Mesa Boogie Mark IV Combo Custom

- Amplification technology (tube, solid state, ...)?
- What's the output power?
85w tube amp, with the possibility to cut back the power to 50W and 35W, with the FullPower/TweedPower and the SimulClass/ClassA options (see documentation).
This is how I use the three channels: RHY1 for clean sounds, RHY2 for bluesy sounds, Lead for metal rhythm guitars and solos.
It's very, very, very versatile! Anybody can find the right sound.
See the documentation for more details.

Personally, I play Dream Theater and I have finally found an amp that pleases me.

USE

- What about the settings?
It's not that easy, but the Mesa Boogies are well-known for being fussy, so the Mark IV with all its functions can be a true Rube Goldberg machine! It took me about 1 or 2 weeks to find what I was looking for (and fiddling with it like a mad man!!).
- Is it easy to get the right sound?
It's easy to get a good sound (which is normal with this kind of product), but it can take you weeks to find THE right sound you've been dreaming of.

SOUND

- Does it fit your music style?
I play prog rock, so yes, I'm happy with it. But you can play anything you want with it.
- Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?
I have an Ibanez S520x with Piezo and the sound is very good. I think it's very cold with the piezo, so I bought a Boss D6 delay and now it's great (the sound is warmer and it's amazing for solos!)
- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
You can get almost anything you want!
- Which sounds do you prefer / hate?
I like everything!!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using the product?
A bit over a month, I bought it secondhand for 1700 euros.
- Which features do you like the most / the least?
The most: Its sound! Simple as that. The least: Its price.
- Did you try any other models before buying it?
Yep
- How would you rate the product's value for money?
It's expensive, but when you want QUALITY...
- Based on your experience, would you choose this product again?
Yep!!

All-tube amp with four 6L6 power tubes. B Series, with stereo effect loop. Electrovoice speaker.
3 channels, two of which are entirely independent. EQ common to all three channels. The output power can go from 30W to 90W, depending on the settings of the power tubes (pentode/triode, class a/simul class, tweed/full power)

USE

The settings aren't what I'd call simple. You really need to read the manual to understand how the gain interacts with the tone controls...Luckily, the manual is very clear. Otherwise, you can always find some good starting presets at grailtone.

SOUND

You can get lots of different sounds. I use it mainly for jazz. And a bit of crunch for blues and fusion. It sounds great for jazz, fairly close to a Polytone, but with a tube touch. You can easily get a fat Wes or Jim Hall sound. The electrovoice speaker has a lot to do with that, because the sound can be really bass-heavy without it crunching (I have another Mesa cab with a Celestion C90 to compare it to)

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for four years. It's an amp with a big personality. I also have a Lone Star and I think the Lone Star really highlights the difference between guitars, while the Mark 4 imposes more its sound signature on them....I sometimes play both in stereo and I can get all sorts of nuances.
A real Mesa masterpiece!!!!

- Amplification technology (tube, solid state, ...)?
- What's the output power?
85w tube amp, with the possibility to cut back the power to 50W and 35W, with the FullPower/TweedPower and the SimulClass/ClassA options (see documentation).
This is how I use the three channels: RHY1 for clean sounds, RHY2 for bluesy sounds, Lead for metal rhythm guitars and solos.
It's very, very, very versatile! Anybody can find the right sound.
See the documentation for more details.

Personally, I play Dream Theater and I have finally found an amp that pleases me.

USE

- What about the settings?
It's not that easy, but the Mesa Boogies are well-known for being fussy, so the Mark IV with all its functions can be a true Rube Goldberg machine! It took me about 1 or 2 weeks to find what I was looking for (and fiddling with it like a mad man!!).
- Is it easy to get the right sound?
It's easy to get a good sound (which is normal with this kind of product), but it can take you weeks to find THE right sound you've been dreaming of.

SOUND

- Does it fit your music style?
I play prog rock, so yes, I'm happy with it. But you can play anything you want with it.
- Which guitar, bass or effects do you use?
I have an Ibanez S520x with Piezo and the sound is very good. I think it's very cold with the piezo, so I bought a Boss D6 delay and now it's great (the sound is warmer and it's amazing for solos!)
- What kind of sounds do you get and which settings do you use ("crystal-clear", "fat", ...)?
You can get almost anything you want!
- Which sounds do you prefer / hate?
I like everything!!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using the product?
A bit over a month, I bought it secondhand for 1700 euros.
- Which features do you like the most / the least?
The most: Its sound! Simple as that. The least: Its price.
- Did you try any other models before buying it?
Yep
- How would you rate the product's value for money?
It's expensive, but when you want QUALITY...
- Based on your experience, would you choose this product again?
Yep!!

To do this, you can refer to mesa boogie, which is complete ... provided to understand English.
Essentially, four 6L6, which can operate in either Class A or by "simul-class" (that is roughly the sound of class A with a higher power), provided that the 6L6 may run in triode or pentode. In addition, there exists a function "tweed power".
As a result, the Mark IV can deliver 15 to 85 watts. This palette is valuable because you can adjust the sound output to the desired use.

UTILIZATION

The manual is clear, but it is not used much, because the mode of the Mark IV is fairly intuitive.
The real way to understand the configurations is to try. Contrary to what is being said, I think the Mark IV is easy to adjust, once accustomed to the ear. This amp is simply the most versatile that Mesa has ever designed, and even the Road King is far from compete. Not talking about the graphic equalizer output, which produces drastic effects on the midrange, which is abundant in recontre products ... Randall Smith just use it to sound (almost) like a Fender in the clear, or as anything other than a Mesa in full.
I would rather dwell on the operating modes of power. You can choose to run the lights in class A or "simul class" and at the same time, to exploit the form of triode and pentode. This is an important source of rich sound, and Mark IV has something to become a true chameleon. In addition, the amp works well even at low volume, which is an advantage that is not found on other amps of the brand, including the F30 (in distortion) and Mark III. Be careful, because the rendering of frequencies varies the output level ...
Translate this versatility is the word synesthesia, and I'm not a poet. But none of the products I've tried Mesa equals the Mark IV.
I owned a Triax, and Mark IV can reach a lot of its sounds. In addition, it sounds more natural. I owned an F30, and the Mark IV, at least in distortion, sounds more sharp and precise. The distortion of the mark IV is less aggressive, but a good frequency management allows it to penetrate more easily into the mix.
The lead channel recall, in some configurations, the lead 2 yellow Triax, which is simply a copy of the Mark II C +. I owned a Mark III, and I find that the mark IV is much more versatile ... this has nothing to do.
I played with a lone star, which they say the clean channel is beautiful, and the clean channel of the mark IV is comparable, especially in pentode mode / simul class / EQ switched out.
The Mark IV is more versatile than the Triax, because there are many filters that are not found on this famous preamp. Indeed, the functions "bright", "fat" and "shift", found on the knobs for gain and the presence of all three channels can develop so fine and precise frequency desired. Their effect is really significant, and can accurately measure the fish of a sound is more easily obtained by adjusting the filters on the gain. I especially like these features on the channel "lead" because they can sculpt sounds sharp as razor blades, and precise as clockwork.
No other amp in Mesa does not meet such functions. It makes you wonder why the manufacturer of Petaluma just classify it "out of production." In my opinion, because the veteran competition too seriously most recent productions, which do not include all of its assets.
In summary: the key word in the mark IV is RELEVANCE SOUND.

SOUNDS

There is only one thing to lament is the lack of a function "solo".
It may be that in which the king is superior road ...
The Mark IV is the choice for those who want to excel.
To be quite explicit, many sounds can be made with the Mark IV. However, it will not always sound like this or that amp. Let's say that the colors are many, but it does not cover the entire frequency spectrum. But in these colors, if you have a sound in mind, it can be produced without much difficulty.
I like the sounds are produced by distortion with the pentode, the simulated class and full power. In this configuration, and whatever other settings, we feel that the amp lives intensely notes that the guitar sends. I play with a guitar Lecherf (neck-through, mahogany and double Seymour Duncan and Di Marzio), and its essence is reached with this aspect of Mark IV. This is great ... I do not even want to try other amps.
(Lecherf With guitars, I had already want to touch anything, so I filled a guitarist).
There is another configuration, diametrically opposed, which provides, in Mesa, the sound of the Mark II C +: lamps triode, Class A function "harmonic" engaged and active presence filter. The sound of the distortion is so very soft and homogeneous, there is the sustain to spare, and sounds deviennet "liquid". This, I believe, a very good compromise. I find the lead channel 2 yellow Triax. Nothing to do with the channel "contour" of 30 F, the aggressiveness is not there, but it gains in precision.
Clearly, the sound becomes air when I switch my HS 4 position easy. With the "eq" engaged, it is pure happiness ... much better with the Triax. Very valuable in short, where acute deleterious deviennet quickly, no need to play hard to get the most out of the amp.
If we want to take full advantage of its capabilities sound attenuators hearing will be welcome. We then have the feeling that one's "studio" pure sugar, and discover the pleasure to play hard without fear of pain. The quality of play suffers significantly.
In the long run, I think the Mark IV is very satisfying because it makes what we give ... for better or for worse! He does not cheat.

OVERALL OPINION

Do not hesitate to invest in a Mark IV, it is the last amp you'll be getting.
With the "eq", a graphic equalizer output, it is possible to redact the mediums that make the sound of mesa, which increases the versatility of this amp.
An hour with Mark IV worth a few glasses of good champagne.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
As time passes, the more I tell myself that this was the right choice. The F30, the Triax and the Mark III I have never let this feeling. In addition, although heavy, the mark IV is small enough to be easily transported in the trunk of a car, whatever. So as well as a studio amp for rehearsals.
Mesa signed an amp is "ultimate".
Even Dave Murray, who nevertheless made the Marshall used it in the early 1990s. It is a sign ... iron!