Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

[lex666]

Hey guys,

I've been sitting around for the past 2 years trying to save up for a Roadster and then Mesa releases a new Mark V...

Educate me about me about the Mark V and how it would compare to a Roadster, tone wise and flexibility.

I'm looking for an amp than can cover lots of genres, from classic rock (Beatles) to heavy metal (Metallica). I've already got a Marshall, so I got the Marshall sound covered... Would the Mark V be a better choice over the Roadster?


Thanks,

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Mark_Series/mark5/mark5.html

 

[CaughtLikeFire]

Re: Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

Hey guys,

I've been sitting around for the past 2 years trying to save up for a Roadster and then Mesa releases a new Mark V...

Educate me about me about the Mark V and how it would compare to a Roadster, tone wise and flexibility.

I'm looking for an amp than can cover lots of genres, from classic rock (Beatles) to heavy metal (Metallica). I've already got a Marshall, so I got the Marshall sound covered... Would the Mark V be a better choice over the Roadster?


Thanks,

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Mark_Series/mark5/mark5.html

the most up-to-date info will be here: http://forum.grailtone.com/viewforum.php?f=33

used to spend a lot of time on that forum when I had my Single Rec and when I was tweaking my Stiletto. minimal BS and accurate info.

 

[supernosher]

Re: Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

Well, this may or may not help but the most dynamic, sweet, rich, and awesome sounding power amp I've ever played is the Simul-Class Stereo 2:90, and the Mark V has one half of that same power section, so I'm willing to bet that it sounds like God-in-a-box.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

Would the Mark V be a better choice over the Roadster?

That depends on how much of a tweaker you are. I've yet to encounter one, but all of the older Mark series I-IV are notoriously finicky about how you dial them in. Kirk Hammett mentioned in an interview that he spent six days getting his sound right prior to recording Master of Puppets. The Mark V adds independent rotary EQ for each channel and a single gain knob, which should make it at little simpler. Personally, I really like having the separate volume and drive controls on the older amps. The graphic EQ is also very specific, you tend to have to dial it in for a specific guitar and tuning. Playing a different guitar, changing tunings, or even using different tubes can make the graphic EQ bands seem to be in the wrong place. Since the graphic is absolutely required for any heavy rhythm tones, you should keep this in mind.

I'm not saying that a Mesa Mark series is a bad amp; just not so friendly to someone who isn't prepared. I'm mostly a Marshall guy, but I still use a Studio Preamp (Mark IIC/III) for overdubs when recording. The Mark series and Recto amps (Roadster included) sound very different and have controls that behave very differently. Your best bet is to play both and go with what you like. Be sure to give the Mark V plenty of time as these amps tend to be very not plug and play.

One last thing to remember is that I've seen a picture of someone's Mark IV head with a sign on the front that said, "Turning knobs is punishable by death." Considering the complexity of this amp, I would expect a similar touchiness.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

Mark4 are very complex to dial in. but if you like he sound of the low end having gas alal metallica its the way to go!! I like the cleanson the raodking better but maybe you can get something like that in a mark 4or 5 but i never did.

 

[C-Martin]

Re: Talk to me about the Mesa Mark V

One last thing to remember is that I've seen a picture of someone's Mark IV head with a sign on the front that said, "Turning knobs is punishable by death." Considering the complexity of this amp, I would expect a similar touchiness.

this is funny yet true lol searched high and low for my mark IV and finally one day i got a call from a guy i knew at this store who said that someone just came in wanting to sell a used mark IV, i was completely stoked and got there asap... first like half hour i plugged into it i was totally unimpressed, rather disappointing really.. and there was so many options and switches and knobs i kinda got discouraged and almost didn't buy it but then i remembered how people said this amp was a ***** to dial in and i gave it another try for another 30 minutes or so and i suddenly realize how extremely sensitive to the controls this amp is... so i bought it, took the risk since i still couldn't find a sound i liked at all. I was thinking is, if i hate it then it will definitely sell since people go crazy over this amp... took me a couple of days and allot of research over the internet and i finally started to understand how the whole cascading gain works and this has now become my favorite amp, it sounds awesome and huge but like people keep saying.. its definitely not a plug and play amp... and i can see why someone would murder anyone who would touch their settings on this amp :lmao:

i have yet to try a mark V tho and im looking forward too it, if its anything as amazing as my mark IV then i say go for the mark V, definitely a versatile amp but like many big tube amp monsters like this, they sound best when cranked! So keep that in mind too.