Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

NevermindUs

NevermindUs

New member
I'm looking for something to basically replace my dual rectifier in my metal band. It basically boils down to I can't get along with the fizz any longer, and I wish it was a little tighter/middy. Don't get me wrong, I love it and its staying, but this is an excuse to get more gear so here we go!

Now I know what the mark v can do, and I know it's limits. If I were looking for the ideal amp it would easily be this, from the cleans to the leads, to the options (I love switchs!). Problem is it seems like the axe fx theoretically can do more

I love that the mark v can go from 90 to 10 watts for quieter use, but at the same time the axe fx can use headphones, and baring that a solid state power amp could be used to get it to push the speakers like a 10 watt. I love the channel switching and voices the mark v can get with te voice selection plus the eq options, but the axe fx obviously does that and more.

I'm not scared of the axe fx's seemingly limitless options, as an audio engineer for some bizarre reason I actually enjoy tweaking. And the options to switch power amps I like. I'm thinking either Mesa,engl, or vht at the moment. But there enlies the question. Is the axe fx truly limitless? I know my boundaries with traditional amps. But can the axe fx do it all? The two patches I'm most interested in are the mark patch as the vh4 patch, and they seem to be realistic enough. But I like that at any moment of boredom I can change that.

Basically, is there ever going to be a moment where I would just rather have a tube amp? The price is scary, combined with a rack, power amp, and midi pedal that is. It just seems so practical for live use is all.

Tl;dr- is the axe fx 2 the be all end all? Or should I just just suck it up and lug around the 300lbs of gear gig to gig and studio to studio
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

My vote is for the Mark V. That being said, I currently use a Triaxis, 2:Ninety, and G-major rig that evolved from a Triaxis, Strategy 500, and Eventide GTR4000 rig.

Do you have any places to actually try both pieces of gear for an in person comparison? Both are versitile, but it's hard to say which one will really catch you in person.

By the way, I am sure you have already tried this with the Recto, but I have had luck boosting the hell out of the mids pre-gain and scooping the mids post gain to help tame the fizziness and tighten the rectifier sound's bass response.
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

I boost my recto, and I've tried boosting even the vintage channels. I have another boost coming in later this month so ill try that as well, and while I love a boosted recto, it's still not quite what I'm looking for.

Also, I only have access to the mark v and I've only played the mark v in person. I should also point out that while super aggressive tones are my focus ( lamb of god, protest the hero esqe) I want a versatile amp as well and if I had the options, I'd easily use 4-5 sounds a gig
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

Do you think you'll use the Axe FX to it's full capability?

Or do you think you'll wind up dialling it in to sound like a few basic sounds that you'll stick to?

I wind up trying to dial every amp I own to sound like a Recto... so in my case buying an Axe would be an expensive way of replicating what I already have.
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

I've though about that, and I would definitely use alot of what the axe fx can do. I'm the "lead" player in my main band, I write that in quotes because we both solo, but I do the harmonies and textures, so I have a huge board with multiple delays and reverbs and Flangers and other fun stuff. Being able to hit one button instead of channel change, turn on or off my comp plus whatever effects I use is a plus. But I'd still end up using some pedals. Plus while my other guitarist only uses 1 rhythm sound, I'm changing channels and turning on and off my boost, giving me basically 4 channels of rhythms haha
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

NevermindUs said:
I've though about that, and I would definitely use alot of what the axe fx can do. I'm the "lead" player in my main band, I write that in quotes because we both solo, but I do the harmonies and textures, so I have a huge board with multiple delays and reverbs and Flangers and other fun stuff. Being able to hit one button instead of channel change, turn on or off my comp plus whatever effects I use is a plus. But I'd still end up using some pedals. Plus while my other guitarist only uses 1 rhythm sound, I'm changing channels and turning on and off my boost, giving me basically 4 channels of rhythms haha
Click to expand...

For a fraction of the cost of an AxeFX you could put a G Major in the FX loop and add a midi loop switcher to handle the pedal and amp channel switching.
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

some_dude said:
For a fraction of the cost of an AxeFX you could put a G Major in the FX loop and add a midi loop switcher to handle the pedal and amp channel switching.
Click to expand...

True but at that point portability becomes an issue if I get a rack as well as an amp, cab, and guitar for shows. I rather get a mark v and keep my pedal board, or go axe fx and just have it all in one package
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

NevermindUs said:
I've though about that, and I would definitely use alot of what the axe fx can do. I'm the "lead" player in my main band, I write that in quotes because we both solo, but I do the harmonies and textures, so I have a huge board with multiple delays and reverbs and Flangers and other fun stuff. Being able to hit one button instead of channel change, turn on or off my comp plus whatever effects I use is a plus. But I'd still end up using some pedals. Plus while my other guitarist only uses 1 rhythm sound, I'm changing channels and turning on and off my boost, giving me basically 4 channels of rhythms haha
Click to expand...

ya, axefxII is way awesome in this regard. also cause you plug direct into the board with impulse IRs, so your delays and stuff hit the mixing board great. I just prefer tube tone and only really want one amp tone so tube is right for me, but I use modeling for bass amps and really dig it. another thing to consider is if you start playing really downtuned stuff, that is hard to mic up the low bass notes so going direct with axefxII would be THE CATS PAJAMAZ :)
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

NevermindUs said:
True but at that point portability becomes an issue if I get a rack as well as an amp, cab, and guitar for shows. I rather get a mark v and keep my pedal board, or go axe fx and just have it all in one package
Click to expand...

Unless you're going direct and relying on the venues monitors the AxeFX isn't portable.... but you kind of touched on that in your first post.
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

some_dude said:
Unless you're going direct and relying on the venues monitors the AxeFX isn't portable.... but you kind of touched on that in your first post.
Click to expand...

well, its somewhat portable. about as portable as a head with no case id assume. but to have a midi switcher and a multi fx as well as a head, id end up putting them in a rack/head case at which point the things going to weigh 200lbs haha. same reason i went from a mesa 412 to a orange 212. orange 212 is still big, but i can fit it in the trunk of my car. i can fit a head in there as well, as long as its not in a hardshell case
 
Re: Mesa Mark V vs Axe Fx2

I gave up a Mesa Mk V for an Axe FX. Best decision I've ever made. Incredible sounds, vast versatility, super support from Fractal. I have lost all amp gas due to this device. While I don't play metal - there's a ton of metal amps in there. I personally wouldn't know a good metal amp from a bad one, but there's now 113 amp models in there now - not to mention the super list of effects (although I tend to use very little of them).
 
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