What are you pushing the front end of your MV with?

[Mrjason]

I use a TS-9 myself. I know you can dial in a better sound but when playing live it gives you options without having to dial the amp on the go. I mainly use it on channel one to get a clean and tweedish slight break up sound with the step of a button. Touch of slapback delay and I could play for days!

 

[metalheadx05]

I agree.

i can hear a very noticeable difference when I'm on ch 3 extreme mode and i kick in the TS (gain 0, level max, tone 11-1 o'clock). I have the gain set around 1-2 o'clock and it kind of fills in the sound and adds a bit of warmth.

Ch 2 is awesome with the TS. Ch 1 is great to push the gain just into breakup mode.

I'm really interested in hearing what an OCD is like with the mkv

I have to agree. I play hard rock/metal and used lots of saturation in the past but the Mark V along with most amps gives more "umph" when the gain is lower/cleaner. I use my TS-808 in channels 3 (Mark IV mode, pentode, 90w, bright off, eq similar to JP) and 2 (crunch mode, 90w) like Zilla. Overdrive=0, Level=Max, Tone=10:30ish. I push the signal a bit with the TS and lower the gain and it's a creamy, thumpy/big, yet TIGHT tone. AWESOME with the Les Paul.

I do also have to comment that my favorite way to play is guitar -> amp -> 4x12. It's like sex without a condom. Risky yet the best feeling.

 

[MesaManBoogie]

I just bought a Maxon OD808 and a Sonic Maximizer, so far I like the way it sounds on any channel.

 

[jmontgomery]

I've been using a Timmy pedal for a few days now set for a little hair on the clean channel. Sounds like it was made for this amp.

 

[dmcguitar]

so any ideas for channel 1/2 pedal and or eq settings for something that is 'looser' or 'more forgiving'? no matter what i try on channel 2 i find it very tight. which isnt always bad, but sometimes i desire a "rounder" tone. i dont really know how to describe what i want, but maybe this makes sense.

 

[Barry]

BB preamp . Works well for me .

 

[d77e]

I use a Xotic A Booster for compress a litle.

 

[mglenn]

I've been using the Xotic EP boost lately. Its very clean and kind of tailors the sound a bit by rounding out the highs and lows, but it doesn't really boost the amp too much unless you want it too. Even then, it doesn't add a lot of gain... just volume and tasteful eq/dynamics. It makes certain elements of my playing pop out a bit more... which is nice. Its actually really cool in the loop with a clean delay to give a slight solo boost + delay if you want. Once you get into really high gain modes, it doesn't have as pronounced of an effect. Luckily, its one of those "always on" type pedals if you want it to be so you can move it around and see where it fits best. If you want a clean boost with just a bit of eq, I'd go with this one over other ODs. I haven't really found a gainy OD that I've liked with the Mark V (Green Rhino, Pork Loin, TS, MXR Distortion...).

I do have a few fuzz pedals in the line though... If my amp made that tone without pedal help, I would think it was broken!

 

[discordance_axis]

I've been using the Xotic EP boost lately. Its very clean and kind of tailors the sound a bit by rounding out the highs and lows, but it doesn't really boost the amp too much unless you want it too. Even then, it doesn't add a lot of gain... just volume and tasteful eq/dynamics. It makes certain elements of my playing pop out a bit more... which is nice. Its actually really cool in the loop with a clean delay to give a slight solo boost + delay if you want. Once you get into really high gain modes, it doesn't have as pronounced of an effect. Luckily, its one of those "always on" type pedals if you want it to be so you can move it around and see where it fits best. If you want a clean boost with just a bit of eq, I'd go with this one over other ODs. I haven't really found a gainy OD that I've liked with the Mark V (Green Rhino, Pork Loin, TS, MXR Distortion...).

I do have a few fuzz pedals in the line though... If my amp made that tone without pedal help, I would think it was broken!

I have also been using xotic pedals with the V. The RC Booster and the BB Preamp. Both of which I love. The Mark V is a perfect amp for me in every way. It is the only amp i have ever owned and not had to tweak over and over and still not be where I want to be. I love it and in no way do i NEED either of these pedal. I just like them.

I really like the BB preamp in channel 2. Channel 2 LOVES pedals infront of it. Especially crunch mode. I can drive that mode into blissfull submission with that pedal and get the thickest rhythm tones ever created.

The RC booster is, for me, is one of those pedals with the subtlest difference in tone but huge difference in feel, and that is a GREAT thing since i love the amps tone. I really like to use the IIC+ mode for lead, but playing high up on the high strings always seemed a bit difficult and lacked sustain so i usually ended up turning back to mark IV mode for lead. However, with the RC booster playing is effortless. Playing is very responsive to the touch and the sustain can last for ages, even when i play a bend up high and let down really really slowly its still going strong! Since it boosts the signal of the guitar, it also gives the feeling of a massive pick attack when only picking lightly, this is something i really dig.

All in all, definitely not needed as the Mark V is great by itself. But i would definitely recommend these pedals for anybody who is interested in giving them a try.