How would you improve the Mark V

[jvk]

I've been reading posts on this forum by many users with interesting opinions & complaints on their new Mark V amps.

Question: If you had your way with re-designing the Mark V, what would you change, improve, add or remove from it's features, in order to improve it and make it your perfect amp?

Don't be shy, any suggestion counts... unless it's plainly stupid :lol:

 

[guitardom]

my first thought would be to seperate the mark 1 voicing from channel 2. it just does not fit there!! channel 2 is my favorite at the time and it just seems out of place. especially if you using channel 2 for rhythm and want the mark 1 for lead, which it just kicks plain butt on!!

then i would like to have a graphic eq for channels 2-3 insead of having to pick one.

and while i am at it. i flat out loved the combo of 2 6l6's and 2 kt77's, now i am paranoid to do it and pulled the 6l6's and running 4 kt77's. i would love to be able to do this safely!

this would be my dream starting point!

 

[MrMarkIII]

I would carefully remove the last zero from the price. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[MesaGod666]

MIDI MIDI MIDI!!!!

MIDI switching, much like a Marshall JVM or Diezel, should have been standard for the price.

Also, switching from MKIIC+ to MKIV to EXTREME should have been figured out.

I don't hate this amp, I just see some serious drawbacks to it. It's great in the studio though.

 

[cam]

Mode and MIDI switching

 

[JohnDNJ]

chan 1: clean
chan 2: c+ (the real one)
chan 3: mark IV lead channel, exact same circuit and controls

make the **** thing a full size head with 3 rows of controls like a diezel so there is
no compromising space over function.

same control layout as IV with all the pull\push knobs, pentode\triode,
10\45\90 watt, 34\6l6 tube combo, non gimp eq and better preset knobs,
hell shrink the sliders down to pedal size like a mxr-108 and there is no reason
you couldnt have 3 seperate eq's..1 for each channel. oh and a switchable
parallel\serial effects loop....better yet both.

that about covers it.

 

[Azrehan]

1) An effects loop for each channel

2) An independent after preamp volume pedal loop

3) Turn the 2 way preset/sliders toggle switch into a 3 way preset/sliders/balance-between-the-two with the rotary pot

4) Tail fins

5) Cup holder

6) 'Demo mode' - Like the old Casio keyboards had (could be loosely based on the boss GT-6 auto riffer)

7) Albino seal leather trim :twisted:

 

[theroan]

Midi.
Considering how much tweaking is necessary for each voice, switching between voices in a channel is useless.
I would replace Tweed with a more Vox style clean.
Other than that, I'm pretty content with all of it.

 

[jvk]

Personally I want complete elimination of all pops and switching noise. This applies to ALL Mesa amps. Popping is difficult to avoid when switching between different output levels (ie different wattage levels), but a $3000 amp should not pop when switching between channels or modes. Other Mfgrs have managed to solve this problem. Marshall, Peavey and Diezel for example.

How come I can eliminate the popping issue completely in all amps that I build, and Mesa, with all of their wealth and resources cannot deal with it? To me it seems that they are a victim of their own desgin "style". If you look closely at the way their circuits have developed, there is a common design "theme" throughout, with them using the same "old" electronic ideas, like the switching mute topologies and even brand of components in ALL of their recent amps. There are better and more modern ways to deal with this issue.

I'd get rid of the reverb too, because that's also the source of an annoying lapse in the sound when switching from a distorted channel to a clean one.

 

[gibson5413]

Add the Drive knob back to channel 3.

 

[WillPlayForFood]

I would agree with the Channel 3 switching capability for MKIIC+/MKIV. Maybe a MK I channel, separate from channel 2 as well. A midi capability is also something that other amps provide, Diezel, yet Mesa has never embraced this, why not. I have always had to purchase more gear to make my rig midi switchable. Wouldn't it be nice to just plug and play :?

I do love the foot controller!! The solo switch is an awesome addition, I have been using a Mark IV, no solo function. I do see how the EQ is a bit of an issue. You tweak everything all nice and sweet, then change channels and are stuck with the same slider EQ settings. Even though those may not be ideal for the other channel(s). The preset depth is a nice concept, yet it is NOT the same as the slider EQ, it's too limited!! Someone mentioned why not a bigger (full size) head, so the case cold have 3 EQ's with sliders, one for each channel, hmmm, I might like that :mrgreen:

Overall, I am pretty happy with the Mark V. We can always find things that would make "our" life easier or improve, yet the Mark V is delivering the tones...and in the end, isn't that what matters!

 

[Anonymous]

I would love to see two bias trimpot for bias adjustment.... it is something i'll probably do after the warranty is over (5 years). at this point i am happy with a quad of TAD6L6GCSTR from the tube store with a reading of 40!!!!!! other than that everything else is perfect for my expectations on an amp

 

[Mark Fore]

Match the badging... If I put my Mark V on top of my Mesa 1x15 and that on top of a Recto 2x12 it has three different logos: Mesa Eng., Mesa/Boogie, and Boogie. The sound is great, but the matching logo thing REALLY bothers me. The Mark V cab for crying out loud has a different logo!!

 

[phyrexia]

Less nit-picky customers.

edit: badging? Are you serious?

 

[Nermel]

Match the badging... If I put my Mark V on top of my Mesa 1x15 and that on top of a Recto 2x12 it has three different logos: Mesa Eng., Mesa/Boogie, and Boogie. The sound is great, but the matching logo thing REALLY bothers me. The Mark V cab for crying out loud has a different logo!!

I think you can ask them when you order something from them directly...they'll probably put the badge you want on the **** thing

 

[PeeMonkey]

Match the badging... If I put my Mark V on top of my Mesa 1x15 and that on top of a Recto 2x12 it has three different logos: Mesa Eng., Mesa/Boogie, and Boogie. The sound is great, but the matching logo thing REALLY bothers me. The Mark V cab for crying out loud has a different logo!!

I think you can ask them when you order something from them directly...they'll probably put the badge you want on the **** thing

I never understood the reason they did that, whats up with the different badges?

 

[MesaGod666]

RACK MOUNTABLE SHORT HEAD!!!!

 

[theroan]

1) The Mark series is the Boogie in Mesa Boogie. I'm fine with the badge. Plu smy 2x12 says Mesa/Boogie not Mesa Engineering, so maybe thats' why.
2) It is phyically impossible for the Mark V to be in a short head or rackmount. So take it as it is or buy back a Mark IV and stop whinning.

 

[lesterpaul]

Less nit-picky customers.

:lol: :lol:

 

[Mark Fore]

Less nit-picky customers.

edit: badging? Are you serious?

DEAD F*cking serious. Thank you.