Mesa Boogie Mark V: Does it live up to the hype?

[thiswaythatway]

The V is a really great amp but don't expect it to nail the tones and feel of the IIc+ or even the IV. It has a slightly different tone.

Other than that, it's super versatile, has an amazing clean tone and great crunch tones, and obviously a ripping lead channel. If clean and crunch tones are important to you, I'd seriously consider the V over the IV.

It has to to be tweaked a bit different from the older amps. I owned a few IIC+'s and I bought the V when it first came out. I tweaked it just like a real IIC+ and it didn't sound anything like it. After reading the manual and tweaking I guess it was closer but still different. They shouldn't have put Mark I, IV and IIC+ labels on the V. They probably should have just named them gain 1, 2, 3 or whatever.

 

[The Hoff]

I think it is a great amp. Loved it. I've owned many, in all honesty, I'm always close to purchasing another. In my opinion, it takes a bit to get to know the Mark V and how it needs to be dialed in. I don't know if it is "difficult" but it is different for sure. Similar to what you'd expect from Mesa (treble effects the gain, for example) but different in some ways as well.

 

[Avi8r2005]

I've had my mark V for about a month now and I love it. I had 2 mark IV, a triaxis, a stiletto and a recto. Out of them all, this is the one I really bonded with. I've wanted one since they came out and I've bought everything but a V. I loved the sound of the iv but the thing never sounded the fucking same from one day to the next. One day it would sound great and the next it sounded like a bag of stomped assholes. Got fed up with tweaking it and traded it. I got a ridiculous good deal on the V and Mesa 4x12. I spent a bit of time setting up how I wanted the sounds and haven't touched EQ since. In my opinion, everything that was wrong with the IV they fixed and got right on the V. 3 totally useable channels on it and they all sound great.

 

[steve_k]

What hype are you talking about? It's a decent, solid 3 channel amp, if you like Mesa quality and tone.

 

[Blitzie]

I really want to try one. Sit down for a couple hours and just dial, dial, dial. Unfortunately, now that GC doesn't carry new Mesa stuff anymore, there's nowhere in my state that has any in stock. I've got to keep checking the GC and Sam Ash used sites to see if one shows up.

Unless someone in CT has one and wants to hang out for a few hours

 

[thiswaythatway]

I really want to try one. Sit down for a couple hours and just dial, dial, dial. Unfortunately, now that GC doesn't carry new Mesa stuff anymore, there's nowhere in my state that has any in stock. I've got to keep checking the GC and Sam Ash used sites to see if one shows up.

Unless someone in CT has one and wants to hang out for a few hours

GC amp selection got a whole lot more boring without Mesa.

 

[59Bassman]

I've had one for about 9 months now. It gives me a huge grin every time I power it up. Probably the best amp I've ever owned.

 

[petejt]

So I took a fresh look at the Mark V. I've seen videos of it doing amazing recording tones. I've seen the Adam Jones sound nailed using the Mark IV setting, the 80s Metallica sound using the Mark II C+ setting.

Just curious, where's the video of the Adam Jones sound being nailed with the MarkIV setting?

I have a fair dinkum Mesa/Boogie MarkIV, so this might be fun to try. If you can't find the video, what settings did they use?
Also I'm curious about the "80s Metallica sound" but whenever I've started trying to replicate that sound, I find myself just making my own sounds and having more fun with that.

 

[Mizati20]

I'm actually a huge fan of the Mark V, but that's because I accept it for what it is... I don't usually do this but I will break down my opinion of the amp, and why I think it has received so many mixed reviews...

First off... if you haven't owned a Mark series amp before, I personally believe you will love the amp... it's the people who have owned the previous versions, and buy the Mark V expecting it to be all of them wrapped into one that are the most disappointed... initially I was one of those people as well... all 3 channels are excellent, but they aren't exactly like the previous versions... they are close, but not exact.

The worst move Boogie made was claiming it was all the Mark sounds rolled into one amp... they should have labeled the modes Mark IIC+ and Mark IV differently, and the people probably would have been fine...

With the Mark IV... channel 3 is where it was at, the amp still had great cleans, but channel 2 was completely worthless in my opinion... there were some shared EQ controls... but kind of like the VH-4's channel 3... you buy a Mark IV for the lead channel...

With the Mark V however... channels 1 and 2 are absolutely STELLAR... some of the BEST cleans I have ever heard came from my Mark V's, no joke... channel 2 is incredible, and will take you anywhere from light breakup to raging gain...

Channel 3 is still fantastic, and like I previously mentioned, if you haven't owned a Mark amp in the past I think you will be very pleased with it... it's people that purchase a Mark V wanting the IV's lead channel to be exactly the same, and also want the IIC+ sounds, and it doesn't quite deliver...

Lastly, in the same breath, if you haven't owned a Mark series amp they also may just not be for you regardless, they can be an acquired taste, they are definitely a tweakers amp, and sometimes the Mark sound just doesn't suit some people... however the Mark V is in fact a great amp, it's insanely versatile, all 3 channels have completely independent controls as well as reverb, the loop works great, the footswitch is excellent, and with the solo boost it's a gigging players dream on paper...

Hope some of this helps, as with anything you really just need to give it a shot and see what you think...

 

[Mizati20]

I posted that last response before reading the entire thread, didn't realize multiple people basically said the same exact thing as me lol... at least it's another honest opinion and some that many others share... so you know what you're getting into

 

[Mauler]

Had mine since 2009 (was originally danyeo's) and still will never get rid of it. I haven't gassed for any amp since I got it (just want new guitars to see how they sound through the Mark V).

If you take note of the Petrucci settings (or the ones in the manual) as a start and then adjust to taste I don't see how you could go wrong really. And remember Petrucci toured with them in his rig for the past few years, and I personally consider that he wouldn't do that unless it was a capable amp. Consider that as the counter argument to the detractors who probably only rock out Madison Square Bedroom on the regular if you are going on hype alone.

Also remember to try the 'variac' setting when you do get a chance to play one, as that is a feature that often gets overlooked, but it provides some stellar tones IMO.

 

[rp108]

I had a Mark V and didn't dig it for a few reasons, mainly the difficulty dialing it in on the fly. I have a Mark IV and I find the amp fairly decent to dial in (comparatively speaking) and the lead channel is just awesome, night and day compared to the Mark V. I recently compared the two at a local guitar shop and out of the gate I couldn't get the Mark V to sound like my Mark IV. I still think it's possible but would require some work and "out of the box" type thinking. Not worth it in my opinion.

 

[Badronald]

Here is a video I did when I had mine.

This was a solid amp, greatest tones were in the 10 watt class A mode.
It was extremely reliable and solid sounding in a live situation and by that I mean it kept up, and made me smile with how punchy and loud it was. Made me feel great.

I happened on a Diezel VH4 and had to sell it, but if I didnt get the Diezel, I would have kept the Mark V.

Everything about that sounded great man. Very nice tones

 

[byrdparis]

I'm a huge mark V fan!
Got it after a while I tested\bought and sell some marshalls and other head amps!
Eventually I got my shit together and enter the store to buy one. I never looked back.
This amp just perfect (to me) and the reason that I still buy some other amps is about pure GAS. If I will need to sell them all and stay with only one – my mark V will be it. I also got some friends who bought the mark v and got it sold for didn’t spend any time to understand and dial her correctly. I always thought it’s a shame they sold it…
But different strokes for different folks. I guess.

 

[blackba]

I see much more type on the mini recto than I do on the mark V.

From what I have seen with the mark V is that if you haven't owned a mesa mark series amp you will likely love it. If you have, than you will likely be disappointed.

I am a long time mark IVA owner and don't plan to get a mark V unless I start playing out again, versus just using the supplied backline and doing P&W now.

 

[Moshaholic]

I thought the 'Skid Mark V" was a boxy sounding, fizzy and fuzzy with zero soul compared to the Mark III which is the holy grail of the Mark series IMO.

I'm a huge old school Mesa fan and was so dying to love and worship this amp.

But hey, that's just me... I'm sure there are many "V" lovers who will disagree and that's cool as tone is subjective.

 

[Moshaholic]

I thought the 'Skid Mark V" was a boxy sounding, fizzy and fuzzy with zero soul compared to the Mark III which is the holy grail of the Mark series IMO.

I'm a huge old school Mesa fan and was so dying to love and worship this amp.

But hey, that's just me... I'm sure there are many "V" lovers who will disagree and that's cool as tone is subjective.

 

[Blitzie]

So I took a fresh look at the Mark V. I've seen videos of it doing amazing recording tones. I've seen the Adam Jones sound nailed using the Mark IV setting, the 80s Metallica sound using the Mark II C+ setting.

Just curious, where's the video of the Adam Jones sound being nailed with the MarkIV setting?

I have a fair dinkum Mesa/Boogie MarkIV, so this might be fun to try. If you can't find the video, what settings did they use?
Also I'm curious about the "80s Metallica sound" but whenever I've started trying to replicate that sound, I find myself just making my own sounds and having more fun with that.

I shouldn't have said "nailed" the Adam Jones tone, but it's pretty damn good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABrRus9k7Bs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8UiRwKlkz0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-CA0_uJql0

Hope those help a little bit. There are more but those were the ones I enjoyed the most.

 

[jlbaxe]

I would and probably will buy one again. If it wasn't for needing extra cash I would still have it. I'm sure after I buy a Soldano SLO I will get one after prices start dropping more. Great amp though. If I remember correctly channel 2 was probably the hardest for me to dial in. I had to close my eyes and not look at the dials as I did it.

And the comment above about owning a mark series amp not liking the new Mark V.... I like it but sonicly was missing what my Mk III has.... I still think it has something to do with aging electronics and if that is true the Mk V will only improve For what it is worth my Bogner 20th X is my desert amp but the Mk III can still pull more soul out of the lead tone but they are 2 completely different amps.

 

[carlygtr]

I would and probably will buy one again. If it wasn't for needing extra cash I would still have it. I'm sure after I buy a Soldano SLO I will get one after prices start dropping more. Great amp though. If I remember correctly channel 2 was probably the hardest for me to dial in. I had to close my eyes and not look at the dials as I did it.

And the comment above about owning a mark series amp not liking the new Mark V.... I like it but sonicly was missing what my Mk III has.... I still think it has something to do with aging electronics and if that is true the Mk V will only improve For what it is worth my Bogner 20th X is my desert amp but the Mk III can still pull more soul out of the lead tone but they are 2 completely different amps.

Wait till you try dialing in the SLO's Crunch ch. In a word, it's weak, shared tones. The Mesa blows it away IMO