This....was not an upgrade | Mesa Boogie Mark VII High Gain Playthrough

[@michaelblaszkiewicz4942]

Mark V vs Mark VII needs to happen lol

[@BradRocker]

Love this amp, like those new riffs too. Also can't get enough of that new Heritage LP

[@astrozombie2000]

Thanks for the entertaining review! This amp sounds awesome and I'll probably be picking one up soon, Itwould look great sitting with my Mk IV and DR.Great job dialing it in with some heavy riffage!

[@bengoldstein964]

I think Mark V 35 is the hidden gem noone talks about. I never had any issues getting great tones out of it, despite what people say about EL84s.

[@bradleyhendry8125]

I'll take a 25 or 35 over the 90 personally.

[@cunjoz]

EL84s to me are as good as 6L6s and both are much better than EL34s which lack a lot of midrange punch

[@jaboozled]

I had the V35 and V90 at the same time for a while and A/B'd them through a Mesa recto 212 cab. I thought the V35 sounded great on its own, but when compared to the V90, the V35 felt thin, like it felt as if it only had part of the sonic spectrum that the V90 had.. which felt like mostly upper mids. Had great mid bite, but of course less low mids and lows. I felt like it excelled at rock tones versus high gain stuff (although still good!). Once again, nothing bad to say about the V35. The V90 was just a lot fuller, warmer/ rounder, more headroom, with more low end thump while remaining tight. That's probably just the nature of 100w 6L6s vs 35w EL84s. I also found the V35's channel volume to be really sensitive when trying to get the right spot for bedroom volumes bc it lacks a master volume. Easily fixable with a volume pedal though. But it's super lightweight and has other features the V90 doesn't have such as the cab clone/ silent recording and headphones out. They should've at least added the headphones jack to the V90 in my opinion. At the end of the day, from my experience, full sized amps seem to sound better than the smaller wattage or lunchbox variants bc of watts, headroom, transformer size, etc. So many great options though based on the player's needs (portability, etc.).

[@grtxyz4358]

Well, most people don’t realize that that a 35 watt amp isn’t going to be 1/3rd of the volume of a 90 or 100 watt… a 10 watt amp is about half of the volume… the difference between a 50 and 100 watt amp is only 3 dB… a 35 watt is perfectly fine to fill a stage with sound… 🎉

[@heythere6983]

I really like the singing compressing of the 35, and it’s raspyness but it’s too small sonic wise. Very narrow and mid focused which shouldn’t be a surprise bc of the tubes.

[@beeps123]

All said and done. Full of good sounds. Something for everyone. Lots of learning and time needed to use the different Marks in here. An amp for those with advanced knowledge in the mark series. Good luck.

[@TonyLaMarca2manygadgets]

Thanks Zzounds! You guys rock.

[@pbgas3434]

Great stuff Kyle! I have the rack mount version as well. I have found myself using the Crunch mode as well for the middle channel instead of the MK VII mode. Sounds amazing! Thx for putting out another great vid!

[@vaportrails7943]

I’ve had the Mark VII since last summer, and I finally figured out what Mark VII mode is. It’s basically a modded Marshall, with a massive amount of available gain. Play some Van Halen with the gain relatively low. That’s the sound. If you put in EL34’s, it would probably get even closer. IIB is an excellent blues mode. You’ve basically got two Fenders, two Marshalls, and three Marks in one box.

[@jamescassidy4045]

Anyone know why Mesa kept those holes in the faceplate of this rack mount version?

[@aarondr594]

They are there to accommodate all possible logos and logo placements, including the jp2c badge in the low right. I guess it's the same part for the mark vii, mark v 35 and jp2c.

[@Jason_wpok25158]

I have an original IIC+ from 84 and a Mark V. I think i'm all set. My wife thinks so too!

[@dantredogborsa7048]

You need a Mark IV. Unfortunately the Mark IV mode on the V is not like the real deal

[@Jason_wpok25158]

@@dantredogborsa7048 I had a Mark IV, sold it. I still have a Quad and a Triaxis.

[@dantredogborsa7048]

@@Jason_wpok25158 Buy it back.

[@Jason_wpok25158]

@@dantredogborsa7048 I dont think my Wife would like that. I have to sell the Quad and the Triaxis too.

[@dantredogborsa7048]

@@Jason_wpok25158 😂... well... family always first. 👍🏻♥️

[@prosperity-gospel]

I use Extreme mode 200x more than any other mode in the Mark V, bummed they didn't include it (or just add a switch to Mark IV to remove negative feedback). I really like the reverb knobs on the front, JP2C size headcase, and IR loader. But when you can find a mint Mark V for literally half the price of the VII, it's hard to justify.

[@digital360]

By far your funniest video yet! Great riffage as well. I might need some real Mesa in my life soon. Keep rockin'! 🎸

[@crankshaft383]

Need a Mark/recto blend? F-50, F-100, DC-5, DC-10, etc. Cheaper.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Had chance to play a new Mark VIII this past weekend using my Yngwie Strat with hot YJM pickups and enjoyed it but already have Mark V and don't see big reason to upgrade.

[@andybungert]

Thank you zzounds!

[@JimmyG773]

It’s like being an adult film star and being all balls! Haha you are funny dude . Proud owner of purple stripe mark 3

[@jasons.3921]

Great job my man! Really appreciated hearing its versatility. I'm not saying that I wouldn't enjoy owning one of these, because, I most definitely would. Thanks Zzounds for hooking our man up. Oh, and I dig those Exodus style riffs at the beginning...🤘🤘

[@TobyKBTY]

It sounds incredible, but I think the ultimate "modern" Mark is still a toss between the V and the JP2C. I don't think I'll be spending 3500 on something when I can get the JP with the two EQs and more focused towards sounds I really like.

[@barrygomez5968]

I like how you did drop tuning in active and passives. Now you gotta get a 7 with passives and you' ll be all around covered🤘 haha

[@SAIBOT64]

I got a JP2C. I’m good. It sounds good, don’t get me wrong. It’s just not much of an upgrade to me. I love the shred switch and two sets of eq sliders on the JP2C.

[@ookookook]

That would be my position too

[@pip5528]

I prefer the tone shaping and versatility of the JP-2C as well. Sure, it doesn't have the mid gain boost quite as much as the V but it's amazing how you can dial different IIC+ channels, have 2 EQs, and a clean channel with such insane headroom. It's also pretty much the only current Mark with pull pots for different gain and presence voicings.

[@dantredogborsa7048]

But... you need a Mark IV 🫥

[@johnrobinson7138]

What’s with the holes in the faceplate?

[@VapnFagan]

Its your party and youll cry if you want to! You tell em!

[@kniqhtfall]

Does anyone know if the mark vii was in production prior to the gibson acquisition of Mesa? Just curious to know how the acquisition affected product.

[@gitarman666]

I’m loving mine! I gladly returned the JP2c in favor of this very fulfilling tone machine I love my old Marshalls I hate my AxeFx3 But I love the versatility this beauty has

[@dougleydorite]

Big mistake in returning the JP..

[@gitarman666]

@@dougleydorite That’s subjective Doug I have Mesa rectos, Marshalls, Friedman, Soldano and am loving my IV, i had both the JP2c and the VII for about a week before returning the JP I could reproduce anything the JP did with the VII but couldn’t get certain vibes from the JP Both cleans are stellar and identical 3rd channel overdrives are well with tweakable range Just don’t have 2 eqs or two identical channels This design decision was lost on my need as it seems redundant But to each his own $4000 is lot of bread so I didn’t take the comparison lightly

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

Why would u hate an AxeFx III?

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

@@gitarman666 I have a strong feeling the JP will hold its value far greater than the Mk series amps now and in the future.

[@gitarman666]

⁠@@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial A few reasons actually, Firstly the core tone meant to emulate or model well known amps is poor, if you are as fortunate as I have been to own or to play in rooms with lots of option’s you’ll find the Fractals fall short in comparison It seems only when you add all the fx and play stereo that it has that big processed sound For me it was fine for the home studio or the bedroom but live it was a washed out mess Had to go mono and loss the verbs at that point it couldn’t stand up against the other amps I had at my disposal Next, is the digital chase race, when you own a 800 2203 it’s always going to perform and sound great and all upgraded versions like the JCM 900 was supposed to be fall short of the original and only increased the value of the 800 With the chase race it’s the opposite meaning if you had a AxeFx 1 and the 2 was released the value of the original plummeted Same 2-3 and probably the same when the 4 is released I just wish Cliff would throw a few 12ax7s in there even my old ADAMP1 racks have preamp tubes If I throw a “Real Tube” stomp before the ts input the saturation sounds better to my ear on almost everything from Klon type dirt to full distorted patches Also I think it’s in essence a program not unlike Amplitube with a clever GUI that is limited by the keystone or sharc (forget which) processing It has its own enclosure and some great routing features and the FX are great but the amp emulations don’t measure up Also If one chip is just for the box display and I’m running out of juice or running into 90% red zone usage with the remaining chips on a complex patch there is something wrong so as fractal releases these things they are getting more and more powerful for a reason To me it’s like the chase with my iMac the value drops over time as long as they are stamping out newer integrated circuit boards the remaining relevant life on my $8000 tricked out intel iMac is only about 3 years away from what I’m told running my DAWs and suites That’s my take I love Mac and fractal but they suck My F12 already has been replaced by a version with a bigger screen so what value does my F12 have now?

[@jww732]

Gotta keep it real , always wanted this style of Mesa amp but will absolutely never be able to afford one. That price is insane.

[@belligerentamateur]

just grab a used V 90 for $2000

[@70mcnevin]

Depends on your use. Some people play live and that 90 with a wide-body cab underneath is unstoppable.@@b1gnutt

[@jonnyf9049]

IS there somekind of in the Room mix going on? In the Intro it sound funny sometimes ! Thannks for the Vidds man!

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Like slap echo

[@DJ33]

Noticed for the wrong reason…..love it. Nice demo Thrash.

[@tonedover]

Nice job KB - great demo

[@pauliej4105]

Although it's difficult, I try to keep myself to 2 xl sized sticks of beef jerky a day. Take care!

[@kmanick107]

Mark V 90 vs the Mark VII? is it worth the extra $1000 to get one?

[@seanyiscubsfan1]

I tried the amp yesterday at my local GC and I really liked the sounds out of it. Is the price on it a bit steep? No doubt and I won’t be getting it anytime soon. I was getting some decent Blue Murder tones despite the fact that Mesa didn’t put a Mark III mode on it.

[@ShockwaveZero]

wow where did you find that guitar did you custom order it? never seen anyone use a balaguer explorer other than acacia strain

[@joshuafrahm8778]

They should have kept Extreme for Ch3, and instead of VII put the 2C+ mode in Ch2. Overall it sounds OK, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to replace my MkV anytime soon.

[@Nate-qb8ws]

I wouldn't be able to live without MK V's Extreme mode, it crushes the MK VII

[@dangtreeallaandra2014]

Love your opinion , and I agree with you on MK V 2nd channel crunch mode with a booster is the absolut best sound and only sound you need .

[@SuperCMO79]

Thank you ZZounds!

[@giancarlomartinez5630]

Is that a Lovesac couch?

[@ceniam12]

Heyy Kyle! any plans of trying the JP2c? I saw that you had one of those some time ago. It would be great to hear your thoughts about it compared with the other marks, cheers!

[@distortionclubla]

glad you got ur amp for demo Kyle !!

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

Sounds REALLY GREAT!

[@TheToecutter69]

Thank You zZounds! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@healmebaby9733]

If buying new today, and disregarding the cost. Would you get a mk v, a jp2c, or a mk vii? On the edge here and unsure what to do. I really dig the sounds of the vii but also love the v and jp2c. Playing almost exclusively metal, but I can dabble in som clean and crunch from time to time. But the metal sound is the most important for me. Love your channel!

[@Liberty_76]

JP2C, the dual GEQ is a HUGE win.

[@idontgivea1769]

Always gave Mesa a cold shoulder because of Metallica and lots of other metal bands. Man was I missing out! This is the best sounding amp I've ever heard!

[@metalonabudget574]

Sick video keep up the hard work man.

[@h3lio5]

Well, it’s $4799.99 CAD. I just had maple syrup stigmata. For reference a 5150IIIs 50w is $2100. Great video though!

[@musicinsession]

Sounds super tight!

[@shreddedcheese9982]

Ever tried People's Choice Carne Seca beef jerky? Goes great with the Extreme mode on a Mark V.

[@mxp1837]

Hey Kyle, what rubber-clip do you use to dampen the strings behind the nut?

[@guessure]

Did it sound different in the room? I thought mark vii mode sounded sick once you dialed it in..?

[@kosmonument2682]

The best thing about these VIIs is that the Vs went on deep sale. Picked a V 35 for a steal recently.

[@Stinger_1995]

Heeeeell yeah, I've been waiting for this one!

[@YashVardhanTanwar]

Yes. Please shootout against a Mark V. I think the Mark V was better. More useful at the very least.

[@HANDBALLDIEHARD]

Did not like the Mark 5 when it was released , but this 7 sounds much improved !, but i'll stick with the triple rectifier.

[@windows-jy2vg]

So many leeway riffs lately… gotta love that!

[@Counterkillify]

Seems like the MKVII setting is more like the Fillmore amps where the Mid control affects saturation and treble affects the character of the amp. Interesting design.

[@johnnyelvis]

Just curious are the mark amps noisy or anything ( are they good for recording)? Ive watched videos of mark v for a while now and it seems to sound really nice. Just no where here to try them out at. The guitar center thats an hour and a half away don't carry them. Id be buying blind eyed.

[@vaportrails7943]

You would not regret getting one based on quality and tone. You might regret it based on price, if you feel like it’s more than you need.

[@rich9353]

Kyle, it looks like this is a 2c mode and not a 2c+ mode. Is there much of a difference, and if it's a + mode does it say this in the manual? I take it this amp is overall more geared towards a classic rock amp than metal?

[@TobyKBTY]

I'm also not quite sure what they were going for with the VII mode. It feels and sounds waaaaay different from the other modes, but not necessarily in a way that benefits a Mark amp? Sounds too bloated and weird for modern high gain, but kind of overly crunchy for more classic applications.

[@JoeDogInKC]

The Mark 7 mode isn't supposed to be as high of a high gain sound. It's listed as being a new mode that's between a IIB and IIC+.

[@pip5528]

I've never owned a Mark Series sadly but I'm still insistent on the JP-2C instead of this. The tone shaping of that beats having a bunch of voices you can't even assign to every single channel, not to mention 2 GEQs and a Shred mode to make it super tight out of the box. Sure, it has an inferior Cabclone but that's not what I'd buy it for and it still has MIDI control. IIC+ is my personal end all, be all of Mark tones anyway so I don't even need the extra modes.

[@NeverEndingCorruption]

what are all them little holes on the front?

[@NeverEndingCorruption]

or is it just my computer?

[@moisttowelette5353]

They use the same chassis for the other rack mount amp models. The holes are for mounting the different badges.

[@jcalzada74]

I thought it was a B stock amp 😂

[@bllyfen8]

Thanks for doing a video dude!

[@lastcaress83]

The Mark VII mode is post EQ already, of you bring the GEQ in at all it should be used minimally and very differently from the typical mark amp

[@davidjoel111]

Is Burried Alive still a thing?

[@belligerentamateur]

yep, they broke up for about 20 years but have recently become active again

[@davidjoel111]

@@belligerentamateur is Scott Vogel singing? Gotta check it out!

[@gab_ale]

Mark V Channel 2 Crunch mode is my favorite.

[@SluggerStark]

Best mode in that amp

[@yoitsmegabe]

Sounds cool, but not different enough from the Mark V or what's in the Axe FX III to go out and buy it. Glad I got the V back in 2012 when it was 2000. 3500 is crazy.

[@mr.preece8137]

Pray for the techs who dare to work on these monsters.

[@legendofthestrings1]

Dude I want that guitar LOL That would just complete my collection.

[@andybungert]

Yes! 🤘

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

Dumb question that I have wondered about in a bunch of your vids but never asked. Why is the MXR led always lit up, despite it not being switched on?

[@James3II3]

The MXR M77 has 2 LED lights. The Main Light will be RED when the Footswitch is Engaged. The Blue light is a Secondary light to show when the mid Bump Feature is on,But it has Zero Effect until you actually Engage the footswitch(Red LED)

[@TrumpetsInMy4x12]

@@James3II3 Thanks! So much blindness to be had :|

[@booganaga123]

It has a switch for a different mid bump - when that's on the blue light shines even when the pedal is off

[@smeemusic]

Okay sure, you dont "need" a boost for an amp like this. However! Backing off the gain a little and hitting the amp with a boost gives a totally different character. Its not about needing more gain. Its about that little extra character. Theres also a considerable difference in feel. I personally prefer back off the gain a little and hit the amp with a boost. And I'm running an evh el34 100 watt head. That amp has all the gain in the world. But backing off the gain and hitting it with a boost gives it a little something special.

[@depthsofdarknessofficial9677]

Thank you Zzounds

[@wheeljork]

You can squeeze a good sound out of these (with 6L6) by using 45 watt mode, max presence, and close to max treble, assuming you want a thick scoopy rectifier type sound. We never tried EL34s. Only turn bass up as much as you need, it gets rumbly. They are not bad amps I guess, but not mesa's best imo. If you can find a 50 Caliber around, those have much more versatility and are super tight in the low end, an overlooked gem from Mesa's past and a fraction of the cost of a Mark or Rec series.

[@JDESTR0Y]

Here we go (part 2) you kick ass man, take all the time you need and hey…, the more your around your people and there circle ⭕️ of positive energy the more your own ⭕️ charges up your personal positive energy and drive to do and go for 💯 % the things you want to do /Quality over/Quantity…wishing you the best in 24 ok try this, you weren’t digging mark 7 mode, try changing the wattage setting to 25 it may eliminate the fwompy lowy sizzley odd mid thing i was hearing it to, not my bag of biscuits ither, (I’m team Peavey since the very first 5150/6505/XXX/JSX/(I own the JSX) best one of the Lot in my eyes. Since I plugged in to PE that was it for me. No overdrive needed no nUtHiN In and Done! So ya anyway…. Play with Mark 7 Watt selector I think it will reshape every mode on the amp, 3 extra feel/sound settings for each mode!!! Take care brother, I’d love to know if you read all of this! 😅 msg me back 🤘 😝 🤘

[@MotoRiff77]

Kyle, did I hear a room mic/ camera mic in your intro 😊 you know you’re getting a thumbs up for me, by the way, you’re editing and entertainment value so good!

[@6StringDisease]

Nice I see you were playing some Life of Agony - Bad Seed!👏👏👏👏👏💪🎸

[@mackmccoy15]

Thanks for the review

[@HCPdX]

Seriously, who in the USA in 2023 can afford this??? It's difficult enough to afford inflated rent, food and various services! I'll stick with my 6505 and companies that provide quality affordable goods for the working class. Great riffing tho Kyle, keep up the awesome content. Cheers!

[@AlecBaldwin5816]

there's a job here that unlike me who can't shut my mouth and getting expelled, 5X12 hours/week, and pretty much you can do whatever you want, including paying a 3500+ us dollars amp like if it was cheap dollars. depends if you lucky with jobs or not.

[@MARK-LUCIA]

Are there tiny holes in the front of the head? Great review!

[@VapnFagan]

Yes because they use the same chassis plates on other amps so those are mounting holes, no clue why they did this

[@robertlathan4639]

Andy from the guitar geek some times uses a looper to dial some of his favorite sounds from the new amps he gets!!

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

11:33 HOLY FUUUUCK!!! 🤣 that sounds fn killer!!!

[@Dustinchugs]

Great video bro!

[@LaszloVarga-msc]

That Jackson rocks!

[@JDESTR0Y]

Hey Ki diggity Dog! Hope things are looking up after your latest video, all I can give a guy is some kind words so here it goes, what your doing for the Thrashy SM 57 no bells and no bib bob jangly wobs KZbin heavy ass tone thumpermute teeth smashing live music Havin community is epic, You really do have an amazing artistic ear for the smashing tones so many of us are going for, I know things can get a guy down, even a guy with all the tube candy you could ever want in a room is rooted in this thing we all are “human” some times we need a mind reset rethink, please for me and for all of us take some breaths and know that all things are linked to time, time heals all it won’t seem like it during the passing of time but trust my words when it turns around and your back to being unable to wipe the smile off your face with even a ww2 flame thrower you will go yea Jake in the comment section was right. Time heals all. I have an idea for you to try on mark 7 mode I’m about to run out of characters so Ile make a second comment plz read (part 1)

[@johnevered9640]

That Mark VII mode almost sounded like when you disconnect your cab in a plugin at first lmao

[@youztuber5000]

I want to be critical of this amp since Gibson bought Mesa and increased prices, but it sounds really good 👍

[@RRoy83]

I’m not quite sure you understand the economy we’re currently in. Gibson had nothing to do with price increases…Literally everything is more expensive right now due to inflation, not just Mesa. Gibson also aren’t anything more than a “parent” company being used more for distribution at the moment.

[@antonego8356]

@@RRoy83 this ☝️

[@mrpaiute9013]

Parent company keeping on marketing to dentists and lawyers

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Is there a huge crazy echo in the beginning or is it just me???

[@spiritofthetallhills2037]

Nah i hear it too

[@KeithMcKissick]

Yup. It sounds like he had his lav mic on, as well.

[@masterofreality230]

12:00 man, talk about flubby, what is Mark VII mode for? lol

[@neuascension8169]

it's for being run with the EQ off, which Kyle didn't do

[@masterofreality230]

@@neuascension8169 Ahhh, I have a Mark V 25, none of the distortion modes sound good with eq off too me, I get why people would make that mistake

[@BazonBlades]

Never liked Mark series amps and this doesn't change my mind. In fact, I don't care much for Boogie guitar amps in general. Although I love their guitar cabs. Funny, huh..... Thanks for doing the video though Kyle. Even if I don't like their amps it's still good to see what MB is up to.

[@amirtak9886]

Great amp, not worth $3500 USD imo. The JP2C is a better choice because it has two GEQ controls.

[@notasilicaanimus]

But fewer modes.

[@JohnWiku]

More modes that sound meh or less modes that sound unlike anything else?? JP2C is the best Mark series amp

[@notasilicaanimus]

@@JohnWiku I don't know, I've had a JP2C, and found the 2nd geq kind of pointless since I ended up setting them both almost identically, like JP does on his. With the vii, I can imagine having channel 1 set up for crunch (which the JP 2c can't do), channel 3 for rhythm and then the thicker mark vii mode on channel 2 for leads, so that the second geq isn't really needed. I say buy the JP-2C if you're a pure metal guy, particularly if you tune down because of the shred mode, and buy a vii if you want a wider variety of tones.

[@JohnWiku]

@@notasilicaanimus All right, fair enough, I guess for me the JP2C works better as I am a set and forget kind of player. Never really cared for cleans or edge of break up tones, so if you like that too, I can see a more versatile amp working better for that. If I could, I'd have one of each Mesa amps, what a dream 🤣🤣

[@notasilicaanimus]

@@JohnWiku I'm sticking with my Mark III, just saying that both the JP-2C and the Mark VII have their place in the modern line up.

[@gitarman666]

Yeah A lot of Mesa lovers are replying negatively about the VII mode but how much saturation does one need I get all I need on channel 3 Try cutting the gain on channel 2 and feel the power of not chugga chugga all the time There’s a character to the VII mode that I as a Marshall, Soldano, Friedman player love But cool your a balls to the wall metal chugger To each his own, like your up front screamer I’m loving the JHS Andy Timmons 2 With the cleaner channels if I want some boost or saturation

[@dougiemonday]

Life of agony!!!! Great riffage bro

[@smeemusic]

I'm really enjoying this amp. I desperately want to dislike it because of how expensive it is. But I kinda love it.

[@RokDAWG1]

I don’t think I have anything constructive to ad to the comments. I do think that my engagement is just for the sake of helping you get that algorithm boost.

[@raygringo]

I'm way late with this comment, but try Mark VII mode without the five band and approach the tone controls the way you would a Rectifier with a boost. It totally works.

[@jex2762]

All Out War riff and Leeway too ! Old time Hardcore

[@dannykristoffer4047]

I never understood why mesas were so much $

[@frankenstein4106]

It's always about the hand motion when playing!! 🤫

[@jav6665]

😂 that all balls comment was perfect

[@mattsmith8515]

I thought you liked the mudkiller Kyle... :(