A Closer Look: Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25 combos

Published on 01/05/2020 11:00

 

Mark Five greatness in a manageable, portable format?

That would really be something.

Mesa Boogie’s fabled Mark series amps have been the tone connoisseur’s choice for over 40 years now. From Carlos Santana to James Hetfield, John Petrucci to Al DiMeola, many of the world’s finest players – regardless of genre – understand the world class sound, response and tonal choices available with a Boogie Mark amplifier.

These are professional musical instruments. Indeed, using a Mesa Mark amp is much more interactive and involved than merely ‘plugging into an amp’. There is such control available here, with front panel knobs that actually co-relate to what each other knob is doing, not to mention the fantastically powerful (and switchable) graphic EQ. The tonal potential is pretty endless. Also, it’s exceedingly difficult to sound bad when using one of these: you have to really try!

So, the only perceived downside to such greatness is usually weight and volume issues. Even standard Mark Five combos are considerably heavy to lift. Having a smaller, lighter, version of the same amp with no compromises in tone or control would be the answer to many a discerning player’s prayers.

As you’ll already have gathered, that is exactly what Mesa Boogie have done. Their Mark Five:25 amps are ‘full fat’ Mark Five amps, hand made in Petaluma, as usual, and have all the channel switching, multiple-moded brilliance that we’d hope for. What’s lost is a ton of weight (these babies weigh in at an indecently skinny 24lbs, which is under 11kg!), and a smaller enclosure which houses a 10” Celestion G10 speaker.

What’s left is...everything else. 2 channels (with six overall modes), a 5-band graphic EQ, on-board reverb and an FX loop: it’s all here. You also get a built-in cabinet simulator (with internal amp load) for DI’ing and recording. The Mid-Boost is here, and operates as you’d want it to. You can run this baby at 25 watts or kick it down to 10 if you want a tighter, more compressed tone. It’s a complete package.

For smaller gigs (or any gig if you mic up), recording, rehearsals and of course, playing at home, this Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25 combo is your one-stop shop for tonal majesty every time.

Not only that, for a limited time (when they run out, they are truly gone...), we have some custom colours! This is something of a tradition with Mesa Boogie, who take great pride in their cabinet work and coverings. Why not? This is a premium music production tool through and through! So, if you’re of the mind that an all-black amp isn’t quite enough, we have your back here with Bronco Grey (with either a Brown or Black leather handle, you choose while we have ‘em) or Cream with a either a black or Wicker grille and a black handle!

These are some pretty amps! More importantly, they put that immortal Mark Five sound right where you need it, in a combo that delivers the goods and then some, right in that tricky spot that exists between ‘house amp’ and ‘gigging rig’. Treat yourself, and let this astounding combo be both, and more.

For serious players, these are a great investment. Your playing and your audience will thank you!

Click to See our Mesa Boogie Mark Five:25 combos

 


Recommended Articles

Bourgeois Guitars Deep Dive: The Touchstone Country Boy OM

Bourgeois Guitars Deep Dive: The Touchstone Country Boy OM

Our Favourite All Female Bands 2026

Our Favourite All Female Bands 2026

Which GUITARISTS Use A SCHECTER Guitar?

Which GUITARISTS Use A SCHECTER Guitar?

BRAND NEW Epiphone FUTURA Series: BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!

BRAND NEW Epiphone FUTURA Series: BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!

13 Best SCOTT WEILAND Songs of All Time

13 Best SCOTT WEILAND Songs of All Time

Gibson Acoustic Specials: Gibson USA's BEST VALUE Guitars

Gibson Acoustic Specials: Gibson USA's BEST VALUE Guitars

10 Essential Telecaster Tones You NEED To Know!

10 Essential Telecaster Tones You NEED To Know!

Yamaha Pacifica: Much More than a Beginner's Guitar (Updated April 2026)

Yamaha Pacifica: Much More than a Beginner's Guitar (Updated April 2026)

13 Sober Musicians (Updated April 2026)

13 Sober Musicians (Updated April 2026)

75 Years of the FENDER TELECASTER

75 Years of the FENDER TELECASTER

10 AMAZING Songs Played on MARTIN Guitars

10 AMAZING Songs Played on MARTIN Guitars

Why Taylor are the Future of Acoustic Guitars

Why Taylor are the Future of Acoustic Guitars

International Women's Day at guitarguitar

International Women's Day at guitarguitar

New EPIPHONE Inspired by Gibson Standard ALL-SOLID Acoustics!

New EPIPHONE Inspired by Gibson Standard ALL-SOLID Acoustics!

JBL Bandbox Solo & Trio: You NEED to Try THESE!

JBL Bandbox Solo & Trio: You NEED to Try THESE!

Gibson J-200: Exploring The Legend (Updated February 2026)

Gibson J-200: Exploring The Legend (Updated February 2026)

Top Ten CATCHIEST Guitar Riffs EVER!

Top Ten CATCHIEST Guitar Riffs EVER!

30 Best Metal Bands Ever (Updated February 2026)

30 Best Metal Bands Ever (Updated February 2026)

Taylor Next Generation Guitars In-Depth Review & First Impression

Taylor Next Generation Guitars In-Depth Review & First Impression

Neural DSP Quad Cortex MINI: First Look!

Neural DSP Quad Cortex MINI: First Look!

See More News