No more!
Now for the topper: a pair of NOS Mullard CV4024 (12AT7s) added to the mix. I replaced the RCA AT7 in the V2 with the mullard, and also replaced the Mesa AX7 in the V3 with the other mullard. I took the NOS RCA AT7 that was in V2 and popped it into the PI. Wow!!! What slight "grain" that remained even after my first AT7 swap is now gone, and I am left with seriously smooth and creamy overdrive. No hyperbole: the Lead channel is amazing ...still full of punch and body, with superb mids that are clear. But indiv notes became more defined, and that high-end bite (almost shrill to my ears) is gone gone gone. I actually have my Presence up at 3 now, and its perfect for both R1 and Lead. The bottom also tightened up a bit ...not any "more" bass than before as much as it's better, more-focused thud. And adding more gain really made the OD sing with a saturated clarity that made me just want to keep playing.
Another surprise: turning down the Lead Drive to reduce saturation (for a looser "classic rock" vibe) now is muuuch creamier and musical than ever before.
Regarding cleans, the R1/R2 tones benefitted primarily from the PI change to the AT7. Replacing the V2 and V3 didn't do anything that I could hear in the R1, but the R2 did in fact get smoother with the mullard swap.
FWIW, I am a born skeptic, and am often the first to say mod x or gear y sucks, despite what I paid for it. So I'm in no way trying to justify any purchases here. Moreover, I initially bought the MKIII on a whim (and a good price), and upon first plugging in, was completely unimpressed. I was actually thinking of turning it around as I got her on the cheap. But now that I've learned it and "massaged" it for tone, this MK head is a definite keeper (yeah, like I "need" another amp!!). But the Mk is so rich sounding, and offers a slightly different palette than my DC5, I've just got to keep both.
So there you go. Thanks for indulging me and my musings. Of course all the above is IMHO, so take nothing for gospel. But to me, I have found a real winner in the unassuming little amp head!! Let the music commence!
Edward
Well this MKIII "honeymoon period" is starting to wear off now that I've lived with it for a few months. But playing it avidly in this short time, I've learned how to tweak it just so to get the right tones ...and the verdict is I am very impressed! This is one really versatile tone machine!! I am now convinced that those who think (and wrote to no end on other forums) the MKIII's shared eq limits it's usability or usefulness simply never spent the time to learn her ways. This is a true 3-channel amp ...more than just "usefull" but absolutely glorious tones are all there!
OK, so enough of my gushing; now to the specifics. From past experience with my tried-and-true DC5, I learned that an AT7 in the PI spot is the beginning of finding great tone. I have since then "zeroed in" on just the right tube recipe for my DC5 and, without doubt or hesitation, have an amp that I feel can easily hold its own with most anything out there.
But with the MKIII, I kept the mods simple, focusing instead on living with its "core tone" if you will in order to understand how each control interacts (which is a fascinating endeavor, really, with every dang pot a pull pot).
So that done, step one in the MKIII improvement program was a NOS RCA 12AT7 in the PI and V2 positions. This is a huge improvement in softening the hard edge of the R1/R2, and ridding the Lead of much of the grainy quality of the OD. Definitely a "must do" in my book.
Next step was R2 Volume mod ...so simple a mod, yet so useful. This, along with the aforementioned tube swaps, made the R2 a nice tonal voice I could actually use. I must confess that when I first got her, I thought the R2 was the grainiest, nasally sound and just couldn't understand how Mesa created such an abominable tone. No more!
Now for the topper: a pair of NOS Mullard CV4024 (12AT7s) added to the mix. I replaced the RCA AT7 in the V2 with the mullard, and also replaced the Mesa AX7 in the V3 with the other mullard. I took the NOS RCA AT7 that was in V2 and popped it into the PI. Wow!!! What slight "grain" that remained even after my first AT7 swap is now gone, and I am left with seriously smooth and creamy overdrive. No hyperbole: the Lead channel is amazing ...still full of punch and body, with superb mids that are clear. But indiv notes became more defined, and that high-end bite (almost shrill to my ears) is gone gone gone. I actually have my Presence up at 3 now, and its perfect for both R1 and Lead. The bottom also tightened up a bit ...not any "more" bass than before as much as it's better, more-focused thud. And adding more gain really made the OD sing with a saturated clarity that made me just want to keep playing.
Another surprise: turning down the Lead Drive to reduce saturation (for a looser "classic rock" vibe) now is muuuch creamier and musical than ever before.
Regarding cleans, the R1/R2 tones benefitted primarily from the PI change to the AT7. Replacing the V2 and V3 didn't do anything that I could hear in the R1, but the R2 did in fact get smoother with the mullard swap.
FWIW, I am a born skeptic, and am often the first to say mod x or gear y sucks, despite what I paid for it. So I'm in no way trying to justify any purchases here. Moreover, I initially bought the MKIII on a whim (and a good price), and upon first plugging in, was completely unimpressed. I was actually thinking of turning it around as I got her on the cheap. But now that I've learned it and "massaged" it for tone, this MK head is a definite keeper (yeah, like I "need" another amp!!). But the Mk is so rich sounding, and offers a slightly different palette than my DC5, I've just got to keep both.
So there you go. Thanks for indulging me and my musings. Of course all the above is IMHO, so take nothing for gospel. But to me, I have found a real winner in the unassuming little amp head!! Let the music commence!
Edward
