Mark V 1900$ vs Mesa Roadster for 850$

[BrentSSL]

Those of you following my posts (thank you for all your input btw) will know that I own a Mark V love it and recently acquired a Dual rectifier roadster for less then 900$. Both are great amps but I really can't keep both because it just isn't feasible right now. If I keep the roadster I could sell (gulp) the mark five and start a tride and true rig or use the money for bills whatever the point is I would have stupid extra money if I keep the roadster and a kick ass amp to boot. If I Don't keep the roadster (gc 30 day policy) then I still have a kick ass amp but can't really expand on my rig or change around my guitar situation like I want to not that it needs to happen i just miss schecters I really don't have to do either but I think this will spark a fun debate and help me make a decision. The Mark V is a great amp I feel its limited by its complexity the triode mode is useless and its more of a really nice studio or ahem home practice amp due to its lower wattage settings and being able to retain great tone at a low volume and of course deliver great tone live or in your dreams . The roadster has an extra channel so it would be clean light rock hard rock and metal going all four channels and all the features of assignable reverb and diode recto tracking like the mark V and has the classic recto tone. However is more of a Live and studio amp can't really play it in a apartment and is the fat recto tone that we know and love but also some people hate because of course we all know the 2 channel pre 500 debate crap that is real I had a Rackto it sounded amazing but was very limited. Hence the markV let me also point out that back when I had a three channel recto I gassed for a roadster bad because it was all the improvemnts I wanted on the three channel. So let me know what you guys think thank you again .


aaaand Go

 

[jinch0]

In my case I will keep the Mark V. I just play at home and to me the roadster is a good amp but i had one and I felt that some thing was missing on the tone. I also had a rackto too. In the end if you love the roadster keep it!

 

[BrentSSL]

thank you jincho fot your input I am bumoping this because I really need some input on the subject guys come on start chiming in

 

[Dale B]

You can look at the Roadster this way: You can boost it, and you can have up to 8 different tones. I never have seen a need to boost any of the Marks I've owned and still own. I could also get pretty close to a Mark series lead tone when I boosted it with a Roccaforte Bastard pedal (think treble/mid boost). Of course, it isn't the same.

If you ask me, both are great amps and have a ton of features. Personally, I like the Marks better than the Rectos. At the same time, the Recto tones are still a staple of the mid-to-late 90's, early 2000's and today.

Keep the amp that makes you the happiest. You can always buy guitars later.

 

[Les Zombie]

I currently own both amps and i love both.
I think either one is a great choice, i always boost my roadster to get the sound and feel that i like for metal but i never have to boost the mark v.
I always play loud and volume isnt a issue where i live but if i was in a apartment or couldnt play loud i would keep the mark v. I dont like the roadster as much at lower volume.

 

[BrentSSL]

Thank you this is good i've been told you can get close to Mark tightness in the roadster with el34 is because the Roadster is little different then the rectifier series that being said was not impressed by the new fizzy multi watt rectifiers. I'm looking forward to comparing these i may attempt to make a video lol also what do el34 sound like in the mark 5