Off Topic Mesa Boogie Mark V - suitable for home use?

[Miqueas92]

The majority of the MKIV and V tone comes from the pre-amp. In the Owners manual, Mesa goes out of their way to make this clear. While you can push the power section through a myriad of ways, the tone of the MKV is by far found in the pre amp section. This makes playing the amp at lower volumes very easy. Granted, you will not move as much air, but, tone will still be there, AND, you will have a Boogie Mark V for any other situation that will come along, like resale.
I sold my MKIV for the same price that I had bought it 4 years earlier.

 

[nickdanger]

Mark V is my main amplifier for live, studio, and home use. It does just about everything, at all volumes. Very big fan.

 

[CHill]

Mark V with the 3/4 212 cab is great. At home (10 and 45) and with a band (45 and 90). Overall a great amp. Is it too much amp for a bedroom? Sure it is. Check out the new 5:25+ and 5:50+ amps too; go with the 50 if you will be playing live. Clean channels need the wattage headroom.

 

[guitarp77]

You can check I video I did for the Silho special guitar.

It is played through a MkV in my bedroom. 10 wts, very low volume. Only Ch. 1 and 2 used.

So you can get a rough idea...

MusicMan Silhouette Special All Rosewood Neck Review - YouTube

 

[Miqueas92]

Dude!!!!!!!

 

[jzeijen]

So, lots of different opinions, pro's and cons!!

How about the mini rectifier? Heard good things about that one, has anyone here played it?

 

[fbecir]

Hello

I think that everybody agrees that the Mesa Boogie Mark V is a great amp. The main question is to know if it's not overkill to have such an amp for home use.
Personally, I have 2 configurations : one for home use and one for rehearsal (in fact I have 4 configurations : 2 for home use and 2 for rehearsal ... just don't say it to my wife ). I believe it's more convenient to have a specific home configuration (linked with the computer and some monitors for recording). Besides if I go on holidays it's much more convenient to have a small amp. There are now a lot of small amps that can do the job.

It's a bit a shame to burn 4 x 6L6, 7 x 12AX7 and 1 x 5U4 valves just to play at a home volume. Besides, the nice settings you will use at this level will surely not be the same ones you use at high volume.
But of course, if you intend to gig more often ... there is no reason to not unleash the fury

 

[jzeijen]

Hello

I think that everybody agrees that the Mesa Boogie Mark V is a great amp. The main question is to know if it's not overkill to have such an amp for home use.
Personally, I have 2 configurations : one for home use and one for rehearsal (in fact I have 4 configurations : 2 for home use and 2 for rehearsal ... just don't say it to my wife ). I believe it's more convenient to have a specific home configuration (linked with the computer and some monitors for recording). Besides if I go on holidays it's much more convenient to have a small amp. There are now a lot of small amps that can do the job.

It's a bit a shame to burn 4 x 6L6, 7 x 12AX7 and 1 x 5U4 valves just to play at a home volume. Besides, the nice settings you will use at this level will surely not be the same ones you use at high volume.
But of course, if you intend to gig more often ... there is no reason to not unleash the fury

I agree: of course it would be overkill to only use it at home. My wife always says the same thing about my guitars. 'You can only play one at a time you know!'...
I also agree on the fact that it costs way more than I am willing to pay at the moment..

On the other hand, if the sound at low volume is still the ultimate sound you want, then why not!
For now I am content with my little blackstar amp, but I am planning on upgrading in the amp division the next year. If only amp choice was as easy as guitar choice..

 

[fbecir]

If only amp choice was as easy as guitar choice..

Well for a Dutchman, it's quite easy : buy a Koch !

 

[Roubster]

There are many good points brought up here. But I think it's really up to the person to decide whether it makes sense or whether that is something they want to go for. If you have the means and want great tone than why not? There are also ton of great options for attenuators to make beasts like the manageable if needed. They are most certainly meant for touring and gigging at fairly loud volumes...no contest to that. If it's strictly for home use, I would personally invest in an Axe FX and some kind of a good home studio setup with great monitors. This way you can play at 3AM with awesome tones or crank it up as well with really great tones. I feel that guitarists sometimes chase tone MORE than they should be taking the time to actually PLAY the damn instrument and get better or just be creative and focus on the music. Of course gear is also inspiring in that aspect, don't get me wrong.

Right now I personally am not in a position to have a Mesa Boogie for instance. However down the line I definitely am looking to get a Mesa Lonestar, because that is the tone I am after. Definitely will be gigging out as well in the near future, but if I can turn on that amp at home once in a while to get an inspiring beautiful tone, than why not.

But for now and at home use for practicing and writing I use a Line6 HD POD Pro, and run my pedalboard into it to get "my" tones. And I also have the versatility to try out all the built in effects and tones to get some inspiration or idea of what I may need or want for songs or for my rig in the future. So anyway, there are millions of options, and if you love the tone of the MarkV even if it's only for home use...why the hell not?

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

It's a bit a shame to burn 4 x 6L6, 7 x 12AX7 and 1 x 5U4 valves just to play at a home volume.

take into all consideration that his Mark V will only be played at home and at 10 watts, those tubes will last quite a while, as opposed to a touring amp blistering at 90 watts 6 nights a week.

 

[colinboy]

I agree: of course it would be overkill to only use it at home. My wife always says the same thing about my guitars. 'You can only play one at a time you know!'...
I also agree on the fact that it costs way more than I am willing to pay at the moment..

On the other hand, if the sound at low volume is still the ultimate sound you want, then why not!
For now I am content with my little blackstar amp, but I am planning on upgrading in the amp division the next year. If only amp choice was as easy as guitar choice..

Hi there
What Blackstar model have you got the HT5?

 

[jzeijen]

Yes, the HT5. That can get pretty loud also for a 5 watt amp.

 

[jzeijen]

Checked out the Mesa Boogie Royal Atlantic, why didn't I know about this amp before? Seems to fit all my needs, including a built in attenuator so it has a range from 100 watts down to 3 watts! Anyone here that has played this one?
(secretly starting to save my money for this, hmm what gear can I sell...)

 

[ScoobySteve]

the RA is better IMO. Utterly versatile and huge range of tones. Price tag as follows.

 

[sundar]

Mark V for life! It was a little loud in my old apartment, but now that I am living in a home -- totally loving it.

 

[guitarp77]

This amp is so amazing its unbelievable...

Yesterday I had the chance to spend a few hours and play with it. It is awesome beyond belief...

And I did it all in my apt...

 

[mikebu]

Checked out the Mesa Boogie Royal Atlantic, why didn't I know about this amp before? Seems to fit all my needs, including a built in attenuator so it has a range from 100 watts down to 3 watts! Anyone here that has played this one?
(secretly starting to save my money for this, hmm what gear can I sell...)

The Boogie Board • Index page is where the Mesa Boogie owners hang out...

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I'm a Mesa owner, and have been for over 20 years. I like it here better than over there..

 

[Fro]

The Boogie Board is pretty slow moving but the people over there are really helpful and there's lots of info about all things Mesa.
Kinda like this place.