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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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My favorite I sound I ever had other than tweed and brown amps was my Mesa Bookie Mark IV. It had the richest lead tone and a nice clean rhythm tone. As I got older it became a nightmare to lift into my car cause it was so dang heavy. So I sold it and went back to my old standby, a Musicman 110 Rd50. Wanting a change I came across the newer Mesa Boogie v5 25w 110. The specs and reviews were great. I bought it and just played through it and it didn’t disappoint. It has a Mark IV switch and it sounds just like my Mark IV. I’m going to a jam tomorrow, if it holds up playing others I’ll take it to my gig next Saturday. From all I read it should be fine. I play Chicago style blues and the two bands I’m in are not too loud so I’m pretty sure it’ll be loud enough. I’ll report back next week. I’m stoked, I love the rhythm and solo tone. It is tiny next to my Blues JR but so much louder and cleaner. I will probably pickup the extension speaker for louder rooms.

B9152D9D-7B67-48DE-8A46-B695F657964A.jpeg
 
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renderit

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I got the head version. Great amp!

35712500873_eda3925de3_4k.jpg
 

Don

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I had the combo for a while. It was a fun amp!
 

metropolis

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I had no idea they were so tiny! My Studio .22 is about the same size as the Blues Jr. Hope it stands up well to your jam although I'm sure it will!
 

Guitardon

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I had no idea they were so tiny! My Studio .22 is about the same size as the Blues Jr. Hope it stands up well to your jam although I'm sure it will!
We’ll I took it to Asheville Guitar Bar and played a set with Virginia and the Slims. It was outside and they mic’d it. But at stage volume I felt louder than the others including a larger Boogie. It definitely held its own. I’m playing a full gig this Saturday which will be the ultimate test. Indoors, no mic’ing at a reasonable sized room. I’m not worried that it won’t cut it, it was loud at less than half volume last night with another noisy guitarist. The thing I liked was the rhythm was super clean like a fender twin and the solo sound was incredible and screaming. I had it on the Mark IV setting and it sounded pretty much like the Mark IV I sold years ago cause it was too heavy. What really impresses me is this little guy has two classic distinctive Boogie amplifiers built into one. It really is like your get two amplifiers or three when you consider the other settings for the price of one. I’m surprised they would do this and a much more reasonable price than the larger ones. I can’t imagine who would want a bigger amp unless they’re playing giant rooms. I thank them for doing this in my back will appreciate it too. I will report one more time after my gig Saturday.
 

renderit

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How do you like it, is it the 35w version.
25W.

I like it a lot.

A few more knobs than I am comfortable with, but once you get used to that it is a VERY flexible amp.

Super easy to get good sounds out of. You just have to get over having Houston Control in front of you and play.
 

Don

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Why’d you get rid of it.

Although I loved the amp's dirty sounds, I would've prefered if I could set the clean channel clean and the dirty channel on the edge of distortion. The Fillmore 25 had that ability, but didn't sound as good overall as the little Mark 5:25.
 
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Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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25W.

I like it a lot.

A few more knobs than I am comfortable with, but once you get used to that it is a VERY flexible amp.

Super easy to get good sounds out of. You just have to get over having Houston Control in front of you and play.
Really? My Mk III fully loaded simul class has less knobs but all have pull function and it took awhile too find the zone. Shared eq makes it harder, even with assigned graphic and pull tone shift. More like a 3 voice single channel than 3 channel. Once you suss it out it's great.

Don's two amp analogy is more apt. Two fully independently controlled channels with pretty straightforward controls. Select your voice, classic G, T, M, B, M controls, select power amp and assign graphic for each channel. Really not hard to use at all.

I still use my Trans Atlantic 15 and love that loud tiny beast.
 
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Don

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I still use my Trans Atlantic 15 and love that loud tiny beast.

I had a Trans Atlantic for a while and really liked it. I sold it when I bought the Mark 5:25 and kinda wish I still had it. The sounds were a little more "organic" and better for the blues and blues/rock that I typically play.
 

jrgtr42

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Is the speaker out hardwired or can you plug into an external cab?
I'd be that'd give a bit more boost if you need a buit more oomph.
I have a Rocket 44, which is pretty loud on it's own, but for fun I plugged it into a Marshall cab and it easily kept up with amps way louder.
 

Don

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Is the speaker out hardwired or can you plug into an external cab?
You can plug into an external cab. That's the cool thing about the combo- it only cost $150 more than the head and weighs only 8 pounds more (a 24 pound all tube combo amp!)- it's still lighter and smaller than most heads! You can use it as a small practice or "grab and go" combo or add any cab for gigging.
 

Guitardon

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Although I loved the amp's dirty sounds, I would've prefered if I could set the clean channel clean and the dirty channel on the edge of distortion. The Fillmore 25 had that ability, but didn't sound as good overall as the little Mark 5:25.
Mine so far has a great clean and dirty sound. I bought it cause one of my band plays swing/jump blues. Need cleav for rhythm
 

Guitardon

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Is the speaker out hardwired or can you plug into an external cab?
I'd be that'd give a bit more boost if you need a buit more oomph.
I have a Rocket 44, which is pretty loud on it's own, but for fun I plugged it into a Marshall cab and it easily kept up with amps way louder.
I just got the external 120 cab today in time for tomorrow’s gig. Hope it helps outdoors
 

Guitardon

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Feb 3, 2002
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2,134
Is the speaker out hardwired or can you plug into an external cab?
I'd be that'd give a bit more boost if you need a buit more oomph.
I have a Rocket 44, which is pretty loud on it's own, but for fun I plugged it into a Marshall cab and it easily kept up with amps way louder.
You can plug in an external speaker
 
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