Old school Boogie sound with a Mark III?

[mdortona]

Hi Group,

What is the consensus of opinion about getting the classic Santana/Robben Ford/Larry Carlton sound with a Mark-III? I'm well aware of its high gain abilities for the Metallica/Stryper etc sound. Obviously, a MK-1 reissue would work, as would a Heartbreaker, but I'd prefer to have the GEQ on-board. A MK-2 is out because of the footswitch popping issue when changing channels. Would I be better served getting a 50 cal+, a S.O.B., or maybe a DC series amp? Thanks!

Matt

 

[Neptical]

Hello there, as a fan of those players and user of these amps,those tones are readily available with the Mark III pending on what your using for guitar/pickups, and speakers. Just keep the gain dialed back and smooth everything out using the GEQ. Or another option is to crank the clean channel to break up. That'll produce those early Boogie/Dumble-esque tones no problem. I have no problem being able to get those tones with these amps and my PRS.

 

[mdortona]

Thanks Neptical! BTW, do have any problems with channel switching (e.g. popping or gross volume imbalance) with your MKIIIs? What do think about the 50 cal+, as a cheapsake plan B for the same sounds? Take care!

Matt

 

[Neptical]

No popping noises here. As far as volume balance, just make sure the Mark III has the R2 mod. Most of the III's out there already have it. The 50 cal+ shouldn't have a problem getting those tones. I use to own a Studio 22+ that came pretty close. I find most of those sweet tones are good and plenty in most of the older Boogies.

 

[mdortona]

Excellent! Thanks!

Matt

 

[Neptical]

No problem, Matt! Anytime! 8)

 

[fishyfishfish]

My Mark III RedStripe on channel one and two, and BB Preamp for a solo boost. All there, one amp. Or you could just use the Lead Channel for the solo boost, but that would make buying pedals pointless.

 

[igfraso]

+1, fishyfishfish.

I do the same thing. But I also use, sometimes, the BB Preamp with the Lead Channel. It's like having 5 channels.

 

[kdorsey]

I don't have the R2 mod and have no issues with volume balance between R1 and R2. It just depends on your setup. If I find I need a little more oomph on R1, I punch in the TS-9 and back off the guitar volume. Not really a big deal. Tons of Santana-esque smooth sustain on R2 or even R1 with a TubeScreamer or FullDrive2.

Sometimes it does feel like I'm one of the only ones not playing metal with a MkIII. :wink:

 

[mdortona]

K,

My metal days are loooooong gone! :lol: Thanks for the info.

Daniel,

Dumb question: How would one know if the R2 mod was done??? Thanks!

Matt

 

[kdorsey]

K,
...How would one know if the R2 mod was done?

It requires an extra potentiometer to be installed. On a short head/combo, that's usually in the back. Others have used a concentric pot with R1 volume. Long heads can take the extra pot in the front or back. Look for 'R2 Volume' or something like that.

 

[mdortona]

Thanks K!

Matt

 

[igfraso]

Daniel,

Dumb question: How would one know if the R2 mod was done??? Thanks!

Matt

Matt,
Mike Bendinelli uses the slave level (or direct out) potentiometer as the R2 Volume pot. He sets the direct out level to 7, internally.
Then, he applies a Dymo label to that pot which reads R2Vol.

Regards,
Daniel

 

[mdortona]

Thanks Daniel!

Matt

 

[SonicProvocateur]

Daniel,

Dumb question: How would one know if the R2 mod was done??? Thanks!

Matt

Matt,
Mike Bendinelli uses the slave level (or direct out) potentiometer as the R2 Volume pot. He sets the direct out level to 7, internally.
Then, he applies a Dymo label to that pot which reads R2Vol.

Regards,
Daniel

My amp is hotrodded a little differently. Since mine was a reverb equipped combo, the reverb control in the back was nixxed in favor of the R2 mod. Also this preserved my gain staging and left me with my slave out controls, though it's still jumpered from R121. To answer Matt's question, my R1 has ok breakup (very nice) and is it's own great voice, but R2 is straight where it's at for all those dumble tones, especially with Dimarzio pickups. I generally find that the Santana tone is kinda hiding everywhere on the amp when I use my PRS. It's just there. Hope that helps.

 

[mdortona]

Yep, that does help. Thanks Sonic!

Matt