Played a Mark V and an Electrodyne today

[marvcus]

Had some spare time and stopped in to try some amps.

I really liked them both. I haven't played a Mark series amp in about 7 years, but right when I turned it on and strummed a chord, I knew the clean channel was so much better than a IV. I really liked the gain channel, too. Although, the Mark IIC+ setting does not "feel" like the IIC+ I had (buttery is the best way to describe the feel on the IIC+) but the sound is close. I liked the Extreme setting, actually, but it gives a big dB boost when switched from the other two channels. Overall, I'd probably spend my jack on a IIC+, but I could see being satisfied with the 5 if I were looking for the Mark tone.

Also, I was REALLY impressed with the Electrodyne. Aside from the fact the amp was poorly maintained (I was at GC - what else is new)- the input jack flickered in and out at first - I thought the tones were great. Thick but not muddy, very british. Very "singing" amp. The clean didn't seem to be Fender clean, but it was better than I expected. It was more of a cross between a Fender clean and british-type clean. The low gain and hi gain channels really shine - it's a nice combo. Best combo I've played in a while. Easy to dial in. They got the voicing just right on this one.

Neither can touch my Egnater rig IMO, but both were nice and definitely worth trying out.

 

[sixstrings]

Whew! When I read the thread title I was thinking it might be another Mesa bashing thread like at TGP. I was the opposite, in fact. I thought the Electradyne was a little lackluster and the Mark V is the best amp Mesa has ever made. Before anyone starts in with the Mark IIc/MarkIV shit, just hear me out.

I own a Mark V combo. When I went to buy it several months ago, it was sitting next to a mint Mark IV combo. I had just played a beat up Mark IIc the day before. Before going to the store and trying out the Mark V, I read the manual the night before. One thing I've learned about Mesas is you have to read the manual.

I preferred the Mark V over both amps. The Mark IV is a great amp, no doubt about it, and it has mojo. So does the Mark V though, and it's so much versatile. Add that to the stellar cleans and I pick it over the Mark IV and Mark IIc any day.

The buttery tone comes from using the variac power and the slider EQ. I found it hard to dial in the Mark II settings on the Mark V, but after a while I got the hang of it. You have to set it to 10w with variac power to get that cool mojo unless you're cranking the amp up. I'm definitely in love with the variac setting though.

That's my personal opinion. I'm sure there will be plenty of naysayers, but then on the other hand, I doubt most of the naysayers have really given the Mark V a fair chance. I'll bet most of them think that since they're already familiar with Mesas that they know what to do. I think the Mark V simply dials in differently than the Mark IV or Mark IIc.

The only advantage I see with the Mark IV is that it sounded better with single coils. I still think the Mark V doesn't play as nicely with single coils as it does with humbuckers. That being said, a little boost pedal takes care of all that completely.

Like I said, just my opinion.

 

[marvcus]

See, I was never a fan of the Mark IV "Hyper Clean" sound. Too lean. I like a thick lush clean sound. That's
probably why I like the 5 clean channel since it had a bit more oomph to it.

I can totally see why you like it, it's a nice amp. I think I am just more of a Marshally guy overall.

 

[glassjaw7]

Played the Electradyne and loved it myself

 

[Audioholic]

I would love to have either.

I am confused a bit about the electrodyne though, tis a single channel amp right? but it looks to have 4 different modes, are they footswitchable?

 

[irondeth21]

I loved the Dyne when I played it, just a super thick raw marshall growl. I thought it got pretty heavy too, heavier then a stock jcm 800. The cleans were amazing as well, but not quite fender. I feel like this amp is mesas attempt to take on the bogner shiva crowd.

I played a stiletto ace that was next to it the same day though and I preferred it very much, but I think I like brighter amps.

 

[glassjaw7]

I would love to have either.

I am confused a bit about the electrodyne though, tis a single channel amp right? but it looks to have 4 different modes, are they footswitchable?

It's a three channel amp with shared eq. The shared eq really doesn't suck though! I was satisfied with setting it and forgetting it.

 

[Audioholic]

I would love to have either.

I am confused a bit about the electrodyne though, tis a single channel amp right? but it looks to have 4 different modes, are they footswitchable?

It's a three channel amp with shared eq. The shared eq really doesn't suck though! I was satisfied with setting it and forgetting it.

oh cool, thats nice. I wonder how it sounds at lower volumes.

 

[Atropos_Project]

That's my personal opinion. I'm sure there will be plenty of naysayers, but then on the other hand, I doubt most of the naysayers have really given the Mark V a fair chance. I'll bet most of them think that since they're already familiar with Mesas that they know what to do. I think the Mark V simply dials in differently than the Mark IV or Mark IIc.

Having lived with it for a few weeks now, yeah.. you definitely don't twist knobs on this amp the way you would conventionally. On top of that, every setting outside of the tone / gain / master also has a pretty drastic affect on things. But once you wrap your brain around these things, it works really really well.

 

[UltraGary]

This is the most level-headed thread on the MkV I've ever seen. This site is absolutely awesome sometimes..........

 

[marvcus]

Amp tone is so subjective. I could never really bash an amp unless it has (a) serious mechanical issues that keep recurring or (b) flat out gets a thin buzzy tone no matter the scenario. Everyone has different tastes and playing abilities; no two are alike, so I find it hard to read someone say something sucks across the board to everyone.

Amp tones are like soft drinks; it's just about choosing the flavor that you like best. Some people like Coke, some Dr. Pepper, some Pepsi, some all, heck, some just like water.

 

[blackba]

Whew! When I read the thread title I was thinking it might be another Mesa bashing thread like at TGP. I was the opposite, in fact. I thought the Electradyne was a little lackluster and the Mark V is the best amp Mesa has ever made. Before anyone starts in with the Mark IIc/MarkIV shit, just hear me out.

Actually the TGP loves the electradyne, seen a good number of positive threads about it there. The lonestar series seems to be pretty well liked too. The rest of the mesa amps are bashed pretty good, particularly the mark IV.

I would really like to try both these amps. I do find with my mark IV, that I vastly prefer it through a closed back or thiele cab versus an opened back cab....

 

[sixstrings]

Whew! When I read the thread title I was thinking it might be another Mesa bashing thread like at TGP. I was the opposite, in fact. I thought the Electradyne was a little lackluster and the Mark V is the best amp Mesa has ever made. Before anyone starts in with the Mark IIc/MarkIV shit, just hear me out.

Actually the TGP loves the electradyne, seen a good number of positive threads about it there. The lonestar series seems to be pretty well liked too. The rest of the mesa amps are bashed pretty good, particularly the mark IV.

I would really like to try both these amps. I do find with my mark IV, that I vastly prefer it through a closed back or thiele cab versus an opened back cab....

Man I hardly ever see a Mark IV get bashed, but the Mark V gets bashed so much and mostly not even for good reason. It's a damned shame because Mesa is a great American amp maker and offering their stuff just above reasonable prices. They're certainly a viable alternative the the expensive Bogners, Diezels, etc... Better than what Fender has to offer these days in my opinion.

 

[thiswaythatway]

This is the most level-headed thread on the MkV I've ever seen. This site is absolutely awesome sometimes..........

The Mark V fucking sucks.

 

[UltraGary]

This is the most level-headed thread on the MkV I've ever seen. This site is absolutely awesome sometimes..........

The Mark V fucking sucks.

Man....I KNEW you were going to chime in with that. "Doh!".....

 

[zuel69]

Dammit danyeo this thread was all warm and fuzzy and you f'd it up. Thanks for the larf.

This is the most level-headed thread on the MkV I've ever seen. This site is absolutely awesome sometimes..........

The Mark V fucking sucks.

 

[Hard&Heavy]

I like both amps thinking about a mark V myself.

 

[Variable]

Last time I played the Mark V in a music store I actually liked it quite a bit. Still too many buttons and knobs for my dumb ass, though

 

[jack-2]

i played a mkv yesterday, and for the first 10 minutes i thought it was pretty horrible. (keep in mind im a metal/death/core/etc kinda guy)

Yet after some more tweaking, I realized it is absolutely essential you DO NOT eq it like most amps. It is super strange in the sense that it sounds its best when eq'd the most strangely.

i had it set up something like this:

channel 3
mkiv setting
gain 3:00
master 12:00
presence 2:30
90w
treble 2:00
mid 2:00
bass 9:00
eq on:
80 all the way up
240 a bit below half
750 almost all the way down
2200 a bit above half
6600 a bit above half

sounded pretty awesome. obviously would sound better with more tweaking, a boost/eq/noisegate, and my other gear, but pretty awesome regardless. much better for metal then any rectifier ive played ...

i want one

anybody know what other amps sound like it yet easier to dial in with an overall beefed up feel?

 

[tlingen]

I really hope the Mark V sounds dam good. I have the head and a cabinet on order with Sweetwater without trying one first. If Petrucci is touring with three of them, they must be pretty good. Plus it helps if you can play like him