Does the Mark V just sound better on Boogie cabs?

[thiswaythatway]

I've tried the Mark V combo and didn't really like it. I owned the head when it first came out and wasn't thrilled but i didn't try it on a Boogie cab with V30's. I just tried the head in GC on a 2x12 recto and i was like WTF! It had a ton of easy to play gain and wasn't nearly as hard to dial in as i remember. It had a lot of noise though, a lot, even when i brought the gain down. And the 2nd channel sounded pretty good in crunch mode, i still don't like edge or Mark I.

However, the IIC+ mode still sounds kinda lame to me, but the Mark IV mode is where it's at. So sure, it's really not an exact duplicator of the old amps but with all it's options and from what i was hearing before, it came across like a bitchin amp. Oh boy.

 

[glassjaw7]

I've only tried it with a Boogie Stiletto/Traditional cab, and it RIPPED! I've always wondered why you hated the V so much...

 

[RedB4Black]

I recently got a good price on a fairly new Mark V (in the 4800s) so I decided to give it a spin because I wanted to try it with el34s - which I didn't do before. I definitely think they made some stealth tweaks because I had the same thoughts. It sounds infinitely better than the one I had when the first released (in the 300s). The overriding nasally tone I remember on the last one I had is completely gone. I'm really liking it alot. Super easy to dial in a nice tone as well. I'm playing it through my Mills with v30s - same cab as I used with the last one I had. Mine is super quiet.

 

[Big Rich]

the combo does suck, it sounds way to spongy and soft .... for the most part i dont really like any of the mesa combos for the stuff i play ....

mesas always sound better with v30s, and i LOVE the way mine sounds with my bogner 2x12

im not a huge fan of the edge and mark 1 mode either but i do play on them for fun, all around the mark 5 is just a fun/inspring amp for me to play through

 

[thiswaythatway]

the combo does suck, it sounds way to spongy and soft .... for the most part i dont really like any of the mesa combos for the stuff i play ....

mesas always sound better with v30s, and i LOVE the way mine sounds with my bogner 2x12

im not a huge fan of the edge and mark 1 mode either but i do play on them for fun, all around the mark 5 is just a fun/inspring amp for me to play through

The only combo i really like is the Electra Dyne.

 

[some dude]

I didn't like the Mark V with my Orange 4x12.

Love it with my Recto 4x12.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I recently got a good price on a fairly new Mark V (in the 4800s) so I decided to give it a spin because I wanted to try it with el34s - which I didn't do before. I definitely think they made some stealth tweaks because I had the same thoughts. It sounds infinitely better than the one I had when the first released (in the 300s). The overriding nasally tone I remember on the last one I had is completely gone. I'm really liking it alot. Super easy to dial in a nice tone as well. I'm playing it through my Mills with v30s - same cab as I used with the last one I had. Mine is super quiet.

Yup. The newer ones (serial #4000 and up) have been "revised". Both inside and out.

 

[Big Rich]

i dono i have serial number 429 and it sounds amazing

 

[DEWD]

I thought the later one I had (1800's I think) sounded way better than the first one I had (#357).

It was okay with a Mesa Traditional but shined with a Bogner 4x12. I'd like to hear it with an oversized Recto 4x12.

 

[blackba]

Yup. The newer ones (serial #4000 and up) have been "revised". Both inside and out.

I figured they would be upgrading the mark V, I mean they have tweaked all the previous mark series amps, I just figured it would be a while. Do you have any info on the exact changes?

Has anyone tried a mark V through a mesa halfback cab?

 

[The Hoff]

I agree on both accounts

Mesa Cab
EL34s

 

[Tone Zone]

My MKV sounds greats thru my Port City Wave 2x12!

 

[thiswaythatway]

I recently got a good price on a fairly new Mark V (in the 4800s) so I decided to give it a spin because I wanted to try it with el34s - which I didn't do before. I definitely think they made some stealth tweaks because I had the same thoughts. It sounds infinitely better than the one I had when the first released (in the 300s). The overriding nasally tone I remember on the last one I had is completely gone. I'm really liking it alot. Super easy to dial in a nice tone as well. I'm playing it through my Mills with v30s - same cab as I used with the last one I had. Mine is super quiet.

Yup. The newer ones (serial #4000 and up) have been "revised". Both inside and out.

Where are you getting your info from? And what exactly on the outside has been revised? They all look the same to me.

Could it be a bunch of early one's had a batch of shitty tubes?

 

[RedB4Black]

I recently got a good price on a fairly new Mark V (in the 4800s) so I decided to give it a spin because I wanted to try it with el34s - which I didn't do before. I definitely think they made some stealth tweaks because I had the same thoughts. It sounds infinitely better than the one I had when the first released (in the 300s). The overriding nasally tone I remember on the last one I had is completely gone. I'm really liking it alot. Super easy to dial in a nice tone as well. I'm playing it through my Mills with v30s - same cab as I used with the last one I had. Mine is super quiet.

Yup. The newer ones (serial #4000 and up) have been "revised". Both inside and out.

Where are you getting your info from? And what exactly on the outside has been revised? They all look the same to me.

Could it be a bunch of early one's had a batch of shitty tubes?

Well I said I "think" they made some tweaks - I have no actual evidence as such, but the one I have now sounds alot better than the one I had before. I did try different tubes in the first one. SED 6L6s and RFT/Chinese combo in the preamp. Didn't help much. You played and early one and the new one as you stated. What do you think? I doubt you liking it more was solely due to using the Mesa cab - though it could be a part.

Externally, there's a black grate on the back of mine. Not the bar that goes across. Before the grate was black they did a silver one. I don't know of any other changes.

 

[Glimpse]

If you demo a Mark V, make sure the loop is on BYPASS if you don't have anything in there!!! I promise this makes a HUGE difference in tone!

 

[some dude]

Yup. The newer ones (serial #4000 and up) have been "revised". Both inside and out.

I figured they would be upgrading the mark V, I mean they have tweaked all the previous mark series amps, I just figured it would be a while. Do you have any info on the exact changes?

They replaced the bar they've traditionally been using with a cage. Rumour is it had something to do with EU regulations.

They've also changed the reverb tank from an Accutronics to a Ruby. Not sure why, or what difference it makes.

Not sure what else has been changed, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Bro... I need to go play one agian. If you remember after I tired one I came home and typed a quick review. I loved it actually. I was very confused by all the negative things I've read about it. I thought it was a great amd, easy to dial in and was a blast to play. Yes i played it through a Mesa 4x12. I have little doubt that at some point I will own another Mk IV or V. They ain't perfect but there are fun as hell.


Jim

 

[Digital Jams]

Bro... I need to go play one agian. If you remember after I tired one I came home and typed a quick review. I loved it actually. I was very confused by all the negative things I've read about it. I thought it was a great amd, easy to dial in and was a blast to play. Yes i played it through a Mesa 4x12. I have little doubt that at some point I will own another Mk IV or V. They ain't perfect but there are fun as hell.


Jim

I miss the "fun" factor a bit regarding my old MK IV, damn that violin lead tone was cool to smoke on.

I am interested in these in and out revisions myself Wiz stated. BIg Rich's vids demonstrate an assload of usable gain and his is an early model.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Bro... I need to go play one agian. If you remember after I tired one I came home and typed a quick review. I loved it actually. I was very confused by all the negative things I've read about it. I thought it was a great amd, easy to dial in and was a blast to play. Yes i played it through a Mesa 4x12. I have little doubt that at some point I will own another Mk IV or V. They ain't perfect but there are fun as hell.


Jim

I miss the "fun" factor a bit regarding my old MK IV, damn that violin lead tone was cool to smoke on.

I am interested in these in and out revisions myself Wiz stated. BIg Rich's vids demonstrate an assload of usable gain and his is an early model.

I would say if, and it's a big if, that if you feel the mark V can sound as good as the Mark IV lead channel, or close to it, then the V is a better amp because the 2nd channel is a big improvment over R2.

The V i owned just sounded dull or stale overall. The one i played today definitely sounded better.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Everything sounds better through a Recto 4x12

I believe that at least 33% of a high gain sound is in the cab/speakers. The wrong cab design or speaker combination can ruin a person's experience with an amp.