What cab/speakers do I need with Mark V to get this tone?

[Christopher5777]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JH1Q5_HLFtA

This is the EXACT tone I want right here. Im thinking of getting my Mark V this week but havent decided on a cab yet, I prefer a 4x12 but if I can achieve this tone on a 2x12, I will get that. Any thoughts on what cab and speakers to achieve this same tone as in the vid, that is by far the most perfect tone I have ever heard.

Also, seperate question. Im considering the Mark V combo amp with 1x12 black shadow speaker. Do the combo mark Vs sound just as good as the head with a good cab? Or should I just stick with the amp head and seperate cab?

 

[SteveO]

In the comments he mentions that he's using a Mesa 2x12, and from the sound I would guess that it has Vintage 30s in it. The combo sounds quite different from a head into a cabinet (unless the cab is an open back 1x12 with a C90 in it). I have a bunch of cabs, and my favorite with the Mark V is the Recto 2x12 with V30s.

 

[Christopher5777]

In the comments he mentions that he's using a Mesa 2x12, and from the sound I would guess that it has Vintage 30s in it. The combo sounds quite different from a head into a cabinet (unless the cab is an open back 1x12 with a C90 in it). I have a bunch of cabs, and my favorite with the Mark V is the Recto 2x12 with V30s.

Right now im deciding between either Mark V head with the 2x12 cab or the Mark IV combo with a black shadow C90 1x12. I would save about a grand if I went with the Mark IV and I also read on here from a few posters that the Mark IV actually has a more accurate and tight sounding 80s metallica tone, will the Mark IV combo with the 1x12 C90 sound good?

 

[OldTelecasterMan]

So much goes into a tone my advice is to try everything you can. Most importantly is to take your main guitar(s) with you when you demo amps. Also if there is a special pedal(s) you know you always use take those also. If you are going to drop $3500 on an amp and speaker make sure it is exactly what you want. Let your ears tell you. Really, you could plug your guitar into James Hatfield's amp and its going to sound like you, not him.

The Mark V is an amazing and very versatile amp I would recommend to anyone. It is not an amp that is only good for one type of music. As for the cabinet you choose, you need to hear how you sound out of them and make your descision. My only recommendation is get a head and speaker not a combo. You have more options in the future should you find you want to change speakers or cabinets.

Ok...Im old.. been around a while, but I read an interview with Steve Vai. Eddie Van Halen went over to Steve's house and Steve handed his guitar to Eddie. Steve says there we were in my house, my guitar, my amp and it sounded like Eddie.

 

[firmani99]

I own a Mark V and Mark IV. They are both amazing amps. It could be the old tubes I have in my IV, I plan on retubing it soon. But I feel that the V is actually a little tighter and gets me extremely close to the metallica tone. If you are choosing between a IV combo and a V with a 212. The V with the 212 will get you the closest.

 

[Bluestoned1]

Get the head with 2X12 & 4X12 cabs! I love my head through either. But if I have to only have one, I would choose the 2X12 due to its versatility re:size yet still having AWESOME tone! ...FWIW

 

[LesPaul70]

The combo sounds quite different from a head into a cabinet (unless the cab is an open back 1x12 with a C90 in it).

A slight clarification. SteveO actually means here that a combo using the internal speaker sounds different from a head into a cab.
However,you can also connect the combo to an external cab, just like the head version (and they will sound the same if you do). It has the same cab outs. You are not limited to the internal speaker - it's just an extra option (and extra weight ) in the combo version that you can either use or disconnect, as you please. You can use 1) just the internal speaker, 2) just an external cab, or 3) the internal speaker and an external cab at the same time. The head can only use an external cab.
So, in a way, the combo version actually gives you more speaker options than the head version does. But if you are planning to use an external cab anyway, the combo speaker could be just dead weight to you.

Yes, I would also agree that a V is tighter than a IV. It is the tightest-sounding Mark I've ever played. For certain sounds, this is great, but I for one would appreciate a little more smoothness and 'sponginess' in my clean sounds.