So... Mark V or JP-2C?

[JerEvil]

I was able to finally able to sit down and play a Mark series amp for the first time in YEARS about 3 days ago. I had tried a Mark IV about a decade ago at GC and HATED it. Now, I had no real understanding on how to dial in a Mark properly. My buddy Raf sent me his Mark IV setting on his real amp for me to try on my Helix and it sounds killer.

Anyway, I went to my local place for a couple steps on a few guitars and they had a Mark V:25 there. I grabbed a Reverend P90 loaded guitar and plugged it in. HOLY CRAP!!! That little amp SCREAMED! First thing I thought was, "I need the big brother!!!" And this was just with P90's. When I plugged my freshly set up BC Rich Custom Shop Ironbird... DAYUM!!!!

Now, the V and JP are only about $100 difference new. I like the additional EQ on the JP but it's not Simul-Class and it does 60/100 watt where the V doe 10/45/90.

Any reason to get one over the other? I do NOT want a Mark II, III or Mark IV. All great amps from what I understand but I am really only looking between these 2.

How cab dependent are these amps? What speakers do they favor?

 

[maddnotez]

You might have seen my posts about my JP-2C but with my minor issue aside the JP-2C sounds killer man.

Like really really good and it sits in a band mix really nicely. I cannot compare to the MKV since I have never played one so I am not sure how diverse it is. When I hear MK V I think Lamb of God although I am sure it can do more.

If I had to do it over again I would still get the JP-2C.

idk the difference between simuclass or non. The only thing about the JP-2C that could be better that I never mentioned was I do not think you can stack the two GEQ's. That would be super cool but not really needed IMO. They are very powerful EQ's.

 

[RedB4Black]

Personally, I loved the IV, hated the V and while I haven't owned the JP-2C, I'm sure I'll eventually get one, based on playing it at a music store recently.

 

[JerEvil]

You might have seen my posts about my JP-2C but with my minor issue aside the JP-2C sounds killer man.

Like really really good and it sits in a band mix really nicely. I cannot compare to the MKV since I have never played one so I am not sure how diverse it is. When I hear MK V I think Lamb of God although I am sure it can do more.

If I had to do it over again I would still get the JP-2C.

idk the difference between simuclass or non. The only thing about the JP-2C that could be better that I never mentioned was I do not think you can stack the two GEQ's. That would be super cool but not really needed IMO. They are very powerful EQ's.

Yeah I read though your thread which is kind of what prompted this one. I know Joe Balaguer has the JP as well. Was watching some vids on the JP and saw that the EQ's were not stackable. Not sure how important the Simul thing is to me either as I have never messed with anything Mesa outside my brief ownership of a Dual Rec and F50. I know I really liked the F50 though which is Mark based from what I recall.

 

[maddnotez]

You might have seen my posts about my JP-2C but with my minor issue aside the JP-2C sounds killer man.

Like really really good and it sits in a band mix really nicely. I cannot compare to the MKV since I have never played one so I am not sure how diverse it is. When I hear MK V I think Lamb of God although I am sure it can do more.

If I had to do it over again I would still get the JP-2C.

idk the difference between simuclass or non. The only thing about the JP-2C that could be better that I never mentioned was I do not think you can stack the two GEQ's. That would be super cool but not really needed IMO. They are very powerful EQ's.

Yeah I read though your thread which is kind of what prompted this one. I know Joe Balaguer has the JP as well. Was watching some vids on the JP and saw that the EQ's were not stackable. Not sure how important the Simul thing is to me either as I have never messed with anything Mesa outside my brief ownership of a Dual Rec and F50. I know I really liked the F50 though which is Mark based from what I recall.

Sick tones man and I’m just being honest with you. From the clips I’ve heard of the V, I feel the JP would fit your thrashy style a little better. Just my opinion

 

[JerEvil]

Reading comments on some vid comparisons from guys that owned both seem to be consensus that the regular V is a bit more tonally versatile?

 

[JerEvil]

You might have seen my posts about my JP-2C but with my minor issue aside the JP-2C sounds killer man.

Like really really good and it sits in a band mix really nicely. I cannot compare to the MKV since I have never played one so I am not sure how diverse it is. When I hear MK V I think Lamb of God although I am sure it can do more.

If I had to do it over again I would still get the JP-2C.

idk the difference between simuclass or non. The only thing about the JP-2C that could be better that I never mentioned was I do not think you can stack the two GEQ's. That would be super cool but not really needed IMO. They are very powerful EQ's.

Yeah I read though your thread which is kind of what prompted this one. I know Joe Balaguer has the JP as well. Was watching some vids on the JP and saw that the EQ's were not stackable. Not sure how important the Simul thing is to me either as I have never messed with anything Mesa outside my brief ownership of a Dual Rec and F50. I know I really liked the F50 though which is Mark based from what I recall.

Sick tones man and I’m just being honest with you. From the clips I’ve heard of the V, I feel the JP would fit your thrashy style a little better. Just my opinion

Cool man. Thanks. I definitely want to play one for sure. I feel like the extra EQ is a nice feature.

 

[paulyc]

The MIDI on the JP2C would make a Helix rig insane.

 

[JerEvil]

The MIDI on the JP2C would make a Helix rig insane.

Ahhh no MIDI on the V! That might be the clincher right there. The Helix is really at the core of my tones right now. MIDI really would be a very cool option.

 

[Whowantsamustache]

JP2c. The mark v ranks lowest in all the mark versions for me.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

JP2C. No question.

And I really liked the MKV... but the JP2C sounds better, meaner, and has way more useable features. Dual graphic eq kills.

 

[JerEvil]

JP2C. No question.

And I really liked the MKV... but the JP2C sounds better, meaner, and has way more useable features. Dual graphic eq kills.

Nice. I can possibly see myself whittling my amp collection down to the JP and Friedman BE50 Deluxe... or just adding both to the current stable! LOL!

 

[Crunchtime]

I'd go with the JP. I had a MK V and did not gel. Offed it fast so, maybe would have figured it out. Just got a JP. My favorite amp to date so far. Bonded right away.

Not sure what advantage of stacking EQ's would be. A single JP EQ has enough range I would see no use in extending that range. Idk? Maybe EQ stacking is a thing I dont know about.

Edit: However, I have used an MXR 10 band in loop in conjunction with JP built in EQ and it was sounding great. So, maybe I do like stacking EQ's.

 

[JerEvil]

I'd go with the JP. I had a MK V and did not gel. Offed it fast so, maybe would have figured it out. Just got a JP. My favorite amp to date so far. Bonded right away.

Not sure what advantage of stacking EQ's would be. A single JP EQ has enough range I would see no use in extending that range. Idk? Maybe EQ stacking is a thing I dont know about.

Edit: However, I have used an MXR 10 band in loop in conjunction with JP built in EQ and it was sounding great. So, maybe I do like stacking EQ's.

See! LOL! Yeah I am thinking the JP is the way to go.

 

[Candiria]

The Mark V has more starkly different tones. The Mark I sound, Tweed, Edge etc. but if you wouldn't really use tones that are that different then the JP's lead smokes the V...and you get 2 of them.

 

[maddnotez]

I'd go with the JP. I had a MK V and did not gel. Offed it fast so, maybe would have figured it out. Just got a JP. My favorite amp to date so far. Bonded right away.

Not sure what advantage of stacking EQ's would be. A single JP EQ has enough range I would see no use in extending that range. Idk? Maybe EQ stacking is a thing I dont know about.

Edit: However, I have used an MXR 10 band in loop in conjunction with JP built in EQ and it was sounding great. So, maybe I do like stacking EQ's.

Wouldn’t be necessary by any means but just because lol.

It was literally the only thing I could think of that the amp couldn’t do. And they probably left it that way for a reason.

 

[Chris6870]

First of all your nuts if your buying new. That's the only way the V price is close to the JP.Used the Mark V can be had for $1500, the V:25 about $1000 and the JPC about $2000. I have a IV. Love it. Had the V:25 3 times. Liked it and considering another. HATED the Mark V, could not unload it quick enough. Never tried the JPC, may grab one if the used prices come down a little more.

 

[cecilbag]

Jp all the way. The mark v is the only Mesa I’ve owned that I just did not like for high gain

 

[errrrrl]

I tried a V and I felt like an absolute retard not being able to dial that thing in... I'll admit I'm not familiar with Mesa and Marks in general but usually I can dial in just about anything pretty quickly. I was plugged into an old Carvin 4x12 with unknown speakers in it... but still. I hope to be able to try a JP2C one day, been curious on that one since day one.

 

[JerEvil]

I tried a V and I felt like an absolute retard not being able to dial that thing in... I'll admit I'm not familiar with Mesa and Marks in general but usually I can dial in just about anything pretty quickly. I was plugged into an old Carvin 4x12 with unknown speakers in it... but still. I hope to be able to try a JP2C one day, been curious on that one since day one.

Yeah I had to get some help on how to dial them. Basically Treble is your friend and Bass is your enemy if you want tight tones. Translated really well to dialing in the Mark on the Helix which was cool. Treble acts like an sort of like additional gain control.

I have Treble and Middle between 6/8 and Bass around 2 (not o'clock settings, thats the number on the dials) with the classic EQ shape and it killed.