Understanding the Graphic EQ - 2 months into my Mark V

[DrChaos]

So I've had my mark V for about 2 months now, and i've played with lots of the channels and i'm gradually becoming more familiar with how this amp works.

It's taken me a while, but i think i'm getting a good handle on it.

However, I haven't found i've needed to use the graphic EQ at all, the amp already is so stellar in a band setting at just cutting through, I haven't had any difficulty with either channel one or three just cutting through everything.

But I've got a few different sounds set up there, and one of my current favourites is the Mark 1 mode i've got set up as a nice distorted sound.

It sounds great when I'm the only guitar player, but it gets a little buried with two guitars going. I realize the nature of this channel is more smooth and less in your face. while I like that about it, I figure i'd start playing with the graphic EQ a bit and seeing if i could bring it forwards a little bit.

My questions is, are the centre settings on the EQ unaffected? If I were to theoretically switch the graphic EQ on or and off with it set flat across, would I be able to hear any difference?

I've noticed that the slider the second from the right seems to bring it forward a bit, would it be a good idea to craft a little bump around this area as a 'bring forward' type of EQ setting.

I know the vast majority of getting to know this amp comes from just playing with it, and that has worked for me; but it'd be nice ot have something to start with.

Thanks

 

[Jackie]

If you want more in your face, bump the slider you mentioned up. That's your roaring mids, 2.2kHz. Maybe add a little more presence too.

 

[Fcal124]

I think he's talking about the preset knob.
What I do is just play with the knob until you find that sweet spot.
I also found that my Strats sound like crap through my MarkV compared to my Les Pauls.

 

[DrChaos]

I think he's talking about the preset knob.
What I do is just play with the knob until you find that sweet spot.
I also found that my Strats sound like crap through my MarkV compared to my Les Pauls.

nope I was refering to the sliders, I don't want to scoop the mids I want to bring them up I think.

I haven't really spent much time with my strats and my mark V, i fired them up but they did sound thinner at first. My les paul sounds great, but I'm spending most of my time on a white falcon, which sounds great.

 

[MBJunkie]

I found that I need to use the GEQ sliders in the Mk1 mode to get an excellent sound. First of all, I set the channel preamp EQ knobs in Mk1 mode something like this:

Gain: 12 - 2 o'clock
Treble: 1 - 2 o'clock
Mid: 9 - 12 o'clock
Bass: Off - 9 o'clock
Presence: 11 - 2 o'clock

I also engage the GEQ sliders such that the lowest frequency slider is reduced below the mid mark (somewhere near 1/3 from the bottom mark to the center mark).

I then just adjust the remaining sliders in a fairly straight slope upward to the right. The highest EQ slider ends up being somewhere between the center mark and high mark (maybe 1/3 above center relative to the high mark).

The Mk1 mode is the only mode in the amp that I will use the GEQ in this manner, but it sounds great to me set this way.

You might try this as a starting point, see how it sounds and tweak preamp settings and GEQ sliders according to your taste!

Hope this helps and have fun!

BTW....I play a HSS strat type guitar and feel it sounds great through the various modes offered in the V.

 

[MBJunkie]

BTW DrChaos....congrats on your purchase of a great amp!!

FWIW...I think it is good that you are familiarizing yourself with the preamp controls of the amp in all modes prior to really focusing on the GEQ sliders or contour knobs. This will give you a basic understanding of how to dial in good sounds in all modes of each channel. As you said, the V can sound very good without even engaging the GEQ, and there are certainly times that I do not engage it.

The GEQ feature can drastically shape your sound in any mode and channel (especially slider mode because it allows you to boost or subtract any of the 5 frequencies however you wish).

Also, be sure to check out Haggerty's 8 part demo of the modes and features of the MkV available in this forum if you haven't already done so.

Don Haggerty does an excellent job of demonstrating all 9 modes offered in the MkV!