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[László]

My heaviest/most-dense Mesa was a Royal Atlantic RA100 2x12 combo I had. I used to get nervous/the sweats when I knew I had to move it somewhere.

My wife asked me if I was going to keep the Lone Star 2x12 combo when I told her I could get the clean channel of the Mark VII pretty close.

I said I can't carry it across the room, let alone up the stairs to give it to UPS!

 

[Mikael Dez]

I was curious so I asked Mesa if the 35 was discontinued and they confirmed it's still in production. I think Randall may be referring to the Black Taurus model that IS discontinued, they come with Black Bronco now.

 

[EOengineer]

Anyone spent time with the V and VII?

I’ll never sell my III but I’m wanting to have the option of having the Mark lead channel experience PLUS fully independent cleans and mid gain sounds. Both amps are tough to beat.

I’m leaning towards a V this winter but there’s been a VII sitting in a GC 40 miles north of me for at least 6 months now. If I could talk them down a bit I might chase it if it’s still there.

 

[László]

I had a V a while back, and now the VII. They're both wonderful, but different, beasts.

The VII may have the edge for versatility. But that may not be required by a lot of players. Since the V is certainly a worthy amp, it's one of those 'play 'em both and decide' kind of deals.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I prefer the V over the VII by a large margin.

 

[Kagami]

The extreme mode on the V is pretty cool and has a different vibe than the IV or IIC+ modes but I haven't played a VII.

 

[Mikael Dez]

The extreme mode on the V is pretty cool and has a different vibe than the IV or IIC+ modes but I haven't played a VII.

I swap between xtreme and iv.

 

[László]

I prefer the V over the VII by a large margin.

I'd never knock the V. It's a great amp.

Today I was able to set up three pretty wonderful clean to semi clean tones on the VII, one in each channel; then easily dial in sounds with lots of gain. For things like that, as much as I like the V, the VII is more my jam.

I figure there is no 'best' instrument, there's only what's best for each player. Rock on!

 

[Orvillain]

I seriously doubt that the V and VII are THAT far apart, tonally. The VII is a bit more flexible, but I bet the core tones aren't hugely different. You're really not going to struggle to get great tones out of either of them.

I kinda wanna get another Mark at some point myself. Absolutely love my Mark V.

 

[EOengineer]

I seriously doubt that the V and VII are THAT far apart, tonally. The VII is a bit more flexible, but I bet the core tones aren't hugely different. You're really not going to struggle to get great tones out of either of them.

I kinda wanna get another Mark at some point myself. Absolutely love my Mark V.

Less of a tonal question, more of a question of utility with the way the 9 modes are distributed across the 3 channels.

As I’m window shopping I’m realizing I have a similar issue with both amps where I really want the higher gain Mark lead modes available on ch2 & 3.

 

[Orvillain]

Less of a tonal question, more of a question of utility with the way the 9 modes are distributed across the 3 channels.

As I’m window shopping I’m realizing I have a similar issue with both amps where I really want the higher gain Mark lead modes available on ch2 & 3.

If I had the Mark VII I'd run:

Channel 1 - FAT or Crunch
Channel 2 - Crunch or MKVII
Channel 3 - MKIV or IIC

Every mode on the MKVII looks useful. Whereas all modes on the Mark V are great, except imho the Mark I mode on channel 2 - I just can't get it to sound good without destroying the GEQ settings for the other channels.

Thinking about it, that's the only thing about the Mark V I'm not digging - that one mode. It can sound good if you put an EQ in the FX loop, and switch it in and out whenever you select that channel.

Mark VII also has midi, which is really cool. It also has the ability to be rackmountable, and for fucksake, I really want one now. lmao.

 

[Orvillain]

Mark V or VII

Hi All, I hope this is not too repetitive. I am in the market for either a Mark V90 or Mark VII. I have owned the Mark V35 and the Mark IV which I liked but I favored the Badlander which lead me to the Dual Rectifier...which is my go to amp. However, I would love a Mark amp again for something...

boogieforum.com

 

[Orvillain]

Interesting how he says the VII crunch mode is closer to the Badlander than the Mark V.

 

[EOengineer]

Yeah I’m going to have to sit down with them. That’s good advice. Maybe I need to take a look at the JP2C as well.

 

[JiveTurkey]

The V feels like a 3 channel amp that is designed to work that way. The VII feels like an 8/9 channel amp that I can only still get to 3 channels while performing and spend my time wishing all modes were footswitchable. Great amp but it was too much for my ADHD.

 

[newholland]

The V feels like a 3 channel amp that is designed to work that way. The VII feels like an 8/9 channel amp that I can only still get to 3 channels while performing and spend my time wishing all modes were footswitchable. Great amp but it was too much for my ADHD.

haha... man, my mark ii feels like a one channel amp with a personality disorder

 

[JiveTurkey]

View attachment 50451
View attachment 50452

Mark V or VII

Hi All, I hope this is not too repetitive. I am in the market for either a Mark V90 or Mark VII. I have owned the Mark V35 and the Mark IV which I liked but I favored the Badlander which lead me to the Dual Rectifier...which is my go to amp. However, I would love a Mark amp again for something...

boogieforum.com

...and what's weird is on paper; the V should be the one giving me ADHD vs. the VII.

 

[LCW]

Interesting how he says the VII crunch mode is closer to the Badlander than the Mark V.

Makes sense. I found the VII mode to be very “Recto” ish. I had one briefly that I got for a smokin deal. Wish I had kept.

 

[TubeStack]

I had the V and didn't like it. Tried the head version with my band, using a Recto 2x12, and ended up returning it. I basically live in Crunch/boosted-Crunch (and now IIB, since getting the VII), and didn't like the V's crunch at all. I think there's something to be said for Randall/Doug's remarks about the VII feeling and sounding more immediate and raw without the global Solo boost aspect?

Also, as mentioned, having midi with the VII is . I switch channels with my VP4 using presets and scenes and it's fantastic, as well as turning reverb and/or GEQ on/off and bringing the effects loop in/out. Super easy for a meathead like me to set up, as well.

That being said, I can see if you love 10W mode, Tweed, or any of the other features unique to the V, that it would be better for some.

On a different note, I might be using the VII tonight with my little Mesa open-back 1x12 for the first time for a private party. Going to bring the 1x12 + my 2x12 and decide when I see the band area.

 

[EOengineer]

Just got back from GC. That VII head is still just sitting there with its $3500 price tag. They didn’t have a cab to put it through so I didn’t bother. It’s probably more of a Q2/Q3 2026 move so I’m not scrambling GC staff to hook it up at this point.

I am leaning VII right now for two reasons:
1. I don’t need/want the extra master volume/boost/solo functionality. I don’t use it and it’s just adding complexity that could be expensive to maintain/repair.
2. Dem MIDIs. This inevitably gets incorporated with either the HXFX or Stadium as one rig to rule them all.

The price tag really stings on this one. I’m seeing some used so hoping that’s still an option when I’m ready to move on one.