Sold My Mark V this is why (lengthy)

[jsp]

To each his own. Not everyone has to like every amp.

But, "overpriced bedroom amp" is objectively wrong

 

[Chris6870]

Yeah...I really want one of those Mark V Mini amps and a 1x12. I am ampless, have been for almost 3 years.

That Petrucci video sounds so good.

I have the Mark V 25 and and a Mesa 1x12 and I used the settings seen throughout the video and it delivers.
I just hope the OP's amp went to someone who will love and appreciate it while he continues his ride on the merry go round.

 

[scgtr]

It's all a matter of perspective, playing style, venues, guitars, pickups, etc...

I've bought and sold a recto as well as a Mark V, all to keep going back to...

My Mesa F series. I have three of them now - two F50 combos and an F50 head I run with a Mesa 2x12. When a clean one pops up used, I usually buy it.

Heresy, I know. Apparently it was one of Mesa's more reviled amps, but I love it and it works for me.

 

[Big Rich]

I bought my Mark 5 when they first came out and i still own it. Its my favorite amp that ive ever owned. Im strictly a rythm guy and for me the rythm tones are the most brutal ive heard. Ive owned a mark 4A and to me it sounds better and is alot easier to dial in than the 4 was. The 4 was still a great amp though. I dont know, Maybe i just got lucky and got a "good one", Its very hard to make it sound bad though.

If your used to playing rectos i guess i can kind of understand why you wouldnt care for the mark. It has a different feel to it than a recto and if your only trying to dial in a recto sound your better off just owning a recto instead. Once you find your tone just stick with what you like and know. Others opinions dont really matter, you just need to find what works for you.

 

[petejt]

That's fair enough man. I was never phased by the hype of the MarkV when it was released in 2009.

I heard a MarkV played literally five or six feet in front of my (by John Petrucci no less...), and honestly it sounded muddy to me.


I'm glad I have my MarkIV and will stick with it. However I use it in Triode mode and SimulClass with EL34s and 6L6s, and the Mid-Gain switch which I guess is different to a lot of other guitarists out there.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I agree someone needs to tell Petrucci his live tone could be better...

my thoughts exactly - Petrucci's tone crushes

Probably because he's using IIC+'s and IV's instead of the Mark V

Are you kidding? He has toured with the Mark V and recorded a ton with it.

 

[TrueTone500]

It's 2015, and Randall Smith still refuses to incorporate a bias adjustment pot.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I think people make too big a deal out of bias adjustment anyway. I did the bias mod on my 5150 BL, and notice almost zero difference.

 

[VC4Ever]

Where were you able to sell it? Don't tell me from someone here

 

[thiswaythatway]

It's all a matter of perspective, playing style, venues, guitars, pickups, etc...

I've bought and sold a recto as well as a Mark V, all to keep going back to...

My Mesa F series. I have three of them now - two F50 combos and an F50 head I run with a Mesa 2x12. When a clean one pops up used, I usually buy it.

Heresy, I know. Apparently it was one of Mesa's more reviled amps, but I love it and it works for me.

The F-series are good amps. Pretty simple so it's easier to just plug in and go. There's a used F-50 head at a local GC for $500.

 

[marvcus]

Love/Hate with the Mark series, sometimes both. I think you made a good decision. Getcha a Tremoverb instead -- the original swiss army knife of the Recto series.

 

[jsp]

BTW, let's all make lengthy posts every time we sell gear, full of flippant remarks explaining why

 

[kasperjensen]

I am dying to get my hands on a Mark 5:25.

 

[4406cuda]

The best feature of the Mark V is it's versatility. I have owned mine since 2009. I changed the stock tubed to Winged C ^l^'s and tungsol 12AX7.

I have been in 3 cover bands while I have owned my Mark V. Alternative 90's Hard Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, and now I am in a Country Rock Blues band. The amp has delivered in all 3 genres. I can easily get the equivalent of a 4 or 5 channel amp by using a couple of overdrives with the Mark V.

 

[NinjaRaf]

I am dying to get my hands on a Mark 5:25.

HIGHLY recommend!!

 

[kasperjensen]

I am dying to get my hands on a Mark 5:25.

HIGHLY recommend!!

It's the crunch sound of some demos I have heard, and then the size. I have an extra 1x12 Mesa cab that I would use. Open back Black Shadow... Don't know the exact model. But I reckon it would be a good match for my style.
It looks so small and portable!!!!

I do like massive 4x12 penis extension rigs... But MAN do I hate lugging that around.

I need to get on the packet soup for a while...

 

[jc986]

The best feature of the Mark V is it's versatility. I have owned mine since 2009. I changed the stock tubed to Winged C ^l^'s and tungsol 12AX7.

I have been in 3 cover bands while I have owned my Mark V. Alternative 90's Hard Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, and now I am in a Country Rock Blues band. The amp has delivered in all 3 genres. I can easily get the equivalent of a 4 or 5 channel amp by using a couple of overdrives with the Mark V.

+1. I love my Mark V. It's definitely the antithesis of the standard Recto or 5150 high gain tone though.

 

[CaseyCor]

HBE modded Jet City, Mark 5:25, and 2 1x12 cabs and a pedal board= Portable tonal bliss.

That would be such a fun rig to play with. You could cover so much ground with so little gear. A/Bing the two, or running them simultaneously would be killer!

Maybe even throw a Mini-Recto in the mix too...

 

[Tone Zone]

BTW, let's all make lengthy posts every time we sell gear, full of flippant remarks explaining why

 

[BrentSSL]

BTW, let's all make lengthy posts every time we sell gear, full of flippant remarks explaining why

Its so odd there are people are are raggin on me for selling it and posting about it in this day and age. Its also odd no one wants to pay anything for it It was hard to sell and I got lucky I just about broke even. I feel bad posting my real opinions about it but theres alot of people out there that are thinking about the switch from a mid 2000's 3 channel rectifier to a MarkV to have a "real amp".
I think if the amp works for you its real enough right?
I had to stretch my wallet a little to get the MarkV and alot of of people might do that because it is a more attainable high end amp then some others. Like Engl Soldano Diezel Rhodes etc; So someone who wants to get a high end mid level priced amp buys it expecting it to fulfill all thier needs and it doesn't and now they are stuck with an amp they paid 2200 dollars for and lose about 800 on it when selling it because some Mini version came out really?
I am just looking out for the little guy who doesn't know any better. Yes the MarkV will make you a better player and tracks amazingly well recording and does a ton of different tones and tastes. I remember when my mom brought in an all in one copy print fax machine home when I was a kid, for her office and yeah it did all this stuff but the machine was so finicky my mom took it back and kept using her seperate pieces of office equipment until they perfected the technology.
I am not saying mesa did not do something great but it could have been done better and who knows when we will see the Mark6 or 7 or god forbid they do a reissue of the MK 2 c+ or a Pre500 Dual to make our lives easier I'd pay 2000 for that shit I'd pay 3. So I am just trying to shed some light on a already confusing subject. You can watch all the youtube footage of Petrucci playing these as you want but you'll never know the feel until the amp is in the room with you. I feel an unmic'd jam with a band is the ultimite test for any amp and rectifier tone passes that in spades hence my opinion on the MKV being an overpriced bedroom amp. If i could get great loud tone that would be great but its not there for me yet maybe the MKX.