So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

[C-Martin]

Went to my local store and they had this used but very very clean almost like new looking mesa boogie mark IV, just some dust and practicly no wear. Ive laways wanted to try one and so i did... and i don't like the rectifier mesas much and so generaly stay away from mesa but this one is way different than those and although it took forever to figure out how to dial in a tone i liked, once i was there it sounded HUGE! A very versatile amp, feels like this amp could do pretty much anything. The way i see it its kinda like a "simpler" roadking but with more mojo lol, perhaps no where near as much options and all but it has tons if not too many already don't see why you'd want more. So i bought it, i just couldn't resist.. especially where i got pretty good deal with the seller i knew and i wont have to pay for it for a year.

Question now is after reading the manual and searching for info all over the internet i seem to have found out that this amp has more to offer than its stock form. It has some Mesa 6L6 tubes in it.. how good are mesa tubes? I generaly use Tesla tubes.. have my marshall with some Tesla KT66 and i just love em and nothing compared to what was in there before.. and apparently i can put EL34s in there? how does it sound with that? I also heared about changing the 12AT7 for the reverb or something to improve it? Reverb seems kinda weak.. im probably gonna change the preamp tubes with high gain Mullard ones since thats what i use on my marshall and i realy like em.

Also apparently using diferent speakers will vastly improve the tone of the amp and is probably the most significant change i can do to it(like pretty much any amp i guess), anyone have any experiences with a mark IV and diferent speakers? Its a wide body combo btw and has a MC90 "Black Shadow" speaker in it.. im very used to how G12T-75s sounds since its all i have so i'm not sure what i'm missing, i realy dont like V30s from what ive heared they are way to bright and ice pick like and i dont think they would be a good fit since its a open back combo.. dont have much experience with other speakers tho i did hear a 4x12 cab with some G12H-30s and i thought it sounded awesome. The mark is suposedly 85 watt so i seem to be limited as to what speaker i can use in it, i presume if i use lower watt speakers i will risk breaking the speaker.. maybe i can try to find some old G12H80 tho i don't know how they sound i heard good things about those.

Since this amp can be moded so much im just wondering if i can get a slightly more crunchy marshall'esk sound from it, dont realy want to make it sound like a marshall, love how it sounds as is, i just would like to make it crunch a little more and tone down a bit this low mids thing it has.

 

[C-Martin]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

btw... i also seem to be getting a ton of RF from it for some reason.. are they known for such a problem?

 

[jerryjg]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I revere the MKIV. Its the stuff of legend(Metallica). At one time i wanted a MkIV more than anything,
now, though, I'd be really happy with anything that got me the trademark blazeing Boogie distortion, because I've got my clean tones nicely covered.
Waht'd they want for that MKIV anyhow?

 

[milkbone]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I have the compact combo. Very versatile and very,VERY tweakable (some say a little too much). I had the stock Mesa 6l6s in it and recently retubed with JJs and got kt77 to try them out. Now mine came with the EV and I just didn't like it. Right now I have a G12h in it (I know, I know,,, 30 watts. I play low right now and have a 4x12 g12h cab hooked up also. I am looking for a high powered replacement). Anyway, the g12H made a big difference to me. The kT's seem to give the amp more crunch and probably what you are reffering to "marshall sound". The 6l6s give it a bigger "rounder" sound to me. I like both really. If your going for higher gain sounds, I would reccomend the 66s. I didn't like the class A mode with the 66s. It was a bit raspy to my ear. NOW, I did not like the JJ 12ax7s at all in the Mark iv. I prefer a cleaner, clearer sound, almost "high-fi". The JJs, to me, gave it a darker more vintagey kind of sound. The RF your talking about could be anything from a cheap cable to a bad preamp. It is a great amp, usually way too much amp for most people (like myself) but hey, this is what we do!!

Hope this helps some.

 

[Diego]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

How would you guys define the Mark IV sound?

Didn't Metallica and Dream Theater use them in And Justice For All and Awake? Awake particularly has one of the best heavy rhythm tones ever.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

The Boogie Board is where you want to check out Mark IV querys. The "search" function is a usable function there! There are some great guys there, with opionated people...but no real sniper trolls!

You will be in the "Vintage Amps" area the most. Good Luck!!!

http://forum.grailtone.com/

I would love a Mark IV, because I would love the headroom. I would say the general Boogie tone is more grainy with the 6l6 tubes (because they are not EL34's), but with a thicker bottom.

 

[Lava Man]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I have owned and gigged with a Mark IV for years. My current one needs a new speaker and some work. I want to re-house it in a head. Great versatile amp with a lot of killer tones. I prefer the 6L6/EL34 tube configuration and re-tubed mine with JJ tubes awhile back and is sounded KILLER. Using the EL34's gives them amp a more Marshally sound...

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

The only Mesa I would like to own.
Lot's of definition and tone possibilities.
Put an Eminence Delta 12 A pro and the thing is heavenly!
I am still thinking to get one.

 

[brisk]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

Proud owner here. I run EL34s for dirtier and more complex distortion. With the combination of the tone knobs and graphic EQ, you can dial tones you want. It takes an OD/Dist pedal extremely well. Does it nail the illusive Plexi tone? Probably not but if you want a Marshall, why don't you get a Marshall?

 

[C-Martin]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

Proud owner here. I run EL34s for dirtier and more complex distortion. With the combination of the tone knobs and graphic EQ, you can dial tones you want. It takes an OD/Dist pedal extremely well. Does it nail the illusive Plexi tone? Probably not but if you want a Marshall, why don't you get a Marshall?

never said i wanted a marshall sound, already got one and don't need another i was going for something different with this all i said was i wanted it to crunch a bit more like a marshall but i been messing arround with it and im starting to understand more each day and might just leave it as is for a while, was just curious about what this thing could offer if i changed a few thigns is all.. might be missing out on something i dont know, you yourself are using EL34s mine has mesa 6L6s maybe i want some ELs too but i dont know it :scratchch

 

[brisk]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I just ran Mark IV through Mesa 4X12 cab with Eminence Red, White & Blues. Pretty awesome. R1: Jazz-ish, R2: thick and raw, Lead: articulate and creamy. With an OD pedal, R2 becomes metal melt-down.

I also tried Eminence Delta Pro-1 in the combo body. R1 is awesome but I don't like how R2 and Lead channels sound.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I have six Mesas, including a Mark IV 112 EVM combo. I use this with a Mesa 112 EVM Theile cabinet under it.

If you don't have the cardboard tone chart that sits on the amp, get one from Mesa if can. This chart shows you where all the sweet spots are, and what the various switches do. It's a great place to start. And call the guys at Mesa Tech Support if you have any questions.

I can highly recommend the SED/Winged C 6L6s and EL34s. Though, I just did my Mark IV with a pair of Groove Tubes 6L6GEs and pair of GTEL34s and they too sound good. Using the EL34s in the Simul-Class sockets adds a little mid-range "aggression".

For preamp tubes, try to find a QUIET GT12AX7-M "Mullard" clone. That's the best tube for V1--I have them in all my amps. It's kind of a tonal cross between the dark and creamy JJ; and the brighter and more defined Electro-Harmonic 12AX7-EH. Very sweet and a little spongy--I really like this tube. But you have to find one that is QUIET, and NON-MICROPHONIC!!!!.

In the rest of the preamp sockets, I use a mix of EH, JJ and Mesa branded tubes--whatever works best in a particular socket. You might want to get a few of each and see what sounds best.

I typically use Simul-Class, Harmonics, Triode and Tweed with the Presence controls pulled out. Switch to Mid-Gain, Pentode and Full Power with the Presence controls "IN" and you'll be sending the Marshall stack guys running to the store for a new amp.

I strongly recommend that you look into getting a matching extension cab to set under your combo.

Bill

 

[James Rock]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

But you have to find one that is QUIET, and NON-MICROPHONIC!!!!.

Definately as out of 6 my dad bought after a few hours all of them were microphonic to some degree.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

congrats on scoring one of the most versatile and desired amps out there. as with all boogies, maybe moreso than the others, tweak tweak tweak those knobs! if it were me i wouldn't worry about tubes and speakers quite yet and just get to know the amp as well as i could!

 

[reilly]

Re: So i couldnt resist... (Mark IV questions)

I put the Eminence Delta 12 A pro a in my and like it much more than the C90, Im not used to a open back combo i have been playing heads with sealed cabs for years so i may convert mine to a head. Its hard for me to get used to the midrange from a combo.

I also retubed it with JJ 6l6/el34 high gain combo from dougs tubes and it sounds amazing. The el34 will get you a little closer to the marshall sound. Ive Had my mark iv for about 8 months and love it.