Question about toob amps.

[superjoe5000]

Hi there. I have 2 mark V's. Combo Version and Head with 2x12 cab.

Dumb question from a tube amp noob. Been playing guitar forever. For rehearsal, I use Mesa Mark V head and Rectifier 2x12 cab. I go out to the board with a JDX.

When I'm by myself at a lower volume the amp sounds great. To get it to compete with drums, I obviously have to turn it up quite a bit in our jam space.

To avoid feedback, I have to turn down the gain. At that point everything goes south tone wise. I lose that warmth and it seems all mids.

My bassist usually adjusts the tone to be able to get volume out of it.

So is this just something I'm going to have to get use to? Kinda bummed out. Amp doesn't sound very good to me when turned up with the gain down.

On another board, guys are telling me to uses a pedal in front of the amp, like a TS or something. Maybe I'm just not use to tube amps?

My settings for Channel 3 are typically like this and I use preset mode for the EQ.

 

[Mister Joshua]

Tubes are strange animals. They are analog and don't react on a strictly linear scale. Most tube amps reach maximum volume long before the volume knob hits 10, or 11 if you're Nigel. After that it is almost all compression. Tube amps are going to sound very different quiet as opposed to loud. Don't be discouraged by this but get familiar with your amp's particular nature and be ready to make changes during sound check. It is going to take a bit of time, especially with the Mark series as they tend to be touchy at various volumes. With a little know how the Mark V can be your best friend so take some time to practice at various volumes and understand the nature of your amp. My 2 cents.

Peace,
Joshua

 

[superjoe5000]

I've been reading a little about the effects loop. I notice that when you change the knob on the effects loop, it affects the tone. I leave mine in the middle. I'm wondering if using Variac mode is screwing me up too.

When turned up it loses it warmth and just seems like a barky midrange.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Try bringing your channel master in channel 3 down to around 9:00, then raise the volume back up using the master output.

You'll probably have to adjust your EQ once you do this as you should get a lot more top end detail returned to you by doing this.