Coby
Inspired
Mark IIC+ Dialing Tips:
1. Model choice: Start with the Brt/Dp mode but after mastering the dialing-in process you may want to experiment with different modes.
2. For high gain sounds Pull Bright and Pull Shift are your friends so select the Mid knob and press Enter (Fat = Pull Shift) and then select the Treble knob and press Enter (= Pull Bright). Note that the Lead 2 modes in the Triaxis have Pull Bright and Pull Shift on by default and there's no way to turn them off. What does that tell you?
3. The Mark IIC+ has a logarithmic Mid pot. This is too drastic IMO and MB probably felt the same way as the later Mark amps had linear tapers. So crank the Mid control up (7-8 sounds good).
4. The tone stack is pre-distortion. That means it's shaping the tone prior to distortion. The classic recipe for any high gain amp is to reduce the bass before distortion. Therefore turn that Bass knob down (just like Mesa tells you).
5. I like to turn the Presence down just a touch (3-4) to smooth things out.
6. Find the sweet spot. Adjust the MV until you feel the power amp just start to compress. Then back off a touch. Boogies sound best with the power amp not distorting IMO because the power amp has too much negative feedback and if it distorts the clipping is harsh. FWIW the best "analog" tone I ever had was a Triaxis into a VHT power amp. I never liked the MB power amps, too cold and the clipping is too harsh. Maybe one day I'll make a model of that combo.
7. Now add the graphic EQ. Note that the sliders in the Axe-Fx are much more sensitive than the real amp. On the real amp they pretty much do nothing over the center half of the range. This is because they used the wrong taper pots (usually you would use an S-Taper but those are hard to find). So don't move the sliders too much or you'll rapidly get into Funkytown.
8. Finally, above all else, use your ears and not your eyes. These are notoriously difficult amps to dial in. If you use your eyes you'll end up with a mess.
Would you suggest to proceed in the same way also for the Mark IV or would you suggest other tips to dial in with the IV?
Thank you very much!
Coby