00:00 Intro - Fat Clean and Mark 4 mode 1:20 What's this then 2:10 Clean Tones 2:45 Clean Fat and Crunch Modes 4:39 Mids/Boost Knob 6:58 Max Gain on the Clean channel 7:54 Max Gain on the Clean channel in CRUNCH mode 9:22 Presence 10:10 Some thoughts on the Clean versatility 10:37 Graphic EQ as a BOOST 11:21 The Reverb 12:39 The Drive Channel 20:38 Using the Graphic EQ as a BOOST 21:26 The other more common use for the Graphic EQ 22:10 Big Chunk
Thank you for posting the time stamps. Is this amp good for practicing at home or in an apartment, are you able to get useable tones at low volumes? I am ready to pull the trigger on one but not sure if it will be too loud for just home use.
Great video!!! I got my Mark V 25 combo a few months ago and I’m in love!!! Versatile, pristine, and built like a tank!!! And with the custom 10 inch Celestion Gold speaker it came with, holy cow!!! You’ll never complain about this little amp not being loud enough!!! It’ll make your ears bleed if you’re not careful!!! Even at 10 watts, it still makes the windows shake!!! Love it!!!
Had mine coming up 7 years now and have done hundreds of gigs with it. Sounds incredible and is really versatile. Run it with a Fractal FX8 in the 4CM method and this covers every base for function gigs.
@@m.thousands1848 in a word. yes. We are not a loud band, but it competes were well against the rest of the band. I don't think I have every had to turn it up over 3!
RUclips was on auto play while I was cleaning and within two notes thought to myself, “that’s John Cordy.” Congrats my man, rare when people reach that spot to have their own unique voice on their instrument.
@@johnnathancordy No way man! Usually wind up clicking to see whatever gear or patch you're checking out but stay for the tunes man. Keep rockin brother! Cheers
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:01 *🎸 The Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 amp is more versatile than many people realize, in a compact package.* 01:42 *🎛️ The reviewer demonstrates his clean tone settings on the amp using a Strat guitar.* 02:42 *🔁 The clean channel has three modes (clean, fat, crunch) that provide very different sounds.* 04:02 *🔈 Even in clean mode, the amp can achieve crunch tones with higher gain settings.* 07:42 *🎚️ The crunch mode offers a lot of gain, especially with the treble turned up.* 10:11 *💯 The reviewer considers the Mark V:25's clean channel one of the most versatile he has tried.* 12:39 *🔥 Next, the drive channel is demonstrated, still using the Strat guitar.* 14:58 *⚡ The drive channel has three modes: Mark 2C, Mark IV, and Extreme, each with distinct characteristics.* 17:51 *🎸 The reviewer prefers the Mark IV mode for chunky tones and can achieve screaming lead tones with high gain.* 20:08 *🎶 Lower gain settings on the drive channel can produce bluesy tones as well.* 20:44 *🔧 The reviewer uses the graphic EQ as a gain/volume boost and high-end roll-off for leads.* 23:31 *🎚️ With the footswitch and an HX Effects unit, the amp becomes incredibly versatile for switching between clean, driven, and EQ settings.* Made with HARPA AI
Great to see this video. I watched Doug and Andy's demo and that's what sold me on it. I ended up finding a killer deal on a mint full mini stack with the head over a year ago and am still discovering tones on this. John's demo here is the only one I've seen that comes close to Andy's and the others on the Boogie site. Ironically the guys that say it's "bad" don't appear to have a clue on how to setup a Mesa, or just bad themselves and can't set it up which has always been a learning curve going back to my 93' MKIV I ordered when you could only buy direct from Mesa. But in the end dialing it in really differs from person to person. John's setting so different from how I have to set mine up. As Doug mentions in the Andy Timmons video, a lot of the magic is in the mid knob on CH1 as it add a lot of gain. The only thing it doesn't seem to do a well as I'd hoped is the super heavy tones (when comparing to my MKIV) but this is by no stretch a deal breaker as the massive power of the 6L6's compared to the EL84s is a big part of keeping it from folding in on itself try to get there. Really happy with this purchase.
Love my mark V25. I play a PRS custom and the tones are magic. I scrapped most of my old pedals because I didn’t need them after chasing tone for years, it’s all here. I’ve selectively been adding pedals back and it holds pedals really well.
Which pedals do you like to use ?? What are you running threw the effects loop ?? I need to split my board so I can run modulations threw the loop and drive threw the front but you don't need much with so many options this thing offers.
I've had the head version of this amp for 9 years and it's a monster. It'll keep up with a hard hitting metal drummer and if you're using humbuckers, then it will provide all of the metal goodness you want. One thing I love about the Mesa Mark series amps is that they're very musical. They seem to amplify better the tones of your guitar than any amp I've played. As an English guy I should be praising Marshall but Randy got it right with the Mark series and the Mark V 25 is, for me, the best of them. The 35 watt head has the solo feature that's super useful but the 25 watt in 25 watt mode has the volume just right to crank the master to about 2 o'clock for club gigs and get that godly lead tone saturation in the power section. I typically use channel 2 Mark 4 mode for rhythm and channel 1 crunk mode (gain around 1 o'clock and master at 3 o'clock) for lead. Those little EL84's have this british tone that this british lad likes for leads. These amps, as any Metallica fan will tell you, work well with EMG's. Run a 18V setup with the 81's or the Het Set and it's crunch heaven without being muddy. The only issue I've had with this setup is that some of the Mesa preamp tubes can be a little microphonic. I'm not sure if that's the correct term but they can get a little 'bell like' and chimey if the signal hits hard. It's like a faint bell chime or a whistle sound. Dig in with a hard hitting palm mute and there's that 'ting' on the top end sometimes but you can make that go away. Observe what the manual says and move the tubes around after they've cooled and I find that works well but it's just an observation. It's super easy to do and there's no snake oil or mysticism involved. Swap preamp tube 1 with 6 and try. If not swap 2 with 6. If you get to 3, pop in a new preamp tube. That literally is the only 'bad' thing I have to say about the amp and if the only 'bad' thing you have to say about a superlative product is something that takes an hour to read the manual and learn and a few minutes to move the tubes around, then for me, I'm super happy with it.
I have the big brother combo to this and all I can say is I am the most creative with these amps than anything else I've played through. I don't quite know what it is but I just love these amps! I use a Kemper and Blues Junior as well but always go back to the MK V.
John, that's the absolutely best demonstration of that amplifier. I've seen you actually show what are usable tones for someone that has to play a gig. everything we see is these heavy metal guys pushing the rectifier tones constantly but never using anything that's a little bit smooth or even clean well done. I am going to subscribe your channel. Keep watching your videos. You're also great player well done.👍👍👍👍👍🍀🍀😎
Thanks for a great demo clip John...I have the 1x10 combo, and will normally run it using a external cab with a 1x12 Greenback along with the 10 in the cab as well. I really don't think there is a more versatile amp out there...plenty of power, amazing tone & range, and for me at 62 yrs old I LOVE the idea that this combo only weighs about 25 lbs. I run a delay and reverb pedal through the efx loop, and for me there isn't really much more you'd need for just a straight up rock and blues tone. It will of course take whatever else you want to put through it beyond that...
Watched this video and proceeded to own this amp a few days later. It's a month later now and my four other amps seem completely redundant. Versatile indeed!
I have the combo version of this amp. I also have a 64 Fender Princeton Reverb hand-wired combo and a Blackstar Studio 10 6L6. In keeping with homeland harmony, I initially record everything through load boxes and on headphones. I use a Two Notes Captor X for the Fender, the Blackstar has a line level post power tube out and the CabClone that's in this amp. First, let me say that set up properly, they all sound and feel very good to awesome, each in their own slightly different way. I use an HX Stomp for additional IRs. I run the mono outs of the amp that I'm using into a great stereo pedalboard for glorious sounds. This baby Mesa has probably my favorite clean to slightly overdriven tone followed closely by the Fender hand wired. The Backstar 6L6 sounds full, sweet and very nice though. The Mesa has a nice spring reverb, not as Surfy as the Fender, but very nice, IMHO. I use a Nobles ODR-1 in the front end of the Mesa with a mini TC Flashback into it's effects loop and run it through the clean channel in the fat mode 95% of the time. This is probably my go to using my Fender American Pro Strat. So bottom line, I love this little amp. It is so tiny, ,easy to carry and it sounds really great with the speaker on. Try using stereo monitors with added effects plus this combo with the speaker on, ala John Meyer! This has one of the best feeling and sounding clean that I personally have ever had in a direct recording scenario.
I need to thank you ,very in depth video, just what i needed :) i couldn't get any good sounds before i watched this video , now i am finally enjoying this amp :))
Such a great amp. From tone to size…. Loved mine when I had it. Ended up selling just cause the fractal stuff was more convenient but it’s a killer small amp.
Excellent demo. Excellent playing too. So nice to see a comprehensive demo not going straight to and focusing on the Mesa metal high gain tones. Everyone knows Mesa does this well you need to hear what the amp can do clean to understand what it can do. Thanks.
Thanks for such a detailed and informative video. I’ve had quite a few Boogies over the years starting with a Studio 22 and never stuck with one. Probably because there is such a lot of range in the controls whereas with my old Marshalls the sound is just there. I’ve had a Mark III, DC5, Single Rectifier and most recently a F-50 which I did not like at all, nice cleans but the lead channel was horrible. You are getting some great sounds out of the Mark V 25, maybe I should give one a shot if I can find a deal. Currently I have an old JCM800, a Laney GH50L and a Cornell Plexi 45/50. Also have a little Blackstar HT5 which is really nice for high gain stuff but the clean channel only does clean. The flexibility of the Mark V does look appealing. Great video!
Thank you ! Best review saw on MV ever. As well as than official ones that I like usually as best. Maybe my next Boogie or the Fillmore....! I just miss to hear the channel 2 with a very low gain to see if it can be close to the crunch of channel 1 ?
You can try lowering the bass pot more if using the post EQ for the classic V shape tone. The point is typically to avoid distorting muddy frequencies as much, accomplished by tone shaping with the graphic EQ, which is post preamp distortion. Bass pot relatively high (some set it even down to 0, 1, 1.5, 2 out of 10) and one could be missing the intended effect even if using the post distortion EQ. They'd be feeding the graphic EQ a tone which already includes muddy frequencies.
Which surely usually isn't the tone you're after anyway. Just saying :) With a humbucker guitar you could have quite a bit of fun that way. For me personally, these amps have some of the best tones I've ever gotten. They can get super "unforgiving" or totally the other way around too.
Totally right - I think there's definitely a whole video that someone could make about the Mesa graphic EQ!! I'm still pretty new to them as this was my first Mark amp!
So happy to see you do this John. Thank you!! One question: Did you try to use your attenuator powersoak to open up the master volume more to get powertube saturation? If so, would you recommend this amp with an attenuator for bedroom use?
Great review. I have been a Mesa user many years. I had a Mark IIA Combo model, which I sold when I got the Mark IV Combo. I wish I had not sold the Mark IIA as it would have been great to have both amps. They are both killer, just a little different personalities. I considered either the Mark V 25 or the 35 watt combo, just have not pulled the trigger yet because of my funds right now going to rebuilding my recording studio. I really do like the 25 model combo model (I wish it came with a 12" however). I think it would be great for run and gun when I want to jam in a small club with friends. Great review and one of the best I have seen on this little versatile amp. I'd love to see the same review using a Les Paul and that would be helpful to LP style players. Thanks. Philip NYC Area
Cheers Philip! I've got a Mark3 that I may do some comparison with! OOft and that Mark 4 must be even heavier than my 3?! Will do some more LP style Mark stuff in future!
@@johnnathancordy Thanks. That would be great! The Mark IV Combo is really heavy!..My model is the first release of that amp, before Mesa made the wide body version, but very heavy for sure. So I can jam easily w/friends, I did buy a custom hand wired amp by a small company called Red Plate (In Arizona in the US). My model, the Black Loop Model, is about 38 pounds and 40 watts, and has a very rich sound and sustains even in the clean channel nicely with note bloom. I love both my Mesa and Red Plate amp, I just wanted something I could pick up and run easily. The Meas was great for gigs in larger venues. I'll look forward to both the Mark III and LP style demos! Curious what color stripe on your Mark III...(there were quite a few). Definitely, check about the Red Plate amps...Thanks! Philip NYC Area
@@johnnathancordy Yes I get you. Most people never even heard of them here in the US. Kudos, for knowing who they are! What's nice about the Black Loop model is it has a cathode bias. What that allows me to do (according to Keith builder/owner at Red Plate) is to use either two 6L6s tubes, or two 6V6 tubes. All I need to do is switch the ohms selector on the back of the amp to the next lower ohms number. The only mod I did to the Red Plate amp is to take out the V30 Celestion and put a Red Fang Alnico speaker in the amp. I do like the 12" V30s, but the Alnico has a certain vintage sound that I like... Philip
I just used the iic+ mode with super low gain with a Tele and got killer slightly crispy country twang. You can also use the Crunch mode with the gain nutted for killer fat metal tones. In other words, try swapping - channel 1 or crunch. channel 2 for cleans. A whole other world of tonal possibilites.
Hi John, does the FAT mode is really similar to the MESA Lone Star? I have a Mark V 35 and found it incredible versatile as you say, but I barely use the Channel 2: I am wondering if is worth to switch to a Lone Start instead of keep the Mark V. Thanks!
Came for the review, stayed for the playing, awesome stuff! Refreshing to hear a great musician set tones and talking about when and where they'd use them, and playing examples that actually suit the tone they've set!
I dig the sorta grouchy sounds you can get out of that thing the bass all the way up on the 3 band eq and the bass cut on the 5 band eq with the trebs and high mids cranked
my favorite amp! i have the combo for about 1 year now and while I use a helix live the mesa is my at home jam amp love it to pieces and will gig it one day haha
I am on the fence between a Cali Tweed and the Mark 5-25. Please tell me if the Cali Tweed can do Sabbath and Clutch tones (Marshall) with an overdrive pedal because I know it does the cleans SO well. If not I may get the 5-25 for the gain tones but I know it will not outperform the Cali on SRV cleans and medium grind...Thanks for the help!!!
Hello John, How do you compare it the LSS ? I like the LSS but I'm a bit disapointed with the low end which lacks a bit of clarity and is a bit "flubby". Overall which amp do you prefer to play ?
Yep…. Loved this amp while I had it….. moved to a Khan Pak for a tube amp, and hx stomp for direct setup…..seeing this makes me want another one…….hmmmmmmm
John, how would you rate this Boogie against the Boogies in the modelers? Helix and Fractal against the Boogie? As I’ve gotten some STELLAR Boogie sounds from both, and it’s been years since I’ve owned, or played, a Mesa Boogie. I just remember my MkIIC being loud as all Hell-o!!! WOW! Thanks John, for another great video and all your help and hard work in bringing us these videos! Best! ✌🏼 ***Stashman***
I like the crisp crunch from this amp aswell as the cleans since I like mid forward clean tones . But the distortion is a bit too narrow sounding for me . I’m assuming none of the larger heads sound as crunchy or crispy . It’s a cool amp but for what I’d sue it for it’s overpriced. I’m mostly a distorted player and it doesn’t really stack up to my marshall or bogner. My blackstar amps don’t sound as boxy either but this does have better distortion than those and I remember it having nice sustain too . I’d really love a bigger version of this with more lows and highs . This in comparison to bigger amps just sounds too narrow .
This might be ultimately what replaces my Supersonic 22 as an all-rounder amp. I'm kind of disappointed with Fender build quality. The noise floor issues on the clean channel of the Supersonic render the amp unusable basically. I've been searching for a replacement for some time now and I think this might be it. The only question is combo or head?
Thanks guys, yea I got to unlazy and looked it up. If I got this right foot pedal switches from clean to lead channel but not through all the clean channels. Either way nice clean staging there on the amp. Once again thank you for your response!
@@RiffsByJake I meant to cycle through the clean channels settings. There is a switch on the front face, just curious If remote out front capable. Nice function of the amp!
I'm new to tube amps, i just recently bought mark v25 and loved it My question is can i connect the cable to the cab clone and then directly into audio interface and record with it? Thanks for the help
My best friend/brother Collin has had one for several years now and loves it. If I was to get another amp it would be hard not to choose it… I’ve been loving running into two qsc k12’s in stereo with the Acs1 or HX Stomp though lol
I’m like you, but I now have as much “modeling gear” as I have analog gear. I’ve got every Line 6 modeler made, and I have the Fractal AX8, AXE FXIII, and awaiting my FM9, and a slew of other modeling gear… I’ve collected gear, guitars, bass, synths, and recording gear for over 45yrs and I’m slowing down now… I’ll never sell anymore of my gear, as I’ve had some terrible regrets in the past. So, I keep it all now EXCEPT for the Kemper and Quad Cortex. I’d tried everything to bond with those two, but couldn’t jibe with ‘em, no matter what I tried, and they had to leave the party. I could see me purchasing this amp, even though it’s PCB. I’ve been a hand-wired junkie for the last dozen, or so years, but as long as the Boogie is built right, and able to repair easier than say my old Mark IIC which was a nest of a mess, and no one wanted to work on it. So, it got sold. And I luv’d that amp!!! Ugh. Enjoy your gear!!! Best! ✌🏼
OOh. Good question. I've not actually tried a DC3 - I think folks say the DC3 is fairly close to the Mark series, so could totally be a cheaper option that gets you in that tonal ballpark?
A year late. But tried a Mark 5/25 1x10 combo today at guitar center that has a DC5 as well, it being 1x12 it sounded bigger. Both pretty loud at 1-2 master. But both sounded great. Personally thinking of picking up the DC5 tho. About 1k less currently.
Thanks for the review. Recently got Mk 5/25 combo. Doing a deep dive into the amp tones, don’t mind the 10” speaker as I also have a Quilter MP2 10. I haven’t connected the Stomp yet but will try the 4CM route soon. Redplate amps are hard to find and quite expensive in the U.S.. According to Allen Hinds he’s getting his distortion from the Redplate instead of pedals.
Nice video, but I have to say that John Petrucci's video (search for "Petrucci 5:25 Tone Room") shows what this beast of an amp can really do, and gives the viewers a peek inside the product development process at Mesa's offices in Petaluma, CA.
John, sent you a cup of coffee with a message about the intro / beginning of this video... Was hoping to get a response.... Nothing yet , been over a month! Please check it out! Andrew
you cant call anything by MESA as a workhorse. They are Lamborghini that are constantly broken. Ever look inside a MESA? Of course you havent...otherwise you wouldnt own one. A workhorse can leave the safety of the studio or bedroom. I wouldnt ever tour with Mesa. EVEN with a backup. At home or the studio they are great.
00:00 Intro - Fat Clean and Mark 4 mode
1:20 What's this then
2:10 Clean Tones
2:45 Clean Fat and Crunch Modes
4:39 Mids/Boost Knob
6:58 Max Gain on the Clean channel
7:54 Max Gain on the Clean channel in CRUNCH mode
9:22 Presence
10:10 Some thoughts on the Clean versatility
10:37 Graphic EQ as a BOOST
11:21 The Reverb
12:39 The Drive Channel
20:38 Using the Graphic EQ as a BOOST
21:26 The other more common use for the Graphic EQ
22:10 Big Chunk
Thank you for posting the time stamps. Is this amp good for practicing at home or in an apartment, are you able to get useable tones at low volumes? I am ready to pull the trigger on one but not sure if it will be too loud for just home use.
I’ve had my MkV/25 since they were released, and I’m still getting new tones out of it after all these years. Fantastic Amps.
Same! It & an express 25+ were my first two mesa's (got em at the same time, haven't parted with either yet)
Have you ran drive pedals threw the effects loop? I know typically people don't was just curious if it sounds alright..
Great video!!! I got my Mark V 25 combo a few months ago and I’m in love!!! Versatile, pristine, and built like a tank!!! And with the custom 10 inch Celestion Gold speaker it came with, holy cow!!! You’ll never complain about this little amp not being loud enough!!! It’ll make your ears bleed if you’re not careful!!! Even at 10 watts, it still makes the windows shake!!! Love it!!!
By far the best amp, tube or solid state, that I've ever had.
I just got mine brand new out of the box and it’s nuts how it basically does what all my other high-end amps do just by itself and SO much more!
Had mine coming up 7 years now and have done hundreds of gigs with it. Sounds incredible and is really versatile. Run it with a Fractal FX8 in the 4CM method and this covers every base for function gigs.
So the wattage is loud enough for gigging ? Competing with drums etc ?
@@m.thousands1848 in a word. yes. We are not a loud band, but it competes were well against the rest of the band. I don't think I have every had to turn it up over 3!
@@davidsmeaton3082 nice. They’re pricey for the wattage.
@@m.thousands1848 try the used Market. I picked up a head and 1 by 12 slanted cab for 1700 canadian.
The more time I spend with my five:25 the more I fall in love with it. Thanks for making some dedicated content to this wonderful mini Mark amp!
RUclips was on auto play while I was cleaning and within two notes thought to myself, “that’s John Cordy.” Congrats my man, rare when people reach that spot to have their own unique voice on their instrument.
HA thanks Jared - I hope you quickly reached for the STOP button hahah
@@johnnathancordy No way man! Usually wind up clicking to see whatever gear or patch you're checking out but stay for the tunes man. Keep rockin brother! Cheers
Excellent review. You've covered just about every everything on this amazing little head!
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:01 *🎸 The Mesa Boogie Mark V:25 amp is more versatile than many people realize, in a compact package.*
01:42 *🎛️ The reviewer demonstrates his clean tone settings on the amp using a Strat guitar.*
02:42 *🔁 The clean channel has three modes (clean, fat, crunch) that provide very different sounds.*
04:02 *🔈 Even in clean mode, the amp can achieve crunch tones with higher gain settings.*
07:42 *🎚️ The crunch mode offers a lot of gain, especially with the treble turned up.*
10:11 *💯 The reviewer considers the Mark V:25's clean channel one of the most versatile he has tried.*
12:39 *🔥 Next, the drive channel is demonstrated, still using the Strat guitar.*
14:58 *⚡ The drive channel has three modes: Mark 2C, Mark IV, and Extreme, each with distinct characteristics.*
17:51 *🎸 The reviewer prefers the Mark IV mode for chunky tones and can achieve screaming lead tones with high gain.*
20:08 *🎶 Lower gain settings on the drive channel can produce bluesy tones as well.*
20:44 *🔧 The reviewer uses the graphic EQ as a gain/volume boost and high-end roll-off for leads.*
23:31 *🎚️ With the footswitch and an HX Effects unit, the amp becomes incredibly versatile for switching between clean, driven, and EQ settings.*
Made with HARPA AI
Ive loved this amp ever since seeing Andy Timmons demoing it. It's gorgeous.
Same here!!!
Great to see this video. I watched Doug and Andy's demo and that's what sold me on it. I ended up finding a killer deal on a mint full mini stack with the head over a year ago and am still discovering tones on this. John's demo here is the only one I've seen that comes close to Andy's and the others on the Boogie site. Ironically the guys that say it's "bad" don't appear to have a clue on how to setup a Mesa, or just bad themselves and can't set it up which has always been a learning curve going back to my 93' MKIV I ordered when you could only buy direct from Mesa. But in the end dialing it in really differs from person to person. John's setting so different from how I have to set mine up.
As Doug mentions in the Andy Timmons video, a lot of the magic is in the mid knob on CH1 as it add a lot of gain. The only thing it doesn't seem to do a well as I'd hoped is the super heavy tones (when comparing to my MKIV) but this is by no stretch a deal breaker as the massive power of the 6L6's compared to the EL84s is a big part of keeping it from folding in on itself try to get there. Really happy with this purchase.
Love my mark V25. I play a PRS custom and the tones are magic. I scrapped most of my old pedals because I didn’t need them after chasing tone for years, it’s all here. I’ve selectively been adding pedals back and it holds pedals really well.
Which pedals do you like to use ?? What are you running threw the effects loop ?? I need to split my board so I can run modulations threw the loop and drive threw the front but you don't need much with so many options this thing offers.
I've had the head version of this amp for 9 years and it's a monster. It'll keep up with a hard hitting metal drummer and if you're using humbuckers, then it will provide all of the metal goodness you want.
One thing I love about the Mesa Mark series amps is that they're very musical. They seem to amplify better the tones of your guitar than any amp I've played. As an English guy I should be praising Marshall but Randy got it right with the Mark series and the Mark V 25 is, for me, the best of them. The 35 watt head has the solo feature that's super useful but the 25 watt in 25 watt mode has the volume just right to crank the master to about 2 o'clock for club gigs and get that godly lead tone saturation in the power section. I typically use channel 2 Mark 4 mode for rhythm and channel 1 crunk mode (gain around 1 o'clock and master at 3 o'clock) for lead. Those little EL84's have this british tone that this british lad likes for leads.
These amps, as any Metallica fan will tell you, work well with EMG's. Run a 18V setup with the 81's or the Het Set and it's crunch heaven without being muddy. The only issue I've had with this setup is that some of the Mesa preamp tubes can be a little microphonic. I'm not sure if that's the correct term but they can get a little 'bell like' and chimey if the signal hits hard. It's like a faint bell chime or a whistle sound. Dig in with a hard hitting palm mute and there's that 'ting' on the top end sometimes but you can make that go away. Observe what the manual says and move the tubes around after they've cooled and I find that works well but it's just an observation. It's super easy to do and there's no snake oil or mysticism involved. Swap preamp tube 1 with 6 and try. If not swap 2 with 6. If you get to 3, pop in a new preamp tube. That literally is the only 'bad' thing I have to say about the amp and if the only 'bad' thing you have to say about a superlative product is something that takes an hour to read the manual and learn and a few minutes to move the tubes around, then for me, I'm super happy with it.
I have the big brother combo to this and all I can say is I am the most creative with these amps than anything else I've played through. I don't quite know what it is but I just love these amps! I use a Kemper and Blues Junior as well but always go back to the MK V.
Such a Mesa fan, here. Thank you for the in-depth walk-through. I have had a number of their amps, but not a Mark V.
+1 Same sentiments. I've got a Rectoverb 25 and Transatlantic TA-15 but I'm in love with those tones you're getting from the Mark IV channel
John, that's the absolutely best demonstration of that amplifier. I've seen you actually show what are usable tones for someone that has to play a gig. everything we see is these heavy metal guys pushing the rectifier tones constantly but never using anything that's a little bit smooth or even clean well done. I am going to subscribe your channel. Keep watching your videos. You're also great player well done.👍👍👍👍👍🍀🍀😎
Thanks for a great demo clip John...I have the 1x10 combo, and will normally run it using a external cab with a 1x12 Greenback along with the 10 in the cab as well. I really don't think there is a more versatile amp out there...plenty of power, amazing tone & range, and for me at 62 yrs old I LOVE the idea that this combo only weighs about 25 lbs. I run a delay and reverb pedal through the efx loop, and for me there isn't really much more you'd need for just a straight up rock and blues tone. It will of course take whatever else you want to put through it beyond that...
Watched again just for the playing. Sounded great. Excellent demo!
Really love that jam you were doing in the beginning. Mine explaining quickly what you were jamming around in?
I bought a Mark IV in the 90's. It covers so much ground, you can do anything with it. Mark V makes it even easier, IMO.
Watched this video and proceeded to own this amp a few days later. It's a month later now and my four other amps seem completely redundant. Versatile indeed!
I have the combo version of this amp. I also have a 64 Fender Princeton Reverb hand-wired combo and a Blackstar Studio 10 6L6. In keeping with homeland harmony, I initially record everything through load boxes and on headphones. I use a Two Notes Captor X for the Fender, the Blackstar has a line level post power tube out and the CabClone that's in this amp. First, let me say that set up properly, they all sound and feel very good to awesome, each in their own slightly different way. I use an HX Stomp for additional IRs. I run the mono outs of the amp that I'm using into a great stereo pedalboard for glorious sounds. This baby Mesa has probably my favorite clean to slightly overdriven tone followed closely by the Fender hand wired. The Backstar 6L6 sounds full, sweet and very nice though. The Mesa has a nice spring reverb, not as Surfy as the Fender, but very nice, IMHO. I use a Nobles ODR-1 in the front end of the Mesa with a mini TC Flashback into it's effects loop and run it through the clean channel in the fat mode 95% of the time. This is probably my go to using my Fender American Pro Strat. So bottom line, I love this little amp. It is so tiny, ,easy to carry and it sounds really great with the speaker on. Try using stereo monitors with added effects plus this combo with the speaker on, ala John Meyer! This has one of the best feeling and sounding clean that I personally have ever had in a direct recording scenario.
Best overall tone review I've heard of the Mark V 25
Literally sold my fractal and 5150 after buying mine. It’s so versatile it’s stupid. 👌🏻
I need to thank you ,very in depth video, just what i needed :) i couldn't get any good sounds before i watched this video , now i am finally enjoying this amp :))
Holy Guitar NOTES!! Great playing brother!! Thanks for the suggested settings.
Great showcase of this amp, really makes me wanna get one! Thanks for making this
Such a great amp. From tone to size…. Loved mine when I had it. Ended up selling just cause the fractal stuff was more convenient but it’s a killer small amp.
Oh man! The melodic lines in your recent intro jams been EXTRA tasty and beautiful :)
It reminds me the first Andy Timmons test... At low volumen... Very juicy clean tones, perfect pedal amp
Please review Mark VII!
I really wish they made a low gain version with crunch on ch2. Like a Mark 5:25 stiletto head.
Excellent demo. Excellent playing too. So nice to see a comprehensive demo not going straight to and focusing on the Mesa metal high gain tones. Everyone knows Mesa does this well you need to hear what the amp can do clean to understand what it can do. Thanks.
Thanks for such a detailed and informative video. I’ve had quite a few Boogies over the years starting with a Studio 22 and never stuck with one. Probably because there is such a lot of range in the controls whereas with my old Marshalls the sound is just there. I’ve had a Mark III, DC5, Single Rectifier and most recently a F-50 which I did not like at all, nice cleans but the lead channel was horrible. You are getting some great sounds out of the Mark V 25, maybe I should give one a shot if I can find a deal. Currently I have an old JCM800, a Laney GH50L and a Cornell Plexi 45/50. Also have a little Blackstar HT5 which is really nice for high gain stuff but the clean channel only does clean. The flexibility of the Mark V does look appealing. Great video!
Thank you ! Best review saw on MV ever. As well as than official ones that I like usually as best. Maybe my next Boogie or the Fillmore....! I just miss to hear the channel 2 with a very low gain to see if it can be close to the crunch of channel 1 ?
You can try lowering the bass pot more if using the post EQ for the classic V shape tone. The point is typically to avoid distorting muddy frequencies as much, accomplished by tone shaping with the graphic EQ, which is post preamp distortion. Bass pot relatively high (some set it even down to 0, 1, 1.5, 2 out of 10) and one could be missing the intended effect even if using the post distortion EQ. They'd be feeding the graphic EQ a tone which already includes muddy frequencies.
Which surely usually isn't the tone you're after anyway. Just saying :) With a humbucker guitar you could have quite a bit of fun that way. For me personally, these amps have some of the best tones I've ever gotten. They can get super "unforgiving" or totally the other way around too.
Totally right - I think there's definitely a whole video that someone could make about the Mesa graphic EQ!! I'm still pretty new to them as this was my first Mark amp!
So happy to see you do this John. Thank you!!
One question: Did you try to use your attenuator powersoak to open up the master volume more to get powertube saturation? If so, would you recommend this amp with an attenuator for bedroom use?
Excellent, informative video
Great review.
I have been a Mesa user many years. I had a Mark IIA Combo model, which I sold when I got the Mark IV Combo.
I wish I had not sold the Mark IIA as it would have been great to have both amps. They are both killer, just a little different personalities.
I considered either the Mark V 25 or the 35 watt combo, just have not pulled the trigger yet because of my funds right now going to rebuilding my recording studio.
I really do like the 25 model combo model (I wish it came with a 12" however). I think it would be great for run and gun when I want to jam in a small club with friends.
Great review and one of the best I have seen on this little versatile amp. I'd love to see the same review using a Les Paul and that would be helpful to LP style players. Thanks.
Philip
NYC Area
Cheers Philip!
I've got a Mark3 that I may do some comparison with!
OOft and that Mark 4 must be even heavier than my 3?!
Will do some more LP style Mark stuff in future!
@@johnnathancordy Thanks. That would be great!
The Mark IV Combo is really heavy!..My model is the first release of that amp, before Mesa made the wide body version, but very heavy for sure.
So I can jam easily w/friends, I did buy a custom hand wired amp by a small company called Red Plate (In Arizona in the US). My model, the Black Loop Model, is about 38 pounds and 40 watts, and has a very rich sound and sustains even in the clean channel nicely with note bloom.
I love both my Mesa and Red Plate amp, I just wanted something I could pick up and run easily. The Meas was great for gigs in larger venues.
I'll look forward to both the Mark III and LP style demos! Curious what color stripe on your Mark III...(there were quite a few). Definitely, check about the Red Plate amps...Thanks!
Philip
NYC Area
@@uptownphotography I wanted to try out a RedPlate for ages but they're not super common over here!
@@johnnathancordy Yes I get you. Most people never even heard of them here in the US. Kudos, for knowing who they are!
What's nice about the Black Loop model is it has a cathode bias. What that allows me to do (according to Keith builder/owner at Red Plate) is to use either two 6L6s tubes, or two 6V6 tubes. All I need to do is switch the ohms selector on the back of the amp to the next lower ohms number.
The only mod I did to the Red Plate amp is to take out the V30 Celestion and put a Red Fang Alnico speaker in the amp. I do like the 12" V30s, but the Alnico has a certain vintage sound that I like...
Philip
I have to vote for the 90 watt. It's just huge.
Love your playing. Love your channel. That been said, man you have looooot of cool and super expensive gear!
I actually got this one for about £800!
That mid boost on ch1 is potent!
Great review. I love your playing style
I just used the iic+ mode with super low gain with a Tele and got killer slightly crispy country twang. You can also use the Crunch mode with the gain nutted for killer fat metal tones. In other words, try swapping - channel 1 or crunch. channel 2 for cleans. A whole other world of tonal possibilites.
Hi John, does the FAT mode is really similar to the MESA Lone Star? I have a Mark V 35 and found it incredible versatile as you say, but I barely use the Channel 2: I am wondering if is worth to switch to a Lone Start instead of keep the Mark V. Thanks!
Came for the review, stayed for the playing, awesome stuff! Refreshing to hear a great musician set tones and talking about when and where they'd use them, and playing examples that actually suit the tone they've set!
Very nice playing too mate! Keep it up.
that's a tasty intro - well done!
Very versatile head,want the whole mini stack w/single 12 cab
Powerful amp. Beautiful tones🤘
I dig the sorta grouchy sounds you can get out of that thing the bass all the way up on the 3 band eq and the bass cut on the 5 band eq with the trebs and high mids cranked
my favorite amp! i have the combo for about 1 year now and while I use a helix live the mesa is my at home jam amp love it to pieces and will gig it one day haha
Nice demo I’m also using a Stratocaster very helpful. I have the amp nice to see someone really go through tones. I learned a lot.
Best video on this amp I've seen. Thanks very much
Cheers Charles!
Beautiful Tone!!
Have you been able to get clean/clipped tones of your Cali Tweed out of your V:25 John? Would love to know the settings and any pedals needed if so!
I am on the fence between a Cali Tweed and the Mark 5-25. Please tell me if the Cali Tweed can do Sabbath and Clutch tones (Marshall) with an overdrive pedal because I know it does the cleans SO well. If not I may get the 5-25 for the gain tones but I know it will not outperform the Cali on SRV cleans and medium grind...Thanks for the help!!!
When you get into fat and crunch does the amp get noisey?
Hello John,
How do you compare it the LSS ? I like the LSS but I'm a bit disapointed with the low end which lacks a bit of clarity and is a bit "flubby". Overall which amp do you prefer to play ?
Sounds great man!
What kind of cab/speakers do you use for that clean tone live?
Great video, great playing.
Which Ownhammer IR are you using?
Yep…. Loved this amp while I had it….. moved to a Khan Pak for a tube amp, and hx stomp for direct setup…..seeing this makes me want another one…….hmmmmmmm
Wow that was a fantastic demo. I'd comfortably say id want one of these amps now haha
Great Demo!
what cab and speaker? Great sound!
John, how would you rate this Boogie against the Boogies in the modelers? Helix and Fractal against the Boogie? As I’ve gotten some STELLAR Boogie sounds from both, and it’s been years since I’ve owned, or played, a Mesa Boogie. I just remember my MkIIC being loud as all Hell-o!!! WOW!
Thanks John, for another great video and all your help and hard work in bringing us these videos!
Best! ✌🏼
***Stashman***
I like the crisp crunch from this amp aswell as the cleans since I like mid forward clean tones .
But the distortion is a bit too narrow sounding for me .
I’m assuming none of the larger heads sound as crunchy or crispy . It’s a cool amp but for what I’d sue it for it’s overpriced. I’m mostly a distorted player and it doesn’t really stack up to my marshall or bogner. My blackstar amps don’t sound as boxy either but this does have better distortion than those and I remember it having nice sustain too .
I’d really love a bigger version of this with more lows and highs . This in comparison to bigger amps just sounds too narrow .
What volume do you have the guitar at when trying out these sounds?
Is that top made from the inside of a guitar case?
Haha I'm looking for a Gibson
Is that a snuggy… I don’t wear mine when I play as I feel it adds to much warmth to my tone.
This might be ultimately what replaces my Supersonic 22 as an all-rounder amp. I'm kind of disappointed with Fender build quality. The noise floor issues on the clean channel of the Supersonic render the amp unusable basically. I've been searching for a replacement for some time now and I think this might be it. The only question is combo or head?
I would definitely go head and cab if you can. This amp with a good 2x12 cab will probably take you anywhere you could want to go sonically
"GREAT" review !!! 💪💪
Is this loud enough for a small bar gig un-miced?
Yep
Jonathan does that unit have a foot controller to switch the clean channels or the lead channel? I hate to admit this, never played a Mesa!
What Lime boy meant to say was, yes.
Thanks guys, yea I got to unlazy and looked it up. If I got this right foot pedal switches from clean to lead channel but not through all the clean channels. Either way nice clean staging there on the amp. Once again thank you for your response!
@@rodiebobwilliams1330 correct, it switches channel, not mode. You can turn the EQ on/off too.
@@RiffsByJake I meant to cycle through the clean channels settings. There is a switch on the front face, just curious If remote out front capable. Nice function of the amp!
It's like a moded blackface. Very nice
I'm new to tube amps, i just recently bought mark v25 and loved it
My question is can i connect the cable to the cab clone and then directly into audio interface and record with it? Thanks for the help
Yes. But imo the cab clone isn’t great.
My best friend/brother Collin has had one for several years now and loves it. If I was to get another amp it would be hard not to choose it… I’ve been loving running into two qsc k12’s in stereo with the Acs1 or HX Stomp though lol
I’m like you, but I now have as much “modeling gear” as I have analog gear. I’ve got every Line 6 modeler made, and I have the Fractal AX8, AXE FXIII, and awaiting my FM9, and a slew of other modeling gear…
I’ve collected gear, guitars, bass, synths, and recording gear for over 45yrs and I’m slowing down now…
I’ll never sell anymore of my gear, as I’ve had some terrible regrets in the past. So, I keep it all now EXCEPT for the Kemper and Quad Cortex. I’d tried everything to bond with those two, but couldn’t jibe with ‘em, no matter what I tried, and they had to leave the party.
I could see me purchasing this amp, even though it’s PCB.
I’ve been a hand-wired junkie for the last dozen, or so years, but as long as the Boogie is built right, and able to repair easier than say my old Mark IIC which was a nest of a mess, and no one wanted to work on it. So, it got sold. And I luv’d that amp!!! Ugh.
Enjoy your gear!!!
Best! ✌🏼
How would you compare this in your opinion to the DC 3?
OOh. Good question. I've not actually tried a DC3 - I think folks say the DC3 is fairly close to the Mark series, so could totally be a cheaper option that gets you in that tonal ballpark?
@@johnnathancordy I was under the assumption you owned the DC-3, my apologies. I thought you owned everything. :)
@@bubblevest1544 lol haha no. I'd say worth a punt though as theyre probably about half the price easily?
A year late. But tried a Mark 5/25 1x10 combo today at guitar center that has a DC5 as well, it being 1x12 it sounded bigger. Both pretty loud at 1-2 master. But both sounded great. Personally thinking of picking up the DC5 tho. About 1k less currently.
Thanks for the review. Recently got Mk 5/25 combo. Doing a deep dive into the amp tones, don’t mind the 10” speaker as I also have a Quilter MP2 10. I haven’t connected the Stomp yet but will try the 4CM route soon. Redplate amps are hard to find and quite expensive in the U.S.. According to Allen Hinds he’s getting his distortion from the Redplate instead of pedals.
The intro lead could be one of the best tones you got going. Sounds great.
And now for the price of a grand total of $2299. Anything can sound wonderful if you want to pay that price.
Bravo
🔥
Sound like delay + reverb
$4000 why so expensive
Nice video, but I have to say that John Petrucci's video (search for "Petrucci 5:25 Tone Room") shows what this beast of an amp can really do, and gives the viewers a peek inside the product development process at Mesa's offices in Petaluma, CA.
That's another video yes.
@@johnnathancordy This review was much more helpful to me than JP's. So versatile. Just played the combo today, and it's the first Boogie I've loved.
John, sent you a cup of coffee with a message about the intro / beginning of this video... Was hoping to get a response.... Nothing yet , been over a month!
Please check it out!
Andrew
Mine doesn't sound like this. 😕 but if you want me to make it sound like a dried up terd then I'm your man !
😆
you cant call anything by MESA as a workhorse. They are Lamborghini that are constantly broken. Ever look inside a MESA? Of course you havent...otherwise you wouldnt own one. A workhorse can leave the safety of the studio or bedroom. I wouldnt ever tour with Mesa. EVEN with a backup. At home or the studio they are great.
metallica did