second hand Mark V - worth giving to a tech for a 'service'

[rick16v]

I don't know the age of my mark v or the state of the valves, caps etc. Is it worth giving it to an approved mesa tech for a once over? Are there any wear parts other than the valves that he could identify and replace? For all I know the valves could be four years old. I can't compare it to another similar amp so I have no point of reference to tell if it is sounding its best or not.

What would you guys do?

 

[domct203]

I would put in a fresh set of Mesa 6L6's and play the amp for a while.

Dom

 

[MusicManJP6]

I would put in a fresh set of Mesa 6L6's and play the amp for a while.

Dom

Agreed. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[rick16v]

So just change the power amp tubes then. I know what you mean about if it ain't broke, I just dont know it its 100% or not.

I'll get the 6L6s and see what if any difference it makes. Thanks!

 

[gtrnstuff]

If the new power tubes don't sound different, keep them as spares. It's a good idea to have a backup set anyway.
Preamp tubes don't wear out quickly. They can, however, go microphonic, ringing and howling especially if it's a combo amp.
There's a section in the manual describing tube issues.
If the controls aren't scratchy, and you have no unusual noises, it's probably just fine and shouldn't need service.

 

[conrad79]

I don't know the age of my mark v or the state of the valves, caps etc

On mine, the date of manufacture is written on the underside of the chassis. If it's less than 5 years old it's under factory warranty if something is wrong. I wouldn't take it to a tech unless something was wrong but I'd definitely put new tubes in, as others have said.

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

Just play. Actually spare tubes are a good practice. When it comes to music, equipment a very good friend/most talented guitarist I ever had the pleasure of sharing the stage and quite a few beers with once said "If it sounds good, it is good". So if the amp sounds good, play. If it don't sound good change the tubes. If it still don't sound good take it to the shop. The Boogie Techs will make your Mark V growl again.

 

[rick16v]

Cheers mate, good advice.

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

Not taking away from any other amp techs out there but I live in the Hollywood area so I go to the Hollywood Sunset strip store. The guys at the Hollywood store are awesome. When I email with a question I usually get an answer back in minutes no matter what the question. I have taken my amps in with questions and when I have a problem. They not only get questions answered but when there is actually something wrong many times they are able to fix it on the spot. They are not only there for sales but they are musicians so I can explain things in musician talk and they understand what I'm saying. The technician there is the finest I have ever met.

I have asked questions on this post and gotten advice but when it comes to the point where I'm looking at changing hardware, tubes or a pedal to get what I'm looking for I always bounce it off the techs at Boogie. They get me pointed in the direction of what I'm looking for, sometimes they have me bring the amp in and they do their magic.

I think the coolest thing is when I get guitarists camp out on my side of the stage. On break they start to ask a bunch of questions thinking the answer to their search for tone must be a massive rack that I have to be running through. I always chuckle at the look of disappointment when they find out I only have a compressor, 2 delay pedals, a chorus and a Wah. I point to the amp, that is where the tone you are looking for is.

No I do not work for Boogie. I live about 3 hours from the Boogie store. I think I would be broke if I lived any closer, I'd have lots of cool amps and pedals, but broke.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Which compressor?

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

Xotic SP Compressor. Set to "Low" on the selector switch and both volume and Blend set to 12 O'Clock. It gives no boost (doesn't get louder) with the volume at 12 O'Clock. With the "Blend" at 12 O'Clock is adds punch and a little sparkle on the clean. IMO it makes the cleans sound airy with a little snap from the string. For the drive channels it gives just a little more push and sustain. I cannot really hear any difference on the drive channels but I can feel it. I put it before my Cry Baby in front of the amp, first in the signal.

The Delays are 2 MXR Carbon Copy(s) pedals first one in the chain with a short delay with the "Mod" button engaged (it gives a nice subtle chorus effect) the second one is just a little longer delay without the "Mod" button engaged. Delay pedal one is a few years old and the "Mod" is very subtle. Delay 2 is newer and the "Mod" is very prominent and I don't like it. I only use both delays on the clean channel it gives a very big sound. It sounds a bit messy on the drive channels with both engaged. Seems to loose the attack and definition.

The chorus is a Boss Super Chorus CH-1. I rarely engage it as the Delay with the "Mod" sounds great by itself.

What pedals do you use? I'm always looking for new ideas.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Fulltone Deja'Vibe - I basically use this as my catch-all modulation effect and use it where others would use chorus or phase. I run the gamut with it from slow and subtle to loud and staccato. I like it because it adds movement to the sound without being rhythmically distracting. As an added bonus it changes the guitars attack... Each note drips like your underwater and gives single notes a 3D character.

Cantrell Wah - it's basically for covers of Dirt, Bulls on Parade, Electric Funeral.

Fulltone Full-Drive 2 - I use this as an "under-drive". I set it at a slight volume cut because I don't want to actually drive the amp any harder, just add some compression and upper mid pop when soloing. It mostly functions as my "Oh ****!" button and I kick it on when notes start dying too early, and the boost gets kicked on when I forget to roll the guitar's volume back up for a lead.

Strymon El Capistan - I love tape echo. I own a TTE and a Mark V. The TTE doesn't like effects loops. The El Capistan loves effects loops. I love the El Capistan.

The cool thing with tape echo is that you can mix it really wet and your dry tone will cut through and sit on top of it. The El Capistan captures that effect, so I can run a pretty loud slap back or long ambient repeats without having the delay trying to take over and mess up my sound.

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

Sounds like a cool topic... What effects do you use and what it does for you.