Tube saturation and the Mark V

[bassmantim71]

Okay, so after nearly 2 weeks, I'm loving my Mark V. I've dialed in tones that I love on all 3 channels now, quickly described as:

ch1: glassy clean (preset eq)
ch2: dirty clean, Mark I thick, with gain dialed back (preset eq)
ch3: melt your face, Mark IIc+ hi gain (eq sliders)

In order to get the sounds I like, I have to run the amp in 45 or 90 watt mode (I'm using two 8 ohm cabs, btw)

Here's the question: Am I saturating any of the tubes in this beast?

My old rig had me running the volume close to "dimed" on a low wattage tube head..., I can't get anywhere near diming any of the levels on the 3 masters or the output levels. I shouldn't complain, as the amp sounds great with lots of headroom..., but isn't there a whole market of hotplates and such, in order to "heat up the tubes" and keep the volume under control on amps?

I can just imagine going back to a club I've gigged regularly with this amp, and trying to turn it up :mrgreen: The soundman would be on stage turning my amp down in a flash. I can't imagine a situation requiring the full power and potential of this beast.

Thoughts?

 

[Welcomehome]

Hmm, In 90 and 45 watts, I usually get a good metalish tone by having the ouput and master at about halfway, or a little less than that. But, that's still pretty **** loud. 10 watts blows for metal really - Need more power! I think the clean channel sounds good on just about any volume though.

But, yes, you can order a THD Hotplate to help heat up the tubes and play at a more moderate level. . .Not sure how moderate though. . .Haven't used one.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-THD-HP8-LIST?SRC=D0407FG0HAMS0000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&

 

[Scary]

I wouldn't bother with an attenuator if you like the tones you are getting. I've heard of people having problems using them with the Mark IV, but I havn't heard of anyone using them with a FIVE. To my ears it sounds saturated at less than half, but I mostly run in 10 watts.

 

[bassmantim71]

But, yes, you can order a THD Hotplate to help heat up the tubes and play at a more moderate level. . .Not sure how moderate though. . .Haven't used one.

Actually, I was just addressing that there is a market for hotplates..., my friend calls them the "boomerang" as they are often returned to music stores shortly after purchase.

I can't get the levels up past "noon" in 45 or 90 watt mode either..., too farking loud

I'm curious how this amp sounds with the levels set around 3 o'clock'ish in the higher watt modes.

And agreed..., 10 watt blows for metal. Must be that 5U4 tube :!:

 

[MrMarkIII]

Here's the question: Am I saturating any of the tubes in this beast?

Unless you are running both the channel masters and the output (the overall master) at 50% or better, any saturation is likely the pre-amp, not the power section.

 

[Welcomehome]

Actually, I was just addressing that there is a market for hotplates..., my friend calls them the "boomerang" as they are often returned to music stores shortly after purchase.

Oh? They suck?

And agreed..., 10 watt blows for metal. Must be that 5U4 tube

Could be. . .I still have the stock tubes >_>

I can't get the levels up past "noon" in 45 or 90 watt mode either..., too farking loud

I'm curious how this amp sounds with the levels set around 3 o'clock'ish in the higher watt modes.

Do it for like 10 seconds and hit some chords, then turn it down. . .No one will know what hit them.

 

[bassmantim71]

Here's the question: Am I saturating any of the tubes in this beast?

Unless you are running both the channel masters and the output (the overall master) at 50% or better, any saturation is likely the pre-amp, not the power section.

Hmmmm..., this is what I thought, I'm gonna play with the levels (lower preamp level / raise master output level) on all 3 channels this week and see what results I get.

The amp sounds great now..., it'll be more of an experiment.

 

[bassmantim71]

Actually, I was just addressing that there is a market for hotplates..., my friend calls them the "boomerang" as they are often returned to music stores shortly after purchase.

Oh? They suck?

No..., they are designed to be used in "non master volume amps".

 

[MrMarkIII]

Actually, I was just addressing that there is a market for hotplates..., my friend calls them the "boomerang" as they are often returned to music stores shortly after purchase.

Oh? They suck?

No..., they are designed to be used in "non master volume amps".

Well, um, a master volume amp with the master turned up all the way is the same thing, pretty much...

 

[bassmantim71]

I messed around a bit today

IIc+ mode, triode, 90 watts simulclass, running at 4 ohms into a 320 watt & 360 watt cabs (both are 8 ohm cabs):

- If you lower the master on channel 3, and then crank the master output, it sounds pretty darn good..., you can hear those power tubes heating up, especially at 4 ohms :mrgreen:

- If you crank the master on channel 3, and then try to control the volume by really lowering the master output, it just sounds fizzy and bleh :|

I find the happy place is with the channel 3 master around 11 o'clock, and the master output as loud as your ears can stand. The amp really opens up and gets angry at 4 ohms when you can get the master output up above 11 o'clock..., you hear the amp instantly come alive once you cross a certain spot on the knob.