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I just got me Mesa Boogie Mark 5:25 1x10

Guitardon

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Feb 3, 2002
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The verdict after full band gig. Triskelion Brewing Company had us setup outdoors. It was fenced in on the sides and in front was the bar building. The rear was the enclosed stage. The size of the area was about like a med/large room. We used my Bose Pro 16 for sound and the band was a 5 piece with only one guitar.

At first the band was loud and I had to push it at about mid volume on gain and master. The clean channel reminded me of an old Fender amp pushed a little which was acceptable for the band. Not totally clean like my Mark IV was but close enough. The solo on the Mark IV setting was incredible sounding. Later the band simmered down and rhythm was cleaner and the solo remained really great sounding. I cut both masters down to around 10 o’clock. The rhythm still reminded me of a brown Princeton or Deluxe which I love. Not distorted but very slightly driven.

My final test will be sometime later when the second guitarist joins the band. If I ever get to where I need it, there is the CabClone out on the back to go to the board. So yes I’m extremely happy with this amp. It has everything I need and you can’t beat the weight. 24lbs, I still can’t believe how it competes with larger amps.
 

Evan47

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Jun 20, 2021
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What is it like at household volume levels? I would love to have one of these.
 

Bob Womack

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I've got the non-plus (no graphic EQ) 12" version and find it to be really flexible. More HERE.

Bob
 

Guitardon

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What is it like at household volume levels? I would love to have one of these.
Decent. You lose a little fullness on overdrive but still sounds great. I have been experimenting with the direct out to my Bose. And I have to say it sounds pretty darn good.
 

Guitardon

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I've got the non-plus (no graphic EQ) 12" version and find it to be really flexible. More HERE.

Bob
I never seen that one when I was searching. I have the EQ but I have a turned off on the solo channel, it’s absolutely not needed. I have it on the clean channel that really isn’t needed there either. I just used the classic mess of V setting.
 

Bob Womack

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I never seen that one when I was searching. I have the EQ but I have a turned off on the solo channel, it’s absolutely not needed. I have it on the clean channel that really isn’t needed there either. I just used the classic mess of V setting.
Yeah, the no-EQ version came first. It has a "contour" control that adds that classic Mesa V in one knob. It appears that "twarn't normal" to Mesa lovers so they put the graphic on it on the "Plus" version. I understand that they also reduced noise in the final preamp stage as well. Mine Contour stays off, mostly as well.

Bob
 

Don

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Dec 1, 2001
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I've got the non-plus (no graphic EQ) 12" version and find it to be really flexible. More HERE.

Bob
This is an entirely different amp. It's a Mark 5:25, aka Mark Five: 25, aka MkV:25... The 25 watt version of the Mark Five. It's confusing- Mesa should've been more careful with the naming.

I had the 10" version of the Express 5:25. It was a good amp, not as great overall as the Mark 5:25, but it had better reverb and was better at very low volume- I preferred the Express' single ended 5 watt mode over the Mark 5:25's triode 10 watt mode.
 
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Don

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What is it like at household volume levels? I would love to have one of these.
It can sound very good at very high and very low volume levels, but some tweaking needs to be done to get the most out of it when the volume level is changed. For instance, if it's set to sound great at a higher volume level, it'll get overly warm, even dull sounding at lower volume levels- raising the presence and upper EQ sliders helped correct that. Also, it's 10 watt triode mode was better as a way of getting different tones than quieter sounds. I preferred the pentode mode when using the amp at lower volume levels.

This is a super flexible amp and there is a learning curve in order to get the most out of it.
 
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El Gringo

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I got the head version. Great amp!

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You have been holding out . I knew you had the Carr amp , but not this one . How about a tone report please ?
 

MacFangus

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Oct 10, 2016
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I love 10" speakers, though I don't think I've ever played a single 10" combo? 2x10 for sure. My dream is to one day get my hands on a 2x10 VOX AC10.
 

Guitardon

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I love 10" speakers, though I don't think I've ever played a single 10" combo? 2x10 for sure. My dream is to one day get my hands on a 2x10 VOX AC10.
You can always add the 110 external cab. I bought one for larger venues. It adds body to the sound. I mainly use the combo alone but have used both. I like it either way. After a month of owning it, a bunch of rehearsals and 4 gigs both inside and outside, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve yet to get to mid volume. It is the best amp I’ve ever owned including many vintage amps. It works in all occasions where vintage amps only work well if you push them and half the gigs you can’t and have to use a pedal. Too much hassle. Any room that needs more volume then the Mark V, then they’d mic them. So it covers all the bases for me.
 

Solarfire

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Jul 15, 2021
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I have the Mark V:25 with Lonestar 1x10 cab too, and it rocks. Even though it's only 25w it's one loud beast, true to Mesa traditions. I used to have a Mark IV combo, but I think the Mark V:25 has a much smoother, creamier lead tone, great with a Les Paul.
 

MacFangus

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Oct 10, 2016
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You can always add the 110 external cab. I bought one for larger venues. It adds body to the sound. I mainly use the combo alone but have used both. I like it either way. After a month of owning it, a bunch of rehearsals and 4 gigs both inside and outside, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve yet to get to mid volume. It is the best amp I’ve ever owned including many vintage amps. It works in all occasions where vintage amps only work well if you push them and half the gigs you can’t and have to use a pedal. Too much hassle. Any room that needs more volume then the Mark V, then they’d mic them. So it covers all the bases for me.
I like a small (or large) tube amp that I can crank to 10, then back-off my guitar volume pot. This way I can conjure-up harmonic feedback when ever I want it. To me, this is single best aspect to playing an electric guitar. Nothing else comes close for me.
 

Guitardon

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I have the Mark V:25 with Lonestar 1x10 cab too, and it rocks. Even though it's only 25w it's one loud beast, true to Mesa traditions. I used to have a Mark IV combo, but I think the Mark V:25 has a much smoother, creamier lead tone, great with a Les Paul.
Not to mention the weight. I sold my Mark 4 many years sago because of it. These guys sound as good at 1/4 the weight.
 

GhostJam47

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Jun 25, 2021
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I've had my eye on on of these Didn't realize it was smaller than my Blues Jr. Enticing....
 

Don

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Dec 1, 2001
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Here's a pic of the one that I had compared to my Mojotone Champ-

49656224436_442c6aaabc_b.jpg


And with my Mojotone Princeton Reverb-

49661451598_84caff7df8_b.jpg
 
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