Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

[loudriver23]

It's official, my Mark IV is too loud for most of the gigs I'm playing at. I can't put it past 1 on Tweet setting with the individual masters at about 3 or 4.
I love the amp when cranked and warm, but it seldom gets to that range.
I think it's time for a 15 or 18 watter.
I like clean tones mostly, I would like to have some nice crunch, more classic rock, like Floyd, ACDC, nothing over the top.
I don't use many pedals either, just a Chorus and a delay, so I'm thinking an Effects loop isn't essential.
What shoud I go for?
I was thinking either a Blues JR. or Maybe a Traynor.
Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks,
Lou

[ErikH]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

Mission Aurora 18 Watt. It's a clean amp with lots of headroom but has the option for some nice OD with the stomp on a footswitch (included I believe). I've played it and it is an incredible sounding amp.

[sosomething]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

Maybe you should change your name to quietriver23

[Lava Man]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

I have owned two Mesa Mark IV's for more than 15 years. You need to spend some time tweaking it. I have several hundred gigs with these and I always had the Master at about 2 - 2.5. You kneed pull out all the gain knobs, drop the mids on the EQ - you get get every sound you need. Go to the Grailtone forum - they have a lot of setting examples! You look at changing your tubes also. I have JJ's in mine and I love them.

[ratherdashing]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

Have you thought about pulling the two outside tubes to cut the power?

What sort of gigs are you playing?

[loudriver23]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

Actually setting it on Tweed mode is routing power JUST to the outer pair of tubes.
Maybe I should invest in a HotPlate or some kind of attenuator.
Lately, I'm just playing some blues gigs, some local private party living room gigs. Not a big space, not too many people.

thanks for the Gailtone info, I'll look into that. As for tubes, it's probably time for a change anyways. JJ's were 1st on my list for the power tubes.
HEHEHEHE,
ya know with all the years i've been using that nickname I never saw the River part of it.
It's actually pronounced Lou-Driver
Don't even ask how it came to be.... highschool stuff that sticks..... and since i'm rapidly approaching my 20th reunion, my recognicant skills are diminishing as well.

Any other suggestions????

Lou

[3th3r]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

If you like the sound of the Mark IV, why not use a Hot Plate or MASS instead of replacing it with another amp? Unless of course, you want another amp.

[loudriver23]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

3TH3R
You have a couple of great points!
I do love my Mark IV
And yes I do want another amp.
What I need is a new strat.....
but that's a horse of another color entirely.

[OlinMusic]

Re: Mesa Mark IV TOOOOOO LOUD

These amps are built for lead players who lay some rhythm and like to help demolish urban areas so that the Forest Service can plant trees.

Since I like to sit in the mix, no more Mesa for me.