April 2009 \ Eye Candy \ Sneak Peek \ Sneak Peek: Mesa Boogie Mark V

Sneak Peek: Mesa Boogie Mark V

A detailed look at Mesa Boogie's new Mark V amp


Premier Guitar April 2009

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10. Channel Select
A four-position Channel Select rotary control is provided to access the three channels when the footswitch is not connected or available.
11. Loop Assign
A five-position Loop Assign switch is provided to assign the effects loop to any or all of the channels or select FTSW to trigger the loop on and off with the Mark V footswitch.
12. External Switching Jacks
Four 1/4" external switching phono jacks are provided for remote control of the Mark V channels, EQ and Solo control from a master switcher.
13. Effects Loop
The effects loop is fitted with a hard bypass feature that removes a whole tube (two stages) and all associated circuitry from the signal path for the purist who insists on the most direct path to tone in the studio.
14. Reverb Controls
Individual reverb controls for each channel allow you to set the desired mix of the rich all-tube reverb effect for each channel without compromise.
15. Pentode/Triode Switch
A pentode/triode mini toggle switch allows you to choose the wiring configuration on the middle pair of power tubes in Channel 3 only. Pentode produces a bolder, tighter voice that has a more pronounced midrange curve and is excellent for adding percussive authority to lower gain single note solo sounds. Triode softens the attack and scoops the mids a bit more to create a more liquid, legato feel that really shines for high gain styles and faster playing.
16. Switchable Rectifiers
Channels 1 and 2 are fitted with individual mini toggles that allow you to choose between the tight, bold higher-headroom response of silicon diodes or the saggier, sweeter low-output looseness of tubes in the 45-watt power setting only. The 90-watt setting automatically selects the silicon diodes and the 10-watt setting requires the tube rectifier to operate safely.
17. Speaker Outputs
Two 8- and 4-ohm speaker outputs are provided and with these jacks almost any speaker cabinet combination can be accommodated.
18. Tuner Output
A 1/4" tuner output is provided and a silent tuning feature has been incorporated so you can tune the instrument onstage without bothering the band or audience.
19. Slave Output/Slave Level Control
A slave output and slave level control allows you to capture the full sound of the Mark V, both preamp and power section, for a feed to processing racks and/or additional power amps for big venue applications.
20. Footswitch Jack
The footswitch jack is conveniently located on the right side of the rear panel and accepts a 8-pin male DIN cable.
21. Cooling Fan
The cooling fan is fitted with an on/off switch to allow silent running in the studio or late night practicing in the lower wattage settings.
22. Bias Select
A bias select switch is included that allows you to run EL34s in place of the stock compliment of 6L6s. The EL34 style tubes will produce a brighter, skinnier sound that will clip with an enhanced harmonic content. The 6L6s will likely perform better for a wide range of sounds.



Channels

Channel 1 contains the lowest gain sounds of the three channels and can be thought of as the Rhythm or Clean channel.

Toggle up: tight, skinny CLEAN. Toggle center: a warm, rich FAT clean sound with added lower fundamental. Toggle down: higher gain TWEED. Bold switch: adds punch and cut starting in the high mids to help you stand out in a dense mix and give you an increase in headroom.

Channel 2 is the transitional channel between the low-gain sounds of Channel 1 and the high-gain fury of Channel 3.
Toggle up: stripped, British-inspired EDGE. Toggle center: a thicker, throatier CRUNCH. Toggle down: the iconic high-gain voice of the MARK I. Thick switch: affects the Mark I mode only to add extra gain in the mids for added single note focus.

Channel 3 goes on from there to encompass the best of the Mark Series Overdrive sounds.
Toggle up: the classic voice of the MK II C+. Toggle center: a dose of thick midrange gain combined with a rounding out of the upper harmonic peak of the MARK IV. Toggle down: a full-gain assault that cuts through any mix on the EXTREME setting. Bright Switch: affects all three modes in Channel 3.

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Comments

(25 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Road Worn
on 01/03/2011
I'm been saving for a Roadster for sometime also and I'm just about ready to pull the trigger. But, last week, I decided to demo the Mark V and I was quite impressed. I too like the heavy metal sound of the Roadster and I tried to get the same sound out of the Mark V. I got close, but it wasn't the same. That being said, my band is playing all types of songs, anything from Foo Fighters to Tom Petty. I'm thinking the Mark V might be a better choice for the music I like to play. I must say, the YouTube video of Lamb of God playing Mark V's on the tour bus makes me think it can do metal when using EMG pickups http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t9Hax53G NY&feature=related I'm quite impressed with this amp and now I'm thinking I might get tired of the Roadster down the road because it's more geared towards metal. P.S. Now Mesa just came out with the TA30 which looks cool but it's not a Mark V.
Jonathan
on 11/25/2010
I just purchased the Mark V. This is one amazing amp. It's a tone beast! From sparkling "Fenderesque" cleans to beautiful creamy saturation, this amp is everything I heard it would be and more. If you're looking for metal sounds, get a pedal or an amp geared to metal like a Marshall or Dual Rectifier. I play classic rock, and the Mark V covers those types of tones in spades.
Nathan
on 05/10/2009
I just thought that I would update my comments of 4/19 with a bit more insight. I picked up my new Mark 5 on May 7. I purchased the 1x12 combo and have a 1x12 extension cabinet connected to it. Well, after reading the manual and playing it to the point of driving my wife bananas, I think that this amp is all of what they (Mesa) say it is. It is and will prove to be a great amp. With that said, again, it is not for everyone. Although I love metal (Sabbath first released on my 13th birthday!), it is my humble opinion, that this is not the best amp for metal. This amp has a very distinct "vocal" quality, which once set up correctly, can sound as if a voice is singing in the texture of the note. I know that this may sound a bit weird, but it's the best way I can describe it. Combining the class A with class A/B circuits with Simul-Class gives the sound a very pleasing quality. So, if Heavy Metal is you ambition, try a Mesa Roadster. If your ambition is a well rounded palette, this amp paints a beautiful clean that sparkles like a soft morning rain, to a fat freight train chugging, to an assault of a flamethrower. Play on and play well!
SS EastCoast USA
on 04/24/2009
I have been saving to purchase a new mesa dual or triple rectifier amp for quite sometime. I am very interested in the Mark V because it seems so much more versitile and a amp that I can grow into as my tastes in guitar tone change over time (as I get older). I am sure it has versitility but will the amplifier give me the tones of the dual and triple rectifier that I seek now? (of course this would be with proper knob adjustments and eq, and a modern guitar with the proper high gain hbucker pickups. Can someone who has heard/used this amplifier in person comment please. Thanks. Great article about the amps controls, which seem to have more purpose than many amps with 24 knobs on their control panel, after reading in detail this is very deep. So, will it do the dual/triple rectifier sound (scouped modern hi gain)? Thanks for constructive help in advance,SS
Joe T
on 04/19/2009
I would agree with Nathan's comment. I have gigged with a Zinky Custom Encore for 7 years and have had nothing but positive comments about my tone. However, my brother-in-law (a fantastic musician, producer, and guitar addict of 35 years) said it wasn't really his thing. Good tone is good tone but, I believe it's all a matter of what one is trying say.
Nathan
on 04/19/2009
Tone is subjective. What might be candy to my ears, may not be to yours. I've played guitar for 45 years and have owned a few amps. I've also been a Mesa owner for 19 years and have found that they are not for everyone. I like them and feel that Mesa has their reputation on the line with this model. With that said and my very good experiences with these amps, I have (already ordered) the first Mark Five that gets to my dealer.
milwaukeemik e
on 04/15/2009
I,d like to hear a honest response from Mesa themselves regarding the quality and durability of these new amps, after all they know the real situation as they have to deal w/warrenty issues. I'm sure someone at Premier Guitar could hook that up, (if they actually read this stuff) given that all comments are subject to editing or deletion by the Premier Guitar staff. Will Mesa speak the truth?? Sometimes mass production isn't the answer, slow down, and pump out quality instead of quantity.
Me
on 04/14/2009
Mesa amps are just as durable today as they've always been (if not more so due to better and more consistent components). The difference is they make A LOT more amps today. There are WAY more Mesa amps out there compared to when the company was young. We also have the internet now and a million and a half forums and review sites for people to chronicle their experiences with products. They don't break more often, you just hear about it more often. The internet is one giant rumor mill that constantly churns out tons and tons of mindless bs and opinion expressed as though it were fact. Just my 2 cents.
TEXAS JAKE
on 04/13/2009
Yeah..well for my money,I will continue with buying used Nomad models..they had the magic and were bullet proof!
Dan
on 04/11/2009
No Body said there was anything wrong with the MESA BOOGIE F5O AMP. Only that its been discontinued Four years ago by Mesa, And the quality is not there any more for the New amps made by Mesa.



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