Lower wattage does not correspond with higher attenuation. The volume is certainly affected by the lower wattage settings, but the switch relates more to power amp distortion characteristics than true attenuation. See page 4 from the Mark VII manual: "for each of the three preamp Channels you can choose between the full 90 Watts of high headroom/tight-tracking Simul-Class power, 45 watts of harmonically complex Class A Pentode power, or 25 watts of sweet, clip-able Class A Triode power."
We’ll that’s a very versatile amp. Great video, a lot of good information and sound demos. I found out everything I need to know about the amp. Thanks lonley rocker
Love this amp for a tube amp, it's much better than my old Orange tube amps, but honestly ever since I found the Hughes & Kettner Black Spirit solid state, I've gotten every Mesa ("Lead") and Marshall ("Crunch") and clean sound I've wanted with an amp that is far lighter to carry and more durable. Nonetheless, this here was a tremendous review and I enjoyed learning about the new Mark! By far the best Mesa Boogie line, imo.
Thanks so much for your thoughts!! Really appreciate it. I have an H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40. Super versatile amp! I also reviewed Ampman when it came out. So many choices out there! Cheers!
@@realtruenorth Tell me you've never used a Black Spirit without telling me you've never used a Black Spirit. It's a 200 watt amp that is functionally a 500 watt amp. More headroom than any tube amp that ever existed.
I had a discussion about that when I was making this. I've had a peek inside a Mesa map...the wiring is insane. And apparently many amp repair guys won't touch a Mesa Mark amp because of the complexity...
The more I study it, the more I believe the Mark VII is not a great ultimate Studio amp, the Mark V still is the best Studio Amp out there, with master volume, variac, 9 real amp circuits, etc… while the Mark VII will have channels duplicated (fat & crunch on both Channel 1 & 2)… so it’s great for stage so you can more easily tailor your tones and maybe have clean/crunch/lead, or crunch/crunchier/lead, etc… depending on your music genre. In studio, there’s no need for channel duplication, so it’s better to have more tone options with Tweed and Edge channels, offering more sonic palette. So it doesn’t mean the VII is useless nor bad, it’s just more oriented for live/stage use, while I think the Mark V will stay the king of studio. I used the Mark V 90w at the studio and I’m lurking into buying one for myself, even thought 90w is overkill for my home/studio use. To me, the tones variety is just unbeatable…
‘Best’ is more of a sizzle word and doesn’t apply to everyone. I found the VII extremely versatile as a recording amp. I’ve also had the V here. It’s a Boogie. Both great amps. Just comes down to personal needs and preferences.
@@LonelyRockerHaving had both, I think the VII sounds better, but it’s less versatile. It does less, but what it does it does better. Then again, cab clone and direct outs make it more versatile in that department.
I was going to purchase this amp, but then I changed my mind for one simple reason, and it’s not the price. I am willing to pay for quality, which this is. There is no doubt that this amp can do anything and in the long run I will save a lot of money by not needing another. Its versatility is a con that made me decide not to buy it. I feel that if I have such an amp I will constantly fiddle with the knobs and try to improve an already perfected sound. Might as well then have a modeller. Since I want a Mesa, for its sound, I am now more inclined of getting the Mesa Rectifier Badlander.
I sold my MKV for this exact reason but after playing the VII, the amp just sounds fundamentally different and just better in every mode vs the V. I was always trying to tweak the grit out of the top end of the V and when pushed really hard with high gain, the V low end gets a bit too loose. The VII doesn’t have this problem. The VII just sounds great everywhere so you’re not trying to tweak specific sounds because you’re trying to get rid of something that, in my opinion is just a character of the amps voice.
@@adajay9257 I reviewed the badlander on my channel and gave thoughts after using it on stage. It's not a terrible amp but the 35w MK V was just SO much better that it made the badlander seem like a worse amp despite it being perfectly fine.
in response to the video title: No it is not. It is an overpriced piece of recycled garbage. Mesa is what happens when amp builders drink all things soi.
Wow! You must be a very unhappy person to have to shoot it down. If you have nothing good to say dont say anything or say it in a nicer way, like "there are definetley some more cost effective amps that can also do a good job". Good review Dan! Its all true what you mentioned.
Wow, that's a hell of an amp! Great video Dan
It sure is! Thanks Dave!!
Lower wattage does not correspond with higher attenuation. The volume is certainly affected by the lower wattage settings, but the switch relates more to power amp distortion characteristics than true attenuation. See page 4 from the Mark VII manual: "for each of the three preamp Channels you can choose between the full 90 Watts of high headroom/tight-tracking Simul-Class power, 45 watts of harmonically complex Class A Pentode power, or 25 watts of sweet, clip-able Class A Triode power."
Thnx for the clarification....
Thanks for a VERY informative video and for the time spent making it - BOTH appreciated;)
Thank you so much for noticing! :)
We’ll that’s a very versatile amp. Great video, a lot of good information and sound demos. I found out everything I need to know about the amp.
Thanks lonley rocker
Let me know if you buy it! 😎😎😎
Love this amp for a tube amp, it's much better than my old Orange tube amps, but honestly ever since I found the Hughes & Kettner Black Spirit solid state, I've gotten every Mesa ("Lead") and Marshall ("Crunch") and clean sound I've wanted with an amp that is far lighter to carry and more durable. Nonetheless, this here was a tremendous review and I enjoyed learning about the new Mark! By far the best Mesa Boogie line, imo.
Thanks so much for your thoughts!! Really appreciate it. I have an H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40. Super versatile amp! I also reviewed Ampman when it came out. So many choices out there! Cheers!
Black spirit doest have the headroom or feel though.
@@realtruenorth Tell me you've never used a Black Spirit without telling me you've never used a Black Spirit. It's a 200 watt amp that is functionally a 500 watt amp. More headroom than any tube amp that ever existed.
@@OldMister have you played a Fryette Ultralead? Those fart out black spirits like dog biscuits.
120 tube watts is like 1000 SS watts.
Are the cleans pretty much the same as the mark v? (Great demo, i only wish there were a master volume).
Thanks! I think so. But I can’t say for certain without them side by side. I agree. A master always comes in handy.
1:10 Rock n' roll begins here.
1:54 Pinnacle!
2:36 Grand finale.
Ha!! Thanks for the assist! :)
That thing is awesome!
I wish someone would post a pic of the circuit board. Im very curious to see how they did it up!
I had a discussion about that when I was making this. I've had a peek inside a Mesa map...the wiring is insane. And apparently many amp repair guys won't touch a Mesa Mark amp because of the complexity...
do i see a 50W evh stealth at time stamp 3:57 for $2,033 used?????? can someone correct but arent them $1,550 brand new
Thats Canadian Dollars. About 1530 USD...
@@LonelyRockerOh that’s not real money…. J/k 😂😅
The more I study it, the more I believe the Mark VII is not a great ultimate Studio amp, the Mark V still is the best Studio Amp out there, with master volume, variac, 9 real amp circuits, etc… while the Mark VII will have channels duplicated (fat & crunch on both Channel 1 & 2)… so it’s great for stage so you can more easily tailor your tones and maybe have clean/crunch/lead, or crunch/crunchier/lead, etc… depending on your music genre. In studio, there’s no need for channel duplication, so it’s better to have more tone options with Tweed and Edge channels, offering more sonic palette. So it doesn’t mean the VII is useless nor bad, it’s just more oriented for live/stage use, while I think the Mark V will stay the king of studio. I used the Mark V 90w at the studio and I’m lurking into buying one for myself, even thought 90w is overkill for my home/studio use. To me, the tones variety is just unbeatable…
‘Best’ is more of a sizzle word and doesn’t apply to everyone. I found the VII extremely versatile as a recording amp. I’ve also had the V here. It’s a Boogie. Both great amps. Just comes down to personal needs and preferences.
@@LonelyRockerHaving had both, I think the VII sounds better, but it’s less versatile. It does less, but what it does it does better. Then again, cab clone and direct outs make it more versatile in that department.
I was going to purchase this amp, but then I changed my mind for one simple reason, and it’s not the price. I am willing to pay for quality, which this is. There is no doubt that this amp can do anything and in the long run I will save a lot of money by not needing another. Its versatility is a con that made me decide not to buy it. I feel that if I have such an amp I will constantly fiddle with the knobs and try to improve an already perfected sound. Might as well then have a modeller. Since I want a Mesa, for its sound, I am now more inclined of getting the Mesa Rectifier Badlander.
No doubt this is a tweakers amp. If that’s not you then stay away 😂😂😂
I sold my MKV for this exact reason but after playing the VII, the amp just sounds fundamentally different and just better in every mode vs the V.
I was always trying to tweak the grit out of the top end of the V and when pushed really hard with high gain, the V low end gets a bit too loose. The VII doesn’t have this problem.
The VII just sounds great everywhere so you’re not trying to tweak specific sounds because you’re trying to get rid of something that, in my opinion is just a character of the amps voice.
@@FastRedPonyCar That is great information. Thank you for sharing that. I will try the VII before I decide to go for the Badlander.
@@adajay9257 I reviewed the badlander on my channel and gave thoughts after using it on stage. It's not a terrible amp but the 35w MK V was just SO much better that it made the badlander seem like a worse amp despite it being perfectly fine.
Very cool amp. But kinda sad they got rid of the global master volume and the edge mode
It often seems to be the case when products are updated. Some features disappear...it can be maddening for sure...
Whatever happened to the Mark VI??
Hiding in a vault somewhere 😂
In my personal opinion, this a Mark V update
There's a lot to this amp...you need a lot of time with it to really get it....
@@LonelyRocker agree
Si"mule" class? Its simul as in simultaneous class A and class AB. Not pronounced siMULE
To may toe, to mah toe 😂🤘🏽
in response to the video title: No it is not. It is an overpriced piece of recycled garbage. Mesa is what happens when amp builders drink all things soi.
Ha! Mesa definitely has its share of fans and haters. I love amps! 😀😀
Wow! You must be a very unhappy person to have to shoot it down. If you have nothing good to say dont say anything or say it in a nicer way, like "there are definetley some more cost effective amps that can also do a good job".
Good review Dan! Its all true what you mentioned.
You can't afford one, but that doesn't make it bad.