Looking for advice please.
95% of the amps I’ve owned have been Fender based or clones. Likewise my guitars are usually Fenders.
I owned a sportsman and sold it years ago
I now have a PRS 594 and a Dr Z Z-Lux. I have found that I enjoy the z the most when driving it with a pedal. Firmly in Marshall territory. This made me think of the Mercury V which has the attenuation and could be played pedal free at any volume but I might miss the Fender clean tones? From your experience of the V does it do nice cleans.
The sportsman also took pedals like a dream but I can’t remember what the drive sound was like at lower volumes with the headroom control at lower volume. Anyone still own one and have a similar setup as me?
Carr Super Bee also on the radar when they land in the UK.
Any help appreciated as always.
Comments
The Merc V is your man for those Fender/Marshall hybrid tones... superb amp at home and live.
Slant 6 is very much DR territory, but better. Needs volume though, and the Marshally drive channel is just ok.
Sportsman is one of my fave Princeton type, with a headroom control that brings break up and OD. A truly lovely ‘warm’ amp
Thanks Warren. What made you sell the V?
Seriously, I miss the Merc V but I did replace it with a rather good Matchless Nighthawk which I couldn’t turn down
Two downsides for me - the gain stages were not foot-switchable and no FX Loop. However, these are both VERY small downsides on an otherwise superb amp.
It can get pretty clean, especially with guitar volume roll-off, and can definitely deliver the goods when cranked! Takes pedals well, looks the part - great amp!
Only sold mine as it was a place-keeper until my new guitar was built. I bought it at the start of lockdown, but then needed the cash to pay for the guitar once it was finished.
I'd definitely buy another one if funds permitted