newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
Does anyone have experience with both? I am just wondering how they compare in tone and flexibility.
VHT Sig:X vs Mark IV?
- Thread starter newfinator
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
This site may earn a commission from merchant links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
Flexibility wise there's no comparison, the VHT Sig:X is exponentially more flexible. Tonewise? That's definitely up to the individual's taste. I like Mark IVs, but I'm a huge VHT fan. I think they make the best amps in the world.
It really depends on specifically the kind of tone and response you're looking for. The Mark IV sounds great, but in terms of metal it's pretty much a one trick pony. It has 'a sound'. You either love it or you don't. The VHT is capable of many diverse tones, you can sculpt almost anything - in terms of both tone and the playability/response of the amp.
It really depends on specifically the kind of tone and response you're looking for. The Mark IV sounds great, but in terms of metal it's pretty much a one trick pony. It has 'a sound'. You either love it or you don't. The VHT is capable of many diverse tones, you can sculpt almost anything - in terms of both tone and the playability/response of the amp.
noodles
Contributor
I think that anyone remotely interested in the Mark IV should wait until the Mark V comes out, because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you like the Mark V better, then buy that. If not, buy one of the cheap and plentiful Mark IVs, which will drop in price like a rock when the V comes out.
The original Road Kings routinely go for $1600 on E-bay, and Mesa only made a few small changes to that amp. Imagine the difference in price when a completely redesigned amp comes out.
The original Road Kings routinely go for $1600 on E-bay, and Mesa only made a few small changes to that amp. Imagine the difference in price when a completely redesigned amp comes out.
sakeido
Contributor
Is there actually some real word on the Mark V? I keep waiting for one of those..
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
Nothing official yet but lots of talk and miscellaneous quotes from Dealers and Mesa staff to imply that something new is to be released with in a month or two. I think it's not coincidence though that the Mark IV is, apparently, being discontinued.
I have an order placed for a Mark IV but am now rethinking. Mind you, there's no guarantee that I'd even get what I ordered. I had also initially considered a Road King II but, though I haven't had a chance to try one, I'm under the impression that it doesn't produce a nice warm lead tone like I'm used to from the Legacy. So, basically I'm kind of looking around again. I'd say price wise that the Road King pretty much tops out what I want to spend.
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
So, can the Sig:X, by your estimation, produce nice thick organic leads? I ask because most clips I've heard seem to be closer to a modern mid scooped kinda thing.
I'm not a die hard, hard code medal guy, though I certainly play some. I play reasonably heavy stuff from the 80's to now and want to cover that wide range. Something that would be limited like a 5150, dual recto or similar probably wouldn't do it for me. Which explains why my 5150 sits quietly a lot. Any suggestions?
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
I can't speak to the recto but I've had a 5150 for ten years and have pretty much dialed it every way possible. I've had somewhat better success with tube swaps and cabinet/speaker changes but the basic character, to my ears, doesn't lend itself to thick organic leads. It seems to really want to scoop and have thin hollow sounding pinch harmonics no matter what I do. The Legacy goes a bit far to the opposite side of the spectrum and loves to thicken everything up, but perhaps a bit too much sometimes.
Like everyone else I want the amp that does it all, which perhaps doesn't exist but I figured I could find something in the middle if not.
an amp that does most things damn well is always good to have handy hehe.
out of curiosity, do you have any guitars handy that arent basswood to see if the 5150 is entirely incapable of thick lead tones?
out of curiosity, do you have any guitars handy that arent basswood to see if the 5150 is entirely incapable of thick lead tones?
Codyyy
The Flip-Flopper
I want to try out a Sig:X so badly now!
Especially since that one guy here got one and was unimpressed with it.
Especially since that one guy here got one and was unimpressed with it.
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
Ya, I have some that are maple, poplar and alder and it makes no significant difference to my ears as far as leads are concerned on the 5150. It's probably just that my ears or taste has changed from playing the Legacy so much. That bugger is creamy.
EdgeCrusher
Well-Known Member
Ever thought about getting an amp switcher and using the 5150 for rhythm and the Legacy for leads? That would probably be pretty kickass!
Drew
Forum MVP
Rectos are seriously underrated for softer stuff. Give me a few minutes to put together a clip or two for you.
Indeed. The first time I played a recto, I was totally floored by the awesome crunch sounds
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
Yup, I do it all the time. Usually, though, I run them both at the same time. That sound sounds pretty big.
i for one would like to hear a clip of that, if you could 
hehe when i tried out a triple rec.. couldnt figure out how to change channels (no glaringly obvious switch), so i noodled on the clean channel and its modes.
the crunch setting on the clean channel with the gain dimed is probably enough gain for me, then i'd boost it.
i lol'd
hehe when i tried out a triple rec.. couldnt figure out how to change channels (no glaringly obvious switch), so i noodled on the clean channel and its modes.
the crunch setting on the clean channel with the gain dimed is probably enough gain for me, then i'd boost it.
i lol'd
Drew
Forum MVP
Ok, ignore the shitty playing, I drank my ass off last night, and the muscles never seem to cooperate the next morning, lol. This is the Raw mode of the Recto, and I didn't notice but I probably had my TS9 on out front for an ever-so-slight clean boost.
[media]http://www.drewpeterson.org/recto.mp3[/media]
That's the Recto for the bass too, BTW. Anyone who says these aren't versatile just hasn't spent enough time with one.
[media]http://www.drewpeterson.org/recto.mp3[/media]
That's the Recto for the bass too, BTW. Anyone who says these aren't versatile just hasn't spent enough time with one.
newfinator
The LORD OF BYRON
Very cool. Not what I expected. Thanks
