Mesa Boogie Mark V really disappointing

[DJBlueDrink]

Did you get the combo or the head? We have the combo at work and I think the thing sucks major balls as is. Weak and flubby low end amongst other unpleasantries. But then you plug it into a cab with a closed back it is AWESOME. Haven't gotten to mess with a Mark IV head in a while though so you might be right about it being a better sound.

[kafka]

One of the things I like best about the old Boogies is the EVM12L, which is just about my favorite speaker. Open back, closed back, combo, 2x12, 4x12, doesn't matter. They all work.

Celestions are good for some applications, but honestly, I've never thought they were the right speaker for any Mark I've played. I'm thinking of picking up a Mark V. But, if I do, it most likely will be the head.

Have you talked with Boogie directly? I haven't since back in the days that it was the only way to buy a Boogie, but if you're specific about your issues, they might be willing to "get it right".

[alexamk]

I got the head, and I am using it with the rectifier 4 x 12 cabinet with vintage 30's. Tried some distortion pedals in front of it last night, not bad. It liked the Tube screamer, but not the Xotic RC boost, nor the Keeley Java Bost.

[kafka]

One thing about Boogies is that I've always found them to be fairly finicky to use. They sound great once you get the tone dialed in, but not before that. On most amps I start with the tone knobs all the way up and then turn them down. On Boogies, it's better to start with all of them all the way down, and then turn them up. I usually have to relearn this every now and then.

[barryjohns]

Take some time with it, every day I find another amazing tone. Every channel is truly 3 different amps, all requiring new eq settings, and gain settings. There is no tone I would want that I could not get out the amp. I too went through a week of scratching my head, and I paid 4k for mine, one of the 75 units. But now, I am so in love with the amp, I would not giver her up for anything.

[private_stock]

I've played the combo version. I thought it was wone of the worst sounding amps I've ever played. Honestly. I spent a couple hours with it and couldn't get one sound that I thought was even close to acceptable.

I feel bad for the shmucks who pre-ordered them and what-not just because it's a Mesa Boogie MKV. I wonder if they realize how terrible their tone is with their new expensive amp.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by private_stock

I've played the combo version. I thought it was wone of the worst sounding amps I've ever played. Honestly. I spent a couple hours with it and couldn't get one sound that I thought was even close to acceptable.

I feel bad for the shmucks who pre-ordered them and what-not just because it's a Mesa Boogie MKV. I wonder if they realize how terrible their tone is with their new expensive amp.

This kind of Childish Behavior on this forum that drives me crazy. I can say this my friend, if you could not get an amazing tone from a Mark V, then it was operator error. I have owned (own) just about every amp under the sun, including several Bogner amps, which are very good amps, and I own a Mark V. This operator can get some of the most amazing tones I've ever heard in my life from the amp.

The only "Shmuck" around here is you.

Oh and before you chime back in and say it, No I Am Not Defending My Purchase, I'm willing to bet I've got more amps in my studio than you've owned in your life.

I'm guessing you are under the age of 25, do I dare see in the teens?


Auggggggggggghj

[CrankyRayHanky]

Don't let him get under your skin barry, great pieces usually invoke the haters

Some may feel it's not a "Mark"- I don't know if that's true or not, but I can imagine I could find a tone on it that is "acceptable"

[rockstar_josh]

I haven't played a Mesa that didn't require a lot of careful tweaking to get pleasing tones out of.... the Mark V is no exception, especially with it's loads of voicings.

[pan60]

i have had a couple of those and they never really did it for me.
i love some of their amp, and have a Mesa Boogie Blue Angel i just love.

[Absolute]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

This kind of Childish Behavior on this forum that drives me crazy. I can say this my friend, if you could not get an amazing tone from a Mark V, then it was operator error.

Ditto

In regards to a great amp like this I dont mind someone saying...its just not my kind of sound.

But fanatical, down right weirdo, comments should always be dismissed outright. This kind of comment always comes from from someone without the skill to control the neck and a serious problem understanding how to deal with the sound they are hearing. They just turn the dials like children without ever understanding when they hit the right sound.

There are countless clips of this amp on the internet that are phenomenal in sonic quality so where does that leave someone barking the amp sucks? It leaves them in stupidity. They're mad they cant achieve such a tone so they blame it on the amp instead of where the real blame rests--themselves.

Its like...Angelina Jolie is gross---and NO..I dont need glasses.

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by alexamk

I got the head, and I am using it with the rectifier 4 x 12 cabinet with vintage 30's. Tried some distortion pedals in front of it last night, not bad. It liked the Tube screamer, but not the Xotic RC boost, nor the Keeley Java Bost.

hey man,

i have head number 49. first shipment of heads back in july i had a hate love relationship with it. it has taken quite a while to real get ahold of this amp. i run it through a recto 4x12 and a marshall 1960 lead 4x12.

i swapped the tubes in it early on. the biggest issue w boogies in my opinion is the tubes and swap them immediately in any boogie i get. replaced all the pre amp tubes with jj from eurtubes, high gain 12ax7's. i have experimented with el34's, kt77's, and a mix of kt 77's or el 34's with a pair of 6l6 in the power section. early on boogie ok'd this but now they do not recomend it. but it only has to do with an issue in the 10w setting. stay off of that and you will be fine.

this has made a huge difference and livened it up quite a bit. i leave the protection bar for the tubes. if i am going all out metal or 70's rock i like the kt's and 6l6 mixed, and anything else straight 6l6. i dont swap them much. makes such a huge difference in the tightness and response of the amp. can make a almost tone, THE tone.

this is also the PICKIEST amp i have ever used for speaker cabinets. speakers and cabs always make a difference, but this amp is in a whole new league. i love the recto for metal and some rock, but for most rock and anything clean i much prefer the marshall cab. so much smoother in the high end. i have toyed with a few other cabs, but this seems to cover what i need. i was a fan as well of the ev's boogie used to use. i have not used them though with this amp. they are typically very transparent speakers, and weigh a TON. would like to try them sometime though with it.

the graphic eq on this is quite a bit different in response to the mark IV's (think it was you who mentioned it was not as good as a IV) this is where a lot of people fall apart on this amp. it is much more broad and not as subtle. you have to push them a bit harder than what you normally do or what seems right. it is nothing to have 80hz on 7-9 sometimes to find that magic low end. the mids are very touchy. a tube screamer does wonders for this though. dials it in much quicker. i also have a boss ge-7 laying around i toss in the fx loop sometimes when tracking to make subtle adjustments.

my biggest issue has to do with the preset eq and the graphic eq. the preset eq settings cannot be matched with the graphic, i have talked to a boogie rep about this and they agreed. so i use the ge-7, leave it on preset eq sometimes which does sound good when dialed back to about half and tweak it in. the ge-7 set to flat and turned on does affect the eq a bit so sometimes just turning it on does the trick. i do need to find a cleaner eq for my guitar rig.

and also like other boogies, the mid range does not function like a normal mid range. on channels 2-3 i think of it more as a drive saturation. you can CRANK the mid on a channel to 10 and not have that much mids, but have some KILLER saturation. also the high settings will affect how the presence works, it gets pretty hairy sometimes. but i have the mids on channel 2-3 at any given time at 4-9 somewhere.

i also do not like the mark I voicing on channel 2. i can see why they did it, but does not seem right. you have to totally change EVERY eq setting in the graphic and channel to get it to work. if you do it sounds GREAT, but damn annoying and useless live. love tracking solos with it though. so thick and gooey.

also dont underestimate channel 2 crunch and edge voicings. i am a metal guy at heart so tried to do everything with channel 3, it sounds killer. but starting messing around with 2 and fell in love. this is where your other pedals can come in and play as well. can get that great 60s-70s nasty breakup. ac/dc, motley crue, its all there!

its quite a complex amp, much more than the previous marks. it is a great chameleon and has its own offering as well. to match the mark IIc+ is the most difficult but pushing the graphic hard and setting it to triode gets you pretty darn close. it pulls off a mark IV quite easily. but it has taken more time to get a grasp on this amp than any others i have owned. the road king was close but still not quite as finicky.

i am still not a big fan of the edge voicing though....between IIc+ and IV voicing, i can take care of what i need.

[huarez]

Originally Posted by private_stock

I've played the combo version. I thought it was wone of the worst sounding amps I've ever played. Honestly. I spent a couple hours with it and couldn't get one sound that I thought was even close to acceptable.

I feel bad for the shmucks who pre-ordered them and what-not just because it's a Mesa Boogie MKV. I wonder if they realize how terrible their tone is with their new expensive amp.

Oh man, what weired stuff are you telling. When you are frustrated, bite in a piece of wood
or try to do some sports, but don´t come up with such blather. When this amp doesn´t work for you, your problem. This amp gives the player a bunch of absolutly great sounds, pretty cool amp. And yes, I´m glad to own one ( next to a bunch of vintage , modern and boutique amps )

[mdme_sadie]

I spent quite a lot of time messing with this amp at the local shop, it may just have been the cab (1x2 rectifier cab), but I was having a hard time getting away from what I felt were quite harsh or sharp and cold tones. Ironically then the channel I was enjoying the most for distortion was the harshest of the lot, the "edge" mode, but then perhaps it just fitted best.

I've used boogies before and currently have a little 5:25 express which I like a lot with a hotplate attached so I can turn up the power section for some tube chewyness, it's kinda funny as I know that amp was knocked for it's sounds but for me I find it very versatile. The MK5 is for sure also very versatile, but in a different way, and even withthat it does have it's own sound which might or might not sound the way you want, it's perhaps not my way but I think a modern sounding way that would fit many newer guitarists.

It may just not be your thing. Personally I really wanted to like the amp, and for sure I wouldn't turn my nose up at one but you know some things just gel better in the mind than in reality, like for me the Rickenbacker, the Mk V, the AC30 and so on. We can't all be the genius that can coax whatever they want from anything at all.

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by mdme_sadie

I spent quite a lot of time messing with this amp at the local shop, it may just have been the cab (1x2 rectifier cab), but I was having a hard time getting away from what I felt were quite harsh or sharp and cold tones. Ironically then the channel I was enjoying the most for distortion was the harshest of the lot, the "edge" mode, but then perhaps it just fitted best.

I've used boogies before and currently have a little 5:25 express which I like a lot with a hotplate attached so I can turn up the power section for some tube chewyness, it's kinda funny as I know that amp was knocked for it's sounds but for me I find it very versatile. The MK5 is for sure also very versatile, but in a different way, and even withthat it does have it's own sound which might or might not sound the way you want, it's perhaps not my way but I think a modern sounding way that would fit many newer guitarists.

It may just not be your thing. Personally I really wanted to like the amp, and for sure I wouldn't turn my nose up at one but you know some things just gel better in the mind than in reality, like for me the Rickenbacker, the Mk V, the AC30 and so on. We can't all be the genius that can coax whatever they want from anything at all.

might have been harsh because of the 1x2 cab. might wanna go with a 20x2 cab next time

i have a 5:50 express as well as the mark V (among others) the express is cool but it dont see much use except if maybe the band is just sitting in a circle trying to work a part out or something, and i dink around with it so i dont have to get a cab out for the mark or something, but thats about it. my fav distortion on the express is channel one gain maxed. it gets pretty darn heavy. so much thicker than channel 2. but still like my mark more

[pan60]

i have always felt a amp that dose it for me will do it no matter. if you have to dick with eq-ing and different speakers, i say look for a different amp.
my rule of thumb has been set the EQ flat or pretty much everything straight up ( remember, on some Mesa amps, the mid really push so about a quarter of the way up is really about flat ), plug and play. if the amp is not making you feel it move on. if you are felling it, then you can fine tune it and it will just get better!
if you have to really teak a amp to get the sound you want then in some settings you will not be happy.

[huarez]

Originally Posted by pan60

i have always felt a amp that dose it for me will do it no matter. if you have to dick with eq-ing and different speakers, i say look for a different amp.
my rule of thumb has been set the EQ flat or pretty much everything straight up ( remember, on some Mesa amps, the mid really push so about a quarter of the way up is really about flat ), plug and play. if the amp is not making you feel it move on. if you are felling it, then you can fine tune it and it will just get better!
if you have to really teak a amp to get the sound you want then in some settings you will not be happy.

Absolutly true, tweaking , and the need to, sucks big time. But when you once got it, know where you wanna go to and know the amp, it takes only some seconds. Had a Gig with the mk V with a soft Rockband and after the Gig a spontaneous Session with a Metal drummer. I just got the amp the same day.
Had a gloriuos metal sound in a few seconds which made the listeners quite happy!
The Mk V is not the one sound guy, it delivers a shitload of sounds, so I see it more in relation to emulators like Axs Fx, Pod ..
Most of the Mk V bashers seem to me as young metal kids, and for those the amp may be a little too complicated and overdone.

[kafka]

There are pros and cons to Boogies. The pros include great tone and heavy-duty build. The cons include that they're difficult to adjust and weigh a ton. If they're not someone's cup of tea, that's perfectly alright. Nobody is required to love them, or even like them. I have a pile of amps, because, as much as I love my Boogies, they're not everything to me. They don't have to be. They do what they do well, and that's enough.

If you already have a Boogie and aren't happy with it, I can recommend three things:
1.) Spend more time with it - they're just plain old hard to adjust
2.) Change the speaker cabinet - I love the big clean you get from a Simul-class Boogie through EVM12L's. Not a factory option anymore.
3.) Experiment with different tubes - this can get tricky, given the complexity of Mesa's preamp designs. Get to know the schematic, and how each tube functions.

A Boogie is a dictionary of tones. There's an awful lot in there, and it takes some skill to get it out. They're not for beginners or the impatient.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by pan60

i have always felt a amp that dose it for me will do it no matter. if you have to dick with eq-ing and different speakers, i say look for a different amp.
my rule of thumb has been set the EQ flat or pretty much everything straight up ( remember, on some Mesa amps, the mid really push so about a quarter of the way up is really about flat ), plug and play. if the amp is not making you feel it move on. if you are felling it, then you can fine tune it and it will just get better!
if you have to really teak a amp to get the sound you want then in some settings you will not be happy.

Most amps, I would agree with that. Not with a Mark V. The EQ's are anything but standard and have so much more infuence over the overall tone than most other amps. Turn up the bass on a JC-800, bet that thump just overflowed....

[pan60]

i am very familiar with amp, i have owned a couple.
just not all amp do it for every one, if you have to tweak it hard to love it, you will never love it ( IMHO ).
when i plug into a amp i want to feel the love no matter how the EQ is.

[Timbosai]

i want a mesa boogie mark v or a marshall jcm 800. dont know yet

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by Timbosai

i want a mesa boogie mark v or a marshall jcm 800. dont know yet

these 2 amps have NOTHING in common

the jcm does what it does and does it well. the mark is more of a clone and can do lots of things very well. the clean sounds are amazingly impressive from fender twang to a nice chimey tone. channel 2 edge and crunch can easily get in that marshall territory. channel 3 of course is the mark IIc+, mark IV, and the new extreme voicing get metal w the best of em!

[Timbosai]

Originally Posted by guitardom

these 2 amps have NOTHING in common

the jcm does what it does and does it well. the mark is more of a clone and can do lots of things very well. the clean sounds are amazingly impressive from fender twang to a nice chimey tone. channel 2 edge and crunch can easily get in that marshall territory. channel 3 of course is the mark IIc+, mark IV, and the new extreme voicing get metal w the best of em!

oh i understand this im just new to this forum and wanted to voice my opinion lol but its a toss up between these 2 lol

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by Timbosai

oh i understand this im just new to this forum and wanted to voice my opinion lol but its a toss up between these 2 lol

understand what your saying, just not much thinking needed to decide between these 2 for me!!

versatility: boogie
clean tone: boogie
metal tone: boogie
rock tone: either
tone at low volumes: boogie
marshall tone: marshall
small pocketbook: marshall

massive price difference, though with the marshall you will typically need a nice pedal stash to get the most from it.

marshall gain comes from poweramp section, boogie from preamp section. so the boogie can have their gain and tone at a much lower volume. marshall needs VOLUME to open up or require pedals. the tone will also vary greatly as you turn up or down the volume where the boogie will stay fairly close to the same.

[ricomando]

thanks guitardom . that was some useful info for someone trying to learn .

[thefyn]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

This kind of Childish Behavior on this forum that drives me crazy. I can say this my friend, if you could not get an amazing tone from a Mark V, then it was operator error. I have owned (own) just about every amp under the sun, including several Bogner amps, which are very good amps, and I own a Mark V. This operator can get some of the most amazing tones I've ever heard in my life from the amp.

The only "Shmuck" around here is you.

Oh and before you chime back in and say it, No I Am Not Defending My Purchase, I'm willing to bet I've got more amps in my studio than you've owned in your life.

I'm guessing you are under the age of 25, do I dare see in the teens?


Auggggggggggghj

I sat down with one for an hour and the Mk V disappointed me. I've not a huge fan of the MKIV, that is honky in the high mids but at least it has some balls/attitude. The mk 5 sounded sterile. Relatively raspy stiff honky tones and nothing vibey.

[thefyn]

Originally Posted by Timbosai

i want a mesa boogie mark v or a marshall jcm 800. dont know yet

here is a clip I did of a 50 watt JCM800

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=9660976

[masaom]

i've heard some great tones from the mark v, so definitely you can get a great tone if you sit for a while. unfortunately, with most boogies, it actually takes a while for your to get that tone that you want.

i am really considering getting the mark v myself but am concerned of one thing. apparently, because of all the transistors and whatnot in the actual head, cranking up the unit will cause a rambling, almost shaking noise in the head. has anyone come across this? i find it really strange to be honest, and the sound can be carried off in your tone as well from what i am told. a noisegate or compressor can get rid of that, but your tone might suffer. can anyone confirm this?

[octavetherapy]

Originally Posted by masaom

i've heard some great tones from the mark v, so definitely you can get a great tone if you sit for a while. unfortunately, with most boogies, it actually takes a while for your to get that tone that you want.

i am really considering getting the mark v myself but am concerned of one thing. apparently, because of all the transistors and whatnot in the actual head, cranking up the unit will cause a rambling, almost shaking noise in the head. has anyone come across this? i find it really strange to be honest, and the sound can be carried off in your tone as well from what i am told. a noisegate or compressor can get rid of that, but your tone might suffer. can anyone confirm this?

I am not sure what sound you are talking about. I've had my Mark V for more than two years and it doesn't make any errant noises.