Mesa Mark III/IV questions

[etepbbb]

I am curious about the voicing differences between the Mark III and IV? Is the main diffences the IV has more options in control, channel switching, and power, or are they totally different amps tonally. Also wondering what all the Mark III stripe colors mean(red stripe, blue stripe, green stripe, whatever stripe)? I'm a metal player mostly, I'm thinking about getting into one of, and I know the Mark III is highly regarded, but lacks controls of the Mark IV. I know you guys have alot of experience with these and I'd appeciate your thoughts.

[Endrik]

You can find info about the stripes over here http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

IV has more options, it's a bit more gainy and compressed sounding.
III is more open sounding, and has a better, fuller tone in my opinion.

Stripe wise I personally like the Blue stripe ones the most, to me they are the most in your face sounding.
I'm lucky to own a Coliseum 300 Mark III which is different than the usual Mark III. It has six 6L6's and incredibly huge transformer. The most in your face sounding amp I've ever heard yet it has such a warm and growling tone.

[etepbbb]

[QUOTE=Endrik;1315124]You can find info about the stripes over here http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html
QUOTE]

Thanks, that was very informative, so the stripes pretty represent were that particular Mark III was in it evolution. How are the cleans on a Mark III?

[Endrik]

The cleans are superb in MKIII, warm Fender-ish tone and with that great Accutronics spring reverb you're in heaven.

The cleans in MKIV are good too but they are more solid state-ish, more Roland feel

[emperor_black]

You can find TONS of information on these amps over at the Boogie board. http://forum.grailtone.com.

I have a Mark IV but have never played the MK III. From what I've read, the MK III is stupid simple to set up. Most struggle to get good tones from the MK IV as its more versatile (read complicated). But if you're a "one sound" kind of guy, try the MK III. You might like it. Regarding the stripes, I've never read a good answer. Its people's preferences I think which ones they like the most.

The MK IV has LOT more options. Simul-class, Triode/pentode, 6L6+EL34/E34L mixing matching, etc. Some people find it very intimidating.

[emperor_black]

Also wondering what all the Mark III stripe colors mean(red stripe, blue stripe, green stripe, whatever stripe)?

This page should clear all your doubts.

http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

[Spivonious]

Would you say the Mark IV is the Road King of the Mark series?

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

There is a Mark V now... That would be the "Road King" of the Mark Series, because it has the channel-selectable rectification and power levels and such that the Road King has.

[etepbbb]

Thanks guys.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

When I was 17 I ordered a Mark IV from Boogie. Pretty good sound, but way more than I needed. I traded it for a Marshall and never looked back. I'm sure it's possible to get great sounds from the Boogies, but the Marshall was so simple, and sounded so much bigger and more alive to me.

[petez0r]

go play the markV, it has every mark series amp in there, and its amazing. easily the best mesa amp ive played and/or owned.

[toxikdeth]

go play the markV, it has every mark series amp in there, and its amazing. easily the best mesa amp ive played and/or owned.

Theres no mark iii on it.

[etepbbb]

go play the markV, it has every mark series amp in there, and its amazing. easily the best mesa amp ive played and/or owned.

I have some experience with the Mark IV, I always thought that III and IV were voiced different, which what I was wondering, plus the stripe thing. Mark III and IV can be had at decent price, the Mark V is just out of reach for me now.


Kind of seems like the Mark III is quite the metal amp, maybe a little more than the Mark IV. Obviously, III doesn't other the ability to control everything, but seems pretty huge. Keep the opinions coming.

[emperor_black]

If you want one metal sound, then the MK III is the way to go. If you want some flexibility, then yeah the MK IV is awesome.

Although the MK V has all the "sounds", the consensus on the Boogie board is that it lacks the low-end of the MK IV and the GEQ is not as sensitive as its on the MK IV. We all know how important the GEQ on the mark iv is. Especially when you compare a Type A MK IV to a MK V. It seems to have about 60% - 70% of all the Mark's sounds. If you're happy with those tones, yeah go for it. It has the lonestar's cleans with the MK IIC+'s crunch.

[etepbbb]

If you want one metal sound, then the MK III is the way to go. If you want some flexibility, then yeah the MK IV is awesome.

Although the MK V has all the "sounds", the consensus on the Boogie board is that it lacks the low-end of the MK IV and the GEQ is not as sensitive as its on the MK IV. We all know how important the GEQ on the mark iv is. Especially when you compare a Type A MK IV to a MK V. It seems to have about 60% - 70% of all the Mark's sounds. If you're happy with those tones, yeah go for it. It has the lonestar's cleans with the MK IIC+'s crunch.

What the diffence between Mark IV ver. A and ver. B?