Mark V - Home Use?

[white-strat]

I have been out of the music scene for many moons and I now have the time and a renewed interest in playing again. I have looked at a variety of amps and the model that really impresses me is the Mark V. Initially it will be used mostly at home and from there we will see where this goes.

I realize this is a Mark V forum and appreciate your loyal comments and feedback but as I have not had the opportunity to play a Mark V, my question is whether this amp is overkill and or too much for the home. I do have a building to play in with no “volume restrictions” but most of my playing for now will be at home. From a music interest point of view I am a huge fan of Lifeson, Petrucci and Gilmour.

Does the multi-watt setting of the Mark V really provide this kind of flexibility to enjoy the amp or will I be somewhat disappointed not always running the amp at higher wattages and volume levels. The price of the amp is not an issue, and although I have looked closely at the MESA Express, I would rather do this right the first time rather start with something smaller and upgrade later.

Look forward to your comments.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I wouldn't think of the multi-watt thing as a volume adjuster so much as a tonal option.

What I mean by that is that adjusting wattage and using the tube rectifier and pentode/triode option shifts the tonality/response of the amp more than it adjusts the final volume. You can easily get great tone at low volumes in 90w mode simply by turning down the master volume.

In all honestly, the Mark V is the best "home" amplifier I've ever used, due in large part to it's ability to sound great at low volumes.

Given your references, I'd suggest pairing a Mark V head with either a Recto 2x12 or Stiletto 2x12. I think you'd prefer it to the combo version.

Alternatively, go for the 4x12 versions if you're into it.

 

[EvilEmuOfDoom]

I play mine in my apartment and it does quite well at low volumes even on the 90W setting. Just don't make the mistake I did and turn the channel master down too much (see my thread about possibly selling my Mark V). I run in it 45W now if I'm playing late since we have a 10pm noise policy and I can sweeze a tiny little bit less volume out of it. I don't typically use 10W though since it sounds different and I have to change all my settings a little. There is only a slight volume difference between 45W and 90W, like ScreamingDaisy said it's more of a tonal difference.

 

[white-strat]

With not having the chance to work with the amp I guess I am not understanding the tonal characteristics of the amp and how the volume plays into this. My JCM 800 (2203) was not really home friendly so I am probably using this as an unfair comparison. Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

 

[lesterpaul]

excellent bedroom amp-as stated before, the different wattage settings is more of a "feel" thing...if you prefer the 90 watt feel, you can dial her down-and when the right time comes,look out

 

[MusicManJP6]

All Mesas sound great at low volumes due to the tone all coming from the preamp and not relying on the power amp to drive the amp into distortion like a Marshall. I've owned many Mesa amps and the Mark V is one of the best sounding amps at low volume of them all and of course it sounds great at volume too. I think you will be able to dial in some great tones with the V. You will need a good delay pedal if you are a fan of Lifeson, JP, and Gilmour! Luckily the FX loop in the V is excellent.

 

[DrummerChas]

I think it is an excellent choice as a bedroom amp. One of my favorite settings is Mark IV in 10 watt mode with a slightly modified version of Petrucci's settings that he posted on Youtube a while back. Add a little delay and you get a great tone at a very managable volume level.

 

[Rkorn]

When I bought this amp it didn't came home, only to the rehearsal place.
Then I had some issues with the amp and thought the problem was electricity, I brought it home and found out the problem was the amp itself (Mesa warranty took care of that and the amp is now problem free)
The thing is, when I brought it home I thought it was impossible to play at bedroom volume, I was so wrong.
I sold my Peavey vypyr 15 and now I always carry it to home after practice... and this thing sounds A LOT better than the vypyr i had at bedroom volumes... when it goes on stage, just bring up the volume, 90 or 45 watt for clarity and there you go! Always best tone on the venue!!!!
If this were stolen I would get another one!

 

[thunder100]

I can add few things only

As Mark V head user I can say it also depends on the speaker you use.apart setting channel volume correct and define the real volume with the outup knob ,you (may) need a higher efficiency speaker(read an old Oxford is a now go a Vintage 30 is good)

You will need a good delay pedal if you are a fan of Lifeson, JP, and Gilmour! Luckily the FX loop in the V is excellent.

Which delay pedal do you use Adam?I am on the Comfortably numb quest right now.

Thanks

Roland

 

[white-strat]

OK so I'm sold on the Mark V, I'm ordering Monday.

I have a Digitech GSP-21 Pro (remember the many moons comment) is this going to help or hinder the Mark V?

I would also appreciate a recommendation on a good delay pedal.

Thanks again for all info.

 

[jmontgomery]

I use an Eventide Timefactor. It's probably overkill for my needs but it'll meet any delay sound out there. Of course my Mark V is probably overkill for my needs also 8)

 

[screamingdaisy]

With not having the chance to work with the amp I guess I am not understanding the tonal characteristics of the amp and how the volume plays into this. My JCM 800 (2203) was not really home friendly so I am probably using this as an unfair comparison. Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

Basically, the lower the power the softer and less strident the response. 90w will produce the most highs and lows and do it the most accurately with the hardest edge to the response. 45w will reduce the highs and lows, soften the response, be a bit darker and add some soft clipping if you have the amp turned up loud enough.

Adding the tube rectifier darkens the response even more while giving a spongy response to the bass.

I don't generally use 10w mode, so I can't detail too much about it.

When I play at low volumes I usually leave the amp's wattage alone and use the built in Variac. It drops the internal voltage from around 120v to 90v, which induces a fair bit of sag and rolls of a fair bit of top end. This really helps for low volume playing where an amp on full power is typically too stiff and fizzy.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I use an Eventide Timefactor.

+1.

 

[fuzzgod]

the MkV is totally useable in a home, not just a stage or studio. I play at home at reasonable volumes and have never been disappointed by the tone unless I am really pushing the gain to extremes. Then I find that a little more volume is needed to fill out the sound. But I still do this in an apartment building and have never had any problems. The beauty of the MkV is experimenting with the power settings and finding a tone you like (10/45/90, Full vs. Variac, Loop or no Loop).

 

[MusicManJP6]

Which delay pedal do you use Adam?I am on the Comfortably numb quest right now.

I'm using the TC Electronics Flashback delay. Great pedal!

 

[EvilEmuOfDoom]

Which delay pedal do you use Adam?I am on the Comfortably numb quest right now.

I'm using the TC Electronics Flashback delay. Great pedal!

+1

The Timefactor is awesome but if you want something smaller or cheaper definitely go with the Flashback.

 

[heru]

+1 on the TC Flashback Delay. Their Corona Chorus is great too.

 

[fr0sty]

I use my mark v at home only. I like it at very low volumes, medium loud volumes and recorded direct. For me, I always have a tough time dialing in a tone I like at medium low volume (if that makes any sense).

I find it very easy to get the lowest low tones (across all channels). Also easy to get killer tones when the amp starts to open up a bit, but isn't crushingly loud.

 

[Andre Oliveros]

Excellent amp, i live in an apartment now, and ive experimented alot with the 10W modes, i found it awesome, i really liked it, i normally use 45W mode to the Ch1, now im using the 45W mode in the other two channels, also great, i mean it just has to many sounds there, i believe its really hard that you dont find any good tone out of that amp... ill say its Home friendly, rehearsel friendly, live friendly, studio friendly, so yeah
it may have sounds that you would love and you dont even know it right now... i found that "Surprise im another sound that you love"

hope it helps
Dre.

 

[Jim Ed Love]

I am using my MK V and a MKIIC+ in the basement of my house. I am running them in stereo and having a great time. I know it is overkill, but having the big sound is so great.