New to everything Mesa!!!

[MistaSnowman]

Hello All and nice to (virtually) meet you 8) !!!

My name is Larry and as of this past Monday, I am a new proud owner of a Mesa Mark V:35 combo! I love the amp and I would even love it better if I can get a good hard rock tone out of Channel 2 from either the Mark IV or Extreme mode. The guitars I'm using are both Dean Zelinsky StrettaVita (Les Paul) models, one tuned to E Standard (11-48) and the other tuned to Drop C (12-56).

If there was a guitar tone I would chase, it would be from the band, Chevelle. I am aware that Pete Loeffler uses the big Mark V and there would be slight adjustments between the amps, but their tone is the tone that I wish to emulate.

Anyway, any and all suggestions would be welcome and I thank you all in advance!!!

 

[MistaSnowman]

Actually, I just found out that if I read the manual a little further...there are sample tone settings!!! Dialed in the 'Mark IV Tight Rhythm' setting and, just like that, I found my Channel 2 tone!!!

I going to love this amp :mrgreen: :mrgreen: !!!

 

[jb's 52]

Yeah,

Definitely read the manual over a couple times.
Also, it's been best when we dial in our sound with our ears instead of our eyes.
Dials on the knobs can look funny but sound great

 

[MistaSnowman]

Also, it's been best when we dial in our sound with our ears instead of our eyes.

I agree with your statement but since Mesa's are new to me, I was in need of a good starting point.

But it's all good

 

[Nicklotsaguitars]

It's a journey mate, working out how your amp dials work.
My simple rule is, turn the eq off. Get the dials about right. Flatten the eq sliders. Set the eq to the preset option, switch the eq on. Then go for a setting between 8 and 11 oclock on the dial, somewhere that sounds nearly right (I've no other use for the preset eq thing. And everything past the midway setting is completely useless to me). Then switch to sliders, get your high end right, then your low end. Then the mids. Constantly comparing it to the preset sound as a reference point.
Think of the dials as your distortion pedal. As it would sound if you were plugging a distortion pedal straight into the desk. That horrible flat sound. Think of the eq as your amp sound that needs to be set for the room.

 

[MistaSnowman]

It's a journey mate, working out how your amp dials work.
My simple rule is, turn the eq off. Get the dials about right. Flatten the eq sliders. Set the eq to the preset option, switch the eq on. Then go for a setting between 8 and 11 oclock on the dial, somewhere that sounds nearly right (I've no other use for the preset eq thing. And everything past the midway setting is completely useless to me). Then switch to sliders, get your high end right, then your low end. Then the mids. Constantly comparing it to the preset sound as a reference point.
Think of the dials as your distortion pedal. As it would sound if you were plugging a distortion pedal straight into the desk. That horrible flat sound. Think of the eq as your amp sound that needs to be set for the room.

Thank you for the advice 8) ! Very appreciated!!

 

[Dodgion556]

Man, I know how your shoes feel. I came over from the Fender camp. I have the V35 combo and love it. It has played shows that I know have tested the physical realm of what an amp can and cannot do. I do play more out of the MK IV setting than anywhere else. I need to spend more time on Extreme because of the warmth, but truthfully the IV tone has such good chime and balls, I'm having hard time justifying it.

I agree it is a journey. Enjoy it!
Cheers

 

[Chris19]

I found a video of a guy using a Mark V and he pretty much nails the Chevelle tone. I can't see his settings particularly well, other than that he's using channel 3 with quite an odd eq shape; but it does sound great! Can't tell what mode he's using, but I would wager it's Mark IV mode. Could be extreme too though, given the lower gain vibe and the overall clarity of the sound.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4usoTlu4j4o

For me, starting with the presence somewhat low and setting everything else up first, then dialing up the presence as desired helped me "unlock", so to speak, the tones I was looking for. Don't be afraid of the preset eq; I LOVE it for Mark I mode with a clean boost in front! Sounds massive, even with the preamp bass knob all the way off. Probably my favorite sound in the amp.

 

[MistaSnowman]

That video absolutely nailed Chevelle's tone...very impressed!!!