Tube amplifier for electric guitar with three channels, graphic 5-band equalizer and switchable power, including foot switch
The Mesa Boogie Mark V Medium Valve Guitar Amp Head is really a collection of amplifiers. The Mesa Boogie Mark V features an on-board 5-Band Graphic EQ that has been an iconic trademark of MARK Series Boogies since they first appeared on the MARK I back in 1970.
The MARK 5 presents you with two ways to utilise this power. 90W combines the two wiring styles to deliver the maximum power and headroom. It is substantially sweeter and warmer, and is little more scooped than a standard 100W amp, yet with plenty of punch and authority.
45W shuts down the middle pair of output tubes wired in CLASS AB and allows you to operate the output section in just the CLASS A mode for a perfect lower wattage range that clips sweeter and earlier, and yet is still plenty powerful enough to play out in medium sized venues.
The main features of the Mesa Boogie Mark V Medium Valve Guitar Amp Head include:
Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
Full Power/Variac Power Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
3 Fully Independent Channels with 9 Modes (Channel 1 = Clean, Fat or Tweed, Channel 2 = Edge, Crunch or Mark I, Channel 3 = Mark IIC+, Mark IV or Extreme)
Normal/Bold Switch on Channel 1, Normal/Thick Switch on Channel 2 (Mark I mode only), Normal/Bright Switch & Pentode/Triode Switch on Channel 3
Each Channel features: Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Footswitchable or Auto-Assignable Contour Depth Control, Footswitchable All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb Control, Rectifier Tracking (Auto-selects Tube for all 10 Watt Modes, Diode for all 90 Watt Modes, selectable Tube or Diode for 45 Watt Modes on Channels 1 and 2, Diode for 45 Watt Mode on Channel 3 - Patents 5,168,438 & 7,193,458)
5 Band Graphic EQ is Footswitchable, Channel Assignable and Selectable between 1 group of 5-Band Sliders or 3 channel specific, variable depth Contour Controls
5 Band EQ
Footswitchable, Channel Assignable or True Bypassable All-Tube FX Loop with Send Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Effects Loop
Output Level Control (over all channels when activated)
Footswitchable Solo Level Control – Patent 6,724,897 (over all channels when activated)
True “Hard” Bypass Switch removes FX Loops, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
Tuner Output w/Footswitchable Mute
Slave Out w/Level Control
Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
External Switching Jacks for Channels 2, 3 (channel 1 is default), EQ & Solo
Aluminum Chassis • New 4x4 - 8 Button Footswitch (Bottom Row: Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo – Top Row: Reverb, FX Loop, EQ & Tuner Mute)
Let me start by saying that I gave a 3/5 operation-wise because it is an amp packed with features that add more switches and buttons.
Im not going to start naming features because itll never end! Im just going to comment on what it feels like to play through one.
I am playing this through a Mesa 4x12 and on stage it is a great experience. Its loud and chunky and the solo function (boost) is very very handy.
The tone of this is unparalleled. Of course you have to spend some time to get things dialed in because of all the features, essentially its 4-5 amps in one. Once you do dial in a great tone then you neednt worry about all the knobs and switches. Everything is totally controllable through its footswitch, even the fx loop bypass and the 5-band eq.
I really cant say enough good things about it. As all Mesa products it is a little pricey but, trust me on this, you do get what you pay for!
Thats awesome! Have to try, if you can afford. Suitable everywhere: at home, studio, gigs and stadiums. Breathes, punches,screams, purrs. Very versatile. Not easy to understand controls, but thats entertaining. Graphic eq allows to polish tone. Good cab and guitar recommended.
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