jmontgomery
Well-known member
There's a lot to these amps. How reliable are they?
Also, how much heavier is the combo. Would a head be best?
Also, how much heavier is the combo. Would a head be best?
Reliability
- Thread starter jmontgomery
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golfnguitarz
Well-known member
Others will chime in I am sure, but my experience with the Mark V after a year and a half or so is that I have had absolutely no issues. If you read enough of the forum, you will find some who have had issues, but I would say that it is usually due to a tube failure of some sort and that is just part of the package when you buy a tube amp.
Personally, I prefer the head. Being able to try out different cabs is great and from what others have said, the combo is a beast to move. Like anything, it comes down to personal preference. However, note that the combo comes with the C90 speaker and the recto cabs that most folks seem to pair with the head have V30s in them. Again, personal preference on what you prefer.
Personally, I prefer the head. Being able to try out different cabs is great and from what others have said, the combo is a beast to move. Like anything, it comes down to personal preference. However, note that the combo comes with the C90 speaker and the recto cabs that most folks seem to pair with the head have V30s in them. Again, personal preference on what you prefer.
Mrjason
Well-known member
I also have had no issues with my Mark V so far (knock on wood). LOVE my amp!
I vote for the head vrs combo. I have a 2x12 recto cab i leave at pratice and use a 4x10 old Marshall cab at home.
Makes it allot easier to just haul the head back and forth otherwise I would leave the whole amp at practice.
I left the head at practice once and after buying the new head .. that was a long week!
I vote for the head vrs combo. I have a 2x12 recto cab i leave at pratice and use a 4x10 old Marshall cab at home.
Makes it allot easier to just haul the head back and forth otherwise I would leave the whole amp at practice.
I left the head at practice once and after buying the new head .. that was a long week!
I've had mine since new, a year and a half ago. The only issue I had was faulty tubes - twice. Both times if was covered under warranty. Otherwise not a thing - these things are solid, extremely well built amps.
I have the combo. I opted for it for portability - I didn't want to drag a heavy cab around. This thing is heavy though so not a whole lot better. It does come on casters though so its easy to push it around. I also bought the 112 ported widebody cab for it. It has a C90 in it. Sounds good to my ears - more bottom end, but would like to swap it out and try a EV with it. The combo sits perfectly on top so its like a mini stack. No regrets at all with my choice.
Good luck!
I have the combo. I opted for it for portability - I didn't want to drag a heavy cab around. This thing is heavy though so not a whole lot better. It does come on casters though so its easy to push it around. I also bought the 112 ported widebody cab for it. It has a C90 in it. Sounds good to my ears - more bottom end, but would like to swap it out and try a EV with it. The combo sits perfectly on top so its like a mini stack. No regrets at all with my choice.
Good luck!
21 months and counting = no problems at all with my Mark V.
I have never had a problem with any of the Mesa products I´ve bought new. I have owned some used, pretty old stuff and that sometimes needed some tlc, but nothing major. My Mark III is almost 24 years old and it´s pretty much rock solid. Mesa makes great stuff!
I don´t really like the sound of the Mark series combos, so I would definatly get the head. Sounds much better with a closed back cab in my opinion. Much fatter and more powerful. And the combos are really heavy so they are not that much more portable, I´d rather go to the car twice.
I have never had a problem with any of the Mesa products I´ve bought new. I have owned some used, pretty old stuff and that sometimes needed some tlc, but nothing major. My Mark III is almost 24 years old and it´s pretty much rock solid. Mesa makes great stuff!
I don´t really like the sound of the Mark series combos, so I would definatly get the head. Sounds much better with a closed back cab in my opinion. Much fatter and more powerful. And the combos are really heavy so they are not that much more portable, I´d rather go to the car twice.
thunder100
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Nothing so faar in 7 month-->still exploring tones though
Roland
Roland
LPJunky
Well-known member
I've had my share of problems. Tubes aside. A component had to be replaced on the circuit regarding the effect loop. And the footswitch connector is a bit on the weak side. Many people have problem with it. I helped it a bit by bending the outside ground ringpin (I don't know how to call this) as explained in an other post. I now went with a mini AmpGizmo (got rid of the footswitch entirely) and the DIN connector has to be wiggled now and then to reestablish proper contact.
Don't get me wrong. The Mark is very well made, it's just is weakest aspect.
Don't get me wrong. The Mark is very well made, it's just is weakest aspect.
MesaGod666
Well-known member
Blew the tubes once when I first bought it. Absolutely no issues after 3 tours and consistent regional gigging.
jmontgomery
Well-known member
I'll be sitting it on top of a Mesa widebody cab I allready have. I wont be moving the amp very often. Head or combo, decisions decisions.
LPJunky
Well-known member
Head is 49 lbs. Combo is 80 lbs.
8 months and no problems. I've only had a problem with one Mesa product, a .50 Caliber head I bought new in 1989. They sent me a new one.
I like the head version. You can try different speakers and different size cabinets. And I always feel weird plugging a combo into a 4x12, if you ever may go that route. Its a visual thing.
I like the head version. You can try different speakers and different size cabinets. And I always feel weird plugging a combo into a 4x12, if you ever may go that route. Its a visual thing.
HaggertysMusic
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FWIW, I have sold a LOT of mark fives. Probably 50+. Outside of one amp having a bad reverb tank, and one or two having a tube issue, these amps have been rock solid. I wouldn't worry one bit about buying one!
jmontgomery
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Hey, it was nice talking to you today.
HaggertysMusic
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jmontgomery said:
Yeah it was great to visit with you Jeff! Your amp is out the door today! Enjoy! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
lesterpaul
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...here's is a testimonial for you-my Mark FIVE survived an EF-FIVE tornado...it was upstairs...its one of the few pieces of gear that made it...my equipment was upstairs and to the right....when I made it back the next day, the MV was sitting there on the floor-it was knocked off of a cabinet, but it was fine after a good clean up-plays like it always has...now, if only Mesa would use this in an ad......Randall???are you feelin' me??
Neptical
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lesterpaul said:
...here's is a testimonial for you-my Mark FIVE survived an EF-FIVE tornado...it was upstairs...its one of the few pieces of gear that made it...my equipment was upstairs and to the right....when I made it back the next day, the MV was sitting there on the floor-it was knocked off of a cabinet, but it was fine after a good clean up-plays like it always has...now, if only Mesa would use this in an ad......Randall???are you feelin' me??
****!!!!! First and foremost, I hope you and anyone else involved are OK!
How is your other gear doing?? ( IIC+,etc.)
Wow, that's some serious stuff.
lesterpaul
Well-known member
hey Nep-we are ok...we were in the room to the right of the stairs...hallway bathroom...if you can imagine, I ambasically standing in my garage taking the pic!it was beyond horriffic, but we all made it out(wife, 5yr old,2 yr old,greyhound,and ragdoll cat..)-rebuilding our life day by day,renting a house,etc....rough
-the coli and the B+ got hammered-I am worried about them,but I haven't been able to even look at them much..Sylvania tubes obliterated...tube sockets hangin' out of the chassis...even the fuse was sucked out of my B+ :shock: ....down on the priority list right now-all of my guitars except my Tom Anderson were heavily damaged..put it this way, I now hAve a lot of reliced axes!!!My LP Custom was sticking out of the rubble like Excalibur..had a LP Standard that is now a headless model,.....ugghhhh...makes me sick...some stufF hasn't been found at all!
-NAtional Weather Service estimated my house was at ground zero of a 220 mph twister moving at 55 mph....every closet and bathroom was ok...it rained 5 plus inches on my gear that night,too!LIFE IS GOOD...and too short..I have decided to GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!
-the coli and the B+ got hammered-I am worried about them,but I haven't been able to even look at them much..Sylvania tubes obliterated...tube sockets hangin' out of the chassis...even the fuse was sucked out of my B+ :shock: ....down on the priority list right now-all of my guitars except my Tom Anderson were heavily damaged..put it this way, I now hAve a lot of reliced axes!!!My LP Custom was sticking out of the rubble like Excalibur..had a LP Standard that is now a headless model,.....ugghhhh...makes me sick...some stufF hasn't been found at all!
-NAtional Weather Service estimated my house was at ground zero of a 220 mph twister moving at 55 mph....every closet and bathroom was ok...it rained 5 plus inches on my gear that night,too!LIFE IS GOOD...and too short..I have decided to GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!
