Thinking of a new amp: Mark IV, Mark V, Dual Recto Multiwatt

[nightlight]

Have some disposable income coming my way and I am thinking about getting a Mesa Boogie amp to add to my collection, since I feel it is the missing piece to my tones.

I used to have a Triple Recto and loved it. Unfortunately, one day I accidentally set the volume too high and hit a chord and I had a ringing in my ear for a couple of days. First time something like that had ever happened to me and it was very disturbing. I guess 150 watts is just too much for an apartment rig where you're in close proximity to everything.

Regretted after selling it of course, it was a great amp and I liked the tone. I've since been thinking about a multi-watt Dual Recto.

I also have owned two Mark V 25-watts. I sold the first one because I thought the tone was too thin, then bought another because I thought I could make it work better. Offloaded that too down the line: I guess I just don't like EL84 amps.

But it was quite an interesting box, so I was thinking that maybe the big iron version might suit the bill more. I've also been hearing that the Mark IV is even better on the lead channel (LoG used one, etc, etc)

All of these are available locally, so I'm wondering what I should score. The Mark V is the most expensive at several hundred more than the Recto, which is a couple of hundred more than the Mark IV. The Mark IV is available in both a combo and head formats, but all of them are overseas voltage, so I'll need a step down transformer.

Naturally, budget is a big consideration, but I'm also wondering what will be the best for symphonic metal/death metal with symphonic elements.

I know, "advise me" threads are quite lame, but I really have nothing to go on and cash for just one amp at the moment.

Let me know what albums you've heard recorded with what, hit me with your clips, let me know what would work for those kinds of tones... Thanks.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

Get the mark iv and thank me later. I ve tried so many boogie amps and preamps, but the mark iv really shines. This was recorded with the drive at 3

https://hearthis.at/ultimate-metal-guit ... thrashy01/

 

[MetalHeadMike]

MW dual recto is a beast of an amp...probably should have kept it. Not the fastest tracking even boosted, but man what a grind. Never played the Mark IV...would like to. Bought a mint Blue stripe for $575 and it was also a BEAST...should have hung on to that one as well.

 

[Beyond Black]

Get the mark iv and thank me later. I ve tried so many boogie amps and preamps, but the mark iv really shines. This was recorded with the drive at 3

https://hearthis.at/ultimate-metal-guit ... thrashy01/

This 100%. Get a Mark IV. it’s a much tighter and more precision attack and gain structure than any Recto. It’ll also be much better for symphonic/death type metal. Not that a boosted Recto wouldn’t also kill at it, but a Mark IV will really excel at that.

 

[petejt]

I know, "advise me" threads are quite lame, but I really have nothing to go on and cash for just one amp at the moment.

It's okay. At least you put effort into your opening post, with some background about your amp history and situation.

It's not like the "School me..." threads on some other thread titles that just have "Discuss" in the opening post.


I can definitely vouch for the MarkIV. However I'm interested to hear a Recto preamp through a Simul-Class Mark-style power amp. Or a Mark-series preamp through a Recto power amp. I did try that in the past but can't remember too much except that I liked it.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

All are great. I'd say give the IV a shot if you've never had one. They'r really nice amps with a great texture to the gain. And no boost needed which is nice.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Just got a Mark V and only have about an hour on it so far. Really impressive amp. At first glance the amp looks a little intimidating but I easily was able to dial in a great tone and pretty quickly. I highly recommend it. Mostly played with the Mk2C+ and Mk4 modes. Changed the power tubes to EL34s. Variac mode , 45watt setting. Can't wait to spend more time with it.

 

[GJgo]

For symphonic stuff definitely a Mark, they have much better clarity & note separation at high gain.

Based on what you're saying I'd say Mark IV for more raw (but still modern-ish) or JP-2C (for straight modern / compressed). There are things I like about the V but the gain isn't aggressive as either of the others and the 90W tone isn't as good as the 25W tone so you'd be disappointed.

R2 on the IV sucks if you're a metal guy so it's basically a 2 channel amp. It's a VERY picky amp to dial in.

The JP is probably the better choice for gigging. It's kind of a 2 trick pony, (super cleans & super high gains), but they're good tricks and fit what you're looking to do.

 

[skullfxr]

I would go tremoverb (which is a Rev G) or a Mkiv. I have both and love them both. Be ready to turn some knobs if you get the Mkiv, but I never had a problem getting it dialed in right. The mkV (IMO) is super overrated. You may like a JP2-C, I really want to try one, but I likly would not fork out the cash.

 

[stephen sawall]

RHY2 on the Mark IV I pretty much always use the GEQ. Pedals work really well with this channel.

 

[skoora]

Get a used recto and a used studio pre. You’ll have the best of both worlds. Use the recto or one of your amps of choice to power the studio pre. If you get a recto with a switchable loop you could probably configure a way to use the pre and the recto together where the pre becomes another channel. I have a Quad pre and a MKV and they are an amazing combo. Also throwing in a good word for the MKV but if you just need a good heavy overdrive the MKV will be overkill on all the other settings etc. Don’t spend that much if what you really just want is one great distortion and a clean.

 

[Seitz333]

I recently bought a Mark V:35, really liking it, mostly use the Mark IV mode.

Chuck

 

[Markedman]

Mark IV is a great amp if you want to wake up every day to a new tone. You will swear that the tone you had yesterday was the greatest ever and wonder "where the heck did that tone I had go?" I find ch.2 very useable when playing live, it's the most used channel when playing loud, it's just got that tone.

The JP2C is incredible, but boring compared to the Mark IV and I find all new amps, not just Boogies, give me ear fatigue after a half hour or so whereas the older amps have some magic mojo in them that makes them sound better and better as the night goes on.

I have a Mark IV and it's not getting much use, but I'll never sell it. I also have a TriAxis pre amp which is Steady Eddie when it comes to repeatable tone. With 8 different pre amps, it's tones are quite unlimited.

I could live with the TriAxis or Mark IV and not complain, but,.... if you really want Boogie fever - here's what I have now. A quad pre amp (C+ & Mark III) Reverb $450.00, and a Rectifier recording pre amp (Dual & Triple Rectifier) eBay $630.00 with a Strategy 400 (dual Coliseum) power amp, eBay $426.00. I have a Voodoo lab GCX & GC Pro to control it all.

I've owned over 20 Boogies and nothing comes close to this rig.

 

[paulyc]

JP2C. I know this wasn't one of the listed choices but it's a great amp, versatile too.

 

[LPMojoGL]

I've had all of those and prefer the Dual Rec.
Just sounds and plays the way I like best.
Hate tweaking the Marks.

 

[ErikT]

If you really dug the Triple maybe just grab another? They can be had for $800-$1000 (at least around me). Even the Rev G's are usually the same price.

I hear you on apartment jamming bro, haha. Do you have any load boxes? Total life saver.

 

[stephen sawall]

With most of the Mesa stuff you need to take photos or detail notes of settings. I started doing this several years ago. When I find a sound I like I make record before I change anything.
Occasionally I go thru the entire list. It's like having a catalog of great sounds and shows me where I was at and how my taste has changed over the years.

 

[skullfxr]

I highly recommend the tremoverb if you go Recto, unless you want a triple.

 

[Beyond Black]

With most of the Mesa stuff you need to take photos or detail notes of settings. I started doing this several years ago. When I find a sound I like I make record before I change anything.
Occasionally I go thru the entire list. It's like having a catalog of great sounds and shows me where I was at and how my taste has changed over the years.

That’s a good idea. Three months ago when I got bit buy the Mark IV bug, I was taking pics of the settings of YouTube vids that I liked, since I heard that they were so hard to dial in if you’re not familiar. Shortly after, I bought one, and referred to these settings and had instant killer tone, and was able to navigate the amp pretty quickly. I never had to refer to notes for an amp before.

 

[stephen sawall]

With most of the Mesa stuff you need to take photos or detail notes of settings. I started doing this several years ago. When I find a sound I like I make record before I change anything.
Occasionally I go thru the entire list. It's like having a catalog of great sounds and shows me where I was at and how my taste has changed over the years.

That’s a good idea. Three months ago when I got bit buy the Mark IV bug, I was taking pics of the settings of YouTube vids that I liked, since I heard that they were so hard to dial in if you’re not familiar. Shortly after, I bought one, and referred to these settings and had instant killer tone, and was able to navigate the amp pretty quickly. I never had to refer to notes for an amp before.

With all the knobs and switches on the Mark IV it's the only way to do it. No one could remember that stuff.