mark v gives me major sad face

[MBJunkie]

In my opinion, there is no "general consensus"! This amp is capable of offering very many great sounds in all channels. It is up to the user to achieve greatness out of this amp.
In my opinion, you haven't really explored it enough yet! :wink:

 

[screamingdaisy]

Is the general consensus to run channel masters lower and main master higher? Is the benifit clarity, brighter?

Not really. Some argue that the amp sounds better with the channel master running really high.

What I've found is that the three modes in channel 3 are fairly hot, and depending on gain levels if you run them much higher than about 10:00 they start to overdrive the FX loop. This adds bass to the sound, which is probably why some people like it.... but it also dulls the sound and makes it sound less clear.

I was running my Mark V with the FX loop bypassed for awhile as I preferred the way it sounded, but one day I really wanted to use a delay so I spent some time flicking the amp in and out of bypass until I could find the most transparent setting. The results were that leaving the channel master around 9:00 and cranking up the master output produced the best results.

 

[flimz]

I tried this setting and I liked it too. Except I turned off the bright switch.
Do you usually use the preset EQ on all the channels instead of the Graphic?

With channels 1 and 2 I generally leave the EQ off, but I leave each channel on preset and zero the knob just incase I bump something.

Ive found that even with the preset knob on zero, there is still a tone change when switching the eq in and out. I dont think zero = flat eq on the preset option. Do you find this same thing?

 

[nomad100hd]

I bet inwas running the channels gets to high, I've been running them around noon.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I tried this setting and I liked it too. Except I turned off the bright switch.
Do you usually use the preset EQ on all the channels instead of the Graphic?

With channels 1 and 2 I generally leave the EQ off, but I leave each channel on preset and zero the knob just incase I bump something.

Ive found that even with the preset knob on zero, there is still a tone change when switching the eq in and out. I dont think zero = flat eq on the preset option. Do you find this same thing?

I don't know. I run the EQ's off.

 

[nomad100hd]

I think the channel volumes was trick and using the preset eq instead of sliders.

 

[Chester]

I tried this setting and I liked it too. Except I turned off the bright switch.
Do you usually use the preset EQ on all the channels instead of the Graphic?

With channels 1 and 2 I generally leave the EQ off, but I leave each channel on preset and zero the knob just incase I bump something.

Ive found that even with the preset knob on zero, there is still a tone change when switching the eq in and out. I dont think zero = flat eq on the preset option. Do you find this same thing?

I do, and generally I prefer it

Depending on settings, there is a subtle bump in trebble and opens up the tone a little

 

[MBJunkie]

Several good suggestions have been offered.

I find that a nice balance between preamp (channel volume) and power amp (master volume) seems to work best for me (with loop engaged to activate MV and Solo Boost). Also, I use fairly moderate gain settings (12 - 2:30) in Ch3 which provide me with nice lead tones. I will "kick-in" the GEQ (I prefer sliders) for an alternate voicing/boost while playing, but try to voice Ch3 where it sounds good stand alone.

Be sure to experiment with the "Triode/Pentode" toggle switch. This has a major difference to voicing Ch3. I do like the sounds offered in "Triode" when playing alone, but when I am rehearsing with band or playing live it is always set to Pentode.

Hope this helps and Best of luck!

 

[nomad100hd]

Screaming daisy setting advice has help tremendously, I'm now going to keep the amp. Since I have active pickups I usually don't run th gain past noon, I like active for their clarity.

 

[MBJunkie]

Terrific, I am glad he was helpful!
BTW....I don't own any guitars with active pu's. I am sure my settings would be completely different if I did.
Best of luck!

 

[ryjan]

Is the general consensus to run channel masters lower and main master higher? Is the benifit clarity, brighter?

Here's the secret (don't tell anyone :wink: ).
Bypass the loop. This will also bypass the Master volume. Be careful cause this will get loud. Crank the channel master until you find the sweet spot. This is subjective so fiddle with it until it sounds the best for you. After you get it sounding great un-bypass the loop and now you can use the master volume to get it back to your desired level.

 

[nomad100hd]

I used the amp at church this morning in 10w mode, I hit the solo for a boost during a Lead passage and wow!!

 

[Tuna141]

I was disappointed with the bland tone of my V before I tried changing preamp tubes. Changing preamp tubes (from all JJ to a mix of JJ,new,and NOS tubes) was a big improvement. Really like the tone now.

I suggest you give it a shot. If you decide to return the amp, just put the stock JJ's back in.

 

[primeholy]

Is the general consensus to run channel masters lower and main master higher? Is the benifit clarity, brighter?

Here's the secret (don't tell anyone :wink: ).
Bypass the loop. This will also bypass the Master volume. Be careful cause this will get loud. Crank the channel master until you find the sweet spot. This is subjective so fiddle with it until it sounds the best for you. After you get it sounding great un-bypass the loop and now you can use the master volume to get it back to your desired level.

Markded to try later.

Durp. Just noticed I said markded instead of marked.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Is the general consensus to run channel masters lower and main master higher? Is the benifit clarity, brighter?

Here's the secret (don't tell anyone :wink: ).
Bypass the loop. This will also bypass the Master volume. Be careful cause this will get loud. Crank the channel master until you find the sweet spot. This is subjective so fiddle with it until it sounds the best for you. After you get it sounding great un-bypass the loop and now you can use the master volume to get it back to your desired level.

For anyone that can turn the amp up loud it'll have you overdriving the FX loop.

For instance, I had my channel masters at 11:00... which is hot enough to distort most effects units when you re-engage the loop.

 

[DWAKO]

I threw some KT-66s in the power section and it helped smooth out the semi-grainy mid range I got out of Channel 3. The 6L6s weren't bad, but I had some extra KT-88s on hand and they made a significant difference to my ears, even the 6L6/KT66 combo is pretty cool. Also a cool trick if you don't want to bypass the loop and have it unbelievably loud is to activate the loop and back the signal down a little, this allows you to crank the output volume on the front of the amp and it creates a much thicker/more full tone. I think Petrucci suggested this "trick" and I find I use it religiously, I love extreme mode on channel 3 in 90watt mode. Also using Bare Knuckle Nailbombs help a lot, I've played many other pickups like Dimarzio D-Activators, various SDs, and an EMG 81 (the 85 sounded good) that I couldn't stand with the V next to the BKs. The Mark V is an amp that you have to spend time with to reap the benefits, this is the main reason people sell them. I have had mine for over a year and I have no regrets, it's an amazing head with a lot to offer. There are still a lot of amps I would like to own or try out (*cough Royal Atlantic cough*), but I don't see myself letting it go, it's that good.

 

[nomad100hd]

Screamingdaisy when you tried extream mode did you have to back the channel volume down even further?

 

[nomad100hd]

Dwako, how do you run kt88 without an adjustable bias?

 

[screamingdaisy]

Screamingdaisy when you tried extream mode did you have to back the channel volume down even further?

I just tested it for this thread and went back to Mark IV mode. Extreme is louder than Mark IV, but I'm not totally sure how I'd dial all the channel volume's in since extreme isn't my thing.

 

[MBJunkie]

OP.....assuming your WOW experience in 10W mode was a good thing recently...keep experimenting with it!

Honestly, I feel the 10W mode of the MkV is the most "unknown and under utilized sleeping giant of the amp"! I have used it set to 10W in all channels with great results during rehearsals and live. It offers a different tone and feel and can get surprisingly loud without "farting out" even in higher gain sounds offered Ch2 and Ch3 when set "sensibly" for 10W mode. Typically, I mic my amp anyway.....so don't always need the higher watt settings.

I am not saying that I don't usually use my MkV at 45 or 90W live....I do, but the 10W option is one that I feel all owners should experiment with because it offers yet another flavor of the MkV to consider. Crank it up in 10W, spin the dials to taste, and enjoy the ride. Great IMHO!