Seriously! I have owned some amazing amps during the last 30 or so years and the MkV is among the best sounding amps I've ever had the pleasure plugging a guitar into. Repeat the last statement several times as this can be said of each channel and mode. They're each voiced so differently from the others that each is like a different amp altogether and each as amazing as the others. Some of these modes will, if configured to, cop the tone, feel, and drive characteristics of the most widely used classic amps (Fender, Marshall, Vox, & Mesa) but there's far more flexibility than just copping classic tones. With the level of control the user has over gain staging, EQ (pre and post OD), output class and power, headroom, and power supply entirely new voicings can be crafted and given any dynamic response desired. This is easily the most flexible all tube amp available anywhere offering options more likely to be seen together in a modeler than an amp. What amazes me most is that there's no sacrifice in tone for the flexibility - none whatsoever.
The Marshall, Fender, & Vox style tones are not identical clones of any given amp. Rather there's a fairly wide range of tones that can be dialed in to sound and feel very much like a variety of past amps from these manufacturers with shades between as well. I'm still learning how all of the options may be used interractively to achieve desired results but I now know enough to quickly dial in what I have in mind and sculpt it from there.
I can see how someone might be underwhelmed by this amp if they're not familiar with Mesa amps, Mark series in particular, as they are not simple plug-n-play amps. The controls are quite interractive and settings that look 'normal' for a Fender or Marshall amp could yield unpleasant results depending on how other seemingly unrelated controls are set. Once familiar though it should be easy for anyone to set the amp up for the desired sound. Set up right this amp should leave a wide perma-grin on any players face.
I've no doubt that this amp will turn out to be the most useful studio tool for guitar that I'm likely to ever use. Additionally I'm now far more likely to grab this amp for a jam than the Fuchs unless I'm in the mood for that particular tone and feel and I know with certainty that the music will all fit the Fuchs' voicing well. For any occasion where the music is likely to vary widely from blues to country to hard rock to fusion etc. the MkV will go with me, no question.
Ordinarily a new amp is auditioning here for a while before I make predictions about how long it will stay. The MkV gets a pass on this process - it's definitely here to stay (barring a financial crisis requiring drastic measures). If circumstances were to force me to sell an amp the Fuchs would be the last to go - it's been tuned specifically to fit my technique perfectly and it fits like a glove. I'm not going to go through that process again or spend the money required to do so again. It's done and it's mine for good. It would be hard to give up the Mesa but, being a production amp as is it could, and would, be replaced without issue. If both were production amps as they are the Fuchs would be the first to go. The Mesa is just as musical and expressive as the Fuchs and way more flexible.
I'm kind of excited about the Mark V.
The Marshall, Fender, & Vox style tones are not identical clones of any given amp. Rather there's a fairly wide range of tones that can be dialed in to sound and feel very much like a variety of past amps from these manufacturers with shades between as well. I'm still learning how all of the options may be used interractively to achieve desired results but I now know enough to quickly dial in what I have in mind and sculpt it from there.
I can see how someone might be underwhelmed by this amp if they're not familiar with Mesa amps, Mark series in particular, as they are not simple plug-n-play amps. The controls are quite interractive and settings that look 'normal' for a Fender or Marshall amp could yield unpleasant results depending on how other seemingly unrelated controls are set. Once familiar though it should be easy for anyone to set the amp up for the desired sound. Set up right this amp should leave a wide perma-grin on any players face.
I've no doubt that this amp will turn out to be the most useful studio tool for guitar that I'm likely to ever use. Additionally I'm now far more likely to grab this amp for a jam than the Fuchs unless I'm in the mood for that particular tone and feel and I know with certainty that the music will all fit the Fuchs' voicing well. For any occasion where the music is likely to vary widely from blues to country to hard rock to fusion etc. the MkV will go with me, no question.
Ordinarily a new amp is auditioning here for a while before I make predictions about how long it will stay. The MkV gets a pass on this process - it's definitely here to stay (barring a financial crisis requiring drastic measures). If circumstances were to force me to sell an amp the Fuchs would be the last to go - it's been tuned specifically to fit my technique perfectly and it fits like a glove. I'm not going to go through that process again or spend the money required to do so again. It's done and it's mine for good. It would be hard to give up the Mesa but, being a production amp as is it could, and would, be replaced without issue. If both were production amps as they are the Fuchs would be the first to go. The Mesa is just as musical and expressive as the Fuchs and way more flexible.
I'm kind of excited about the Mark V.
