Mother of all metal amps

ptgeek911 · January 27th, 2007, 04:34 AM

Ive been thinking lately that my Mesa Mark IV is not cutting it anymore. I put a Maxon OD808 in front of it and I'm still not satisfied(Dont get me wrong, this amp is one of the best Ive had, but for in your face metal, Im not happy). People have been telling me to check out the Engl Powerball. What do you guys use for balls to the wall metal? Im also interested in hearing this new VHT Deliverance head. What does Andy use on most of his recordings?

Jackal_Strain · January 27th, 2007, 04:35 AM

5150, dual rectumfryer, krank... and the list goes on...

Ermz · January 27th, 2007, 05:16 AM

Had a shootout recently of a:

Peavey JSX
Peavey 6505+
ENGL Powerball
Mesa Triple Rectifier

And the rectifier blew everyones' heads off. Unbelievable metal amp. I always tend to favor the Mesa gear. If you like the character of the Mark IV, it may be a logical step to check out the rectifiers.

RootBoundApollo · January 27th, 2007, 05:55 AM

I dig my Krank Revolution a lot. Andy used Kranks on the newest Arch Enemy and Nevermore albums and those are probably my two favorite heavy guitar tones that I've ever heard

Mood Bender · January 27th, 2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RootBoundApollo

I dig my Krank Revolution a lot. Andy used Kranks on the newest Arch Enemy and Nevermore albums and those are probably my two favorite heavy guitar tones that I've ever heard

+1 those two are why I have a Revolution...

I enjoy playing my Revolution as much or more than any I have.

KeithRT99 · January 27th, 2007, 04:31 PM

rectos were also used on doomsday machine and TGE

TheDude · January 27th, 2007, 06:20 PM

Take any PODxt, set output to "Stack Pwramp", plug it into any power amplifier (+100W), and connect it to your favourite 4x12.

You can get any tone from Bitch Boys to Meshuggah, if you practise the tweaking a tad.

s34nsm411 · January 27th, 2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude

Take any PODxt, set output to "Stack Pwramp", plug it into any power amplifier (+100W), and connect it to your favourite 4x12.

You can get any tone from Bitch Boys to Meshuggah, if you practise the tweaking a tad.

please dont do this

Mood Bender · January 27th, 2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithRT99

rectos were also used on doomsday machine and TGE

my DR and Revolution can be dialed very similarly.

RootBoundApollo · January 28th, 2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithRT99

rectos were also used on doomsday machine and TGE

Truth, but the snarl on those albums seems to be a characteristic of the Krank more so than the Mesa.

blackcom · January 28th, 2007, 09:43 AM

So, Krank eh.,...end ervyone prefers the revolution over the krankenstein?

KillDivision · January 28th, 2007, 09:55 AM

Diezel Herbert or VH4.

prititing · January 29th, 2007, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillDivision

Diezel Herbert or VH4.

+1. And the SLO.

Jackal_Strain · January 29th, 2007, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillDivision

Diezel Herbert or VH4.

They're too expensive! I can't justify paying that much for an amp when I can get a 5150 for a third of the price. And I think it sounds better!

Exocaster · January 29th, 2007, 09:33 AM

Before we go blindly recommending amps:

What are you going for tonally, and what is it you don't like about the Mark IV? What, specifically, is the Mark IV not doing for you?

If I may ask, what are your Mark IV settings? The Mark IV's controls are sort of counterintuitive compared to a more "normal" amp. It's very mid-heavy, to the point where you can't really dial out mids without the graphic EQ, and the amp's bass control adds more mud than anything past about three or four on the dial. And it's very dark without turning the treble up. Despite all these seeming "issues", the Mark IV is actually capable of a wide variety of tones due to the graphic EQ and power stage options.

I used the following settings with an EMG-loaded Jackson tuned to B or A for death metal with my Mark IV. With a boost pedal and the EMGs, it was the tightest thing going next to possibly a VHT.

Lead Channel, Full Power, Simul-class (Mesa EL34s and NOS GE 6L6GCs), Triode.

Lead gain- 8, Fat Pulled
Bass- 3
Mids- 4
Treble- 8
Lead drive- 6
Presence- varies, depending on room

Graphic EQ- Boost 80hz, cut 240hz, leave 800hz flat, boost 2200hz slightly, boost 6600hz.

Boost settings (I used a Boss SD-1): Level 5:00, tone 1:00, Gain 7:00

...and a cab with Vintage 30s.

ptgeek911 · January 29th, 2007, 09:27 PM

Thanks so much for the settings man. But I think the Mark IV is getting the boot anyway. I looked at the Krank Revolution, and it blew me away. Im going to go try to tweak the Mark IV a little more, but it looks like the Krank is what Im gunning for.

Gnash · January 30th, 2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude

Take any PODxt, set output to "Stack Pwramp", plug it into any power amplifier (+100W), and connect it to your favourite 4x12.

You can get any tone from Bitch Boys to Meshuggah, if you practise the tweaking a tad.

+1

Tubes man, run it through a tube head for maximum GHUN GHUN!

aramism · January 30th, 2007, 12:36 AM

tried and true over and over again, the dual rectifier is the mighty of the mighty.

if you like the mark iv but aren't happy with the "metalness" then like moonlapse stated, you might like the dual recto.

if you can try to get one off ebay, the 2 ch dual rectifier from the early 90's has the most fabled recto sound. i have the road king series 1 myself and the ch3 on it according to mesa tech mike t. is a faithful reproduction of the 2 channels second distortion channel dubbed "orange"

it sounds great for balls metal. i also really like the "cut" you get on a road king when you engage the el34's in addition to the quad 6L6's especially in the vintage mode on ch3 with the rectifier setting to tube rectified.

sounds good with the right pups. i prefer my C tuned ibanez with dimarzio EVOS. sounds very very tight. or my ibanez 7 string with a dimarzio blaze in bridge

Mood Bender · January 30th, 2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptgeek911

Thanks so much for the settings man. But I think the Mark IV is getting the boot anyway. I looked at the Krank Revolution, and it blew me away. Im going to go try to tweak the Mark IV a little more, but it looks like the Krank is what Im gunning for.

I'm definitely a Krank Revo fan...

musickey · January 30th, 2007, 08:24 AM

MESA RECTO!

aramism · January 30th, 2007, 09:31 PM

i understand your dillemma but i think the mark iv is such a great amp maybe you should look harder as to why you can't get a good tone. i have one on the way it is at mesa factory getting some work done on it and i've tried them before, you can get such a powerful tone out of it. tried it on my friends 60' LP w. emg 81/85 and i've tried with my 7 string with dimarzios, it sounded pretty brutal, and i didn't even know the tonal functions of the amp that well. i've been to couple of lamb of gods concerts, during soundcheck they sound very very heavy. unless you want a more saturated gain tone in which case it's not your amp. i gues it's me, i like more "less gain" tones. even on my road king dual recto in modern mode i keep the gain around halfway. i am able to get a very very tight and focused dark sound.

January 27th, 2007, 04:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
ptgeek911 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 50	Mother of all metal amps Ive been thinking lately that my Mesa Mark IV is not cutting it anymore. I put a Maxon OD808 in front of it and I'm still not satisfied(Dont get me wrong, this amp is one of the best Ive had, but for in your face metal, Im not happy). People have been telling me to check out the Engl Powerball. What do you guys use for balls to the wall metal? Im also interested in hearing this new VHT Deliverance head. What does Andy use on most of his recordings?

January 27th, 2007, 05:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ermz Mix Guideus Authoritus Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 19,942	Had a shootout recently of a: Peavey JSX Peavey 6505+ ENGL Powerball Mesa Triple Rectifier And the rectifier blew everyones' heads off. Unbelievable metal amp. I always tend to favor the Mesa gear. If you like the character of the Mark IV, it may be a logical step to check out the rectifiers. __________________

January 27th, 2007, 04:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
KeithRT99 BOOSH. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vallejo,CA Posts: 2,159	rectos were also used on doomsday machine and TGE __________________ http://www.soundclick.com/keithtidd http://www.myspace.com/keithtidd

January 27th, 2007, 06:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheDude Jocke Skog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Stockholm - Sweden Posts: 1,552	Take any PODxt, set output to "Stack Pwramp", plug it into any power amplifier (+100W), and connect it to your favourite 4x12. You can get any tone from Bitch Boys to Meshuggah, if you practise the tweaking a tad. __________________ Old-fat-lazy-proud. Founder, member and technical director of the band Clawfinger (http://www.clawfinger.net) I'm using awesome gear, and one day I'll list it all.

January 29th, 2007, 09:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
Exocaster Nozzle Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 693	Before we go blindly recommending amps: What are you going for tonally, and what is it you don't like about the Mark IV? What, specifically, is the Mark IV not doing for you? If I may ask, what are your Mark IV settings? The Mark IV's controls are sort of counterintuitive compared to a more "normal" amp. It's very mid-heavy, to the point where you can't really dial out mids without the graphic EQ, and the amp's bass control adds more mud than anything past about three or four on the dial. And it's very dark without turning the treble up. Despite all these seeming "issues", the Mark IV is actually capable of a wide variety of tones due to the graphic EQ and power stage options. I used the following settings with an EMG-loaded Jackson tuned to B or A for death metal with my Mark IV. With a boost pedal and the EMGs, it was the tightest thing going next to possibly a VHT. Lead Channel, Full Power, Simul-class (Mesa EL34s and NOS GE 6L6GCs), Triode. Lead gain- 8, Fat Pulled Bass- 3 Mids- 4 Treble- 8 Lead drive- 6 Presence- varies, depending on room Graphic EQ- Boost 80hz, cut 240hz, leave 800hz flat, boost 2200hz slightly, boost 6600hz. Boost settings (I used a Boss SD-1): Level 5:00, tone 1:00, Gain 7:00 ...and a cab with Vintage 30s. __________________ Flowers on the razor wire.

January 27th, 2007, 04:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jackal_Strain Sigurd Løberg Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,524	5150, dual rectumfryer, krank... and the list goes on...

January 27th, 2007, 05:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
RootBoundApollo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lockport, IL. Our water has Radium in it. Posts: 146	I dig my Krank Revolution a lot. Andy used Kranks on the newest Arch Enemy and Nevermore albums and those are probably my two favorite heavy guitar tones that I've ever heard

January 28th, 2007, 09:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
blackcom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 457	So, Krank eh.,...end ervyone prefers the revolution over the krankenstein?

January 28th, 2007, 09:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
KillDivision Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Holland, Zwolle Posts: 633	Diezel Herbert or VH4.

January 29th, 2007, 09:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
ptgeek911 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 50	Thanks so much for the settings man. But I think the Mark IV is getting the boot anyway. I looked at the Krank Revolution, and it blew me away. Im going to go try to tweak the Mark IV a little more, but it looks like the Krank is what Im gunning for.

January 30th, 2007, 12:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
aramism Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,482	tried and true over and over again, the dual rectifier is the mighty of the mighty. if you like the mark iv but aren't happy with the "metalness" then like moonlapse stated, you might like the dual recto. if you can try to get one off ebay, the 2 ch dual rectifier from the early 90's has the most fabled recto sound. i have the road king series 1 myself and the ch3 on it according to mesa tech mike t. is a faithful reproduction of the 2 channels second distortion channel dubbed "orange" it sounds great for balls metal. i also really like the "cut" you get on a road king when you engage the el34's in addition to the quad 6L6's especially in the vintage mode on ch3 with the rectifier setting to tube rectified. sounds good with the right pups. i prefer my C tuned ibanez with dimarzio EVOS. sounds very very tight. or my ibanez 7 string with a dimarzio blaze in bridge

January 30th, 2007, 08:24 AM	#20 (permalink)
musickey djenital moosic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,038	MESA RECTO!

January 30th, 2007, 09:31 PM	#21 (permalink)
aramism Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,482	i understand your dillemma but i think the mark iv is such a great amp maybe you should look harder as to why you can't get a good tone. i have one on the way it is at mesa factory getting some work done on it and i've tried them before, you can get such a powerful tone out of it. tried it on my friends 60' LP w. emg 81/85 and i've tried with my 7 string with dimarzios, it sounded pretty brutal, and i didn't even know the tonal functions of the amp that well. i've been to couple of lamb of gods concerts, during soundcheck they sound very very heavy. unless you want a more saturated gain tone in which case it's not your amp. i gues it's me, i like more "less gain" tones. even on my road king dual recto in modern mode i keep the gain around halfway. i am able to get a very very tight and focused dark sound.