New Mesa Boogie Mark amp?

[Azarea]

Some Top-Shelf Amps and Prices (from Sweetwater; sorted highest to lowest price)

Diezel VHX - $4900
Diezel VH4 - $4500
Hughes & Kettner Tri Amp - $4420
Friedman BE100D - $4000
Soldano SLO 100 - $4000
Bogner Ecstasy - $3820
Marshall JCM800 - $3550
Mesa Mark VII - $3500
Rivera KR7 Mick Thompson - $3500
Revv Generator 120 - $3400
Bogner Helios - $3400
Mesa JP-2C - 3350
Marshall JVM410H - $3200
Mesa Mark V - $3150
Engl Savage 120 - $3000
Mesa Triple Rec - $2950
PRS Hdrx 50 - $2900
Mesa Dual Rec - $2800
EVH 5150 100w Stealth - $2450
Orange Rockerverb 100 - $2400
Victory Sherrif or Kraken - $2370


Damn. I didn't fully grasp just how expensive amps are these days. I will absolutely stop any bitching about the price of the VII now. Of course, some imported amps suffer from heavy import fees but the prices are what they are I guess. The Mark VII is not at all out of line from its competitors in the current US market.

The JCM800 being the same price as a Mark VII in the US is insane. In Europe the JCM800 reissue is around half that at ~1700€, which already feels like a ripoff to me. I'm sure we'll also get a special 50th anniversary edition in a couple years with Jim Marshall's spit mixed in with the solder for a cool 10k a pop.
I'd hazard a guess the Mark 7 will be around 4500-5000€ if we ever get it here.

 

[tedtan]

The JCM800 being the same price as a Mark VII in the US is insane. In Europe the JCM800 reissue is around half that at ~1700€, which already feels like a ripoff to me.

Yeah, I don’t get this pricing. The JCM800 has been basically the same amp from the mid 70s “rocker switch” JMP amps through the amps made today with only minor changes here and there. That amp should not be priced as high as it is.

 

[technomancer]

Yeah, I don’t get this pricing. The JCM800 has been basically the same amp from the mid 70s “rocker switch” JMP amps through the amps made today with only minor changes here and there. That amp should not be priced as high as it is.

In the US it is basically increased transport costs as well as large markup by the US distributor... I recently looked at buying a 2203 from Andertons direct and it came out to about $2k

 

[Sermo Lupi]

Are Mesa Boogie still offering the hardwood shells on amps and cabinets, by the way? You used to be able to see all the options on the website, but I don't see anything on there now, nor a separate page space for custom orders.

 

[Deadpool_25]

This thread has me on a Mark kick. Again though, I don't wanna spend $3700 on an amp.

For funsies, and because I have so little experience with the Marks, I made an FM9 "JP-2C" preset. I used Petrucci's settings from his initial demo video as a baseline and tweaked just slightly. It sounds awesome and I was just playing through my monitors--not even through the power amp and cab.

I think I'll work on a Triaxis preset later.

 

[Deadpool_25]

Are Mesa Boogie still offering the hardwood shells on amps and cabinets, by the way? You used to be able to see all the options on the website, but I don't see anything on there now, nor a separate page space for custom orders.

They stopped due to supply issues but are planning to restart that program again. Possibly mid to late summer.

 

[tedtan]

In the US it is basically increased transport costs as well as large markup by the US distributor... I recently looked at buying a 2203 from Andertons direct and it came out to about $2k

They seem to be taking too big a markup, but then, if people are paying it…

 

[TedEH]

I made an FM9 "JP-2C" preset

I've noticed that the bunch of Mark-ish models in Fractal stuff are more different than I'd expect - and I end up landing all the time back on the Mark IV model. I'm not sure if this is because those actual amps are as different as that, or if the IV model is more accurate - or just closer to how I'd dial the real thing to begin with. I find all the other Mark-eque models to be kinda fuzzy/hairy compared to the IV.

Although I guess the same could be said of the V:25 I've used a bunch - but I always attributed the extra hair and brightness to the little power tubes.

 

[MatrixClaw]

I've noticed that the bunch of Mark-ish models in Fractal stuff are more different than I'd expect - and I end up landing all the time back on the Mark IV model. I'm not sure if this is because those actual amps are as different as that, or if the IV model is more accurate - or just closer to how I'd dial the real thing to begin with. I find all the other Mark-eque models to be kinda fuzzy/hairy compared to the IV.

Although I guess the same could be said of the V:25 I've used a bunch - but I always attributed the extra hair and brightness to the little power tubes.

I didn't think the Mark models sounded all that accurate when I had my FM3, but I guess I didn't try that hard with them, either, because there were more interesting amps in there IMO.

 

[Deadpool_25]

I've noticed that the bunch of Mark-ish models in Fractal stuff are more different than I'd expect - and I end up landing all the time back on the Mark IV model. I'm not sure if this is because those actual amps are as different as that, or if the IV model is more accurate - or just closer to how I'd dial the real thing to begin with. I find all the other Mark-eque models to be kinda fuzzy/hairy compared to the IV.

Although I guess the same could be said of the V:25 I've used a bunch - but I always attributed the extra hair and brightness to the little power tubes.

My guess would be it's because the real amps themselves are different but haven't a/b'd those specific amps/models to be able to give a truly valid opinion.

I have a/b'd other amps with their corresponding Fractal models enough to trust that Fractal's models are quite accurate in general.

 

[Deadpool_25]

I didn't think the Mark models sounded all that accurate when I had my FM3, but I guess I didn't try that hard with them, either, because there were more interesting amps in there IMO.

Yeah but I don't trust your a/b skills 😂

 

[Jon Pearson]

I've noticed that the bunch of Mark-ish models in Fractal stuff are more different than I'd expect - and I end up landing all the time back on the Mark IV model. I'm not sure if this is because those actual amps are as different as that, or if the IV model is more accurate - or just closer to how I'd dial the real thing to begin with. I find all the other Mark-eque models to be kinda fuzzy/hairy compared to the IV.

Although I guess the same could be said of the V:25 I've used a bunch - but I always attributed the extra hair and brightness to the little power tubes.

They definitely sound different and respond differently when you play them. I've had enough Marks to say this is true of the real thing too. Of course, you can dial most of them to mostly sound pretty close but playing them is always different, even on the Fractal.

Like, I can get the IIC+ model to sound basically like the JP2C, but they are different enough that I would use both in the same patch on different scenes when I was gigging the Axe.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

I've noticed that the bunch of Mark-ish models in Fractal stuff are more different than I'd expect - and I end up landing all the time back on the Mark IV model. I'm not sure if this is because those actual amps are as different as that, or if the IV model is more accurate - or just closer to how I'd dial the real thing to begin with. I find all the other Mark-eque models to be kinda fuzzy/hairy compared to the IV.

Although I guess the same could be said of the V:25 I've used a bunch - but I always attributed the extra hair and brightness to the little power tubes.

They definitely sound different and respond differently when you play them. I've had enough Marks to say this is true of the real thing too. Of course, you can dial most of them to mostly sound pretty close but playing them is always different, even on the Fractal.

Like, I can get the IIC+ model to sound basically like the JP2C, but they are different enough that I would use both in the same patch on different scenes when I was gigging the Axe.

The Mark models in the Fractal were my top favorite (IV, IIC++, JP2C Shred) and least favorite (IIC+, JP2C regular). So it does go to show how much variance there actually is between the Marks.

 

[TedEH]

To my ears, the model of the IV is pretty accurate, as long as you take the time to understand all the controls, but the other Mark models are far enough away that I wouldn't call them accurate if they claimed to be a IV, which is why I ask the question. Although one of the 2C models landed in the same ballpark.

 

[drb]

Are the Helix Mark models remotely accurate? I've not really ever had any interest in this series of amps but all the recent news has got me hankering for it without paying for a real one.

 

[MASS DEFECT]

My go to Fractal Mark amp is the JP Red with the presence pushed and run a bit high. I turn on the resonance knob and switch the tubes to KT. Unique approach but it works!

The IV model is a bit dry and does not have enough saturation. It is likely a IVA model. But it behaves like the real thing.

BTW, I had a few hours with a VII with my JP and a Mark V 90 in a practice space.

The VII is louder and it saturates more than the V. The V is very cold and stiff in the high gain modes in comparison. You just have to hear and feel it in person to really measure how different they are. There’s just no contest when it comes to low end and the aggression the VII has. Just that liquid gain thing that makes the VII easier to play.

It even has more gain than the JP. You’d have to have the presence pulled on the JP to match the gain of the VII. They are pretty close in comparison. The JP has more mids and low end and is a bit louder.

I guess if you are thinking of buying a JP or a VII, it would be down to how you like the sound of Simulclass vs 100w, and which feature set you need ( dual eq vs more modes and better cabclone).

Ill try to get my IV in the room with the VII, but that will take a few weeks more. The VII suffered a headshell crack in two spots upon delivery and it needs to go back.

 

[technomancer]

My go to Fractal Mark amp is the JP Red with the presence pushed and run a bit high. I turn on the resonance knob and switch the tubes to KT. Unique approach but it works!

The IV model is a bit dry and does not have enough saturation. It is likely a IVA model. But it behaves like the real thing.

BTW, I had a few hours with a VII with my JP and a Mark V 90 in a practice space.

The VII is louder and it saturates more than the V. The V is very cold and stiff in the high gain modes in comparison. You just have to hear and feel it in person to really measure how different they are. There’s just no contest when it comes to low end and the aggression the VII has. Just that liquid gain thing that makes the VII easier to play.

It even has more gain than the JP. You’d have to have the presence pulled on the JP to match the gain of the VII. They are pretty close in comparison. The JP has more mids and low end and is a bit louder.

I guess if you are thinking of buying a JP or a VII, it would be down to how you like the sound of Simulclass vs 100w, and which feature set you need ( dual eq vs more modes and better cabclone).

Ill try to get my IV in the room with the VII, but that will take a few weeks more. The VII suffered a headshell crack in two spots upon delivery and it needs to go back.

You are not helping my GAS

 

[Shorts_Mike]

My go to Fractal Mark amp is the JP Red with the presence pushed and run a bit high. I turn on the resonance knob and switch the tubes to KT. Unique approach but it works!

The IV model is a bit dry and does not have enough saturation. It is likely a IVA model. But it behaves like the real thing.

BTW, I had a few hours with a VII with my JP and a Mark V 90 in a practice space.

The VII is louder and it saturates more than the V. The V is very cold and stiff in the high gain modes in comparison. You just have to hear and feel it in person to really measure how different they are. There’s just no contest when it comes to low end and the aggression the VII has. Just that liquid gain thing that makes the VII easier to play.

It even has more gain than the JP. You’d have to have the presence pulled on the JP to match the gain of the VII. They are pretty close in comparison. The JP has more mids and low end and is a bit louder.

I guess if you are thinking of buying a JP or a VII, it would be down to how you like the sound of Simulclass vs 100w, and which feature set you need ( dual eq vs more modes and better cabclone).

Ill try to get my IV in the room with the VII, but that will take a few weeks more. The VII suffered a headshell crack in two spots upon delivery and it needs to go back.

If you're ever in this scenario again, please record some comparison clips. Im close to going to the Long & McQuade one town over and just doing this myself.

 

[Jon Pearson]

I'm realizing that buying a 90W tube amp with am infant in the house was..... an interesting choice for me.

 

[Shorts_Mike]

I'm realizing that buying a 90W tube amp with am infant in the house was..... an interesting choice for me.

I wish I could tell you that it gets better, but silent practice/recording at home will likely have to be your best friend for several years to come lol.