Mesa/Boogie MARK 5 THIRTY-FIVE Owner's Manual page 20

path at a point earlier in the preamp to get the job done correctly. This "early bass" gets amplified over and over until it turns to flub,
where as the Graphic EQ comes at the end of the signal chain and adds low end to the "finished preamp sound".
IMPORTANT! A Few Words On Pickups
Pickups are a huge factor and ingredient in the overall character of your Tone. Many players stick with one instrument for all styles
and if they are having trouble dialing in a sound on their amp, (we've found through helping people over the decades) that they often
overlook the fact that the sound begins—and is largely defined by—what is sent to the amp from their instrument.
High gain sounds are especially sensitive to the output (strength) and voicing of pickups and even more so, to the amount of high end
that is emphasized. In our experience weaker, more vintage style pickups accentuate the upper harmonic region and are wonderful
for shimmering, bell-like harmonics and clarity in low to medium gain applications. When you are looking for higher gain performance,
these types of pickups will present some challenges as all those upper harmonics can get buzzy and thin sounding as gain increases.
You will likely find it necessary to roll the TREBLE and PRESENCE back substantially when searching for a high gain sound that is
focused and pure with these vintage style and/or output pickups.
If high gain is your bag, you have probably already come to the conclusion that you need a fairly high output pickup—at least in the
bridge position—to achieve the tight focus needed to produce cohesive, tight-tracking high gain sounds... especially rhythm. If not, may
we suggest that you try several different higher output pickups, which tend to put an emphasis on the midrange and higher midrange
as opposed to the top end. This voicing difference will produce tighter low end for crunch chords and a more voice-like single note
sound for soloing.
Some of the higher output pickups will have a tap at the halfway point in the winding, giving you the best of both worlds—a switchable
weaker-output/brighter sound and a full- winding/high-output setting. This is usually controlled via a mini toggle or a pull pot, but can
also be hard wired to a specific position on a standard 5-way slide switch or 3-position toggle. This is a great way to have the most
versatility possible and keep the high harmonic content and openness for your low to mid gain applications and then, be able to switch
your guitar—in concert with the Channels of the MARK FIVE: 35—to a high output/high gain machine capable of tight, ferocious
heavy sounds.
HIDDEN TREASURE: The amp you are playing through was designed to be a tool that can serve up virtually any style of guitar
sound you want and set you free to play your best. It also has another hidden attribute that it may take some time—even years—to
assimilate and fully appreciate.
Many of us, here at MESA and loyal MARK fans worldwide, often in retrospect realize MARK amps have the (somewhat hidden)
potential to become one of your best teachers.
Sounds weird, even hokey? Maybe... but we could never count the times customers, both new and long-time Boogie-philes, write in
or call and tell us that their playing and technique has improved greatly since acquiring a MARK Series amplifier. They comment that
the articulate nature of the attack, incredible detail and touch-sensitivity force them to pay more attention to their technique and even
phrasing because everything is so accurate. They also comment on the feeling that the amplifier is giving them back as much as they
are putting into it emotionally! I (the author) am convinced of these benefits, and I know in my heart playing exclusively MARK Series
amps since my early childhood radically shaped my development as a player and improved the quality and cohesiveness of the sound
coming from my hands. Call me jaded, clueless or just plain spoiled, but I would much rather stay home and play my acoustic guitar
than to go to a gig without a MARK Series amp.
We sincerely hope you find this hidden, subtle layer of help valuable over time, as so many of our worldwide family have, and wish
that it takes your playing to places you may never have imagined.
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