S
Six Stringer
Active member
Which Mesa Mark ? and Revision ? is the one to buy?
Markedman
Well-known member
Some would say the pinnacle is the Mark IIC+ Coliseum. Nice but hard, to even impossible, to acquire. I personally prefer my Mark IV but there is a learning curve, so I hear, to dialing it in. The new Marks, V, V25, V35, & JP2C are easy to dial in and sound super awesome IMO with the JP2C being my favorite. A mark III is a gain monster similar to the Mark IIC+ and will provide hours of fun.
cardinal
Well-known member
What's your budget? Probably a III or IV unless you need specific features offered by the V or JP2C, or have the budget for a C+.
MetalHeadMike
Well-known member
I recently grabbed a Mark III blue stripe and it's and absolute monster. HUGE I mean mega HUGE low end response and capable of being set to have an extremely open gain structure or a very compressed saturated gain structure. Awesome amp. For the money it might be one of the best amps out there for metal.
UltraGary
Well-known member
Depends on what you're trying to do. For versatility...I don't think anything beats a Mk V or a Mk IV in a band situation. If you're not always needing high-volume, the Mk V:35 is fantastic. I've got a bunch of amps and the Mk V:35 is pretty much all I've been using for 2years now. (& Yes, It's plenty loud enough to keep up with a full drum-kit and bass amp)
WarHed
Active member
I have a Mark IIb, Mark III green and Mark V 90.
They are all a bit different, the Mark V gets played the most because of its versatility, but the Mark III sounds the most aggressive. The Mark IIb sounds the most vintage.
They are all a bit different, the Mark V gets played the most because of its versatility, but the Mark III sounds the most aggressive. The Mark IIb sounds the most vintage.
Snave
Well-known member
What kind of sound are you looking for?
Mark III is great for more vintage (80s) or edgier stuff, and the Mark IV has a superb modern sound (though the crunch channel nails some low gain tones).
Mark III is great for more vintage (80s) or edgier stuff, and the Mark IV has a superb modern sound (though the crunch channel nails some low gain tones).
R
Racerxrated
Well-known member
I have had 2 Mark IIIs(Purple and Red, loaded simulclass with STR 415s), 1 HRG(Hundred, Reverb, GEQ) 2B combo, 3 2B Coliseums(2 early 1981 versions, one later with a loop mod) and 4 2C+(an upgraded SRG(Sixty), an original HRG, an HRG++ and now a C+ Coliseum).
The 2Bs are very cool with a nice vintage vibe; to me they have the best tone other than the C+. The Mark IIIs are raw but kinda sterile; they don't have the character of the C+ or 2Bs for that matter. At least that was my experience with the 2 I owned.
The C+ will give you almost a 'blanket off the speaker' in comparison to any other Mark...the clarity is that much better. And, that's not to say the other Marks don't have clarity...just a huge jump with the C+. The best part of the C+ experience though is the feel...hard to describe but 'bouncy' is one way to put it; another is that your fingers feel attached to the strings. Very cool and unique only to the C+. It is the king of the Mark amps. I own a C+ Coliseum now but when I look back at the others I owned, the first one was probably the best of all tone wise. The 60w SRG is the lowest priced usually and mine was amazing sounding. No I wouldn't trade my C+ Coli for it but they are great sounding and usually around 2400.
The Mark IV is IMO the closest to the C+ tone and feel of all the Marks...I haven't owned one but did play a used one and was pleasantly surprised in how close it was. Smooth and thick, and compressed just enough. Not quite there but closer than the Mark III for sure.
I haven't played a V but have heard good things. Really, for what most Marks go for used (around 1K, the V for more) they are a great bargain for what you get. Of course that doesn't include the C+, they will range from 2K(an SRG local to me was on Craigslist for 2K recently) all the way up to 7500 for a C+ Coliseum...worth it? I guess to those who will pay that. I did get my Coliseum for far less than what I've been offered for it. But there are less than 100 in the world....
Bang for the buck, if you can find a 2B or III Coliseum that's the way to go. Nothing like these monster power sections, nothing.
The 2Bs are very cool with a nice vintage vibe; to me they have the best tone other than the C+. The Mark IIIs are raw but kinda sterile; they don't have the character of the C+ or 2Bs for that matter. At least that was my experience with the 2 I owned.
The C+ will give you almost a 'blanket off the speaker' in comparison to any other Mark...the clarity is that much better. And, that's not to say the other Marks don't have clarity...just a huge jump with the C+. The best part of the C+ experience though is the feel...hard to describe but 'bouncy' is one way to put it; another is that your fingers feel attached to the strings. Very cool and unique only to the C+. It is the king of the Mark amps. I own a C+ Coliseum now but when I look back at the others I owned, the first one was probably the best of all tone wise. The 60w SRG is the lowest priced usually and mine was amazing sounding. No I wouldn't trade my C+ Coli for it but they are great sounding and usually around 2400.
The Mark IV is IMO the closest to the C+ tone and feel of all the Marks...I haven't owned one but did play a used one and was pleasantly surprised in how close it was. Smooth and thick, and compressed just enough. Not quite there but closer than the Mark III for sure.
I haven't played a V but have heard good things. Really, for what most Marks go for used (around 1K, the V for more) they are a great bargain for what you get. Of course that doesn't include the C+, they will range from 2K(an SRG local to me was on Craigslist for 2K recently) all the way up to 7500 for a C+ Coliseum...worth it? I guess to those who will pay that. I did get my Coliseum for far less than what I've been offered for it. But there are less than 100 in the world....
Bang for the buck, if you can find a 2B or III Coliseum that's the way to go. Nothing like these monster power sections, nothing.
GJgo
Well-known member
Do you want organic & open, or do you want modern & compressed?
Are you gigging with it?
Do you want a smooth or aggressive attack?
What cab are you playing it through?
What style of music?
Let's start there. Also, I have a bunch of Mark tone vids here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/fast13b/videos
Are you gigging with it?
Do you want a smooth or aggressive attack?
What cab are you playing it through?
What style of music?
Let's start there. Also, I have a bunch of Mark tone vids here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/fast13b/videos
Little B
Well-known member
I just played a gig last Saturday night with my MK III Coliseum red stripe and It put a smile on my face for days! I also have a blue stripe coli,a mkiic+,and a mkiv.Something about that red stripe coli that I gravitate to.As was said,playing a mkiii,( or mkii) is like lifting a blanket off your sound- so raw and in your face.
ultimatemetalguitartones
Well-known member
I've owned my mark III blue stripe combo simul class for 5 years. If you like raw, in your face, aggressive and bright tones, this amp delivers. Really good clean channel, marshallish rhythm channel - much better than that of the mark IV I tried - and amazing lead channel. If I were you, I'd get either a mark III red- blue stripe or a mark IV . The one I tried was really loud, punchy, more refined and modern than my blue stripe + it records much better, as it isn't too bright. I think its a bit more scooped than the blue stripe or maybe has the right frequencies going on to record brilliantly. With the right settings it can get really close to the mark IIC+. As a matter of fact, I've pulled the trigger on a combo I found so hopefully by next Saturday I will have uploaded some A B clips
In the meantime, check out some of my videos here
In the meantime, check out some of my videos here
Wizard of Ozz
Well-known member
Mark III Blue and Green are my favs.
Markedman
Well-known member
I'd buy this one - NYC Mark IVa $800.00 asking price - https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/msg/ ... 27186.html
snowdog
Active member
the lead channel on the Mark IV is killer rev B
ElectricVoodoo
Well-known member
I brought a Mkv35 heas brand new back in june.
Hardly use it at all. Mint condition.
In the NYC area ??
Selling for $1100.
Definitely not for everybody. Tone is very nice, touch response is meh. To me anyhow. Not gelling with it at all.
Hardly use it at all. Mint condition.
In the NYC area ??
Selling for $1100.
Definitely not for everybody. Tone is very nice, touch response is meh. To me anyhow. Not gelling with it at all.
Exo-metal
Well-known member
I agree, a MKIII is the best bang for your buck and the clean tones are exceptional. Personally I would ++ the amp from the factory as well.
Achilles
Active member
That's a very generic question. Depends on your needs.Six Stringer":14s88sko said:
After owning a bunch of Mesa Mark products I will tell you this,
If you don't have any previous experience with the Mesa Mark sound and feel, your best bet is a Mark V and a recto 2x12 horizontal cab.
It has everything you need or will need.
Experiment with AT7 preamp tubes in V4/V6 and V7 positions, find the poweramp settings that interact the best with your guitar and turn up the overall volume of the amp.
Ch1 the clean sound (FAT for blues, CLEAN for simple clean passages)
Ch2 the solo sound (Mark I)
Ch3 the crunch/heavy rythm sound (Mark IV)
Plus you get a big Hard-On every time you see it:
https://mesaboogie.com/amplifiers/electric/mark-series/mark-five/head.html
NinjaRaf
Well-known member
I started with a V25, then moved on to a V, then had 2 IVs for about 2 years.
The V25 is awesome if you need Mark tone for your house. Playing in a metal band, it didn't cut it. Enter Mark V...no dice. Didn't sound nearly as good as the 25, and I just fought that amp the whole time I owned it. Thought I was done with Marks until the Mark IVa. Amazing. Blew me away. Excellent metal tones and good cleans, which is really all I need. But this amp had a ton of problems while I had it, and I had to send it back to Mesa 3 times during its 2 years with me. Shortly after sending it out the first time (which was within 3 months of owning it), I bought a IVb. This was the one I loved the most. And it was the most insanely loud amp I have ever owned. Cranked, I could not hear my drummer playing in the same room. Slightly more modern tone, with a tighter low end than the IVa, and a better clean channel. Rocked that amp as my gigging and practice amp for a couple of years, and would have no issues doing it again. Currently don't own a Mark series because I have moved on to a different kind of heavy tone.
The V25 is awesome if you need Mark tone for your house. Playing in a metal band, it didn't cut it. Enter Mark V...no dice. Didn't sound nearly as good as the 25, and I just fought that amp the whole time I owned it. Thought I was done with Marks until the Mark IVa. Amazing. Blew me away. Excellent metal tones and good cleans, which is really all I need. But this amp had a ton of problems while I had it, and I had to send it back to Mesa 3 times during its 2 years with me. Shortly after sending it out the first time (which was within 3 months of owning it), I bought a IVb. This was the one I loved the most. And it was the most insanely loud amp I have ever owned. Cranked, I could not hear my drummer playing in the same room. Slightly more modern tone, with a tighter low end than the IVa, and a better clean channel. Rocked that amp as my gigging and practice amp for a couple of years, and would have no issues doing it again. Currently don't own a Mark series because I have moved on to a different kind of heavy tone.
Little B
Well-known member
To the opening post,
Play as many mks as you can,they are very different beasts than rectos.Keep in mind as you demo various mks , probably from the 80s& 90s,that some may need caps,tubes,etc.I just had Mike B. service my 84'iic+ and red stripe coli.Many here like thier mk ivs, I own a mki ivb and like it,but the ch 2 is weak,although if you really tweak it,its not too bad.
I'm actually debating a mk 25 vs 35..already own the other mks w/ mk iii coli being my fav.
I would also recommend just go for it and call mesa, they're really great people and from my experience with them ,they didnt try to push the latest flavor on me.
Play as many mks as you can,they are very different beasts than rectos.Keep in mind as you demo various mks , probably from the 80s& 90s,that some may need caps,tubes,etc.I just had Mike B. service my 84'iic+ and red stripe coli.Many here like thier mk ivs, I own a mki ivb and like it,but the ch 2 is weak,although if you really tweak it,its not too bad.
I'm actually debating a mk 25 vs 35..already own the other mks w/ mk iii coli being my fav.
I would also recommend just go for it and call mesa, they're really great people and from my experience with them ,they didnt try to push the latest flavor on me.