Who's Still Playing Their Mark V?

[thiswaythatway]

Just a quick response to the 10, 45 & 90 watt power setting option questions.....
Yes, the channel power selection does make a significant difference in tone and feel of the amp because each setting (10, 45 & 90) offers a completely different power amp configuration.....each of which sound very different.

Basically, the MkV not only offers 3 completely independent channels....each with 3 different modes, but also each with 3 different power configurations.

Couple that with the added footswitchable GEQ, Reverb, Effects Loop and Solo Boost capabilities and the alternate option to bypass the Effects Loop, Master Volume and Solo Boost circuit altogether (which some prefer). By all means.....experiment with this amp!

If one can't find awesome sounds offered in the MkV for any musical style/application.....then clearly it isn't the right amp for them.

IMO the MkV offers incredible flexibility unmatched by any other amp I have ever played or owned, and I am able to achieve excellent tones for my needs in many modes and power settings of all 3 channels. My .02

But for all the different tones the V does, the few great tones a good IIC+ does sounded better to me than anything you can dial in on the V. Heck, I even prefer the IV and the III over the V. They sound more alive and raw and the V sounds a bit hollow and flat in comparison.

I was a doubter of the MKIIC hype until plugging in to one. It was downtown Atlanta at the Guitar center on a Saturday morning. Some guy in there, customer, was saying how he had one, blah blah and knew how to dial it in. I know 2 guys that work ther a bit. We ended up getting it dialed in for some molten metal and ended up taking turns jamming on it. Got loud enough to have to close the doors on the vintage gear roon the amp was in. We all were amazed by the real thing. Of course I bought it. The MKV is good. I bought one 2 years ago. Not hating. It just is not really close to the MKIIC in the higher gain settings. The IIC is a superb clean and edge of breakup amp as well. I think it is a better move to find a IIC which Mesa can modify to a true +, and spend just a little more money to get a truly epic amp.

I like Mesa. They seem to have come out with a good new amp in the Dyne. The mini Rec is a solid marketing move. But they have been smoking their own hype in some other areas. Kinda like a boss that can't tell the difference between real honest feedback and someone blowing smoke up their ass. Poor decisions get made. Several attempts at Brit type tones and the culmination of the Mark series is now an amp that models the old ones?

Oh yeah, and an owners manual for the V that calls MKIIC+ owners tone snobs that paid too much! Priceless! Gotta give that the marketing douche bag move of the decade.

There were a few of us who sold our IV's when the V came out like me and Chad and while we were initially excited, we both talked about the amp and admitted it wasn't what we thought it would be. So I knew it wasn't just me. After a few months of never getting it to sound as agressive as Mark III's and never getting the same feel I did from the IIC+'s I sold it.

Funny thing is, I much prefer the Electra Dyne by a mile over the V because throw a good OD pedal at it and you're done. No tweaking no modes, no BS, just a kickass tone with this bottom end whoomp that the V doesn't have. I still like the Mark series but next to other amps they always sound thin or hollow in comparison to me. Funny how Mesa went on their Brit high gain quest and I find their marketing fucking retarded, I think the best amps they make now are the Dyne and Royal Atlantic. Guess I just moved away from the Mark series.

 

[Valtyr]

I recently got a Mark III, the first and only Mark series amp I have had a chance to play. Unless something unrepairable happens to this amp, I can't see myself bothering with anything else.

 

[loudgtr]

Never played a Mark V but this dude's sure sounds great, not to mention his playing is stellar This Video should be its own thread...its that good.

Marco Sfogli:

Another Killer video with the decriptiions mentioning the Mark V as well:

Wow! Haven't heard this guy before. I don't usually care for the instrumental, shredder type but he has a feel and melodic sense I really dig. NIce vids

Yeah I really enjoy this style and playing For me the tone is killer! Missing the Marshall kerrang blah blah blah but I already have that tone covered and I can see this tone being a blast to play with. Would love to know this guys Mark V settings and scribble them down incase I ever get a chance to spend some time with one

 

[gibson5413]

Just a quick response to the 10, 45 & 90 watt power setting option questions.....
Yes, the channel power selection does make a significant difference in tone and feel of the amp because each setting (10, 45 & 90) offers a completely different power amp configuration.....each of which sound very different.

Basically, the MkV not only offers 3 completely independent channels....each with 3 different modes, but also each with 3 different power configurations.

Couple that with the added footswitchable GEQ, Reverb, Effects Loop and Solo Boost capabilities and the alternate option to bypass the Effects Loop, Master Volume and Solo Boost circuit altogether (which some prefer). By all means.....experiment with this amp!

If one can't find awesome sounds offered in the MkV for any musical style/application.....then clearly it isn't the right amp for them.

IMO the MkV offers incredible flexibility unmatched by any other amp I have ever played or owned, and I am able to achieve excellent tones for my needs in many modes and power settings of all 3 channels. My .02

But for all the different tones the V does, the few great tones a good IIC+ does sounded better to me than anything you can dial in on the V. Heck, I even prefer the IV and the III over the V. They sound more alive and raw and the V sounds a bit hollow and flat in comparison.

I was a doubter of the MKIIC hype until plugging in to one. It was downtown Atlanta at the Guitar center on a Saturday morning. Some guy in there, customer, was saying how he had one, blah blah and knew how to dial it in. I know 2 guys that work ther a bit. We ended up getting it dialed in for some molten metal and ended up taking turns jamming on it. Got loud enough to have to close the doors on the vintage gear roon the amp was in. We all were amazed by the real thing. Of course I bought it. The MKV is good. I bought one 2 years ago. Not hating. It just is not really close to the MKIIC in the higher gain settings. The IIC is a superb clean and edge of breakup amp as well. I think it is a better move to find a IIC which Mesa can modify to a true +, and spend just a little more money to get a truly epic amp.

I like Mesa. They seem to have come out with a good new amp in the Dyne. The mini Rec is a solid marketing move. But they have been smoking their own hype in some other areas. Kinda like a boss that can't tell the difference between real honest feedback and someone blowing smoke up their ass. Poor decisions get made. Several attempts at Brit type tones and the culmination of the Mark series is now an amp that models the old ones?

Oh yeah, and an owners manual for the V that calls MKIIC+ owners tone snobs that paid too much! Priceless! Gotta give that the marketing douche bag move of the decade.

There were a few of us who sold our IV's when the V came out like me and Chad and while we were initially excited, we both talked about the amp and admitted it wasn't what we thought it would be. So I knew it wasn't just me. After a few months of never getting it to sound as agressive as Mark III's and never getting the same feel I did from the IIC+'s I sold it.

Funny thing is, I much prefer the Electra Dyne by a mile over the V because throw a good OD pedal at it and you're done. No tweaking no modes, no BS, just a kickass tone with this bottom end whoomp that the V doesn't have. I still like the Mark series but next to other amps they always sound thin or hollow in comparison to me. Funny how Mesa went on their Brit high gain quest and I find their marketing fucking retarded, I think the best amps they make now are the Dyne and Royal Atlantic. Guess I just moved away from the Mark series.

Must say that I +1 Dan here. I sold my original (and beloved) Mark IV for one of the first production Vs. I was stoked because everything I read and heard made it sound as if it would be everything I loved and more. I played it for 3 months and sold it. Cleans were great and channel 2 was okay but I was severely disappointed with channel 3. Dan and I talked about it and something was either missing or whatever they added made it hard to like the results. There was a layer of grit that was really unpleasant to my ears that I could never dial out. I was bummed I sold the IV. I have heard or read that about a year into making the Vs they got better. Some clips have sounded better than the one I owned but I will not own one again. I am happy with the IV and can't imagine myself playing another version of the Mark series amps. I did like the IIC+ I owned but like having the clean channel. No offense to anyone that loves it (speaking about the V).

Let me add, I know how to dial in a Mark series amp (just in case someone posts that I needed to spend more time with it). I have been playing Mark amps for 8 years and get them. The IV is for me. What I would love to do is add a great Fender combo amp to go with the IV. Searing gain from the Mark IV and clean blusey overdrive from the Fender.

Carry on!

 

[Jofipe]

you dont know how to dial in a Mark series amp

 

[sjk]

you dont know how to dial in a Mark series amp

Have you actually owned a Mark IIC+ III or IV. If not there is nothing credible about your assesment that the Mark V is the best end all Mark amp.

 

[Jofipe]

Not a IIc+, but a IV. Anyways.. that statement was obviously a joke.

Whatever floats your boat.. I found the V to have a bigger tone, especially in the IV mode in triode setting.

Played through a IIc+ and a IV, but no, not head to head with the V. I found the V to be more crisp and in general and from what i felt it has an improved tone that stands out and jumps right at you.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Just a quick response to the 10, 45 & 90 watt power setting option questions.....
Yes, the channel power selection does make a significant difference in tone and feel of the amp because each setting (10, 45 & 90) offers a completely different power amp configuration.....each of which sound very different.

Basically, the MkV not only offers 3 completely independent channels....each with 3 different modes, but also each with 3 different power configurations.

Couple that with the added footswitchable GEQ, Reverb, Effects Loop and Solo Boost capabilities and the alternate option to bypass the Effects Loop, Master Volume and Solo Boost circuit altogether (which some prefer). By all means.....experiment with this amp!

If one can't find awesome sounds offered in the MkV for any musical style/application.....then clearly it isn't the right amp for them.

IMO the MkV offers incredible flexibility unmatched by any other amp I have ever played or owned, and I am able to achieve excellent tones for my needs in many modes and power settings of all 3 channels. My .02

But for all the different tones the V does, the few great tones a good IIC+ does sounded better to me than anything you can dial in on the V. Heck, I even prefer the IV and the III over the V. They sound more alive and raw and the V sounds a bit hollow and flat in comparison.

I was a doubter of the MKIIC hype until plugging in to one. It was downtown Atlanta at the Guitar center on a Saturday morning. Some guy in there, customer, was saying how he had one, blah blah and knew how to dial it in. I know 2 guys that work ther a bit. We ended up getting it dialed in for some molten metal and ended up taking turns jamming on it. Got loud enough to have to close the doors on the vintage gear roon the amp was in. We all were amazed by the real thing. Of course I bought it. The MKV is good. I bought one 2 years ago. Not hating. It just is not really close to the MKIIC in the higher gain settings. The IIC is a superb clean and edge of breakup amp as well. I think it is a better move to find a IIC which Mesa can modify to a true +, and spend just a little more money to get a truly epic amp.

I like Mesa. They seem to have come out with a good new amp in the Dyne. The mini Rec is a solid marketing move. But they have been smoking their own hype in some other areas. Kinda like a boss that can't tell the difference between real honest feedback and someone blowing smoke up their ass. Poor decisions get made. Several attempts at Brit type tones and the culmination of the Mark series is now an amp that models the old ones?

Oh yeah, and an owners manual for the V that calls MKIIC+ owners tone snobs that paid too much! Priceless! Gotta give that the marketing douche bag move of the decade.

There were a few of us who sold our IV's when the V came out like me and Chad and while we were initially excited, we both talked about the amp and admitted it wasn't what we thought it would be. So I knew it wasn't just me. After a few months of never getting it to sound as agressive as Mark III's and never getting the same feel I did from the IIC+'s I sold it.

Funny thing is, I much prefer the Electra Dyne by a mile over the V because throw a good OD pedal at it and you're done. No tweaking no modes, no BS, just a kickass tone with this bottom end whoomp that the V doesn't have. I still like the Mark series but next to other amps they always sound thin or hollow in comparison to me. Funny how Mesa went on their Brit high gain quest and I find their marketing fucking retarded, I think the best amps they make now are the Dyne and Royal Atlantic. Guess I just moved away from the Mark series.

I have heard or read that about a year into making the Vs they got better. Some clips have sounded better than the one I owned but I will not own one again. :

I played a few Mark V's in a weeks time some months ago, all in Guitar Centers, there are 7 GC's near me Anyway, a few of the V's really sounded like ass, just vanilla sounding and thin. But 1 was a total standout from the others as it sounded.........like a good Mark IV Well, that's just the 3rd channel. I do prefer crunch on the V over R2 on the IV. And someone mentioned that Mesa did do a slight change somewhere around SN 2k, something like that. Since Mesa does make changes to their amps over time well see if they can tweak it even more because the good one I played was a rippin amp, as long as you like the Mark tone. But the IIC+ amps to me sounded different from all of them. Maybe because they had less going on with them. If anything they had less gain but they sounded much less congested and compressed.

But Chad, from the clips you posted the V you had reminded me a lot of the one I had. It just wasn't very inspiring to play, but that one I played at a GC sounded better than the one I had and it was a later serial number.

 

[gibson5413]

I have heard or read that about a year into making the Vs they got better. Some clips have sounded better than the one I owned but I will not own one again. :

I played a few Mark V's in a weeks time some months ago, all in Guitar Centers, there are 7 GC's near me Anyway, a few of the V's really sounded like ass, just vanilla sounding and thin. But 1 was a total standout from the others as it sounded.........like a good Mark IV Well, that's just the 3rd channel. I do prefer crunch on the V over R2 on the IV. And someone mentioned that Mesa did do a slight change somewhere around SN 2k, something like that. Since Mesa does make changes to their amps over time well see if they can tweak it even more because the good one I played was a rippin amp, as long as you like the Mark tone. But the IIC+ amps to me sounded different from all of them. Maybe because they had less going on with them. If anything they had less gain but they sounded much less congested and compressed.

But Chad, from the clips you posted the V you had reminded me a lot of the one I had. It just wasn't very inspiring to play, but that one I played at a GC sounded better than the one I had and it was a later serial number.

I totally agree. It wasn't fun to play. I would turn on the amp and shut it down after an hour feeling lost. Every once in a while I will listen to one of those clips I made and feel blown away how bad it sounded. It sounded really boxy and overly compressed. I like some compression but that was weird. The funny thing is spend about 65% of the time with my current Mark IV on RHY2 with my BB Preamp. I actually have gotten a really cool lead tone and the rhythm tones are great for rock. Man, things change over time. It probably has more to do with my age and change in tastes. I do love the Mark IV. Would be cool to try a III sometime but will most likely just add a Fender combo amp at some point for blusey overdrive tones.

 

[some dude]

And someone mentioned that Mesa did do a slight change somewhere around SN 2k, something like that.

So far as I know the only change that's been made is that they replaced the tube protector bar on the back with a screen... something they did to all their amps at the same time.

Long story short, a year or two back there was a dude on this forum that owned a first run Mark V and hated it. A few years later he tried another one in a store and really liked it. Without any evidence he guessed that they must have made changes to the amp and when he heard they changed the tube guard he assumed they must have made changes to the PCB at the same time. Next thing you know he posts a thread on it and one man's rumour became another one of those internet facts.

My theory is that if Mesa did start producing a Mark VB a few years ago it would be well known complete with schematics by now.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Mesa doesn't publicize every update/revision unless they benefit from it, I wouldn't put it past them just imo.

 

[philb]

After comparing the iv and V side by side for a while, I find that they are different. (ch 3).
My main beef with exteme mode was the lack of bass and missing some sizzle. The mark iv mode cured some of that but I like the extreme mode better.
Anyway, after fiddlng, I found that running the channel volume lower (around 9 o'clock) retored all the bass on the extreme mode. i wa previously running it close to halfway.
Anyway, i'm still tweeking the damn thing and I really like the tone. I'm still keeping the mk iv though as it has it's own thing going.
I wish I could try or find a mk iic+ to compare but they are rare and to be honest, I would be afraid of bringing it to a gig

 

[gibson5413]

After comparing the iv and V side by side for a while, I find that they are different. (ch 3).
My main beef with exteme mode was the lack of bass and missing some sizzle. The mark iv mode cured some of that but I like the extreme mode better.
Anyway, after fiddlng, I found that running the channel volume lower (around 9 o'clock) retored all the bass on the extreme mode. i wa previously running it close to halfway.
Anyway, i'm still tweeking the damn thing and I really like the tone. I'm still keeping the mk iv though as it has it's own thing going.
I wish I could try or find a mk iic+ to compare but they are rare and to be honest, I would be afraid of bringing it to a gig

Phil knows tone. All of your clips have sounded great.

 

[gibson5413]

Mesa doesn't publicize every update/revision unless they benefit from it, I wouldn't put it past them just imo.

I agree. In addition, Mesa doesn't owe anyone an explanation of changes or schematics for their amps. I know Tom Anderson makes minor adjustments or part changes to guitars from time to time without explanation unless someone asks him. He has been great about full disclosure when asked but for the most part just tries to make his guitars better regardless of announcements. I don't claim to know Mesa's standard practice for communicating revisions but they certainly aren't required to do so. Maybe my Mark V was a dud but all I know is that my IV is great and I enjoy it. If the V works for you, awesome!

 

[some dude]

Mesa doesn't publicize every update/revision unless they benefit from it, I wouldn't put it past them just imo.

If Mesa announces even a minor update the hype generated will cause people who didn't buy the last revision to go try the new one, plus the sales generated as people sell off their old Mark VA for a Mark VB.

Long story short... I'm not saying that Mesa hasn't made changes, just that the whole "The amp I briefly tried in the store sounded better than I remember my old one sounding" isn't exactly proof that they made an update. All it does is prove that the amp in the store sounded better than his old one, and we all know that there's a whole list of reasons why two amps that are made exactly the same will sound different. If someone should present something more concrete I'll happily change my tune, until then I'm going to be a dickhead and try to kill this internet myth every time I see it.

 

[skoora]

Because of the liveliness of the thread I decided to go demo a V again and pretty much sealed the deal for me. I just can't jive with the top end on this amp. Very pinched to my ears. I even tried a different cab with different speakers. Plus the medium gain sounds at first have a good roar to them but as I really listened there was a wash to it. A lack of distinction in the notes. I'm glad a lot of guys have found "it" with this amp but I'm crossing it off my list. MK1 setting is still a blast though when the GEQ is used.

 

[Mauler]

As the current owner of danyeo's old V I have to say that after just firing it up now I still love it. I mean, I lack the experience of other guys here, but to me, this amp is all I need tonally for what I do. I have even compared it to a friends Australian voltage V with the new tube cover and to be honest they both sounded pretty killer when given a bit of volume, even though he has replaced all his tubes with high end ones. Also his Port City cabs sound a bit bigger than the 2x12 Recto cab I have.

One thing that I found funny was that I was using settings I got from a Petrucci clinic a couple years back is the perfect sound for Ch 3 on this amp for me. I have set them and left them there only to be changed when friends come over and they want me to add a bit of this or a bit of that as their finger tone is different then I revert back to where I like it. Anyway I tried out the JP settings posted on his twitter a while back and it sounded too scooped for my taste and since I hadn't had to look at the amp in a while I forgot what my usual settings were, I took the time to explore the channel a bit more and when i dialled in a good sound, I went and changed strings on my guitar and then the amp sounded too bright.

I find it funny how many people get all defensive of Mark's and their response is "you don't know how to dial them in". I mean it does take time, but listen with your ears, they will tell you what is missing (bass/treble/mids).

There was a thread on here a while back regarding an amp day we had a studio in Perth and for my tastes I liked my amp the most of all. That was when I knew I made the right choice by getting a V, as the core tone was spot on and then nothing was even close versatility-wise.

(img removed as gain setting was on full for whatever reason)

 

[steve_k]

I've owned IIC+, III RS, IVa, and V. The thing about the V is that if it is your first Mark Series amp, you will probably like it a hell of a lot more than if you had owned the originals before it. I think you are always trying to find the predecessor tones in the amp then get frustrated when they aren't there. However, it is still a damn fine amp in its own right and very functional. I think Mesa really struggled with the artist relations endorsements and getting career players to replace their IIC+ and IV's with V's. I wouldn't doubt they have made some tweaks though. They had that nasty little Simulclass problem to solve right out of the gate. Being their 3rd year of production and with artist suggestions, you can be assured a couple things have changed in the amp.

That said, I think a reissue of the IIC+ would be a gold mine for Mesa.

Steve

 

[Bullen]

The V vs earlier Marks... hm... I don´t know...They are all different, but share a common tonality. Some are better at certain things,

I´ve owned a lot of Mesa amps through the years, 2 ch Dual recto, Roadster, quad/2:90, Dc-5, a IIB and 3 different Mark IV´s (both version A and B). I still have the Roadster, a red stripe fully loaded Mark III, a Mark IVB and the Mark V. So I have some knowledge about Mesa amps.

I love my Mark V, just like I love my Mark III and my Mark IV. Never owned a IIC+, but I have played one often (a friend owns a fully loaded one) and it really is the King of Boogies. No, the V doesn´t nail it. It´s sort of in the ballpark but not quite there. But I do like the C+ mode on the V for what it is.

I do feel that the V is the best version yet, mainly for it´s versitility. But I do also love the way it sounds. No, it´s not as agressive as my III or as midrange grindy as my IV. But I feel that the smooth lead sounds are better on the V. Both my III and IV are slightly better at the high gain heavy rhythm stuff. They are a bit thicker and chunkier. The V is also very good at this sound, but lacks a bit of the necessary grind. But I do feel that the cleans are way better on the V and they finally delivered a more usable 2nd channel.

Like some of you guys, I didn´t quite like the V at first, it sounded a bit thin and buzzy to me, and sorta mushy in the lows, lacking the tight thumping lows of the earlier Marks. But after some dialing (and changing the V1 tube to a Ruby 12ax7ACZ HG+. Yeah, it´s a JJ tube like the V comes with stock, but it did change the tone of the amp quite a bit), the amp got a lot warmer and fuller sounding to me.

I guess what I´m trying to say is, that in my opinion the Mark V is a great mark series amp!

 

[stephen sawall]

Because of the liveliness of the thread I decided to go demo a V again and pretty much sealed the deal for me. I just can't jive with the top end on this amp. Very pinched to my ears. I even tried a different cab with different speakers. Plus the medium gain sounds at first have a good roar to them but as I really listened there was a wash to it. A lack of distinction in the notes. I'm glad a lot of guys have found "it" with this amp but I'm crossing it off my list. MK1 setting is still a blast though when the GEQ is used.

Ever play on a real Mark I or Heartbreaker ?..... pretty different than the other Mark's much more of a Fender type thing in my ears.
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MESA BOOGIE MARK III COLISEUM 300 HEAD RED STRIPE .... is my personal favorite. If I was looking for a Mark this would be the one.....