$1k throwdown - EVH 5153 vs. Mesa Mark IV

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ronjhoser

ronjhoser

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I have $1k that I want to grab a used head with. I need a 3 chan (clean, dirty, lead) configuration, mild versatility (classic rock to hard rock/metal, but no drop A death metal type action). Both the 5153 and the mark IV can be had for around $1k used. Covering some of the basic 80's guitar hero stuff would be daily duty. Reliability is important. Which way would you lean and why?
 
You should add a Peavey Triple XXX head to your search. With a tube swap it can do everything you listed with ease and at half the price your looking at.
 
I'd add the JVM210H to that list, and then I'd choose that one for you :)
 
Those are two very different amps. The Mark has the better lead tone as far as versatility and rich, singing cutting tone. The III has a much better (and easier to dial in) crunch that is somewhat Marshall flavored. Both cleans are nice.

For what you described I'd go with the 5150III. IMO the XXX doesn't touch either amp and the JVM is pretty cool but not as good as either the Mark or 5150III, which have more character and attention to details/nuances in the gain structure. The JVMs are workhorses and versatile, but they have a somewhat generic voicing. Just my opinion.

Have to add that the Mark IV probably has the better rep as far as durability/reliability. 5150IIIs had some issues in the beginning. May be fixed now?
 
Thanks guys, not looking for other suggestions, unless somebody wants to dump a Sig:X for a grand. I have seen it happen a few times, but I am not seeing one out there at the moment. I have played through a pile of amps that fall in this price range (including the XXX and JVM) and it's down to these two. I actually found it much harder to get a sound that worked for me on 5153, but it was there. I find it easy to dial up what I like on the Mark IV, but it doesn't get into the Soldano territory like the 5153 does.
 
I think the Mark IV R2 channel is a bit of a problem. Once you dial in the lead channel with the EQ it sounds wierd on R2. And R2 with the EQ off sounds really thin.
 
never played a mark Iv but heard it live and it sounded killer for leads. Didn't love the rythm tone but it was very nice. I have a 5153 and really love it. I am finding that I need to keep the mids dialed down much more then I am used to. I am usually not a scooped guy, but even with the mids low, it doesn't sound scooped, just very nice.
 
glassjaw7":1nqgiz40 said:
Those are two very different amps. The Mark has the better lead tone as far as versatility and rich, singing cutting tone. The III has a much better (and easier to dial in) crunch that is somewhat Marshall flavored. Both cleans are nice.

For what you described I'd go with the 5150III. IMO the XXX doesn't touch either amp and the JVM is pretty cool but not as good as either the Mark or 5150III, which have more character and attention to details/nuances in the gain structure. The JVMs are workhorses and versatile, but they have a somewhat generic voicing. Just my opinion.

Have to add that the Mark IV probably has the better rep as far as durability/reliability. 5150IIIs had some issues in the beginning. May be fixed now?
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That is pretty much how I feel about it. Exactly. And I do believe the early 5153 issues are long gone. I played one again tonight but in Drop C and my jaw dropped. It holds up nicely with no mud and that was Channel 3 with the gain on 3pm. Channel 2 has a nice smooth crunch to it and the cleans are beautiful. My only complaints are the lack of spring reverb, the power switches are in the back (like all Fenders :D ) and its MIM status.
 
Chris O":2wjwjojf said:
MK 4 - hands down. Don't like R2? Boost it!
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+1 on boosting. I mainly use a Maxon OD-808 to boost R2, tried a Timmy too and that worked well. That said R2 is still the weakest channel on the mark IV. If you play a lot of lead the mark IV would be the way I would go, otherwise I would probably lean toward the 5153. Note: I own a mesa mark IVA, never played a 5153, just judging on clips and general opinion.
 
MarkIV all the way.

I don't use R2 for heavy crunch rhythms- it works better for fuzzy lead solos when used with a fuzz pedal.

Use the Lead Channel for both rhythms & leads- just change your tone either with the EQ or your guitar's tone & volume controls & pickup selection.
 
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