All user reviews of 5/5 for the Mesa Boogie Mark V Combo

see documentation.

UTILIZATION

Easier than you think. It is not more complicated than the mark set V three separate amps, or three times the same amp for three different sounds. So do not worry about the mass of buttons. There are a number for each channel fairly ordinary settings.

SOUNDS

I play on an old Telecaster with a soft, for a Telecaster.
Channel 1: The way fat is my favorite with the bold option. It gives a velvety quite enjoyable for the neck pickup jazz, funk on both pickups. The tweed is fat, saturates slightly, I prefer to use the second channel for crunch sounds.

Channel 2: Channel blues! Impressive. We manage the level of crunch with the gain and master knobs. It is more difficult to adjust,'m still not quite to the point of this option canal.mode mark 1 mark 1 and normal.

Channel 3: Mark IV mode, normal and gain high enough. Santana is not far. Finally, he had opted for a Telecaster.

But more importantly, the equalizer output, how wonderful! I can not believe it. The "solo" is also great. It was actually a kind of second volume knob. Is adjusted so the two buttons and two levels of the switching from one to the other of the toe.

OVERALL OPINION

To play in an apartment, it's great with the volume. How others do not they think? This is crazy! It has a great sound to work without waking the cat! This is beautiful.

For small rooms, it is ideal for the same reason, we can do heat lamps and lower sound. It seems so simple.

For large rooms, careful not to cover the sound was quick to release. But if the conductor grimace, do not worry, just turn down the sound without changing anything else in its settings across all channels. It's amazing how it restores the smile around!

I play big band with drums, bass, percu, two keyboards, seven or eight brass (two trumpets, two flutes Transverse. Funk From? Channel 1 and it is clear. A solo? Hop, the magic button. Was happening on a boogie, and channel 2 to pass copper channel 3 with a gain to melt the ice. everywhere I go without touching anything with the nine sounds underfoot. pedal-board is the in the closet, and I go Now with a single jack, and without any battery in my bag.

The Grail has a price. In occase is more accessible, but it is quick to spend the savings lamps, there is a package. We still three amps for the price of one, and one sees Pedals shops that exceed 500 euros. That puts the price of the beast. I played for 25 years on my Boogie Studio 22-channel engineering, sounds breathtaking for such a small box, but I did not have enough headroom with brass, and not enough accuracy levels between clean / saturated. Well the mark V is all, much better. I had a music man 112, and I played on some other (fender silverface, more modern as supersonic). The Mark V is any better, and so much more convenient ...

Before making your choice, remember that weighs 30 kg (but well balanced, unlike a twin), the wheels are not too many. Do not buy this amp if you are in an apartment without a lift, or it will soon be in the classifieds section, sold due health problem (ouch my back!). Apart from the issue of weight he shares with most quality amps, it is incomparable. I do not see what could make me change outside even with 20 kg less.

The Mark V is an incredibly versatile amplifier solution, offering three distinctly voiced channels covering a plethora of tones ranging from telecaster friendly cleans to highly saturated lead tones. It is possible to select the wattage rating for each channel from 10, 45, and 90 watts. The amp can be switched between pentode and triode operation on channel 3 to further fine tune the feel of the gain. You have some control over diode or tube rectification on channels 1 and 2 but it is only available in the 45 watt mode. The onboard reverb can be set for each channel separately as well. The Mark V runs on Mesa's own 6L6 tubes. I enjoyed the build of the foot switch and it's ability to both mute the amp and defeat the reverb.

UTILIZATION

I found the MkV to be challenging to dial in at times. While it is not difficult to find a pleasant sound using generic settings, the amp took a great deal of adjusting to get it just right. The included graphic EQ is essential for coaxing higher gain tones from the amp. The 1x12 is plenty loud but lacks the low end emphasis that you may desire. I favored running the combo through an external 4x12 cab.

SOUNDS

Played primarily through a Gibson Les Paul Studio Premium Plus. No pedals.

I found the clean channel to be beautiful and 3 dimensional. The onboard reverb really brought out the charm of this channel and made it one of my personal favorites of the amp. The fat setting delivers a useable amount of low end while the tweed option introduces some gainy characteristics for Vox-like sounds.

Channel 2 was the most difficult to dial in. I found the edge setting to be mostly useless, the crunch setting delievered a very warm iteration of the classic Marshall mid gain sounds. The Mk1 setting had a cool vibe to it but I felt too often that it's lowend was the least intelligible.

Channel 3 was very simple to dial in. The Mkiic+ mode, while being more restrained than the Mkiv or Extreme settings, was the absolute star of the show. It is possible to get singing lead tones even with the gain set relatively low. The bright switch added a sweetness to the sound that had me leaving it engaged almost permanently. Introducing a smile curve on the graphic EQ allows for a lot more aggressiveness. The Mkiv mode allowed for more saturation without having to push the gain quite as high. The Extreme mode followed adding only a subtle amount of extra saturation and aggression to the mix-- but seemed the least articulate of the three.

OVERALL OPINION

The Mark is a beautiful amp, both visually and aurally. The control layout is clean and well thought out.
It's feature set is very strong for the current market. It is a world class channel switcher and it's only competition are mostly amps that dwarf it's price point (such as the Bogner Ecstasy). Excellent value for money, excellent design methodologies, excellent amp. While I found very little use for some of the sounds offered, that by no means renders them unnecessary and I'm pleased to see the amount of options offered. If I purchased the amp again I would choose a head to pair with a 4x12. But if you are looking for a combo exclusively, you'll still be very pleased.

Mesa Boogie Mark V. All tube preamp and 4 power tubes, simulclass so it can be 4x6L6 or 2x6L6 and 2xEL34. 3 channels, 3 modes to each channel, switchable 90/45/10 watts, full power and variac power switch, individual channel EQ as well as programmable graphic EQ for each channel. Individual channel reverb, tube or transistor rectifier, pentode or triode switching for the lead channel, all controllable via midi foot switch (included). This amp can replace an entire rack of amps and EQ's. It's just amazing all the things they put into this and still made it cheaper than other boutique style amps. Made here in the USA in California.

UTILIZATION

Mesa Boogies have been known for being notorious at setting up. Takes quite a while to get a good tone but once you do it's amazing. This breaks that chain, it's very easy to setup and get a great tone. Each channel has tons of options but very easy to understand. Simple controls: Gain, treble, bass, mid, presence, volume. Then there's the modes. Channel 1 has: clean, fat, tweed. Channel 2 has: crunch, edge, Mark I. Channel 3 has: IIC+, IV, extreme. The manual, like all Mesa manuals, are very descriptive and explain everything in great detail. Makes the amp very easy to understand.


SOUNDS

Clean is a normal mesa style clean which is similar to a Fender, very bright, sparkly, and shimmering. Fat is similar but thicker so works well with single coil pickups. Tweed shifts the treble and mid controls to a lower frequency so along with it being slightly hotter it just has a overall different sound.

Crunch is the first of the mid gain modes. Slight overdrive to it, similar to a overdriven marshall but not as much. Edge is the same but with more gain on tap. Mark I is a recreation at the legendary Mesa Mark I used by artists such as Santana. Very thick, creamy, and smooth with huge low end. Great for bluesy leads, this mode has much more gain than the other 2 modes.

IIC+ is a recreation of the also legendary Mesa Mark IIC+. Used widely in metal music by artists such as MetallicA and John Petrucci of Dream Theatre. Much higher gain, very tight, and more aggressive than the other channels. It's not dead on to a real IIC+ but it's got a very similar voicing. IV is again a recreation of the Mesa Mark IV. Also widely used by artists such as MetallicA (debatable), John Petrucci of Dream Theatre, and Lamb Of God. This has much more gain that the IIC+, is tighter, but isn't as smooth sounding. Extreme is also based off the Mark IV but on the original Mark IV the presence knob was push/ pull. Pulled out was normal mode, pushed in increased gain and made the amp brighter with a sharper attack, so basically a more extreme sound.

OVERALL OPINION

There's not really anything I can say I dislike about the amp. It has less gain and is less aggressive than my Mark III but that's expected, it's not recreating the aggressive Mark III, rather the smoother IIC+ and IV. So that's not a downside to me. This may not recreate each amp perfectly but it does a great job and has a sound all it's own. I'd strongly recommend it to anyone for any style.

1 x 12" Combo with C90 Speaker
10/45/90 Watts
4x6L6 (or 4xEL34), 7x12AX7, 1x5U4
Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
Full Power/Variac Power Switch
3 Fully Independent Channels with 9 Modes
Footswitchable, Channel Assignable or True Bypassable All-Tube FX Loop with Send Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Footswitchable Solo Level Control
True "Hard" Bypass Switch removes FX Loops, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
Slave Out w/Level Control
Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
External Switching Jacks for Channels 2, 3 (channel 1 is default), EQ & Solo
Aluminum Chassis
4x4 — 8 Button Footswitch
Casters
Slip Cover
22.5" W x 19" H x 10.5" D
Simul-Class Power Amp with Multi-Watt and Duo-Class technologies for 3 power and three operating class options
Wattages are channel assignable via 10/45/90 Watt Power Switches
Choose 2 power tubes operating in pure vintage Class A (single-ended), producing 10 Watts
2 tubes running in time-honored Class A/B producing 45 Watts
4 tubes running in Mesa's patented Simul-Class Power that blends the best of Class A and Class A/B simultaneously to produce 90 Watts

UTILIZATION

I don't give a lot of these 10 ratings out, but this is a perfect amplifier. The Mark V can produce nearly any natural guitar tone one can think of at three convenient wattages. 3 separate channels can each be configured for seemingly infinite options, changing gain structure, EQ curves, and the overall feel. This amp can achieve convincing results of nearly any of Mesa's past beauties, yet without any modeling - it's all tubes, transistors, resistors, transformers, diodes...no chips.

SOUNDS

The reverb may possibly be the best reverb I've heard in an amplifier - it's a nice spring verb that can be set for different levels on each channel, so switching from clean to dirty to liquid soloing doesn't have to include an extra step of fumbling with turning on or off the reverb as well.

Cleans are sparkly, glassy, and can get gritty if desired. Distortions range from 50s power amp distortion sounds to modern death metal, and absolutely everything in between. The EQ is incredibly powerful, letting one carve to surgical precision the desired tonal timbre.

OVERALL OPINION

This may be the greatest tube amp I've yet played. The options are vast, yet it is easy to get a great sound of. The vacuum tube was obsoleted in the 1960s and 70s for most electronic products, but this amplifier may be the crowning achievement of any tube circuit. Mesa thought of everything on this amp - they included a fan to cool the circuit to prevent overheating, yet it has an on/off switch in case silent operation is necessary, such as for studio applications. This amp is a perfect 10.

Specifications:

- Choose between 2 power tubes for 10 watts of Class A (Single Ended), 2 lamps to 45 watts Class A / B or 4 lights for a power of 90 Watts Simul-Class, Class A and mixing Class A / B: 4x6L6 (or 4xEL-34), 7x12AX7, 1x5U4.
- Select 6L6/EL34 Bias.
- Full Power Switch / Variac Power ™.
- 3 independent channels (Channel 1 = Clean, Fat or Tweed ™, Channel 2 = Edge, Crunch and Mark I ™, Channel 3 = Mark IIC + ™ Mark IV ™ and Extreme).
- Switch Normal / Bold on channel 1, Switch Normal / Thick on channel 2 (of Mark mode I), Switch Normal & Bright & Switch Pentode / Triode on channel 3.
- Each channel provides: Gain independent Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master Control Depth Contour self-assignable or activated via pedals, Long Spring Reverb light activated all the pedals, Rectifier Tracking ™ which automatically selects the lamps for all modes 10 Watts, diodes for all modes 90 watts, lamp or diode choice for 45 Watts modes on channel 1 & 2, diode mode for 45 watts on channel 3.
- 5-band graphic EQ pedal and activated via assignable per channel. You can choose the graphic EQ or Bass, Mid, Treble preamps or opt for the Variable Depth Contour.
- True Bypass all activated via lamp bracket and assignable channel controls with "Send Level" (on all channels when activated).
- Output Level (all channels when activated).
- Solo activated via control pedals (on all channels when activated).
- Tuner Output with Mute via pedals.
- Slave Out with level control.
- Fan with Switch On / Off.
- Aluminum Chassis.
- New 4x4 pedal 8 buttons: - Front row: Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo. - Top row: Reverb, Effects Loop, EQ & mute function of the tuner.
- Comes with cover.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is it simple?
Yes to a Mesa amp Böögg

The manual is clear and sufficient?
Unfortunately it is in English but hey three amps in a not too need the manual because buttons speak for themselves

Do you get a good sound easy?
So then you plug it sounds live !!!!! it's very high-end !!!!!!!

SOUNDS

Right for your style of music?
I play in three teams with three different style from jazz to fusion to metal to blues and it goes perfectly with all the style is the most versatile amp I had.

What kind of sound you get
it's going to clear the crystal clear soup for channel 1. Of rock crunch to overdrive typed 70 for channel 2 and has a soft distortion santana the largest type disto por mettallica Channel 3

With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?
I play with a Gibson Les Paul Push Tone and Epiphone Night Hawk on which I set up an SH13 and SH1 Hot rail, a whawha satriani and I turned all other effects not have seen the purity of her! !

What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?
I love everything about this amp is nothing to throw away!!

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
I know one day it might tell me but I spent 10 hours in the day to grind in every way!!

What is so special that you like most and least?
what I like most is it true versatility. What I like less weight and price (well above my banker <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" /> )

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I aissayé lot of amp in my music career but this is top notch. I had to marshall combo and I was head of the lamp or the big fender line 6 I tested a diesel in mind also very good but not below 50W switshable I tried Alchimist home Bogner the head can also disappointed.
How would you rate the quality / price?
Ben is the mesa when you love what you do not count is not it. No serious when j'ia heard that the Mark V came out I was expecting something on the order of 5000 or 6000 Euros 3000 euro is reasonable when one sees and hears the beast ...
With experience, you do again this choice?
Again!!

Trs not useful to complete this box. The site of mesa is quite explicit, and provides more photos.

UTILIZATION

I possd a mark III, a Triax and a v-twin. Currently, I have a 30 F and Martk IV. The Mark V does not sound like any of them ... I mean he can do more. This is not thundering F for 30, but is a little more regarding his two little ERRF. I think it comes from the possibility of playing in 10 watt, with a configuration in pure class A, - that is, not to "push pull", but "single ended". Not need to rectifier (diode or lamp), which gives the sound a compltude sound that left me speechless in the channel clear. The reverb is divine, better than other amps of the brand that have had the chance to try. It is reminiscent of the Lone Star. The Mark V rvle a versatility that is the mark suprieure IV. Attention all the same: it contains some of lments that made her attractive younger trs. Indeed, the gain and potentiomtres prsence are not equipped with the "push", and I do not think the switch "bright" to give the Mark V as great versatile as the Mark IV on this point. In addition, the Mark V does not inter "harmonics / mid gain", which, on the Mark IV, to make the distortion much more sharp and fluid. While the Mark V, it makes up for the gain, prsence and the "bright". Aside from these few remarks, this amp is good trs. In addition, the possibility to bring the power of 10 watts, and because of the excellent re-enable the HP (C 90), we can play low volume while adjusting it to pass without of nothing but two cents of degree.

SOUNDS

Anything goes, except the "correct". The Mark V is a mark, and the line is perptue without being betrayed. It is even sublime. Ingniosit The Randall Smith serves the user, who will pay tribute to the founder of the brand of Petaluma. I wonder why it is about a price so low, taking into account all the possibilities it can offer. Each guitarist will find at least a sound that suits him. The clean sounds are really trsrussis. All filters that the design ingnieuse Mark V offers to allow the user to ring it as you like. As proof, I heard my guitar (neck-Splitt with SH 4 singles) ring for the first time as a stratovolcano, a branch in the canal by 10 watts. I think the setting for power is more important even than the indoor mode used for each channel. Thus, if one switches to 10 watt (pure class A single ended), we feel the life in the Mark V. .. this is a live musical exprience. Mode 2 is that which is by far the most tense. We go from crunch the most lightweight of distos both trs aggressive and sharp, but have ct "liquid" Reserved those of channel 3, even with the switch " eq "we can get closer engaged. J&#39;apprcie mode 3, switch on the &#39;Mark II C +. " The harmonics are waiting for you, but the accuracy of its unforgiving fault. It will give you what you put into it, then it must be expressive, otherwise feel lousy derrire his six-string ... Randall Smith does well to keep the function that the success of The series "Mark" qualiseur the graphic output. The latter, which mark the amlior t V (a "preset" and qualiseur five bands that can operate at the discretion of the user), can make sound trs edge when he is engaged or, if it dbray Confre the "grain mesa", fleshy in mediums. Combining this feature with the "solo" can play, live, in solos that vritables dgagent away from everything else. In other words, no need to mount a rack to ring without being embedded in the mass. This is quite apprciable, is not it? I emphasize all of this intrt qualiseur graphic output, which makes the feeling really DIFFERENT. It was just the feeling of playing with another amp. Channel 3 is the one closest to the sound that dploie the Triax. In particular, the sound of the Mark II C + is also well played by the Mark V as the famous prampli. There are all functions to draw the sound that makes all the pride of Randall Smith. And it is actually a return in the 80 is about. We now understand what rle can play the finesse of rglages and the development of harmonic ... J&#39;apprcie every moment with this amp, which fulfills all its promises. Satisfaction is always by appointment. Money does not buy happiness, but the Mark V to fill any of the same. That the owners of Triax forgive me, but I will allow an incursion into their domain. With the Mark V is discovering that his amp is carved lamps as the prampli by the power amp. From this point of view, I do not regret m&#39;tre spar of Triax.

OVERALL OPINION

2100 sold to US dollars, bought 2800 euros in France. With a euro is now $ 1.47, this gives regrets. This is my Manir to participate in the plan to revive the economy Franaise. I prfre all my other mesa. However, the Mark IV is not relgu the background, far from it.
After a few months in which I play an hour a day, I can say that, whatever my mood, there will always be a channel that will suit me. We must insist on the power of qualiseur graphic output, which can not be Reduces the clbrissime and caricature dsormais curve V. We can find combinations that can rev INTERESTED ringing channel 2 "crunch" (rput have the lowest distortion) as the Mark II C +, with better DEFINITIONS in serious because the saturation level is lower.
The way Mark II C + forgives nothing, and recalls the sound of Metallica in Justice. To give a musical sense, one must have wanted to play. It feels when the heart is not there.
For days without bread or EHJV, we can prfrer channel 3 Mark IV mode. This mode is more flattering and flowing than the Previous. This is the one we use to console the heartache.
In short, the Mark V is a watercolor sketch that will color the paper with the most suitable.
ATTENTION: it is better to change the seven lamps prampli and their prfrer of electro harmonix. That&#39;s what I did a little curiosities by this weekend, and the sound of the amp it is found more alive, more like Dfine. The clean sounds are even more wonderful. The way Mark II C + connate a new life, times brighter, sharper and pure of some mediums. And we feel that the amp is easier to play.

see the features on the net

UTILIZATION

is the amp I know that most respects the sound of your guitar!
then I rediscovered my guitars
and
not have effect
no digital! here
no bluff, no-frills,
if you scratching sounds, you can hear it right away
on the other hand, if you believe it before and it sounded wrong!
the boogie is not lying!
really means the differences between the scratch

SOUNDS

this amp is suitable for 99% of music
THE SOUND IS after a little time to adapt
Versatility is the key word, énorment Action knobs
as soon as you handle it means!
all means are good, sweat clear
My favorite shape with my Start, the canail a tweed
channel 2 crunch,
and in any canal3
but all sounds are of high quality
and I will not say when the switch starts the manual or preset equalizers!
it sends the wood and beautiful wood!
and finishing, it is class, one feels the very high end amp!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 year and I have not even tested the infinite possibilities of sound
Be careful though, it is powerful, very powerful, do not be fooled by its small size
I owned beaucoupd amp but I admit that this one, it is above the others!
is not the same court, it is clear

The Mesa Boogie Mark V was designed by Randall Smith and the team at Boogie to take many of the classic sounds of Mesa Boogie lore (Mark I, Mark IIC+, Mark IV) and mix them with some other great tones (Lone Star esque cleans, slightly broken up British voiced crunch tones and some searing modern high gain sounds too.) Top that off with a myriad of features to alter the sound such as wattage selection, variac power mode, switching between tube rectifiers and silicon diodes, reverb controls per channel... the list goes on and on. The full list from Mesa is as follows:

Simul-Class Power Amp (Patents 4,532,476 & 4,593,251) featuring Multi-Watt (Patent 7,602,927) and Duo-Class (Patent 7,173,488) technologies which provide three power and three operating class options that are channel assignable via 10/45/90 Watt Power Switches: Choose 2 power tubes operating in pure vintage Class A (single-ended), producing 10 Watts - 2 tubes running in time-honored Class A/B producing 45 Watts or 4 tubes running in Mesas legendary, patented Simul-Class Power that blends the best of Class A and Class A/B simultaneously to produce 90 Watts of pure tonal magic / 4x6L6 (or 4xEL-34), 7x12AX7, 1x5U4

Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
Full Power/Variac Power Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
3 Fully Independent Channels with 9 Modes (Channel 1 = Clean, Fat or Tweed, Channel 2 = Edge, Crunch or Mark I, Channel 3 = Mark IIC+, Mark IV or Extreme)
Normal/Bold Switch on Channel 1, Normal/Thick Switch on Channel 2 (Mark I mode only), Normal/Bright Switch & Pentode/Triode Switch on Channel 3
Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Footswitchable or Auto-Assignable Contour Depth Control, Footswitchable All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb Control, Rectifier Tracking (Auto-selects Tube for all 10 Watt Modes, Diode for all 90 Watt Modes, selectable Tube or Diode for 45 Watt Modes on Channels 1 and 2, Diode for 45 Watt Mode on Channel 3 - Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
5 Band Graphic EQ is Footswitchable, Channel Assignable and Selectable between 1 group of 5-Band Sliders or 3 channel specific, variable depth Contour Controls
Footswitchable, Channel Assignable or True Bypassable Fully Buffered FX Loop with Send Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Footswitchable Solo Level Control Patent 6,724,897 (over all channels when activated)
True Hard Bypass Switch removes FX Loops, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
Slave Out w/Level Control
Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
External Switching Jacks for Channels 2, 3 (channel 1 is default), EQ & Solo
Aluminum Chassis New 4x4 - 8 Button Footswitch (Bottom Row: Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo Top Row: Reverb, FX Loop, EQ & Tuner Mute)

It's a very versatile amp that promises to deliver a lot in the tonal department while retaining the feel that a Mesa amp should. This amp features a combo chassis with a Mesa Boogie Black Shadow C90 90w speaker as stock. It's definitely a well voiced speaker that works excellently with all the different tones and flavours that this amp offers. In many cases I have actually preferred the tone of the combo to a head into 4x12 (which is extremely rare for me).






UTILIZATION

This amp, upon first inspection, looks to be almost impossible to dial in. There are three channels, each with a wattage selector (90w/45w/10w), a switch to turn the graphic EQ on or off (or assign it to be footswitchable), as well as a three way switch to select the channel mode (IE: Ch1 has Normal, Fat Clean, and Tweed modes). There is also one further switch on each channel to adjust something about the modes (IE: Ch1 has a "bold" switch).

Each channel has 6 controls, gain, volume, presence, bass, middle, treble. Unlike many previous Mesa Mark series amps, there is no pull knobs for the channel. There is also reverb on the back with a control for each channel. Lastly there is a 5 band graphic EQ built in to further sculpt your sound to bring it to levels of sonic satori.

It's very simple to dial it in once you know what you are doing. Channel 1 is your clean channel and works as such. It goes all the way from a crystal clear clean tone to a very gained out classic sound that is reminiscent of the old tweed Fender amps.

The second channel has a decidedly vintage rock flavour to it. It goes from classic edge-of-breakup type sounds (think an older NMV Marshall, but a bit more modern) to classic JMP/800 esque crunch tones to the smooth and dark tones of the Mesa Boogie Mark I. Beware, this mode is very dark in nature so it can be a bit of an annoyance dialing that mode in to work with the other channels at times.

The third channel goes from the classic L.A rock/metal tones of the Mesa Mark IIC+, to the smoother and more rounded sounding tones of the Mark IV to a searing modern tone that can only be classified as extreme.

If you combine all these core tones with the various features that Mesa offers on this amplifier to adjust the tones and feel of the amp, you have what is easily one of the most versatile and best sounding production amplifier on the planet right now.


SOUNDS

I presently use this amplifier with a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus loaded with 57 Classic humbuckers. I can't really cover all of the tones that I get out of this amp, simply because there are so many. I can safely say that this amp would cover everything from jazz/blues to country to all levels of rock and metal tones.

My favourite tones out of this amp are the Fat Clean mode (with bold switch engaged), the Tweed Clean mode (with the gain turned up to really juice the preamp), the Crunch tone on Channel 2 with the gain turned up for a classic seventies/early eighties arena rock tone, the Mark I mode with the GEQ OFF for a darker, slightly chunker vintage rock tone, and the Mark IIC+ and Mark IV modes on Channel 3 for raunchy eighties rock and smooth lead tones respectively.

I generally like running the amp in variac power mode for a slightly spongier feel, similar to a pushed older Marshall but with tonnes of gain and the slightly bolder tone of 6L6 tubes. You can load the amp with EL34s though if you want to get one step closer to that British flavour.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I feel this is probably one of Mesa's finest amps. It has a whole plethora of great tones for a while variety of musical styles, a seemingly endless parade of features to adjust the tones to your liking, and that classic Mesa Mark series feel and tone that I just enjoy so much (and keep coming back to). My first really good amplifier was a Mesa Boogie Mark III head, so I enjoy being able to relive some of the tones I got out of that.

For the $2,300 or so new price that these are new, they are a FANTASTIC bargain. Absolutely worth it. Some people complain about this amp not sounding exactly like the classics... but the way I see it, it's a great sounding amp on its own regardless of what amps it's supposed to sound like. All in all this is probably the best amp I've owned to date! I give this my rare 10/10 rating!

The only difference in this amp and the black standard one is that the tolex covering is a sweet looking cream color. All the features and tones are the same and the great feel and punch that makes these amps road worthy are still there. You get a great sounding amplifier that is a custom look to meet the custom personality of the player.

This is one beast of an amp! This one probably is the flag ship amp that Mesa Boogie carries. This amp is the most versatile amp that they make. It is like the Roadster as far as sound and front panel features. The thing that separates this from the Roadster is the back panel features. You can set up so many variations of tubes combination and biasing that makes it a recording dream amp. For someone who is recording this amp is a pleasure to have in the session. Since sound engineers have so many tracks and options of layering guitar tracks and mixing. Having an amp that will be able to mix and match EL34 and 6L6's in just about any configuration is remarkable. The over all tone and sound you get from this is parallel to the Roadster, except you have even more of a variety of tube options at your disposal.

UTILIZATION


Handbuilt in Petaluma, California

Multi-Watt™ Channel Assignable Power Amp with Progressive Linkage™ (patent 5,559,469) featuring 4x6L6 & 2xEL34, which allows you to select either 2x6L6, 2xEL34, 2x6L6+2xEL34, 4x6L6
or 4x6L6+2xEL34 for Power Ratings of 50, 100 & 120 Watts! / 6x12AX7, 2x5U4

Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance

4 Fully Independent Channels with 12 Modes (Channel 1 =Clean, Fat or Tweed™, Channel 2 =Clean, Fat or Brit, Channels 3 & 4=Raw, Vintage High Gain or Modern High Gain)

Each Channel features Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, All-Tube Long Spring Reverb, 5 Position Progressive Linkage Power Tube Select (choices listed above), Channel Assignable Dual Rectification with Recto Tracking™ (Diode or Tube Tracking – Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458), Speaker Output Select (Speaker Out A, B or A+B), FX Loop 1 and 2 Select (2-Series Loop On/Off Switches per Channel or Footswitch Assignable)

Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)

SOUNDS

I liked keeping it on the diode tracking. It sounded just as awesome with the tube tracking but I felt it needed that extra umph or sizzle in the amp. The thing live on channel four on the modern mode.

Run a Les Paul or a humbucker style guitar in front of this amp and you can hear and feel the power it delivers. It has a unique sizzle only found in rectos. The sponge and tight feature is cool when you need to use it in drop tunings then switch it over to the tight side. If you are playing hard rock and need only a half tuning or regular then keep in on sponge. On the sponge setting you will find the amp a bit more forgiving.

OVERALL OPINION

I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a lot of options from his guitar amp. This amp is so versatile that if I owned a recording studio this is one amp that I would own as a "must have" to complete my studio.

At new they come in at around $2700. That seems to be a fare price for this well built machine. It is going to be high for high school kids but this amp wasn't built for that market. This is a professional guitarist's amplifier.

This is a solid amp and the color to match is another win for this amp. I love the surf green color of this thing. The tolex has been upgraded to a surf green color and the front grille baffle has a gold tweed design that matches up real well. You get the same great tone and features of the black standard, but just in a higher priced but unique looking amp.

This amp is a beast. I would say that the Road King is the most versatile amp in the Mesa Boogie line up this amp is right up there with that one. This amp has more features and control knobs on it that make a airplane control room look small. It looks like the amp could take flight if give wings. Well, I have had this amp around many situations and I have to say it has some soaring features and tones that make it a lot of fun playing with.

It is basically three channels from the earl Mark up to the modern Mark series amps. The best part of this amp in my opinion which is on all Mesa's which makes me love Mesa is the self biasing features it has. Not having to pay some amp tech to pull your amp out of the chassis and spending the money is a plus.



UTILIZATION

Specifications:

* Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
* Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
* Full Power/Variac Power Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
* 3 Fully Independent Channels with 9 Modes (Channel 1 = Clean, Fat or Tweed, Channel 2 = Edge, Crunch or Mark I, Channel 3 = Mark IIC+, Mark IV or Extreme)
* Normal/Bold Switch on Channel 1, Normal/Thick Switch on Channel 2 (Mark I mode only), Normal/Bright Switch & Pentode/Triode Switch on Channel 3
* Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Footswitchable or Auto-Assignable Contour Depth Control, Footswitchable All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb Control, Rectifier Tracking (Auto-selects Tube for all 10 Watt Modes, Diode for all 90 Watt Modes, selectable Tube or Diode for 45 Watt Modes on Channels 1 and 2, Diode for 45 Watt Mode on Channel 3 - Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
* 5 Band Graphic EQ is Footswitchable, Channel Assignable and Selectable between 1 group of 5-Band Sliders or 3 channel specific, variable depth Contour Controls
* Footswitchable, Channel Assignable or True Bypassable All-Tube FX Loop with Send Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Footswitchable Solo Level Control – Patent 6,724,897 (over all channels when activated)
* True “Hard” Bypass Switch removes FX Loops, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
* Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
* Slave Out w/Level Control
* Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
* External Switching Jacks for Channels 2, 3 (channel 1 is default), EQ & Solo
* Aluminum Chassis • New 4x4 - 8 Button Footswitch (Bottom Row: Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo – Top Row: Reverb, FX Loop, EQ & Tuner Mute)

SOUNDS


The Mark V is such an amazing amplifier that makes Mesa Boogie look good. This is an amp that has some crushing tone and operation. This amp sounds fantastic with just about any guitar.

It sounds great with a Gibson Les Paul or any other humbucker pickup style guitar. Even a nice Fender Telecaster it will sparkle and chime on the lower settings for the clean stuff. But, the Mesa Boogie sounds the best in my opinion on the modern settings of channel 3 and the extreme mode. This thing is a beast and will crush just about any other amp that tries to square off against it.

OVERALL OPINION

At new this amp comes in at around $2430. That is a couple hundred dollars more than the standard black combo. It think it is worth it in this color since this looks very stellar. You can get this amp online or even ask Mesa Boogie to make you one off. They have a custom shop where you can actually design your own color or tolex and grille combination.

This is a workhorse amp. It will be ready to rock with you night in and night out. Mesa is good at customer service as well. You can call there anytime during the work hours and speak to someone who is helpful. They are big company with small company standards and people skills. I highly recommend them to anyone.

This is the best color combo yet for this amp. This amp has a cream tolex color and nice wheat grille cloth. You get the same features and tone as the regular amp but just a nice looking tolex to go with this nice sounding tones. There is a bit of an up charge for this upgraded tolex.

This amp is a beast. I would say that the Road King is the most versatile amp in the Mesa Boogie line up this amp is right up there with that one. This amp has more features and control knobs on it that make a airplane control room look small. It looks like the amp could take flight if give wings. Well, I have had this amp around many situations and I have to say it has some soaring features and tones that make it a lot of fun playing with.

It is basically three channels from the earl Mark up to the modern Mark series amps. The best part of this amp in my opinion which is on all Mesa's which makes me love Mesa is the self biasing features it has. Not having to pay some amp tech to pull your amp out of the chassis and spending the money is a plus.


UTILIZATION

Specifications:

* Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
* Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
* Full Power/Variac Power Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
* 3 Fully Independent Channels with 9 Modes (Channel 1 = Clean, Fat or Tweed, Channel 2 = Edge, Crunch or Mark I, Channel 3 = Mark IIC+, Mark IV or Extreme)
* Normal/Bold Switch on Channel 1, Normal/Thick Switch on Channel 2 (Mark I mode only), Normal/Bright Switch & Pentode/Triode Switch on Channel 3
* Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Footswitchable or Auto-Assignable Contour Depth Control, Footswitchable All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb Control, Rectifier Tracking (Auto-selects Tube for all 10 Watt Modes, Diode for all 90 Watt Modes, selectable Tube or Diode for 45 Watt Modes on Channels 1 and 2, Diode for 45 Watt Mode on Channel 3 - Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
* 5 Band Graphic EQ is Footswitchable, Channel Assignable and Selectable between 1 group of 5-Band Sliders or 3 channel specific, variable depth Contour Controls
* Footswitchable, Channel Assignable or True Bypassable All-Tube FX Loop with Send Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Footswitchable Solo Level Control – Patent 6,724,897 (over all channels when activated)
* True “Hard” Bypass Switch removes FX Loops, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
* Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
* Slave Out w/Level Control
* Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
* External Switching Jacks for Channels 2, 3 (channel 1 is default), EQ & Solo
* Aluminum Chassis • New 4x4 - 8 Button Footswitch (Bottom Row: Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo – Top Row: Reverb, FX Loop, EQ & Tuner Mute)

SOUNDS


The Mark V is such an amazing amplifier that makes Mesa Boogie look good. This is an amp that has some crushing tone and operation. This amp sounds fantastic with just about any guitar.

It sounds great with a Gibson Les Paul or any other humbucker pickup style guitar. Even a nice Fender Telecaster it will sparkle and chime on the lower settings for the clean stuff. But, the Mesa Boogie sounds the best in my opinion on the modern settings of channel 3 and the extreme mode. This ting is a beast and will crush just about any other amp that tries to square off against it.

OVERALL OPINION

At new this amp comes in at $2400. That is a couple hundred dollars more than the standard black combo. It think it is worth it in this color since this looks very stellar. You can get this amp online or even ask Mesa Boogie to make you one off. They have a custom shop where you can actually design your own color or tolex and grille combination.

This is a workhorse amp. It will be ready to rock with you night in and night out. Mesa is good at customer service as well. You can call there anytime during the work hours and speak to someone who is helpful. They are big company with small company standards and people skills. I highly recommend them to anyone.

What type of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?

see below.

What is the power delivered?

idem
What connection?

ditto ditto
What are the settings, effects? ...

ditto ditto ditto!

UTILIZATION

The setup is simple?

no, but fortunately! otherwise go to line 6
Do you get a good sound easy?

either, but I do not plug and play, we look for a guitar with character, and tame the amp, I learned through my Mark V

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Incredibly, they seem to me to talk to me.

SOUNDS

Will it fit your style of music?

should even Mahler, it's all style, all types, all all all!

With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?

PRS SANTANA II and START LES PAUL STD
What kind of sound you get with which settings
("Crystalline", "fat ",....)?

clear sound, can go from light to heavy sound bassman, everything is configurable, everything is fine, you just learn to know each other.
there is a long time in doubt, but we move fast enough.

What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

my best is the fat in clear attack on the media is crying, and other frequencies are perfect.
attention, however, because we tend to add tjs low to ring our guitars, and there must at all costs from the blank page and change our habits ...

OVERALL OPINION

For how long have you been using it?

a month, but it is a honeymoon ...

What thing do you like most/least about it?

in fact, I feel like randal smith called 2000 guitarists and said:

"Good guys, what you are missing the most in your sound and make practice? And also, I set the amp ideal"
in fact, Mark V is the combo that is nespresso coffee: Let me explain.
you become demanding and our "palace" is educated, it does not just plug in, there is a discovery to make, and you can hear frequencies that are no longer used to manage.
hence the learning time (of the kind, do not make a concert the day you bought it!)

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

as bcp, when you get to Mark V, it was a little round:
I had a memory-
- MARSHALL JTM 45 (too "light" design "
- FENDER TWIN (too heavy, too his unique and whimsical as chaining)
- HUGHES AND HEAD AND COMBO KETTNER (good student, his light a little light)
- BRUNETTI XL EVO 120 (too, too, and not enough!)
- ENGL SOVEREIGN (again, a good student but équalo common is the opposite of Mark V)
What is your opinion about the value for the price?

yes, it's expensive, but pqoi line 6 is the imitation model of MB, whereas MB is only trying to copy itself?)
Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...