What amp would complement my Mark V head

[Mark V]

I'm thinking about getting a second head to complement my Mark V (and also as a backup, if the Mark V would ever break down during a gig).
The Mark V is one great amp for live gigs, it's very present in the mix, but it just lacks that BOOM that the other guitarist has with his Dual Recto.

I was maybe thinking about something compact like the Mini Rectifier (but that's like 1200€ here, and for that price I can get a secondhand Dual Recto). I would buy something mini so I don't have to haul the Mark V head everytime to rehearsal, and it's easier to put in the trunk of my car.

Besides the price, the other thing that keeps me from buying the mini, is the wattage.. usually I gig pretty loud with the Mark V and I'm not sure the 25watt's of the mini Recto will cope... any opinions on that?

I suppose I can switch channels via on the mini via my G-Labs looper/switcher (the Mark V is switched via the G-major2 relay switches)

offcourse, other suggestions are welcome.

 

[jmontgomery]

If you like the recto sound then the Mini Rec would be the obvious choice. I bought the TA30 and it complements my Mark V perfectly as there is no overlap. They are completely different sounding amps, which is what I was looking for.
You may want to check out the new Express Plus heads. They would probably be closer to your Mark sounds. For a gigging backup that may be what you want. Also, there are rumors of a Mini Mark.

 

[phyrexia]

Shiva...

 

[LesPaul70]

If you like the recto sound then the Mini Rec would be the obvious choice.

Yes.
Just be aware, though, while it is definitely a Recto, it does not sound exactly the same as its big brothers. Which might not be bad thing if your other guitarist uses a full Recto - it usually helps if you don't sound exactly the same. The mini is somewhat crisper and crunchier, while the Dual is darker, smoother and tubbier sounding.

What are you primarily looking for? A backup that can (more or less) duplicate or imitate your key MkV sounds or something that will broaden your sonic options? An amp that serves one need best might not be the best choice for the other...

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Go for one of the Rectifier series amps... 8)

 

[screamingdaisy]

I've been switching between Rectos and Marks for years. I love both amps. Total opposites in many ways yet somehow both manage to achieve the "Mesa" sound.

That said, I feel (but can't say for sure since I've never tried it myself) that with a Mini-Recto you'll be severely under-gunned. Unlike the Mark, which has a strong midrange that easily cuts through a Recto the Mini-Recto will be going toe to toe with a bigger, more powerful version of itself. It's not like it's a low-mid vs high-mid thing where two amps happily occupy their own little piece of the frequency spectrum... both the Dual and the Mini are going to want to occupy the low mids and a little bit of EL84 mid-bump probably isn't going to compensate for the 75w difference in cojones.

 

[bluestometal]

You may want to check out the new Express Plus heads. They would probably be closer to your Mark sounds.

+1

 

[MBJunkie]

I happen to own the MkV, TA30 and Mini Rec amps. I love all, but for very different reasons as they are all unique in their own right.

Based on the OP's desciption of what he is after for an alternate amp......I wouldn't recommend the Mini Rec or TA30 because as much as I love them both (as alternate amps to my MkV).....I don't think they would be a good fit for him based on his description of what he is after.

The RA100 may be another great option.....I dunno.....never seen or played one, but some MkV owners and even previous MkV owners seem to like them?

Best of luck whatever you decide!

 

[Mark V]

Ok, so I've decided what amp it will be.

The Mini Recto and the other options mentioned here are pretty expensive in Europe.

So I decided to go with the AMT Stonehead. It has been on my list for a while.
Ola Englund got a prototype and recorded a clip with it.
And now they started producing the amps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb3JeYa1ihU&feature=relmfu

It has four channels, loop, etc...etc... pretty packed for such a low price.

All I need to do now is wait about 7 weeks for it to arrive.

 

[Anomaly]

Randall MTS RM50! I can switch my preamp from a recto based module to 5150 III module in a fly.
modded (jaded faith, salvation mods) modules are a lot cheaper than buying a new amp. 8)

 

[Mark V]

Well I just bought a Diezel VH4... This thing eats my Mark v raw... Just wow!
I'm considering now if I will ise em both live or going to sell the Mark V.

The midi switching + channel inserts on the VH4 just amazing.
It's something I have always missed on the Mark v.
Plus I never was able to get such a punchy prominent sound from the mark v

I'm impressed with the Diezel so far!

 

[thunder100]

I gig rarely now but I am seriously happy with my "Amps"

Mark V
JVM410H
Axe FX 2

Even so far that I think I am out of the AMP GAS

Roland

 

[guitarp77]

When it comes to think about other amps, I see only 3 options:

Rectifiers, the ENGL Steve Morse and the Transatlantic...

But it just stays in the thinking area, since I'm overall happier than a 2-tail-dog with my MarkV and I've been able to barely scratch the surface of its true capabilities...

 

[Heritage Softail]

A DSL 100

It has the Marshall crunch you won't get out of a MKV.

They are cheap and sound great. I have one as a permanent backup amp. If you hit it with a slight boost it gets you a great high gain crunch.

A Recto is also a strong choice. If you get the Recto, definitely get a DSL100, it and the Recto are crushing.

 

[bdubbs]

My other guitar player has an Orange Rockverb and the amps really compliment each other well.

 

[Given To Fly]

Road King II + Mark V = Lots of ground covered!