Dangerously close to buying a Mesa Mark V

[Tadpui]

I've been lusting over one of these for a long time now but I have yet to actually sit with one and give it a workout. With an investment of this size, I'd definitely want to hear it in person before plunking down the cash for it. But even here in the KC metro, they're a little hard to come by. So before I start on a wild goose chase of tracking one down in a store, I figured I'd gather some input and opinions from those of you who have owned or at least played a Mark V.

I'm not a big metal guy, but I am really interested in the amp's versatility. I watched John Petrucci's demo of the amp but he has way different tastes in guitar tone than I do so his demo wasn't all that useful to me.

I'm more of a classic rocker and indie fan, but I do enjoy the occasional high gain flight of fancy. I play a LP Classic, a very midrange-focused guitar, and I enjoy more of a Mick Ronson-esque midrange guitar tone. I usually associate Mesa with a scooped tone, but I figure that's mostly in the tastes and setup of the player.

Also I'm not sure if I'd want the combo or the head. I don't currently own a cabinet, but I'm not opposed to pairing a Mark V head with a good 2x12 cab. I don't think I'd have any use for a 4x12 since I don't gig.

Would this be too much amp for a home recording hobbyist and non-professional guitar tone enthusiast? Is there another incredibly versatile amp that might suit my needs and tastes better?

Thanks in advance for any input/expertise.

 

[c7sus]

You only live once.

Just sayin'.

In the Seattle Metro area where I live Mesa's come and go on Craigslist with a fair amount of regularity. Lot's of Soldano's up here too. I'd seriously look into the used market. If you don't like it you can (almost) always get your $$$ back out of higher-end used amps that are in good shape and play correctly.

 

[Tadpui]

I've been keeping my eye on craigslist lately, and most of what I've seen come up is Mesa recto series, which is really the least interesting of the Mesa tones to me. I'm keeping my eye open though

Now that I've looked at their product line, really the Lonestar is the most interesting to me. I'm getting the feeling that half of what a mark V can do will not appeal to me.

 

[mixsit]

.. I don't think I'd have any use for a 4x12 since I don't gig.

...Would this be too much amp for a home recording hobbyist and non-professional guitar tone enthusiast? ..

Mark V seems like a lot of rig in that context. A heck of a lot of power at least.
I went looking (from the opposite end) for a small recording amp thinking one of the 'Expresses but ended up loving the tones on the Lone Star Special 1-12 instead. 5-30 watts covers a lot of ground –just enough to set well in moderately loud live gigs (and I hang out mostly on the clean side of things.
Not to say this amp is for you, rather a bit about the scale.

I usually associate Mesa with a scooped tone..

I've spent only a little time on a few Mark V's, my impression it's like a go anywhere do anything a hot rod. One of the liveliest amps I've been on. (Compared to the little LoneStar, I put it on the cushy' side of the scale- but so sweet.
But 'scooped? Unless you go there for some reason..?
Later

.. Fix that, my earlier fun was on Mark III's not V.

 

[notCardio]

I'm pretty sure Lt. Bob's got a Mark V. Seemed pretty impressive to me, but maybe that was just his playing. Give him a shout.

 

[Double]

I find the newer Boogies do not have a decent clean channel. Way back in the early 80’s I owned a Mark I and then a Mark IIb, the clean channel on these amps were great especially the Mark I . But I digress, since the Mark IIb I really have not liked the Clean channel on these amps at all, very sterile sounding. If use a lot of clean when you play make sure you like the tone. Of course the cascading preamps on the new Boogies make them great for that modern preamp lead tone.
And do not forget for the price of one of these puppies you could buy a couple of tube amps.

 

[mixsit]

I find the newer Boogies do not have a decent clean channel. Way back in the early 80?s I owned a Mark I and then a Mark IIb, the clean channel on these amps were great especially the Mark I . ..

That's interesting. My bout with 'Mark was some time ago, but then and since I live on the clean side (relatively speaking. Went with a Pearce G2R for a long time, and recently to the LSS. Both (either) to me more fun than Fenders for example.
Just for a ref what do you like on the clean side then?

 

[Tadpui]

I'm really liking the looks of the Lonestar Special. 30 watts, selectable to 15 or 5 watts, and all of the bells and whistles that I like. While the Mark V is a super versatile hot rod, I think that a 90 watt amp is going to prove too much for my space, even if its switchable to lower power settings. My current amp is an 80 watt 2x12 that I have to tame with a HotPlate.

Now if I could only find a LSS somewhere in the area to test drive. That's way too big of an investment to buy sight unseen. But the Guitar Centers and other shops are out of stock. Think they'd order one to their store just so I can test drive it?