I recently traded a jcm 900 head for a simulclass MK III red stripe w/ verb ,eq, ev12L . While I haven't had a lot of time to fool with it yet, I just wanted to ask the knowledge rich folks here if the III can do metal tones well or if I should seek out a mk IV? Keep in mind I'm not a big fan of the recto sound, seems to buzzy to me, IMO. I am also, should I decide to keep it, going to need a headcase to convert it to just a head (already have a recto 4x12) any suggestions on who makes a good headcase? Thanks , Eric (newbie)
Question about the mk III's abilities
- Thread starter Eric Dee
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I own a fully loaded blue stripe and it does metal tones VERY well. It actually has hundreds of tones on tap. It seems that most here will tell you that the III is the most aggressive sounding out of all the Marks. To some that may not be desirable but to a metalhead it is. Although I havent played a Mark IV, I have read several people say that the III has not only more gain on tap than the IV, it is also more organically liquid sounding as well. The downfall of the III is the shared eq if you are one that HAS to have seperate eq for each channel. If not, then you can get a decent balance out of all three channels as long as everything isnt dimed.
I myself listened to many clips in making my decision to pick up a III. I considered a IIC+, a IV, and even a V. The III won my heart because of its pure aggression. I also found that you can blend rhythm 2 and the Lead channel for a "hidden" 4th channel. Its a great amp that will go to my grave with me.
Its a very bright amp so I would suggest popping a NOS RFT ecc83 tube in V1 and V3 to darken it up some. Others will tell you that an RFT and Tungsram cocktail in the preamp is the way to go as well. I have a nos tungsram on the way and will report how it sounds when it shows up.
I myself listened to many clips in making my decision to pick up a III. I considered a IIC+, a IV, and even a V. The III won my heart because of its pure aggression. I also found that you can blend rhythm 2 and the Lead channel for a "hidden" 4th channel. Its a great amp that will go to my grave with me.
Its a very bright amp so I would suggest popping a NOS RFT ecc83 tube in V1 and V3 to darken it up some. Others will tell you that an RFT and Tungsram cocktail in the preamp is the way to go as well. I have a nos tungsram on the way and will report how it sounds when it shows up.
Excellent! Thanks for the info Facelift! Yea the more I play with the amp the cooler it gets! I play more trad. death/black metal and I think I have found THE amp for me, unfortunately it blew a few fuses this past hour so I took it to the Doc to see what's up. Even with a potential problem I still think I'm in love with it. I had @ 250 in the jcm I traded for it, so even if it cost an a bill or so fix it, I'm still ahead of the game. Thanks again for the input man. -Eric
Neptical
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Eric...wuzzzup man.
The Mark III is definitely aggressive enough for metal/black metal/death metal players. As mentioned above, PLENTY enough tones on tap for pretty much anything. I, myself, have a 'red' and a 'purple' stripe. The red is a bit more more 'hyper' then the purple, making the purple more laid back..but find I can almost even it out with the red by balancing out the eq/geq. These amps are definitely sensitive with certain preamp and power tubes. I use a mixture of NOS and new school tubes. The one thing I really enjoy about these amps is that they are aggressive, but yet they still retain those nice organic, rich, warm tones. Something I have truly yet to find in other amps. Good pick again on the amp. You will enjoy it with many years to come.
~Nep~
The Mark III is definitely aggressive enough for metal/black metal/death metal players. As mentioned above, PLENTY enough tones on tap for pretty much anything. I, myself, have a 'red' and a 'purple' stripe. The red is a bit more more 'hyper' then the purple, making the purple more laid back..but find I can almost even it out with the red by balancing out the eq/geq. These amps are definitely sensitive with certain preamp and power tubes. I use a mixture of NOS and new school tubes. The one thing I really enjoy about these amps is that they are aggressive, but yet they still retain those nice organic, rich, warm tones. Something I have truly yet to find in other amps. Good pick again on the amp. You will enjoy it with many years to come.
~Nep~
SonicProvocateur
Well-known member
A recent new forum member was looking for some good launching points for tone sculpting in this recent thread. It may help you out also if you have lost or didn't have your original settings sheet (also as many of us use our Mark IIIs for some kind of metal).
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49281
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49281
Facelift said:
+1000! (The MkIII and the car. They're gonna need a big hole!)
There's a learning curve for most amps and the MkIII is no different. But the time invested in learning how the versatile sound shaping works will payoff big dividends. I've owned mine since '89 and am still discovering new sounds. It never gets old.
Speaker selection can be as important to controlling brightness as is tube selection, so keep that in mind, too. (Vintage 30s' highend rolloff matches well with the MkIII's character, for example)
Good luck!
Congrats on your trade. I think the III is a definite step up.
Here' are a couple of tips for you:
1. most people prefer the Presence very low which dials out the fizzines of the amp.
2. You may find the R2 volume mod useful. This simple mod allows you to more easily balance the volumes of all 3 channels. Details can be found in the forum if you perform a search.
Also, don't try to dial the amp in like a Marshall. Keep the bass knob relatively low to avoid low freq. mush and boost the bass using the GEQ instead.
Enjoy!
Here' are a couple of tips for you:
1. most people prefer the Presence very low which dials out the fizzines of the amp.
2. You may find the R2 volume mod useful. This simple mod allows you to more easily balance the volumes of all 3 channels. Details can be found in the forum if you perform a search.
Also, don't try to dial the amp in like a Marshall. Keep the bass knob relatively low to avoid low freq. mush and boost the bass using the GEQ instead.
Enjoy!
