Caline CP-16 Mark 4

A analog pedal simulator of the Mesa Mark 4 amp.

UTILIZATION

Very basic controls on the gain. Just the gain stages of a Mark 4!

SOUND QUALITY

This pedal sounds AMAZING! It needs a diecent tube amp's clean channel to sound correct. NOT for solid state amps (it will just sound like a regular distortion pedal). It relies on tube dynamics to complete the sound of a Mark 4. Also as it has no real mid control, extra EQ's are needed (amp eq or graphic eq).

OVERALL OPINION

After dropping the mids a total of 48db after the pedal, you get a perfect Metallica Black album sound. Great solo characteristics (dynamics/harmonics of the real Mark 4!!). It has plenty of dist but benefits from a OD (TS 808) boost. The gain stages are more low end gain/high end gain, not so much bass & treble (kind of a mix). As the Mesa Boogie Mark 4 is out of production and around $1600+ used this is a great invention and worth way more than $34! True bypass as well is very sterdy! I am estatic about it even though i have AMT Electronics E-1 & B-1's as well as Zoom G3 and ADA MP-2 amp sims, this is truly unique and has a smooth and tastefull voice all it's own when treated correctly. Excellent!

Distortion pedal supposed to emulate a Rectifier Mesa Boogie Mark IV. Three knobs: level for the overall volume and two wins, one for low frequencies and one for high frequencies. Everything is analog, with a real true bypass.

UTILIZATION

Config super simple, even if the settings between the two gains generate very different sounds. In theory, the two knobs at noon and you play on the midrange.

SOUND QUALITY

No miracle grain level (this is not a mesa!), But a real distorted sound quality, dry hair, with a sharp and biting stunning enough for a pedal that price. No honeycomb effect as on my Boss DS1. Do not try to make the overdrive, it saturates live! For that, there is very good CP 18 of the same brand that is a clone of the BB Xotic.Je this distortion compared to that of my Jekyll, which is not the same price. The only catch is breath generated compared to Jekyll. So, high-volume, it squeaks in the background.
I use a Fender Strat Mex single coil on a Laney Cub 12 lamps, and I going great in the mix.

OVERALL OPINION

Used occasionally in my set for 6 months, I have CP 18 for overdrive. I remain faithful to my Jekyll which delivers a very good distortion without breath. But for 37 euros new, this pedal is defending very well and its true bypass, well ahead of Boss, Marshall and Vox.