Mesa Boogie -Old or New?

Jelly 292

Just would like some opinions;

I want a 1x12 Mesa Boogie Combo that has a wide range of sounds, a great clean\blues mainly.

Ideally I'd like a MkIV but thats silly money new.

I like the sound of the new Express 5:50 which is 1800 ish new on Thoman

I have seen a second hand 15 year old MkIV for around the same price, I think that may be a little over priced, opinions?

I would love a MkIV but getting the 5:50, a new amp, I get warrenty and cover after spending the guts of 2 G's.

What would you do, vintage no warrenty etc or new and coverd?

Voodu Child

- In relation to buying a new amp with a warranty vs buying a 15 year old amp - well, it's a valid point. Bear in mind there are thousands of classic Boogies still in operation, and ocassional service and retube every few years and they should work perfectly for another couple of decades. Mesa/Boogies are built to last.

However, as i said, it's a valid point, it's up to yourself to decide. I've never had a problem buying older Boogies, i've owned some older than myself that worked flawlessly.

- In relation to a MKIV being overpriced at e1800, no, not at all. Price varies depending on year/model/condition etc (custom options such as maple/wicker are always worth more), and bargain hunters can ocassionally pay less, but generally speaking, that's the kind of price bracket youre looking at.

Jelly 292

Thanks Voodoo_child for the input.
I have read again and again that boogies just keep on going and seem to have the gift of eternal life but at the same time its a big chunk of money in one go.
It will be possibly my last amp for a long long time so I want to make sure Im doing the wise thing.
I think I am edging towards a new Express 5:50 as apparently they sound superb (of course) and are super versatile.They also come in a snazzy white finish.
But MkIV is rock ledged as you know yourself

Karl Hungus

You know, I've heard quite a few poor review about the Mesa Express amps, and that it's impossible to dial in a good high gain sound out of them. They seem more clean/blues orientated amps, so if you're looking for any gainy sounds it might be a mistake going for the Express.

I'd take the Mark IV hands down.

Dord

Karl Hungus wrote:

You know, I've heard quite a few poor review about the Mesa Express amps, and that it's impossible to dial in a good high gain sound out of them. They seem more clean/blues orientated amps, so if you're looking for any gainy sounds it might be a mistake going for the Express.

I'd take the Mark IV hands down.

I've heard that too Karl, I don't think they're voiced for high gain stuff. I've heard some clips and found it to be "meh"...

Jelly 292

Really? Pretty much all the reviews I have read are glowing.

I have read that they are not the best for the Recto/hi gain thing but thats not what Im after.

Top of the list for me is a big, loud 3D type clean that will dirty up a good bit with increase in guitar volume. Like a fender on steroids I suppose?


I played the F50 and thought it was a great little amp but the gain was mental, in a good way.

Opinions appricated anyway!

Karl Hungus

Hey, if you're going for cleans and a nice breakup, then maybe the Lonestar would be your thing so? The Mark IV has great cleans of course, but I've always thought of it more a of a high gain lead amp, especially considering it's used by the likes of Metallica, Dream Theater, Lamb Of God and so on.

Jelly 292

yeah I had a look at the lone star but its way past my price limit at approx 2,500 new which I just cant justify, although I'd love it

From what I can gather the MkIV can pull anything out of the bag? I do like the idea of big singing sustain from the lead channels so Im not going to be clean all the time.

The 5:50 seems to be a bit of a compromise\safe bet but I'd love the kudos of a really nice bit of vintage kit(MKIV), just a tad worried about 15 years of use!
Although by all accounts this is unfounded worry.

Confused

Karl Hungus

The Mark IV is very versatile, and has great cleans, that's true. I don't think you could lose with that amp, I'd love one myself also.

Also, if you're buying new, it's worth doing a search on www.guitarbargains.com as they've got much better prices for Mesa stuff than Thomann do, so you could easily save yourself a few hundred. A 1x12 Lonestar combo is just a tiny bit over €2000 on there.

Jelly 292

Cheers Karl, will check that out!

edit
Jaysus, cheers Karl! the 5:50 is 400 odd euro cheaper there and the other mesa are much more affordable.

Even more confused, in a good way:)

Voodu Child

Karl Hungus wrote:

You know, I've heard quite a few poor review about the Mesa Express amps, and that it's impossible to dial in a good high gain sound out of them. They seem more clean/blues orientated amps, so if you're looking for any gainy sounds it might be a mistake going for the Express.

I'd take the Mark IV hands down.

You're right, they definitely took the amp in a different diection to the F-series (less gain), and in a comparison between the two, most people seem to agree it's a disimprovement over the F-series. Whatever they've done to revoice the gain structure, it seems to have lost a bit of the magic the F-50 had.

From what I can gather the MkIV can pull anything out of the bag? I do like the idea of big singing sustain from the lead channels so Im not going to be clean all the time.

Pretty much. For a long time, it was about the most versatile amp on the planet. Modellers would obviously take that crown now (in terms of 'literal' versatility), but the MKIV is still an unbelievably versatile machine - dozens of switches that change its operation, plate voltage, push-pulls on nearly every knob to revoice the tone & prescence controls, fat switches and bright switches... It will run off 6L6, EL34, or a combination. The EQ can be switched in and out or assigned to a channel automatically...etc etc. If you have the patience to tweak it, any sound you can think of is there.

The Lonestar classic is an absolute killer amp. It has world-class cleans (based off the F-50), and plenty of gain on the lead channels, with a character very similar to the early Mark series amps. Excellent amp if you can afford it.

Jelly 292

Man Im drooling for a boogie now, not sure what model but I dont think I can go to wrong. Im all google'd out. J
Just saw a MkIII for 1200 on adverts.ie also, some great reviews on that to.

I think If money were no option then the Lonestar would be it (although I dont really like the 'look' of it) I heard Randall Smith was trying to capture the SRV sound when he designed it, nuff said!

Roll on Pay Day!!!

Voodu Child

Jelly 292 wrote:

I think If money were no option then the Lonestar would be it (although I dont really like the 'look' of it) I heard Randall Smith was trying to capture the SRV sound when he designed it, nuff said!

This is Andy Timmons playing through a Lonestar. The clip was made to demonstrate an overdrive pedal, but you can still hear how gorgeous the amp sounds.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=SiW22O914Cg
Andy usually plays though a combination of the Lonestar Classic, and the Stiletto. He's got one of the best tones in blues/rock imo. Check his 'Resolution' album, feickin amazing.

Karl Hungus

Just for some comparison, here's a clip of the Mark IV (And a dog):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwKA2bOzAmo

Jelly 292

Cheers lads for the demos, food for thought.
Need to dig me calculator and visa card out:rolleyes:

Yakult

^^I was expecting some dream theater with the guitar and amp you know! :P

Karl Hungus

R_H_C_P wrote:

^^I was expecting some dream theater with the guitar and amp you know! :P

Well, it's Liquid Tension Experiment, which is John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater, so it's damn close, it's the song State of Grace off their first album.