Mark IV Review

Truely a treasure in black tolex, the Mark IV soars with multiple tonal options and a tight midrange lead channel.

Features:	9.5
Sound:	10
Reliability:	9.5
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.8
Users rating:	9.6
Comments:	14

overall: 10

Featured review by: oggiedoggy, on february 18, 2009

Price paid: $ 1300

Purchased from: Gulfcoast Guitars

Features: 1994 version I believe (it's one of the earlier second edition Mark IV combos, compact version). 3 Channels, 85 watts all tube power adjustable down to about 15 if I remember correctly. Slave D.I., Stereo/Mono Effects loop, Satellite send, recording out, 6 button footswitch - rhythm 1_rhythm 2_lead_lead w/eq_eq in/out_fx on/off. It's got a reverb that I originally thought was really lacking and pointless, but after owning it for 9 monthes I have found that it sounds amazing after you realize that the master output knob really effects the depth of the reverb. I have not experienced any hissing or buzzing with the reverb like the other reviewer mentioned. It has 2 four ohm slots and one 8, so you could make it into a stack of sorts if you wanted to. Oh and more buttons and pullswitches than you could shake a stick at. // 10

Sound: I use it with my Squier Strat (sss), and everyone knows that Squier, well, aren't that great of guitars. BUT, this amp does a fantastic job of making my second string guitar sound like a champ. I play everything from country style stuff thru hard rock, though if you are looking at one of these you are well aware of it's capabilities beyond that. When I first got it (used) it went into microphonic feedback when I cranked the master output, thus making the reverb seem sh! t because that knob is apparantly very important for that to function well. That problem has since ceased (no clue why). The only limitation to how loud you want to play is the onset of deaf-ness, and I like my hearing so I don't put it up too loud. But boy is it a pretty sound. With all of the various knobs at your disposal many of which will also pull out basically doubling your options, you can make nearly any sound you want - from very thick/creamy/sludgy rhythm to fat melodical leads, or if you like it tight; ) (innuendo stops here) you can have it your way as well. With the right guitar you could play anything from the twangiest of country to the heaviest of metal. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Mmm, I'm actually thinking about retubing it because I think it has chinese preamp tubes in it and I'm starting to see more volume fluctuations. The MESA people I called seemed very friendly and get back to you within a day or so. It seems very solid and is quite likely it is made out of lead... it is very heavy! // 10

Impression: I thought long and hard before I got this thing, and I'm sure there is something better out there for you if you are after one certain sound. What the Mark IV will give you is many different sounds that are all above average, and for me that was perfect as I like to play many things and have them all sound very good. I gave 10's to all because it is perfect for me - but remember there is no perfect it's all relative. // 10

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: travd92, on december 16, 2008

Price paid: $ 1605

Purchased from: Atlanta Discount Music

Features: Truely a treasure in black tolex, the Mark IV soars with multiple tonal options and a tight midrange lead channel. Mine is a 1998 model (he's ten years old! ) and includes 3 channels: Rhythm 1, Rhythm 2, and the infamous Lead Channel. it has an effects loop which can be turned on/off via the footswitch, a slave out, recording out, reverb, pentode/triode, simulclass/class a, harmonics/highgain, and reverb. 85 watts of all tube power, which I run with 2 6L6 power tubes and 2 EL34 power tubes, and all the preamps are of course 12AX7s. also, the power can be switched between full/tweed. // 9

Sound: the sound hits everything. I can literally flip a switch, and change from pristine cleans, to tight bottom heavy metal. my music style ranges from elevator jazz to southern rock, to technical death metal. the way the gain is set up on the lead channel is this: the input gain is based on the "lead gain" setting and you can shape that up with the "lead Drive" setting. when set wrong, this produces some really bad fizz and noise, but when set properly, it's very round and tight. The clean channel has headroom for days, and the R2 channel can get a really fat, almost fuzzy distortion.

Now, the only problem with the amp is the reverb. It just gives off a hiss, and when the effects loop in engaged it seems to triple, no matter what setting it is on (other than off). // 10

Reliability & Durability: The only problem I've been having is paranoia with this amp. So far, the amp has given me no trouble. and mesa has great customer service, so if I ever need help I can give them a ring. the thing is heavy and built pretty solid. One of the tubes is rattling against the base just enough to annoy, and that is the only thing that I need to look at. // 9

Impression: I will never need another amp. I love everything about the amp. The warmth of the overdrive, the cleans and the fat warm sound there is to obtain with this beauty. Thank you Randall smith. The only thing I have negative to say is the reverb is what I would consider an "epic fail", but that is what digital reverb is for. // 10

Comments

[Darkkon]

Sounds good. A bit pricey, but that's what you have to pay for the mesa tone I guess.

[shredder_666]

great old amp, i loved it when i tried it

[pantallica95]

i might get a mark V. id rather have a boogie than a mesa to be honest.

[oggiedoggy]

^they are the same thing.

[travd92]

haha pantallica95.

same thing brotha.

[ivan_2894]

i cant believe the first guy... he lpays a squier through one of these beauties!

[Vitooch]

that picture isnt the iv is it ? i thought it was black cab n head ?

[hendrixftw]

a squier through a mesa? wtf...you spent $1300 on an amp but use a squier?

[oggiedoggy]

Vitooch: yep that's the Mark IV
hendrixftw: It's because I'm poor now jackass

[Vitooch]

i want to get a mark 4 combo, does anyone know how much they would cost around used canadian?(or US not much differnce) i know they discontinued them :@

[natecool123]

i saw on eof these at guitar center for ~$3000 U.S. i think cause someone had made a special cab for it. purple curly maple. absolutly beautiful

[The^Unforgiven]

Would be a great amp but I'm so thinking of saving some serious money to get a shiny new Mark V. Everything about the Mark V screams "SWEEEEET!" and "PURE AWESOMENESS!!".

[Vitooch]

amen

[HELLSHREDD]

No post on the MarkV yet , wow !