Mesa/Boogie Mark V 25

[stephen sawall]

TGP always has people complaining about gear they have no actual experience with.... I would expect that there.

I can hardly tell the difference in sound or feel between el34 & 6v6 on my Egnator Rebel 20. They sound very different on my Bivalve.
So it is the whole design more than the tubes being used in my experience.

MESA amps don't rely on power section characteristics the same way many amps do. If you have a simple front-end, the power section can make much more of an impact on the end result...but with our complex preamp sections, we voice the amp in the front end and rely on a clean power section to amplify it. Those of you who think the EL84's will separate this amp from the traditional Mark line are in for a big surprise! Thanks!

I have always had a Mark around since 1982. I looking forward to checking out this version. The Cab Clone & light weigh make this very appealing.

If I want 6V6 tubes with a Mark... I put them in IV. Why people worry about what tubes are being used without trying a amp has always been confusing to me...

 

[Tone Zone]

Why people worry about what tubes are being used without trying a amp has always been confusing to me...

Not sure why. Amps with EL84's for high gain just don't sound right to me, or others for that matter. I've played through many of these types of amps, and although I haven't played the MKV 25, I can still hear that same characteristic from the clip up above during the high gain portions. For me, it's blatantly obvious. As daneyo said earlier, I'd be just as happy with a regular used Mark series amp.

 

[stephen sawall]

I have run a IV & III preamp into several EL84 power sections and they worked fine for me. People have different taste. I am going to try the amp before I decide if it is for me or not.

 

[tech21man]

TGP always has people complaining about gear they have no actual experience with.... I would expect that there.

I can hardly tell the difference in sound or feel between el34 & 6v6 on my Egnator Rebel 20. They sound very different on my Bivalve.
So it is the whole design more than the tubes being used in my experience.

MESA amps don't rely on power section characteristics the same way many amps do. If you have a simple front-end, the power section can make much more of an impact on the end result...but with our complex preamp sections, we voice the amp in the front end and rely on a clean power section to amplify it. Those of you who think the EL84's will separate this amp from the traditional Mark line are in for a big surprise! Thanks!

I understand that but, 25 watts are 25 watts. When you push, won't the power section come into play (how far can it stay "clean")? I had several EL84 dynawatt of your amps and whatever preamp gain I set up in lower volumes, in loud situations it became squash city and I had to back off. Which is not the case with more watts or headroom. I loved the dynamic interplay of that but ultimately it robbed me off bass and headroom to get more clean level boosts be it for clean or lead sounds.


I am still intrigued by the mark V 25 though. I have tried several times to run studio preamps and my old triaxis in EL84 power amps (some mesa in combos) and always liked the results-a lot.


By the way will the mark V have a tiny output transformer like the other EL84 mesa do? They must have some of the smallest transformers I've ever seen on some amps. But sound really good so...(there are benefits to small transformers of course).

It has little to do with watts when you're talking about 6V6's vs. EL84's...but rather the characteristics of the tube when driven. 6V6's are known for the bloom and wide tubby response when driven - which works great in certain circuits. We can use EL84's to stay tighter and faster, without the tubbiness under high gain. Thanks!

Ok but I am not the guy who talked about 6V6s. I was talking about pushing the wattage on a small El84 amp and that the tranny is so small (on almost all of your el84 amps) it is certain to play a role. I agree about the tighter faster thing with el84 but it does come at an expense for me in high gain but let's wait and see.

 

[tech21man]

TGP always has people complaining about gear they have no actual experience with.... I would expect that there.

I can hardly tell the difference in sound or feel between el34 & 6v6 on my Egnator Rebel 20. They sound very different on my Bivalve.
So it is the whole design more than the tubes being used in my experience.

MESA amps don't rely on power section characteristics the same way many amps do. If you have a simple front-end, the power section can make much more of an impact on the end result...but with our complex preamp sections, we voice the amp in the front end and rely on a clean power section to amplify it. Those of you who think the EL84's will separate this amp from the traditional Mark line are in for a big surprise! Thanks!

I have always had a Mark around since 1982. I looking forward to checking out this version. The Cab Clone & light weigh make this very appealing.

If I want 6V6 tubes with a Mark... I put them in IV. Why people worry about what tubes are being used without trying a amp has always been confusing to me...

6V6 in an amp with a huge output transformer set for bigger tubes is not the same with 6V6 in an amp with a small transformer rated for less voltage power etc. It may be great in both cases but I doubt it'll be the same when you push really hard

 

[stephen sawall]

Transformer saturation is not usually a big factor in the sound with most people that use Mark amps.
Mesa has made several EL84 amps.... This is not something new to them.

 

[tech21man]

Transformer saturation is not usually a big factor in the sound with most people that use Mark amps.
Mesa has made several EL84 amps.... This is not something new to them.

All transformers (big or small) can saturate but it's not only that. It's also how their made, windings material etc. There is ripple and other phenomena that will more or less play a role to the sound and the dynamic between the player amp and cab. Also the size will affect the point to when this will occur (early, late). I've had most of mesa's el84 amps and like them all except the nomad! I don't understand your comment to be honest. And how exactly do you know if it is a big factor or not on mark amps/users? I know you have one (IV?) but still unless you are a bedroom player, how do you know what happens when you push them a lot? Anyway, marks and rectifiers usually have farely "small" output trasnformers as well (excluding colliseums). Engl is a company that incorporates them in the same manner. If you open their 50/50 power amp or what code does it have for a name you'll be in shock (engl)!

Watch this

The output transformer is the little silver box barely larger than two preamp tubes on the right. If you see pics of the 20/20, studio 22 and mini rectifier it's the same affair. I have used some of these amps unmiced, and they get very loud, musically loud. Just not so clean and headroom-y. I personally think it's part of their recipe. Maybe mesa can chime in.

 

[shred-o-holic]

MESA amps don't rely on power section characteristics the same way many amps do. If you have a simple front-end, the power section can make much more of an impact on the end result...but with our complex preamp sections, we voice the amp in the front end and rely on a clean power section to amplify it. Those of you who think the EL84's will separate this amp from the traditional Mark line are in for a big surprise! Thanks!

From the horses mouth

Owned a Mark II and III in the 80's for 10 years. Major GAS for this!

 

[shred-o-holic]

that clean demo was sweet

i miss having a boogie and this would be a great one to put me back in the boogie fam!

-and i like el84s after owning a mojave coyote-

That Chuck Heston avatar is the greatest. I lol every time I see it

 

[mentoneman]

that clean demo was sweet

i miss having a boogie and this would be a great one to put me back in the boogie fam!

-and i like el84s after owning a mojave coyote-

That Chuck Heston avatar is the greatest. I lol every time I see it

+1
throw fonz/vintage bearskin rug burt r/most interesting man in the world in a gold jacuzzi=charlie

he knows how to take life

 

[shredi knight]

 

[gtr31]

Thats does not sound much like an El84 too my ears its fat and punchy as hell

 

[JimAnsell]

as long as there is the internet, there will be nay-sayers before it even comes out.
no one has played it yet, but people are forming opinions based off the power tubes.

if i could drownd our the rest of my band (classic metal, slightly scooped high gain) at an outdoor gig with a studio .22+, vs a 50 watt stilletto (the other guitarist), than this thing has the potential to be a beast, regardless of that tired old "its only el84's" or "its only this many watts" shit.

 

[shred-o-holic]

I used to play my Mark 3 on Class A Mode (whoops) all the time with another guitarist. Loud as hell in the live mix. I believe that was 15 watts if I am not mistaken. Mesa is known for their lower wattage amps being loud as it is...I have zero concerns about that issue. My issue is spending the 1300 bucks lol..

 

[splawner]

Can't wait, My local music store is getting them in on Saturday.......Hope to be spending 1300.00 on one.....Can't wait to try it

 

[MESA/Boogie]

I used to play my Mark 3 on Simuclass mode all the time with another guitarist. Loud as hell in the live mix. I believe that was 15 watts if I am not mistaken. Mesa is known for their lower wattage amps being loud as it is...I have zero concerns about that issue. My issue is spending the 1300 bucks lol..

The Simul-Class mode is both sets of power tubes on...so about 75 watts. Its the Class A setting that is about 15 watts Thanks!

 

[shred-o-holic]

I used to play my Mark 3 on Simuclass mode all the time with another guitarist. Loud as hell in the live mix. I believe that was 15 watts if I am not mistaken. Mesa is known for their lower wattage amps being loud as it is...I have zero concerns about that issue. My issue is spending the 1300 bucks lol..

The Simul-Class mode is both sets of power tubes on...so about 75 watts. Its the Class A setting that is about 15 watts Thanks!

Thats right...what I meant......you corrected me thanks...I used to play out live all the time in Class A mode. Its been about 25 years lol....the other guy had a JCM 800...I had no issues being heard...

 

[jsp]

I used to play my Mark 3 on Class A Mode (whoops) all the time with another guitarist. Loud as hell in the live mix. I believe that was 15 watts if I am not mistaken. Mesa is known for their lower wattage amps being loud as it is...I have zero concerns about that issue. My issue is spending the 1300 bucks lol..

I think almost $1k less than a full Mark V is pretty fair.

 

[shred-o-holic]

I wasn't bitching about the price....just trying to figure out how to come up with the snapola for amp

 

[PBGas]

Can't wait, My local music store is getting them in on Saturday.......Hope to be spending 1300.00 on one.....Can't wait to try it

Great to hear these things are heading to stores! Hope mine comes in up here in Oct. Can't wait!!!!