checked out a Mark V today

[konstantine RK]

I went to my local GC here in Lombard IL... plugged a mark v into a 2x12 Mesa cab with V3o's and hit up the clean channel first. I used everything the front of the amp had to offer. The Clean was really nice and it was perfect. channel 2 would be one tone that I could use well on stage with the laid back definition of tone that I could really use when backing up another guitarist's solo or playing those 70's era rock songs.. It had a lovely tone in this channel.

channel 3 though fell short of my expectations and basically killed my interest in the amp. didnt dig the gain, the tones or the equalizer in the tone.

I have a roadking which Im beginning to discover is just a gem of an amp and it sounds great through either my 4x12 or my 2x12 and Im not done researching amp sounds but Im pretty sure the roadking has spoiled me for good.

roadking over the mark V in my opinion.... Ill be back on this when I have more time to compare amps!!

 

[jtroska]

I originally went in shopping for a Mark V and ultimately came out with a Roadster.

For me, the big selling point for the Roadster over the Mk V was the channel layout. The Mk V has a lot of sounds but it's impossible to access them all quickly via the footswitch. For example, you can't go from "Crunch" to "Mk I" very easily mid song. The Roadster has a much more practical channel layout.

And the Roadster's sound was more what I was looking for. I do like the Mark's tone, too. I like each for different reasons. I wish the Roadster had a Mark Channel.

But when it came down to choosing one, the Roadster won for practical channel layout and having the sound I'd want most of the time.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I think that too many people write off the Rectifiers tone too quickly. It's a totally different vibe to that of a Mark and is a great sound in its own right.

 

[MBMusicMan]

I originally went in shopping for a Mark V and ultimately came out with a Roadster.

For me, the big selling point for the Roadster over the Mk V was the channel layout. The Mk V has a lot of sounds but it's impossible to access them all quickly via the footswitch. For example, you can't go from "Crunch" to "Mk I" very easily mid song. The Roadster has a much more practical channel layout.

And the Roadster's sound was more what I was looking for. I do like the Mark's tone, too. I like each for different reasons. I wish the Roadster had a Mark Channel.

But when it came down to choosing one, the Roadster won for practical channel layout and having the sound I'd want most of the time.

Found the exact same thing. Went into the shop with my heart set on the Mark IV, but the Roadster just seemed effortless. It was so usable, I couldn't help but dial in tones I'm going to use all the time, whereas the Mark IV was just the 1 sound.

That being said, I find the Roadster responds better to pickup and guitar changes - every little difference in the guitar really shows through the amp. Example, I'm used to using my RR1 with a DiMarzio Mo'Joe in the bridge. I've recently been using a JP6 with a DiMarzio D-Sonic in the bridge. Put it on channel 4 vintage, put the mids about 9 oclock, the bass around ten oclock and the treble about 3 oclock. Balance the brightness of the treble control with the presence and use as much gain as you like and it's seriously tight and crunchy and steers clear of that recto sag completely. I was really impressed. My amp changes completely with every guitar I use.

Same again with my old Jem 77FP with Paf Pros - the brightness and Alnico V type characteristics of this pickup shone through. My amp just keeps up with whatever guitar I'm using.

I like this amp more and more as I use different guitars.

 

[BostonRedSox]

Everyone's opinions here are totally in line with mine as well. I have had the Roadster since early 2009, but originally I had some reverb tank issues which really led me to hate my Roadster a lot (it took three techs to finally realize that the problem was the tank itself!). In that time I almost sold my Roadster and was all about getting the Mark V. The gas surrounding that amp, here at the Boogie Board, was insane. Then of course, I actually checked out the Mark V and was not at all impressed with the gain in channel 3. It just wasn't what I was looking for overall. Plus, the footswitch layout really bothered me. Before making any rash decisions, I decided to clear my attitude with the Roadster and give the amp another chance. All in all, it has been just an incredible amp to play and find tone with. Everything about it I love, and I am constantly finding different tones to play around with. And, the effects loop is very, very good! I use two MXR pedals (modded Phase 90 and M117 Flanger) and the Boss DD7 that aren't true bypass, and I really don't hear any signal leakage when I click the loop off.

Channel 2 Brit is another gem that people overlook. Even with 6L6s, I am able to get this nice midrangey, gritty clean tone that is very usable and gives the amp a whole different character.

All in all, I rate the Roadster an A+. I couldn't be any happier. Fender cleans to cranked Recto metal thud, I just love it!

 

[rika_gd]

you cant compare the mkv that fast, it has a learning curve for some very long, for others not too long, but in the end the mkv does everything when you know how it works, and specially when you use your ears and not your eyes to build the sound you want. Channel 3 for example is VERY high gain, without od, just straight to the amp..my recomendation: buy a mkv..learn how it works, in three months you will be very happy..if not, sell it :mrgreen:

 

[MBMusicMan]

I find the roadster's the same though. You can't EQ with your eyes, particularly the presence control and the whole of Vintage mode on channel 4. I fully understand the Mk V and all it's hidden treasures, but the sound is essentially totally different. It's much more compressed and tight with a totally different midrange and that's before you mess with the 5 band.

I just didn't get that same texture, and same response from my playing - feel etc - that the roadster just had in buckets. The first month with my roadster was very frustrating, but having owned (long term lend) a Mark IV, and having tried several Mk V, I'm totally sold.

That said, at the right price, I wouldn't say no to the combo, lol.