Mesa Boogie MarkV25 vs JP2C vs LoneStar - Clean Channel

[Econ]

Hi folks,

I’m very interested in getting a one of the 3 models above. I will be using it for bedroom playing and recording. My question to you is: which of the three has the better clean channel? Are major differences aming the clean channels on these amps?

I’m looking for a small setup I can use with pedals. The added bonues in my opinion of the JP2c and the MarkV25 are the distorted tones I can get from them. But I think I can also get those tones with the Lonestar and pedals.

I play 80’s metal and hard rock.

 

[GJgo]

For the style you play I'd recommend the JP if you want a softer attack, or a regular Mark V if you want a sharper attack. Why not the 525? Because you can afford a JP, so you can afford a V, and if you can afford a V there's no reason to get a 525.

Now, all that being said, for the styles of music you're playing, for everything but serious gigging I'd recommend a good used Mark IIC+, III or IV. They are much more open & organic. Check out my vid reviews in the link in my sig. They all have great cleans and you can get short heads.

 

[Econ]

Been watching some youtube reviews of these amps and the MarkV 25 is winning for me.

 

[journeyman73]

for killer clean and pedal platform the lonestar is really hard to beat

 

[Speeddemon]

Been watching some youtube reviews of these amps and the MarkV 25 is winning for me.

Can't blame ya. I love mine, and it has the best cleans I've heard since owning a Mark IV, and by far the best cleans of any 2xEL84 lunchbox.

Drive-wise it will definitely do what you want. Note that the Xtreme mode has actually a bit less gain than the Mark IV mode, but sounds bigger and thicker. I only switch back to Mark IV mode for ultra-tight late 80's/early 90's thrash tones nowadays.



EDIT: added 'mode' to make it more clear I'm not switching amps!

 

[Econ]

I don’t play extreme/trash metal, so the high gain tones I can get from the MarkV 25 should be enough for the music I play. The challenge now is making up my mind, cause I just saw a review on youtube of the Bogner Shiva 20th and I thought that the sounds you can get out of this amp are incredible.

At this point for me is a matter of getting the Mark V 25 and spend less money or spend almost double to get the Shiva20th. Decisions, Decisions...........

 

[spawn802]

I love my Mark V:25. I sold my mark III after getting it. Great little amp for sure.

 

[NinjaRaf]

The JP2C has the best fucking cleans I have heard on ANY amp, at least for what I like in a clean sound.

I prefer the MV25 over the full size V. I bought the 25, started playing in bands again, and figured the full size V would just be a bigger, louder V25. This was not the case. The full size just didn't feel as juicy or have as much saturation as the 25. Ended up selling the V after 6 months of fighting it. Got a Mark IV, and have not looked back. Sounds and feels perfect.

I do love the MV25, though, and would love to buy another one.

 

[Speeddemon]

Ended up selling the V after 6 months of fighting it. Got a Mark IV, and have not looked back. Sounds and feels perfect.

I do love the MV25, though, and would love to buy another one.

If the Mark IV's R2 was the MV25's Crunch Mode, that amp would END ALL AMPS. Alas it's not the case. Reason why I sold mine.

I read several comments that the big Mark V's Crunch mode doesn't sound as awesome as the MV25's; was that your assessment as well?

 

[UltraGary]

I'm LOVING the Mark V:35 I got last month!

 

[NinjaRaf]

Ended up selling the V after 6 months of fighting it. Got a Mark IV, and have not looked back. Sounds and feels perfect.

I do love the MV25, though, and would love to buy another one.

If the Mark IV's R2 was the MV25's Crunch Mode, that amp would END ALL AMPS. Alas it's not the case. Reason why I sold mine.

I read several comments that the big Mark V's Crunch mode doesn't sound as awesome as the MV25's; was that your assessment as well?

Absolutely. I mean, not even close. Crunch mode on the big one for me was completely useless. I only used channels 1 and 3. Crunch mode on the V25 was fucking SWEET!! Made me wish that amp had 3 channels haha. But Mark IV mode on it was awesome, too.