Lone Star Classic vs. Mark IV

[JALIN]

I currently play a Mark IV Short Head with a Recto 4x12 cab. Lately I've been chasing the classic tones, Led Zep, Buffalo Springfield, and not so classic like Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hearing tones of the Lone Star on youtube has really turned me on. So question is.........Is the Mark IV worth trading for a Lone Star Classic?

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Lone Star Classic vs. Mark IV

I've got some experience with the lone stars and the mesa boogie marks (gigged with the IV combo and the Mark III combo many times back when I didn't have my tweed amp which was pretty recently). The Mark definitely has more of a modern tinge to it (becuase that's what they were going for when they built those early mesas) and they dont really start to scream until you get the master about halfway up. I think the Lone Star Classic is a GREAT amp simply because of its ability to sound a lot better (in my opinion at least) at lower volumes. I like the classic (with 6L6s) WAY better than the Lone Star Special with (I believe) EL84s - that one always sounded a little thin to me. I guess I'm not an EL84 guy at all I'm starting to realize. But the Lone Star Classic WILL give you some great old school crunch tones and I definitely like the clean sound better on that one than on the Mark IV. Try it out in the store first, guitar center actually stocks these amps a lot so they'll be easy to find and you can find them in most other shops too. If it were my choice though, I'd pick the Lone Star Classic any day! Good luck bro!

 

[JALIN]

Re: Lone Star Classic vs. Mark IV

Thanks for the advice. I to have never liked the EL84 tubes so that is why I chose the Classic over the Special. The Mark IV is a tone machine but it is voiced more on the modern side. I have to test out a Lone Star, luckily for me my local music store has them in stock.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Lone Star Classic vs. Mark IV

Is the Classic similar to the Special, except the for power tubes?

If so, I would say, "GO FOR IT!"

Most Mesa amps seem like one trick ponies to me (I know, the Road King is a high-end exception). Then I played the LoneStar. I REALLY liked that amp, but I was testing a guitar, and did not seriously test drive the amp. But it was impressive.