Mark V or Road King II or Roadster ????

[GD_NC]

OK. I've been studying these three amps for a couple of weeks now. Honestly they all seem insanely capable and flexible. So much so, that I honestly can't figure out why Mesa makes all three. I've also seen several post with people comparing, contrasting and switching between these 3 uber amps.

I've yet to find a store that has all three, and if I did, It would probably take a week of tweeking to figure out each one.

So how do you decide? What is the biggest strength of each one? Why did you pick it over the other two?

 

[dtrax]

I'd look at it from a Mark vs Recto point of view. I'm personally not too concerned with clean tones, so it becomes more about which distortion voicing I prefer. Rectos have that lovely low end rumble while the Marks have a smoothness to their gain that is great for lead playing. And of course with the GEQ you can shape the tone 6 ways from Sunday; although you can't really get a Mark to sound like a Recto (and vice versa). Apples and Oranges really.

Roadking vs Roadster comes down to utilizing the extra options like cab selection and EL34+6L6. Of the two I'd go for the Roadster; the RK just has too many options I'd never use to the fullest.

All that said, since I own a Rectoverb I'm more inclined to go with the Mark V for more tonal variation.

 

[CoG]

I have spent a lot of time with a Roadster and if I was going to drop a couple grand on a new Mesa a Mark V would have to really, really, REALLY impress me to keep me from buying a Roadster to match my buddy's. The Roadster is an incredible amp once you get it all dialed in (which may take months... and then you'll try EL34s or 6L6s or vice versa...)

The one caution I would put on the Roadster is that once you get it dialed in LOUD, you will never be satisfied hearing it quiet again.

 

[Uncle Muscles]

Roadster or Road King hands down. People re going to disagree but I can get my Road King very close if not dead on to the Mark V channel 3 Liquid Lead sound with 1 OD pedal and proper EQ (chopping out the Bass frequencies for instance). I am going to do some videos this week of the new rig. I was able to have both amps together for a day or so and AB them. I have played a Roadster several times at Hollywood MB Store. FWIW My Mark 5 was a combo with a ported 1x12 MB cab and had the stock tubes in it. I had it for 2 months before trading out to the RK2 last week.

If you like to switch power tubes around and have every option under the sun (well almost...) - RKII is 4 U

If you can't live without that Mark IV sound and you need that Great Mark 1 Santana tone without any pedals - Mk 5 is the amp

If you are going to use pedals or OD's with your amp anyway - Roadster or Roadking by far

The clean sounds are equal (pretty much) on all 3.

MARK V PROs:
Lightest of the 3
Tightest sounding of the 3 (almost to a fault - for me anyway...)
Well designed Foot Controller
Has the classic Mark 2C+, IV and Mark 1 sounds
May be able to pick up a used one at a discount

CONS:

I felt the amp was a bit disjointed between channels 2 & 3
Mark 1 is very dark. Good sounding - but there needs to be more play in the tone variation control there for me
The rest of channel 2 is really stiff feeling and somewhat THIN sounding compared to the MARK 1 setting - which is great if that is what you like.

Going from Mark 1 on ch2 to Mark IV on Ch 3 is just bizarre. Your bass goes away - it sounds honky and mid-rangey and you wonder why Mark 1 is not the Lead channel. This amp has basically 1 CLEAN channel and 2 LEAD channels for live use. And switching between them isn't like changing sounds - it's like changing bands.

CH 2 Crunch setting takes pedals well but not a lot of variety there compared to the 2/3 channels of the RK2.

Channel 3 is all gain all the time. And I felt each setting in CH3 did one thing well and found the other settings not for me.

This amp is very good at what it does - but it feels off when you compare the two side by side. I loved it until I had to make it work in a band setting. Then the M5 sort of showed its limitations.

RK2 PROS:
Very versatile
Almost endless possibilities of tone
Fantastic FX Loops (2)
Very easy to dial in - and BALANCE - every channel
BRIT Mode channel 2 is the ****.
Every pedal and guitar I have sounds good through this thing
You want Mark IV LL ?- Channel 3 - DIODE rectifier - Gain at 1-2 - treble up to 3:00 turn down the bass - Mids to taste - use a BB overdrive or similar depending on the guitar. For my Stratocasters with hot rails PUs in the bridge there is almost no difference between the 2 amps at that setting. I'm sure the purists will disagree but I was satisfied. Then again I'm not playing Dream Theater or Masters Of Puppets covers. Not that there is anything wrong with that...

ROADSTER PROS:
Sounds every bit as good as the RK2 and just as easy to dial in
Cheaper to buy
Cheaper to retube

CONS:

These amps are heavy as ****. Seriously.
I get pops switching channels every once in a while - nothing major
That King Foot controller is a real long piece of real estate
IF you are in love with the Mark sound - you'll have to dig a bit to get it.

 

[GD_NC]

Thanks for the $.02! Great stuff.

I've been a bit shocked by the recent Mark V feedback/defections lately. I love the "May be able to pick up a used one at a discount" comment. That's priceless.

I'm still saving up to make the big jump. Probably going to be a while in this economy. I've owned a couple Marks in the past but never had a DR. Taking my time to gather some input and try to get my hands on them in a store somewhere along the way.

 

[Uncle Muscles]

Taking my time to gather some input and try to get my hands on them in a store somewhere along the way.

This is crucial. You absolutely have to take these things home and spend a few days on your gear at your space to make the call. Say what you will about Guitar Center - but they have a great return policy. And they carry Mesa Boogie among several other great amps.

 

[GD_NC]

Just a follow up question on weight. How much does a RK/Roadster head weigh? And what about a recto 4x12?

My previous Mark IV/EVM weighed in around 85lb in its roadcase and I swore I'd never have a combo that heavy again. (The beauty of a DC-3 - it's the most tone I can carry with one hand!)

I've got the opportunity to pick up a nice Recto 4x12 locally but I want to make sure I can manage it. I might be better off with a 2x12.

...and who the **** wants to drag around a RK/Roadster 2x12 combo? Great looking set up but who can carry it?

 

[ToneAddictJon]

I think the Roadster head weighs about 50lbs, and is easy enough to transport for me. As far as a 2x12 vs 4x12 - whichever you can afford/easily move or fit into the places you play is the way to go. I usually use my 4x12 at the metal shows (2 evms/2 v30's in an X pattern) and my 2x12 (2 v30's) at the rock shows (mostly has to do with stage appearance rather than sound). The Mark V vs Roadster/Roadking thing is always gonna be a personal preference/playing style thing - I still haven't met a mark that fits me and the Rectifiers always have, especially the Roadster (The note clarity is brilliant). I was going to go for a 2x12 combo with the Roadster but very glad I didn't (although my 4x12 weighs more the combo).

 

[kissing]

Just like to give my opinion.
I was asking the same questions just one year back except it was a Mark IV then.
I have nothing to test on therefore internet was my only source of information.
However, what determines my decision was Dream theater's Train of Thoughts. That was the massive gain that i was looking for. And i also found some clips and was surprised by how clean the RKII can be. It was 2 extreme ends. Further more, the tonal options available with the progressive linkage. and lastly, the looks of the RKII is just awesome! Its just has a killer monsterous looks yet in class.
It took me some time to get to some tones, and having it for about a year, i am still discovering new tones. however, the guys were really right about the OD pedal and EQ.
For me, i was searching for the "swiss army knife" of tones and i guess RKII was the choice for me. I believe this is the amp that is going to last me quite some time before i start GASing again.
I would definitely like to get my hands on the Mark V but i believe RKII would still be the prime now for me.
Hope this helps.

 

[MesaMonster]

I went with an RKII. I am older and I don't see myself going out and buying new amps every few years. I wanted an amp that was versitle and realiable for a long time. When the time comes, I can pass it down to my kids. I have the head and a Carvin 2x12 and it sounds awesome. I plan on getting a recto 2x12 and possibley a 3/4 2x12 with c90s. That would give me a mix of all the best stuff. I play in church on Sundays so I lug this thing in every week. It's not so bad. I drive a VW jetta and the head and cab fit in there nicely. I also have a Pedaltrain Pro which is pretty good size along with my guitar. It al fits in just fine and I have a little hand cart that I use to carry it all around with. No strain on my back. I am looking into reconfiguirng the King Kontroller. I think it is a bad design. It takes up too much room.

I am just looking at the tip of the iceberg but I know there is lots of yummy goodness waiting to be found. I am very happy with this amp. I originally bought an RKI and sent it back. The Lonestar clean channel on the RKII cant be beat. I was lucky to pick up the head for 1700.00 used and the cab off of eBay for 245.00. Not a bad deal considering what a full Mesa rig would cost. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Good luck in your search/decision.

Don

 

[JohnDNJ]

I love my Mark IV but if I had to make a choice given those 3 amps I would take the Roadster.

 

[boogieboy]

I have a RK. Never got the knobs where I needed them. Got the electradyne-didnt do more than tweak the treble once in 4 hours of playing the other night. Done.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

The Roadster is my ULTIMATE amp. Whenever I get an itch to try something different, I plug back into it, and forget all about anything else.

It is Mesa's BEST amp IMO...and I have been through A LOT of amps. It's nice to not have to worry about it anymore

 

[fishyfishfish]

the Roadster. I bought my Dual before checking out the Roadster, and I still have a very sick feeling in my stomach. Every time I play that amp in the store I want it so bad that I am considering selling off most of my worldly crap to get one.
I did spend about an hour with the Mark V the other day, and while it is a great amp, I don't quite get channel three.
As for the Road King, IMO has way more stuff than you will ever need, and if you did need all the options you probably have an old Marshall or two lying around to cover that ground.
I did like the Electra Dyne, a VERY COOL one channel amp, what I think the Lone Star should have been.
One thing for sure, you won't go wrong with any of the amps you mentioned, but I would seriously check them out in person before buying.

 

[GD_NC]

Wow! Great responses. Thanks for your input. After considering all the endless possibilities these amps offer I decided to go back to an old reliable Mark IV.

While I'm sure these three are all far better in many ways than the IV, the Mark IV seems to cover everything I play with ease. I guess the deciding factors were:

- Price! A used IV is about $600-$1000 less than any of the other three (and I'm cheap and used IV's really are a steal right now)
- Worried about reliability The IV is a tank and MB certainly has the bugs worked out. Is it just me or are there just too many MK V problems posted on the board for an amp that new?
- I know how to work a Mark IV - Owned one for years. Still my favorite amp of all time. I guess I couldn't see any reason to change.

 

[mrd]

Just get a MKV and a RKII man... 8)

There's nothing like blasting both amps at once... RKII provides the crushing, vast landscape of tone and the Mark will provide the voice, tightness and cutting clarity!

 

[GD_NC]

Just get a MKV and a RKII man... 8)

There's nothing like blasting both amps at once... RKII provides the crushing, vast landscape of tone and the Mark will provide the voice, tightness and cutting clarity!

Good plan! ... if I had an unlimited guitar budget.

 

[YellowJacket]

I went with an RKII. I am older and I don't see myself going out and buying new amps every few years. I wanted an amp that was versitle and realiable for a long time. When the time comes, I can pass it down to my kids. I have the head and a Carvin 2x12 and it sounds awesome. I plan on getting a recto 2x12 and possibley a 3/4 2x12 with c90s. That would give me a mix of all the best stuff. I play in church on Sundays so I lug this thing in every week. It's not so bad. I drive a VW jetta and the head and cab fit in there nicely. I also have a Pedaltrain Pro which is pretty good size along with my guitar. It al fits in just fine and I have a little hand cart that I use to carry it all around with. No strain on my back. I am looking into reconfiguirng the King Kontroller. I think it is a bad design. It takes up too much room.

I am just looking at the tip of the iceberg but I know there is lots of yummy goodness waiting to be found. I am very happy with this amp. I originally bought an RKI and sent it back. The Lonestar clean channel on the RKII cant be beat. I was lucky to pick up the head for 1700.00 used and the cab off of eBay for 245.00. Not a bad deal considering what a full Mesa rig would cost. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Good luck in your search/decision.

Don

*off topic*
How do you even play in church with a Recto?? Does the RKII do some low wattage gain settings? I personally had to get Yellow Jackets for my Two Channel Dual as well at a 1 x 12 with a greenback to neuter the volume enough to silence opposition from the soundmen!! I'm currently building a Theile 2 x 12 to get a better tone (I hate the Peavey 1 x 12 even with the celestion since the cab sounds bad) but in my mind, Yellow Jackets are necessary for church or any volume sensitive situation. I love my Recto Standard 4 x 12 but to sound decent it has to run far louder than churches are willing to deal with. (In my opinion, V30s sound constipated at low volumes)

*on topic* As much as I love my Dual, I definitely wouldn't mind having a Marshall JCM2000 50watt head, Vox AC30, and a tiny terror lying around. I have a box full of different tube types for my dual so I imagine I'd have loads of fun with a Road King.

 

[MesaMonster]

I went with an RKII. I am older and I don't see myself going out and buying new amps every few years. I wanted an amp that was versitle and realiable for a long time. When the time comes, I can pass it down to my kids. I have the head and a Carvin 2x12 and it sounds awesome. I plan on getting a recto 2x12 and possibley a 3/4 2x12 with c90s. That would give me a mix of all the best stuff. I play in church on Sundays so I lug this thing in every week. It's not so bad. I drive a VW jetta and the head and cab fit in there nicely. I also have a Pedaltrain Pro which is pretty good size along with my guitar. It al fits in just fine and I have a little hand cart that I use to carry it all around with. No strain on my back. I am looking into reconfiguirng the King Kontroller. I think it is a bad design. It takes up too much room.

I am just looking at the tip of the iceberg but I know there is lots of yummy goodness waiting to be found. I am very happy with this amp. I originally bought an RKI and sent it back. The Lonestar clean channel on the RKII cant be beat. I was lucky to pick up the head for 1700.00 used and the cab off of eBay for 245.00. Not a bad deal considering what a full Mesa rig would cost. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

Good luck in your search/decision.

Don

*off topic*
How do you even play in church with a Recto?? Does the RKII do some low wattage gain settings? I personally had to get Yellow Jackets for my Two Channel Dual as well at a 1 x 12 with a greenback to neuter the volume enough to silence opposition from the soundmen!! I'm currently building a Theile 2 x 12 to get a better tone (I hate the Peavey 1 x 12 even with the celestion since the cab sounds bad) but in my mind, Yellow Jackets are necessary for church or any volume sensitive situation. I love my Recto Standard 4 x 12 but to sound decent it has to run far louder than churches are willing to deal with. (In my opinion, V30s sound constipated at low volumes)

*on topic* As much as I love my Dual, I definitely wouldn't mind having a Marshall JCM2000 50watt head, Vox AC30, and a tiny terror lying around. I have a box full of different tube types for my dual so I imagine I'd have loads of fun with a Road King.

You can go down to 30 watts with th RKII. My church plays in a movie theater so we can turn up pretty loud if we want to. I have been very happy so far and my other band mates are blown away with what I can do with this and the sound I get out of it. We play such a variety of music that I am constantly changing my settings and I discover new things all the time. The other day, I just discovered the Pentode/Triode switch. Like finding an easter egg. I get more excited all the time with the endless possibilities. These things really keep their value and are getting very hard to find. I might consider a Mark IV or V later but I am having too much fun right now.

 

[MesaGod666]

Roadster. Best bang for the buck, very versatile, and very inspiring. The Mark V is, well, not as versatile, and just not that interesting. Don't get me wrong, it's great to jam on, but I get a chub everytime from my Roadster.