Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

[loudriver23]

Hello all,
I am currently playing a Strat through my Mark IV. I have Fender Texas Hots in the Neck and Mid and a Mini JB in the bridge.
I am noticing a flabby sounding bottom end on my mark IV on CH2 & CH3.
It almost sounds like the speaker is "Frapping" out, but everything looks fine and I have absolutely no problems on my clean channel.
Just wondering if any of you all have any suggestions before I take it into Mesa to be looked at.
Also I usually only play at bedroom levels without a hotplate. Is it possible that my tubes are just not getting hot enough?
Like I said any help, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Loudriver

 

[JeffB]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

I've noticed this happens with my MESA if I go overboard with either the tone controls or the pre-amp gain.

the tone controls on my F-50 really don't need to be set much more than 1 oclock unless I'm really trying to make up for a deficiency in the guitar/pickups. With a HB, the gain really doesn't need to go much over 12oclock as best at 10-11 oclock or so. Still yields a ton of gain at that setting, think AJFA era Metallica.

I've seen some folks over on HC posting about a similar thing w/ MKIV's..I seem to remember them saying the same thing..keep gain/drive controls lower than you think ya might need and work with the master.

That amp has alot of adjustability and interactiveness with the controls. Don't know if you've read the manual throughly but might wanna take a gander at it. IME, MESAs gain and tone controls require a diff approach.

 

[DirrtyCraig]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

Thats the #1 reason why I could never play through a Mesa, that lack of definition in the bottom. I think Eddie Murphy called it "Tank Ass".

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

Hello all,
I am currently playing a Strat through my Mark IV. I have Fender Texas Hots in the Neck and Mid and a Mini JB in the bridge.
I am noticing a flabby sounding bottom end on my mark IV on CH2 & CH3.
It almost sounds like the speaker is "Frapping" out, but everything looks fine and I have absolutely no problems on my clean channel.
Just wondering if any of you all have any suggestions before I take it into Mesa to be looked at.
Also I usually only play at bedroom levels without a hotplate. Is it possible that my tubes are just not getting hot enough?
Like I said any help, advice, or comments are appreciated.
Loudriver

When was the last time you replaced the power tubes?

 

[FretFire]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

How do you have the volumes set since you are playing at such low volumes? I'd recommend setting the preamp (might be marked "channel") volume way low, then use the master volume to adjust the output level. If you have the master low and use the preamp to control the level, all you'll get is a buzzy, farty sound. That amp will sound it's best when you can crank it, but you should still be able to get *useable* tones at lower volumes.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

If you have the master low and use the preamp to control the level, all you'll get is a buzzy, farty sound..

Thats what I was trying to say FF..but you did so more eloquently and with far fewer words than I

 

[FretFire]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

Sorry man. If it makes you feel any better, I rode the backspace key and reworded it several times before I arrived at that version .

 

[mrid]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

Keep the bass control between zero and three on the Mark IV.

 

[drp555]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

Keep the bass control between zero and three on the Mark IV.

+1

From the MKIV manual:

"Do note however, that setting the BASS control too high can result in unwanted flubiness, especially in RHYTHM 2. The recommended setting for the BASS control is 0 to 3..."

"....Excessive settings (especially of the BASS control) can cause a flubby sounding distortion if the TREBLE control is set too low."

"....note again that too much Bass combined with too high of a LEAD GAIN setting will take away from the tight, highly focused lead sound that this mode offers."

 

[loudriver23]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

I think you guys have hit the nail on the head. I am pretty sure my bass level is somewhere around 7 or 8.
I also do keep the master low and use the Preamp for volume control.
Seems like I'm breaking all the rules, nothing a little light reading can't fix.
Perhaps it's time to get the hot plate and be able to crank the master, and have the preamp controls do less work.
Thanks all for your suggestions, I can't wait to get home and start playing again.
Loudriver

 

[FretFire]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

If you turn the preamp WAY down (say around 2), you should be able to turn the master up a pretty good amount and be in the same area volume wise. Of course, I'm going by my 50 watt Rectoverb as reference, how many watts is the Mk IV? I'd imagine with the tips in this thread you should be able to get some pretty nice tones, and even better with a hot plate.

 

[mrid]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

I don't know if it's the case with all Boogies, but I know that the Mark IV and the Rectifiers are voiced to have a ton of bass, so you have to keep that control really low.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Mesa Boogie Mark IV Muddy Bottom End

I keep the bass on my Rectoverb around 9-10 o'clock.