Mark lll loop test ?

[jimmyplant]

My Mark lll is almost # 16000 , it has MB's signature and a + or an x , when I do the loop test , I plug into the return and hear nice clean sound and then switch to lead and still hear nice clean sound . As I turn the Lead Drive and the Lead Master , they do nothing . When I turn the Master , volume goes up and also the Pull Deep works .I can turn every other knob and nothing happens . Treble , Bass and Middle are all on 0 . Do I have something special/different or is this the norm ? It's a 60 watt , no EQ or Reverb.

I'm new here , but have been reading all the great posts for a while . It's a pleasure to meet you all and know you're here . This Mark lll has been to CBGB's with me , back when I had hair .........I love my Studio 22 , too and am looking for some cool cabs to round out my sound ....thanks for any advice ...

 

[jpdennis]

Jimmy - kinda long so bear with me but the long and short is that your's is normal for a Mark III (if not an early Mark III) and remember you just leave all the other knobs a more than 2 setting since you don't touch them, such as the Master and the pull deep. The only ones you touch are in the 4 steps

Here are some quotes and links;
FROM - http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=49086&p=351911&hilit=+loop+test+mark

A stock Mark III will pass the loop test. This is because it comes stock with the updated FX circuitry that the C+ touted ...

FROM - http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=41619&hilit=+loop+test+mark

...
The Loop Test –
1) Plug your guitar into the Effects Return jack
2) Switch to lead mode
3) Turn the Lead Drive and Gain controls with a note ringing. {NOTE from jpdennis - for mark III should read Lead Drive & Lead Master}
4) If they have NO effect on the volume and sound you have a+
...

and the test is verified in the first post of this thread;

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=18184&hilit=+loop+test+mark

NOW;
And for kicks

FROM - http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=19256&hilit=loop+test+mark

This is for Mark III serial numbers - quite lengthy but a good read on a rainy day for Mark III owners with a cup of coffee, tea, chocolate, or ???,
And compiled at the end of the above thread;

...
I may have copied and typed some wrong numbers as well. So whoever has any better information, please pitch in so we can edit and update this list Coils are not included).
- black ('85): 15000 to 16715
- purple ('86): 16657 to 19120
- red ('87): 19100 to 21863
- blue ('88~'89): 21825 to 25000
- green ('89~'98): 24940 to 28384

Thanks

Hope this at least clears up the test and why it works on your Mark III. Welcome to the forum!

Dennis

 

[gts]

Nice and concise Dennis, well done.

....... and am looking for some cool cabs to round out my sound ....thanks for any advice ...

What sort of speaker and setup are you using now?
Is your MkIII a combo or a head?

Knowing the above will help in advising you about different cabs/ speakers (as well as guitars and pups you use).
Also what sort of tone/ sound it is that you are looking to get?

 

[jpdennis]

Thanks, gts.

Jimmy, here is a new existing thread which is tracking thoughts on cabinets.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57831

Might be good to follow that thread as well as the one you have started.

Also, if you are looking at 2x12 or 4x12 cabinets there have been several discussions talking about using V30s as opposed to v90s and a new entry such as the Eminence Reignmaker.

:idea: ****** NOTE ******
One extra thought is that when I was new I started using the search feature to see if there was any information already out on the board. I stumbled around until I got the hang of it. That is how I was able to find the links in my earlier post. Most of the time the information may not be directly related to my questrions but it has given me a very good foundational understanding of some items and led me to find other ideas I would never have thought to try. There are some great people here on the board.
************************

Dennis