Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

[Lava Man]

I just spent some time playing my modded Mark IV combo (JJ tubes, EVM12L, Canare speaker cable) after playing my Fuchs TDS 50 for the past few months. The Mark IV is a great amp don't get me wrong, but it the cleans are simply no match, and the OD is good but it just does not have the warmth or OD kick that the TDS 50 has. I could really hear the difference. I have owned the Mark IV now for about 4 years, so I am really used to the sound.

My conclusion: The TDS 50 was well worth the serious cash I spent on it. I have been extremely happy with it, especially at the blues jams I have been going to. I like to dig in, and the Fuchs just screams. I know I am preaching to the choir here...

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I know I am preaching to the choir here...

Actually, Mark, I really appreciate the comparison. I know how well you know the Mark IV and I've wondered about the Fuchs stuff, myself. Everything that I've heard about them sounds like they would be right up my alley, and your review adds fuel to the fire.

Does it blow the Mark IV out of the water, or is it fairly close?

 

[Lava Man]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

Does it blow the Mark IV out of the water, or is it fairly close?

The cleans on the Fuchs clearly blow the Mark IV away IMO. The Overdive is a little closer but not much. The Fuchs OD is better than he boogie with the EQ on if that tells you anything. The only drawback to the TDS 50 is even though it is a three channel, the two OD channles share master volume and gain, so he advantage the boogie has is three independent volume controls.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

Sounds pretty Fuchin cool! Randall Smith has spent decades perfecting his designs and now has a huge amp company. No matter how great the amps look in the Mesa catalogs, they always hit left or right of center, IMO.

I want so bad to like them, but they just over-engineeer them to the point where they sound stale. Some are better than others, but it's so weird that if you talk to amp audiophiles or owners of boutique companies, they seem to roll their eyes when the name Mesa comes up. I guess they have a sound, and you either like it or you don't.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

On the other hand...

I would like to think that I have a decent ear for tone. Tone that's appealing to me, anyway. I've always tried to resist the urge that tells me that the thing that is lacking is my tone. Notes first, then tone.

I dig the Mesa tone, and I have since the early 80's. I do agree that there are some great amps that have been produced since then and I'm always looking for an upgrade, but I'm hard-pressed to turn my back on Mesa because they've been so good to me over the years.

That being said, Fuchs really has my attention right now.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I want so bad to like them, but they just over-engineeer them to the point where they sound stale.

Agreed....but in all fairness, alot of people like that sound, and alot of their amps sound alot less stale when you replace the stock tubes and remove the idiot that's attached to the EQ.

Some are better than others, but it's so weird that if you talk to amp audiophiles or owners of boutique companies, they seem to roll their eyes when the name Mesa comes up.

Of course they do. Audiophiles want to own rare sh*t that isn't being rocked by thousands of teenagers and any boutique builder would roll his eyes at anything that's competing for your cash.

I guess they have a sound, and you either like it or you don't.

That's the conclusion I've come to.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

Never liked one Boogie in my life.
Have played on quite a few of those.
Some players gets good sounds out of them, they are like Rivera's to my ears, not something that I ever will dig I guess...dunno have not found the right word for it yet.
hehe

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I've got a Fuchs ODS Custom-20 SLX............the sweetest amp I've ever played or owned!

The cleans are sweet as any Fender you've ever heard & the OD is perfect: fat, full & smooth as can be to the point that I use no pedals with it.

Great amp:bigthumb:

I've been Fuched....and love it:beerchug:

 

[aleclee]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I like Fuchs' sound and feel more than that of any Mesa I've played but like my Two Rock even more. It just sounds bigger and feels even more responsive to me.

Different strokes . . .

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

Yeah, I don't like bashing Mesa, because they do make a quality amp, and their sound has defined quite a few styles of music. After owning about 4 of them, there was always something about it that I didn't like.

I agree with ScreaminDaisy that most of it has to do with the player, the tubes/bias, and also having the right Mesa that suits your style. The Mesas I like the most are ALL the power amps, Triaxis, Stiletto, Subway, Blue Angel, and Lonestar Special.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

i've played a Fuchs ODS, & i prefer my Mark 4.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I'll take my Mark III over almost anything. With the EQ dialed in right, I nail SRV tone, not joking. You gotta know how to tweak the EQ, otherwise they sound like crap IMO.

 

[taphappy]

Re: Just Played the Mark IV after the Fuchs TDS 50

I'm not much of boogie fan either but that rectorverb smokes!