Talk to me about the Boogie Mark V

[djabthrash]

I had two Mark IVs and a Mark V in the same room, at the same time, through the same model and make of cabinets, with the same speakers. The Mark IV is all-around better to me. We even swapped tubes between one of the Mark IVs and Mark V to see if it made a difference; The Mark IV sounded better than the Mark V in both situations.

Now, what is "better" you ask?

The Mark IV HAS MORE USABLE GAIN, it IS juicier, the EQ is more responsive, and the distortion channel overall is more fun to play and fluid. The Mark IV makes a bit more noise, but the Mark V was harsher.

I think you'll be happier with a Mark IV.

This is exactly, exactly, what I found too. I gigged extensively with the Mark V. The gain, on its own, seems to be as awesome as the Mark IV's offering. Then you gig with it, and you can't help but wondering why it sounds so, for lack of a better word, small. The Mark IV has that extra bite and liveliness that really just makes it sing. For cleans, I get that the Mark V wins, but at gigging levels? I think the Mark IVs cleans are pretty damn good. I'd stay away from the Mark V. Perhaps take your chances with the Royal Atlantic if you want to stay Mesa. That amp should have more immediacy as well, if it shares the plate voltage of their other EL34 offering (Stiletto).

 

[DEWD]

The Roadster destroys the Mark V. The gain on the Mark V is severely lacking and its too small sounding. By small, I mean not as 3D or massive as say the Roadster, which IMO kills the Mark V. I've played both extensively. The Roadster can really do it all and the Tweed mode cleans are really where its at for that dynamic, Timmons-esque clean tone. So many players don't spend enough time with either amp to really make opinions though. The Roadster shines cranked. If you don't play loud, get the Mark V. If you do, then the choice is simple.

Some other user posted clips of the Roadster in action recently from a live YouTube gig. Check it out, seriously. The amp is the most versatile amp I've played and gigged with, hands down.

I disagree. I've had a couple Roadsters and I really wanted to like it but I like the V MUCH better in every way. Does the Roadster have more low end? Yes, but that is about the only thing it has on the V. I do think the V is very speaker dependent though. I do not like it as much with V30's. Heritage GB's are where it's at IMO.

As for the low volume thing, Petrucci and Lamb of God could play any amp and especially any Mesa amp they wanted and they both use the Mark V live. So does Miles Kennedy among many others. I think those guys know a few things about playing at high volumes.

 

[djabthrash]

The Roadster destroys the Mark V. The gain on the Mark V is severely lacking and its too small sounding. By small, I mean not as 3D or massive as say the Roadster, which IMO kills the Mark V. I've played both extensively. The Roadster can really do it all and the Tweed mode cleans are really where its at for that dynamic, Timmons-esque clean tone. So many players don't spend enough time with either amp to really make opinions though. The Roadster shines cranked. If you don't play loud, get the Mark V. If you do, then the choice is simple.

Some other user posted clips of the Roadster in action recently from a live YouTube gig. Check it out, seriously. The amp is the most versatile amp I've played and gigged with, hands down.

I disagree. I've had a couple Roadsters and I really wanted to like it but I like the V MUCH better in every way. Does the Roadster have more low end? Yes, but that is about the only thing it has on the V. I do think the V is very speaker dependent though. I do not like it as much with V30's. Heritage GB's are where it's at IMO.

As for the low volume thing, Petrucci and Lamb of God could play any amp and especially any Mesa amp they wanted and they both use the Mark V live. So does Miles Kennedy among many others. I think those guys know a few things about playing at high volumes.

If speakers make that much of a difference, then perhaps you are right. I only have cabs with V-30s. They're so versatile, I don't bother with other speakers. Good points, except on the artist thing. There are also plenty of artists still using Mark IVs, Roadsters, Road Kings, etc.

 

[Gooseman]

I have a Roadster that I like fine. It is dark though. I think people are right, that amp does have a lot of low end. I've played the Mark V. What I've heard bro, it seems like a nice amp. Very different sounding than a Rectifier. I don't think I like it more than my Roadster though. My time with the amp was more brief though ...

 

[lolzgreg]

The Roadster destroys the Mark V. The gain on the Mark V is severely lacking and its too small sounding. By small, I mean not as 3D or massive as say the Roadster, which IMO kills the Mark V. I've played both extensively. The Roadster can really do it all and the Tweed mode cleans are really where its at for that dynamic, Timmons-esque clean tone. So many players don't spend enough time with either amp to really make opinions though. The Roadster shines cranked. If you don't play loud, get the Mark V. If you do, then the choice is simple.

Some other user posted clips of the Roadster in action recently from a live YouTube gig. Check it out, seriously. The amp is the most versatile amp I've played and gigged with, hands down.

I disagree. I've had a couple Roadsters and I really wanted to like it but I like the V MUCH better in every way. Does the Roadster have more low end? Yes, but that is about the only thing it has on the V. I do think the V is very speaker dependent though. I do not like it as much with V30's. Heritage GB's are where it's at IMO.

As for the low volume thing, Petrucci and Lamb of God could play any amp and especially any Mesa amp they wanted and they both use the Mark V live. So does Miles Kennedy among many others. I think those guys know a few things about playing at high volumes.

I'm not trying to stir the pot, but I only make judgments based on experience.

You know, you never know what a amp company is doing to an artists's amp that they either record or play live with. I know someone who used to be on the inside of one the "M" amp companies, and they were doing special things to the inside of big artists's amplifiers

 

[Gooseman]

The Roadster destroys the Mark V. The gain on the Mark V is severely lacking and its too small sounding. By small, I mean not as 3D or massive as say the Roadster, which IMO kills the Mark V. I've played both extensively. The Roadster can really do it all and the Tweed mode cleans are really where its at for that dynamic, Timmons-esque clean tone. So many players don't spend enough time with either amp to really make opinions though. The Roadster shines cranked. If you don't play loud, get the Mark V. If you do, then the choice is simple.

Some other user posted clips of the Roadster in action recently from a live YouTube gig. Check it out, seriously. The amp is the most versatile amp I've played and gigged with, hands down.

I disagree. I've had a couple Roadsters and I really wanted to like it but I like the V MUCH better in every way. Does the Roadster have more low end? Yes, but that is about the only thing it has on the V. I do think the V is very speaker dependent though. I do not like it as much with V30's. Heritage GB's are where it's at IMO.

As for the low volume thing, Petrucci and Lamb of God could play any amp and especially any Mesa amp they wanted and they both use the Mark V live. So does Miles Kennedy among many others. I think those guys know a few things about playing at high volumes.

I'm not trying to stir the pot, but I only make judgments based on experience.

You know, you never know what a amp company is doing to an artists's amp that they either record or play live with. I know someone who used to be on the inside of one the "M" amp companies, and they were doing special things to the inside of big artists's amplifiers

Holy crow, if that's true ... that is some craziness altogether! Good post!

 

[djabthrash]

This is a nice video of the Roadster that I think was posted on this forum weeks ago.

Here is a comment someone left for this video as well:

"I love the roadster. I do have one and it's the best i ever had. I bought the Mark V before the roadster but had to bring it back to the store and take the roadster " -- julesroad 1 week ago

Here is a rad video of the Mark V in a gig situation.


Just trying to help you out with some HD vids. Nothing beats playing these amps in person though. In France, we are very limited when it comes to Mesa Boogies.

 

[the4thlast1]

I have also compared a Mark V to a IV .... Had them side by side...... The V can not do what the lead channel on the IV does. I think that sound is one of the best boogie has to offer... I also really like the lead channel on the Mark III ... I just feel like the Mark V falls short in comparison to the mark series amps made before it.

 

[Gooseman]

Wow, another post about the Mark IV? I really want to go play one now! If I didn't love my Roadster, and putting my money towards pedals, I'd be all over a Mark IV with how you all are talking about it.

All hail the Mark IV? Maybe.
All hail the Roadster? I have one foot in the door.
All hail the Mark V? I don't know.
All hail the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? Never.

 

[steve_k]

The Mark V has a lot of different tone packed away in it. Coaxing it out to taste is somewhat time consuming. Don't buy a Mark V though, expecting to replicate a Mark IIC+ or Mark IV. I have had them all and it doesn't come close to either. Buy one for what it is and make the topology work for you, otherwise you will be disappointed. All that aside, it is a versatile and great sounding amp with quite a few bells and whistles and certainly worth the 2K, considering today's competition for tone.

 

[ACShreds]

I love my mark V. If you know how to dial in a mark series amp this one is no different but if you dont then definitely look into learning haha. I got my tones dialed in just nice and its a great sounding head. I havent gassed for something else since i bought it which is saying a lot. Obviously it doesnt replicate the old mark tones down to a tee or anything but i didnt buy it to replicate the older tones i bought it because it offers a lot more stuff than pervious versions and i really dig the tone it has for itself.

 

[lolzgreg]

Wow, another post about the Mark IV? I really want to go play one now! If I didn't love my Roadster, and putting my money towards pedals, I'd be all over a Mark IV with how you all are talking about it.

All hail the Mark IV? Maybe.
All hail the Roadster? I have one foot in the door.
All hail the Mark V? I don't know.
All hail the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? Never.

The Roadster/Roadking are beastly amps, as well.

I called Mesa/Boogie, to order some replacement parts:

"I need a replacement logo for my Mark IV... on that note, I know I'm a bit late to the party, being only 22 years old an all, but the Mark IV sounds fuckin' fantastic "

I was blown away when I got mine, especially after I had a week or two to get used to it.

 

[DEWD]

No doubt the IV is a killer amp. I loved the ones I owned but I don't miss it at all since I got the V. I also totally agree with what Wiz said about the newer ones being better. I had one of the first 400 and it wasn't nearly as badass as the newer one I have now. They definitely changed something. The newer one seems to have more gain, thump, harmonics and the graphic eq is more touchy like it is on the IV which is the key IMO. I don't think it is the be all end all amp but for $2K it is almost impossible to beat to my ears.

 

[BYTOR]

At the latest ampfest the Axe Fx slayed all amps. All the big boy Tooob amps were there and people were stunned at what they were hearing.
Just saying you should save the hassle and play your Axe Fx live.

 

[Big Rich]

i love my mark 5, its my favorite amp ive ever owned and ive had zero gas for any other amp at all since i got it a year ago.

mine has a serial number in the 400's and it sounds amazing , so i dont know if the rumor of the earlier ones sounding shittier than the newer ones is true. honestly every mark 5 i played through sounded awesome(new and old), so maybe people just want to make themselves believe something that other people tell them....i dono.

it took me about 20 mins to dial in my mark, so dont be intimidated by all the sliders and knobs. I always thought my mark 4 was a pain in the ass to dial in compared to the mark 5, everytime i turned on my mark 4 it sounded different to me and i had to re eq the thing. the mark 4 was deff smoother but it didnt seem as thick as the mark 5 is. and honestly i didnt care at all for the mark 4's cleans or rythm2 channel. all of the 5's modes and channels are totaly useable and sound awesome .... i really love what mesa has done with this amp

and i totaly think the mark 5 gets way more insane sounding than my roadster ever did. its so much more aggressive and tight, has way better definition and cuts wayyyyy better. the roadster is a cool amp but i honestly think that for a recto its pretty damn weak, its a bit dark and refined sounding. if i had to get a recto id get one of the duals or tripples over a roadster if i wanted recto tone. especially the newer multi watts, they are sick amps and i will probably pick one up to keep alongside my mark 5.

get a mark 5

 

[Barney]

I own a Mark V and a Dual Rectifier 2011.

I started off with the Mark V because I wanted an amp that could do it all. It does it all, but it doesn't do the "Tremonti" rhythm tone as good as a Rectifier, that's why I got a Dual. It does have a brutal rhythm tone, but like all Mark amps, it doesn't have the bottom end and growl of the rectifier.

I used to own a Roadster and I say the Mark V eats it for breakfast. I also used to own a Mark IV, and it was a lot more difficult to dail in than the Mark V. The Mark V is very easy to dial in.

Forget about lead tone with the Roadster, I hated it because it was too harsh for lead, same thing with the Rectifiers.


If I had to chose between a Mark V or Rectifier/Roadster for live playing to cover rhythm and lead I'd go for the Mark V.


-bchamorro from Birds & Moons

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

The Roadster destroys the Mark V. The gain on the Mark V is severely lacking and its too small sounding. By small, I mean not as 3D or massive as say the Roadster, which IMO kills the Mark V. I've played both extensively. The Roadster can really do it all and the Tweed mode cleans are really where its at for that dynamic, Timmons-esque clean tone. So many players don't spend enough time with either amp to really make opinions though. The Roadster shines cranked. If you don't play loud, get the Mark V. If you do, then the choice is simple.

Some other user posted clips of the Roadster in action recently from a live YouTube gig. Check it out, seriously. The amp is the most versatile amp I've played and gigged with, hands down.

I disagree. I've had a couple Roadsters and I really wanted to like it but I like the V MUCH better in every way. Does the Roadster have more low end? Yes, but that is about the only thing it has on the V. I do think the V is very speaker dependent though. I do not like it as much with V30's. Heritage GB's are where it's at IMO.

I totally agree with you Brad. This was my set-up for the last 2 months:

... and I think the MKV "destroys" (to use the same terminology) the Roadster. Clean thru mean, lead to rhythm, the MKV is a better amp. The Roadster is dark sounding at ALL volumes, just not low volume. I can crank my amps as loud as I want, and even running thru 2 different 4X12s at the same time, the Roadster is still DARK and too bassy and smooth sounding. The only way to get a decent lead tone from the Roadster is with a OD pedal (gain low, level high). Just not the sort of compromise I like to make. Massive sounding, yeah... but better than the MKV... not by a long shot.

No doubt the IV is a killer amp. I loved the ones I owned but I don't miss it at all since I got the V. I also totally agree with what Wiz said about the newer ones being better. I had one of the first 400 and it wasn't nearly as badass as the newer one I have now. They definitely changed something. The newer one seems to have more gain, thump, harmonics and the graphic eq is more touchy like it is on the IV which is the key IMO. I don't think it is the be all end all amp but for $2K it is almost impossible to beat to my ears.

Yup. The newer ones sound better. Put in some quality EL34s and you'll have a flamethrower. I'm surprised more people (especially on this forum) don't own one.

 

[Mokaccino]

Love my mark IV.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I gigged extensively with the Mark V.

Already sets your opinion above the house collector experts, just imo.

Agree about the Roadster being crappy as a house/bedroom amp, I should know I used one as a basement amp for awhile. Too dark/dull unless you can juice it up which gives it a bad rap for the collection room crowd.

I might very well have kept it if I was in a band at the time.

Mark series make good collection/bedroom amps, they sound better at lower volumes than a Roadster imo.

 

[Ricky Rockhardo]

I gigged extensively with the Mark V.

Already sets your opinion above the house collector experts, just imo.

Agree about the Roadster being crappy as a house/bedroom amp, I should know I used one as a basement amp for awhile. Too dark/dull unless you can juice it up which gives it a bad rap for the collection room crowd.

I might very well have kept it if I was in a band at the time.

Mark series make good collection/bedroom amps, they sound better at lower volumes than a Roadster imo.

This harkens back to a HCAF discussion about the Herbie no????