Back to Boogie MKIV or a 5:50 Express

[WantaMKIV!]

Hi all

After selling my beloved Quad pre-amp (72 Marshall Master Volume head-power amp section only + no name 4x12) back in 1996 and been regretting it ever since, I'm finally in a financial situation to get a boogie again. However, my gigging situation is only acoustic these days so most likely the amp will get home use with the occaisonal jam. SO :? , I loved my Quad, my mate had a MKIII (superb tone). I really want to go for a MKIV (always a dream) but based on my reference points would an Express 5:50 cover my requirments, is a MKIV OTT for primarily home use. Are the tones significantly different? Help, it's been a while. I have a Classic Player 60s Strat with BareKnuckle No1 pickups. Music references start at AC/DC and travel everywhere through to Pink Floyd so versatility is a must.

Hope you can help a returning 'son'!! :lol:

 

[TimeSignature]

Hey WantaMKIV!

To me, it seems like an Express would do just fine for you.

If the Mark IV has always been a dream, however, you should go with that. The gain IMO is similiar although I prefer the cleans on the Express over the Mark. I think a used Mark IV combo would run you about $1200, a used Express 5 50 2x12 would probably be in the neighborhood of $950.

Do you need three channels as opposed to two? If yes, go with the Mark.

Do you need super overdriven / saturated tones? If yes, go with the Mark or be prepared to run a tube screamer in front of the Express.

 

[RectoStudioGuy]

The MkIV is an awesome unit, you'll have no lack of choices or sounds there.

 

[dodger916]

The MkIV is an awesome unit, you'll have no lack of choices or sounds there.

+1. And you'll be getting the coveted Mark IV liquid lead sound. This alone would seal it for me.

Expresses are good all-arond amps, and you can demo them in stores, so I'd start there. If it's the sound you want, then I'd look for a used one. If not, maybe the Mark IV is for you.

And Mark IV's make great low-volume practice amps too. I'm often amazed at the sounds I can get at near talking volume.

 

[gummx97]

if versatility is a must, then the Mark IV should fit your bill. 3 channels alone should be a good indication, not only with the legendary reputation and presence that the MK IV already has established. But beware, it's pretty heavy should you start gigging a lot.

 

[fretout]

Hey WantaMKIV!

To me, it seems like an Express would do just fine for you.

If the Mark IV has always been a dream, however, you should go with that. The gain IMO is similiar although I prefer the cleans on the Express over the Mark. I think a used Mark IV combo would run you about $1200, a used Express 5 50 2x12 would probably be in the neighborhood of $950.

Do you need three channels as opposed to two? If yes, go with the Mark.

Do you need super overdriven / saturated tones? If yes, go with the Mark or be prepared to run a tube screamer in front of the Express.

Hey TS! You still have the Mark IV??? How has it been working for you?

 

[WantaMKIV!]

Cheers guys, great feedback (ahem ). Will try out Express 5:50 locally and take it from there. I have found a techie who says he can quite simply add a footswitch output to toggle between modes on each channel. Will need to check out comparitive volumes to see if worthwhile for live use.

Thanks again. Tim

 

[GD_NC]

I'd say the deciding factor between these two is what you play. The 5:50 just can't hang with IV for metal crunch and leads. On the other hand, a Mark IV is very difficult to get a good bluesy tone from. (Yes i't possible but not easy and you trade off R1 clean).

They are both fantastic amps. They are both sound great a low volumes and can do bedroom volume levels without any trouble.

Good luck

 

[TimeSignature]

I'd say the deciding factor between these two is what you play. The 5:50 just can't hang with IV for metal crunch and leads. On the other hand, a Mark IV is very difficult to get a good bluesy tone from. (Yes i't possible but not easy and you trade off R1 clean).

They are both fantastic amps. They are both sound great a low volumes and can do bedroom volume levels without any trouble.

Good luck

I believe the Express 5:50 can hang with the IV in terms of 'metal'... as far as leads, with a tubescreamer-ish pedal it can easily hang with the Mark IV.

 

[GD_NC]

I'd say the deciding factor between these two is what you play. The 5:50 just can't hang with IV for metal crunch and leads. On the other hand, a Mark IV is very difficult to get a good bluesy tone from. (Yes i't possible but not easy and you trade off R1 clean).

They are both fantastic amps. They are both sound great a low volumes and can do bedroom volume levels without any trouble.

Good luck

I believe the Express 5:50 can hang with the IV in terms of 'metal'... as far as leads, with a tubescreamer-ish pedal it can easily hang with the Mark IV.

Sure. You can always stick a pedal in front of any tube amp and get more gain.

 

[TimeSignature]

Hey WantaMKIV!

To me, it seems like an Express would do just fine for you.

If the Mark IV has always been a dream, however, you should go with that. The gain IMO is similiar although I prefer the cleans on the Express over the Mark. I think a used Mark IV combo would run you about $1200, a used Express 5 50 2x12 would probably be in the neighborhood of $950.

Do you need three channels as opposed to two? If yes, go with the Mark.

Do you need super overdriven / saturated tones? If yes, go with the Mark or be prepared to run a tube screamer in front of the Express.

Hey TS! You still have the Mark IV??? How has it been working for you?

Fretout! How the heck are ya??? Yes, I still have the IV. I'll PM you.

 

[TimeSignature]

I'd say the deciding factor between these two is what you play. The 5:50 just can't hang with IV for metal crunch and leads. On the other hand, a Mark IV is very difficult to get a good bluesy tone from. (Yes i't possible but not easy and you trade off R1 clean).

They are both fantastic amps. They are both sound great a low volumes and can do bedroom volume levels without any trouble.

Good luck

I believe the Express 5:50 can hang with the IV in terms of 'metal'... as far as leads, with a tubescreamer-ish pedal it can easily hang with the Mark IV.

Sure. You can always stick a pedal in front of any tube amp and get more gain.

Agreed. But you stick a pedal in front of a 5150 or Recto and it doesnt sound like a Mark. Throw a pedal in front of the Express and it does!

 

[survive autodafe]

If you want something out of the box that will deal out spanky clean, blues brown, and bone crushing gain, start looking around for an F series amp. Those little guys have quite the reputation as an amp with a unique but wholly boogie tone in a small, simple package. An F50 in great shape can be had for under 800 bucks and it also sounds great at bedroom volume. I just piss off the neighbors with my MrkIV though :wink:

 

[Fronzil]

you can get blues sounds from rhythm 2 and lead as well..both very easy...

 

[elecnight]

Just my 2c as a recently [proud] IV owner!

List what you like to play. If Metallica (and other bands with similar tone) are not at the top of the list, you may get disappointed by Mark IV and this is not good

Man this machine is awesome tone-wise but no matter what tweak I do, it seems that I'm only getting different tones of the songs from those Metallica's old albums.

For me, this is not a problem since I was looking for an amp to get that tone and options were limited to pretty much DC and Mark. I wouldn't be happy with a F or Express. So yeh I'm happy but you may not!

Simply: Mesa Mark = Metallica

you can get blues sounds from rhythm 2 and lead as well..both very easy...

Well it's possible but again bluesy sounds of some Metallica song! Maybe I'm obsessed with Metallica but please try Mark IV before making a decision.

 

[Fronzil]

Simply: Mesa Mark = Metallica

Well it's possible but again bluesy sounds of some Metallica song! Maybe I'm obsessed with Metallica but please try Mark IV before making a decision.

dear lord..i feel sorry for you...having that monster of an amp and not knowing how to dial it in.

 

[elecnight]

While I agree with you that this is a very versatile amp, many people including me disagree with this statement that you can get whatever you want out of it simply by dialing it in the right way.
Look at this thread:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-963069.html

One guy explains my thought in a more straightforward way:
"Mesa's are great amps for versatility, although if you're looking for something specific I highly recommend looking elsewhere... unless of course you want a tone thats similar to petrucci, or hetfield, or other definite mesa user."

You can't get s/th like Guns N' Roses or AC/DC out of a Mark IV. Of course you can call it close enough, but it won't make a difference in real world. Look at which bands have used Mark's? How can one get a tone different from what those professional musicians got?

Versatility simply doesn't mean diversity.

BTW, i'll be glad if somebody give me some advice on how to get something close to Led Zeppelin! Of course without a pedal. They terribly lower the sound quality.

 

[aaronlyon]

Man this machine is awesome tone-wise but no matter what tweak I do, it seems that I'm only getting different tones of the songs from those Metallica's old albums.

May I suggest it's your guitar? What are you playing?

 

[elecnight]

It's a Washburn X40 maple body with stock pu's. Not a high end gear but with h-s-h and a 5-ways switch it seems to be very versatile. It used to be a bright guitar and I wanted to change the pu's to get a darker signal but Mark IV with that many tone control switches solved that issue very effectively.

I've started to think maybe a pair of EL34's should come to my purchase list.

 

[Heritage Softail]

While I agree with you that this is a very versatile amp, many people including me disagree with this statement that you can get whatever you want out of it simply by dialing it in the right way.
Look at this thread:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-963069.html

One guy explains my thought in a more straightforward way:
"Mesa's are great amps for versatility, although if you're looking for something specific I highly recommend looking elsewhere... unless of course you want a tone thats similar to petrucci, or hetfield, or other definite mesa user."

You can't get s/th like Guns N' Roses or AC/DC out of a Mark IV. Of course you can call it close enough, but it won't make a difference in real world. Look at which bands have used Mark's? How can one get a tone different from what those professional musicians got?

Versatility simply doesn't mean diversity.

BTW, i'll be glad if somebody give me some advice on how to get something close to Led Zeppelin! Of course without a pedal. They terribly lower the sound quality.

Zep covers lots of ground. What exact song/album? Could go from Telecaster/Danelectro/National/LP out of Vox/Marshall/Fender/who knows what custom gear he had. Plus Page was an infamous liar about what he used to keep the Mojo secret!!