Looking to buy a Mark V - need opinions

[virtu]

Hi mates.

I have the Roadster and the F-50 but i want to expand the Boogie family....gas?...yap!!!!!

I'm looking to buy a Mark V and i would like to ask you some qs:

1) how is the clean channel? especially compared to Roadster and Lonestar. My Roadster has GREAT clean ch. I mean i know that MKV's it's different but is it equal clear, fat and general in quality?

2) Ok...about the lead thing...i can find beautiful lead tones in 3rd ch vintage of my RS but i've been told that the MKV has THE liquid, smooth and tight gain with lots of sweet mids and i'll not need a booster in front.
Is that true?
I know that MKV has the MKIV option but is it a faithful representation?

3) I'm lucky enough and my RS don't have the gap in footswitch. Does the MKV has this problem?

4) If i'm understand correctly the option of the watts are:
10w class A, 45w class AB, 90w class AB?
and is it solid state rectification?

Sorry for too many qs but it would be really helpful to know...

Thanks!!

 

[fleeced]

Hi

The absolute best source of information (i'm still re-reading every week or so it a month after taking delivery of my Mark V because there's info and tips in there you miss on first reading ) is the extensive owners manual:

http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/MkV_090813.pdf

It really is worth downloading as contains so much information on the amp - and how the various modes are were derived and the massive variations in tone that exist within the amp (8 different amps in one)! - A must read !!! It serves as a source of info before buying as much as a manual after you've bought.

To briefly answer your questions (the manual does SO much better):

1. Clean channel is simply beautiful. I'm currently using the Fat mode and have fallen in love with it.

2. It's lovely - never had a Mark IV so can't comment on the precise accuracy of reproduction - but it is great. As several V owners have said - who cares how close to a IV or IIc+ or Mark I ... it's simply close to perfect. The manual actually gives settings to A/B the V with the IV and the IIc+ - so I guess the modes in question must be faithfull reproductions of the sounds. (Then plus a whole host of achievable varistions....in, around, beneath and over.)

3. Gap in footswitch? not sure what you mean?

4. 10w class A single ended
45w class AB
90w Simulclass (2 tubes running AB and 2 tubes running class A)


Does the amp live up to the hype and expectations?


Simple answer .... YES

 

[th0rr]

And just to add, you can choose tube or solid state rectifier in 45w mode. 90w is solid state and, correct me if I'm wrong someone, 10w is tube.

 

[Scary]

I love it, totally rocks my Mark IV in pretty much every way. The tone is crisp and clean, with as much gain and variety as you need. Been loving mine for months now and it's only getting better as I learn how to use it. It needs a 2 x 12 though. The right speakers make the difference too, my horizontal recto 2x12 sounds crappy whereas my old vert 2x12 mark IV cabinet rocks. Good times, i'm very happy with it. Only problem for me was the variac power / standby lettering wore off. I gotta call Mesa about that but so far been to busy playing.

 

[Scary]

Hi

The absolute best source of information (i'm still re-reading every week or so it a month after taking delivery of my Mark V because there's info and tips in there you miss on first reading ) is the extensive owners manual:

http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/MkV_090813.pdf

It really is worth downloading as contains so much information on the amp - and how the various modes are were derived and the massive variations in tone that exist within the amp (8 different amps in one)! - A must read !!! It serves as a source of info before buying as much as a manual after you've bought.

To briefly answer your questions (the manual does SO much better):

1. Clean channel is simply beautiful. I'm currently using the Fat mode and have fallen in love with it.

2. It's lovely - never had a Mark IV so can't comment on the precise accuracy of reproduction - but it is great. As several V owners have said - who cares how close to a IV or IIc+ or Mark I ... it's simply close to perfect. The manual actually gives settings to A/B the V with the IV and the IIc+ - so I guess the modes in question must be faithfull reproductions of the sounds. (Then plus a whole host of achievable varistions....in, around, beneath and over.)

3. Gap in footswitch? not sure what you mean?

4. 10w class A single ended
45w class AB
90w Simulclass (2 tubes running AB and 2 tubes running class A)


Does the amp live up to the hype and expectations?


Simple answer .... YES

I thought it was
10Watt Class A single ended
45Watt Class A push/pull
90Watt Class A / Class AB

 

[JAZZGEAR]

I love it, totally rocks my Mark IV in pretty much every way. The tone is crisp and clean, with as much gain and variety as you need. Been loving mine for months now and it's only getting better as I learn how to use it. It needs a 2 x 12 though. The right speakers make the difference too, my horizontal recto 2x12 sounds crappy whereas my old vert 2x12 mark IV cabinet rocks. Good times, i'm very happy with it. Only problem for me was the variac power / standby lettering wore off. I gotta call Mesa about that but so far been to busy playing.

I wouldn't say it totally rocks the MK IV...it does in every channel...except for the 3rd channel. The Mark IV's lead channel is perhaps (IMO) the best of any Mesa.

 

[virtu]

Thanks for you inputs guys!!!!
You force me to go and buy it now!!!!
I have to wait though until a music store in my town to have a demo piece....but i think i've already decide.....

 

[fleeced]

I thought it was
10Watt Class A single ended
45Watt Class A push/pull
90Watt Class A / Class AB

You might be right actually .... it was late when I replied!!

 

[mejoshee]

I thought it was
10Watt Class A single ended
45Watt Class A push/pull
90Watt Class A / Class AB

You might be right actually .... it was late when I replied!!

fyi (no flames please). just want to clarify:
10w class a, single-ended

(class a is, by definition and electrical necessity, always single-ended. tubes are always conducting in class a. as soon as they share conduction with another tube, they cease to be class a or single-ended.)

45w class a/b. class a cannot be push/pull, as above. not sure if it's a/b1 or 2, etc.
90w simulclass (a and a/b parallel)

I love it, totally rocks my Mark IV in pretty much every way. The tone is crisp and clean, with as much gain and variety as you need. Been loving mine for months now and it's only getting better as I learn how to use it. It needs a 2 x 12 though. The right speakers make the difference too, my horizontal recto 2x12 sounds crappy whereas my old vert 2x12 mark IV cabinet rocks. Good times, i'm very happy with it. Only problem for me was the variac power / standby lettering wore off. I gotta call Mesa about that but so far been to busy playing.

I wouldn't say it totally rocks the MK IV...it does in every channel...except for the 3rd channel. The Mark IV's lead channel is perhaps (IMO) the best of any Mesa.

+1. that's why i kept a iv head. but the v is still excellent. after having it for a couple months now, my opinion of it is even better than ever. there's a lot in there to be found! throw away that rs! :lol: well, if you want a spngier, loosier high gain, then sure. liquidity/fluidity is definitely a definition of a mark series amp, esp iic+ mode. (maybe not perfect as the original, but you win overall in versatility in the other channels. and you can still get spongy if you put it in variac and 10w mode).

 

[mejoshee]

ps. definitely try it out if at all possible. otherwise you're only taking everybody's word for it. i mean i did listen to all the positives and negatives (with a grain of salt), but once i tested one out, i was sold. i didn't buy it right away to see if the feeling was just impulse, just in case. but overall it was still a great experience. no disappointments even knowing the negatives cause i know there are work-arounds. i'm not gigging either, so that helps. but i know this puppy would hold its own regardless.

 

[bchulse]

My MkV crushes my Roadster on the clean channel, I'm sorry to say. Out of the 9 amps
I have (including MkIIb, Stilletto, Egnater), the MkV has become my goto amp for
just about every gig. I usually run it through a Roadster 2x12 cab and occasionally a
2x12 recto, but either way, it's very versitile. Take the time to get it dialed in for your
guitars & style. Once you do, I bet you'll be very pleased!

 

[Nermel]

Thanks for you inputs guys!!!!
You force me to go and buy it now!!!!
I have to wait though until a music store in my town to have a demo piece....but i think i've already decide.....

not sure if you've bought one yet or if you plan to, or where you live...but I do know that willcutguitars.com has a head and a combo instock

 

[virtu]

My MkV crushes my Roadster on the clean channel, I'm sorry to say. Out of the 9 amps I have (including MkIIb, Stilletto, Egnater), the MkV has become my goto amp for
just about every gig. I usually run it through a Roadster 2x12 cab and occasionally a
2x12 recto, but either way, it's very versitile. Take the time to get it dialed in for your
guitars & style. Once you do, I bet you'll be very pleased!

If the clean ch is at least like the RS it'll be great!

not sure if you've bought one yet or if you plan to, or where you live...but I do know that willcutguitars.com has a head and a combo instock

Actually i live in Europe, but i'll buy one definetely...thanks!

(ps...btw i just visit the site and this Road King set is gorgeous.....)

 

[bchulse]

The MKV has the best clean channel I've ever owned. Prior to the
MKV, I had a Bogner Shiva head, which up to that point was the
nicest clean I'd heard. The Bogner is nice, but the V is more useable
to me. A Keeley C4 & RC Booster in line before amp input helps to
shape it even further. Used mostly with PRS Custom24, 305 & 513
guitars and occasionaly a VG strat. Mic'd up through a couple Bose
towers and it's sweet..

 

[MusicManJP6]

The MKV has the best clean channel I've ever owned. Prior to the
MKV, I had a Bogner Shiva head, which up to that point was the
nicest clean I'd heard. The Bogner is nice, but the V is more useable
to me. A Keeley C4 & RC Booster in line before amp input helps to
shape it even further. Used mostly with PRS Custom24, 305 & 513
guitars and occasionaly a VG strat. Mic'd up through a couple Bose
towers and it's sweet..

Agreed. The clean tone is amazing. It's better than the Roadster's and it was no slouch!

I'm still dialing in the other two channels...