Favorite Mark Series Boogie

[thiswaythatway]

Let's hear it. If a III is your vote let's hear what stripe it is.

 

[worldcatalyst]

They're all great but there's something special about a MK IV on the right settings that keeps me in love with it.

 

[Mailman1971]

I have had only the Mark III twice and the Mark IV.
The III was the blue and and the red stripe.
Played the V......eh.
I really really liked the Mark III red striper.
Gonna snag another one day again. Great tone and can do everything.

 

[shred-o-holic]

I had a Mark IIB that I used for 10 years. I wish I still had it.

 

[ibzprestige]

I just got a Mark IIB Coliseum and it totally shocked me by how much gain it has and how flexible of an amp it is. Definitely a keeper!

 

[gibson5413]

Of the ones I owned I would say the IIC+ (converted from a IIC by Mike B) and my first Mark IV were my favorites. Something magical about those two amps. I miss them!!

 

[Racerxrated]

I've had 2 MKIII's ...purple and a red, at the same time and a/b'd them....the purple beat out the red. Both loaded s/c heads. Both sounded good....just got a 2C DRG combo that will be going to Petaluma in a week or so for the + mod. This 2C as it is now is way better ....more punch, articulation, clarity, you name it..than either mk3 I had. Can't wait for the plus mod to happen!

 

[marvcus]

Mark IIC+. Superior to the Mark IV all day, everyday.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Mark IIC+. Superior to the Mark IV all day, everyday.

I spent a lot of time with both in the same room. Yes, I'd pick the IIC+ but damm, the short head Mark IV B version was close, DAMM close. I had to tweak them different but in a loud band setting nobody would have been able to know.

I couldn't get the Mark V to sound anything like a IIC+ FWIW.

 

[webrthomson]

I really really liked the Mark III red striper.
Gonna snag another one day again. Great tone and can do everything.

Gotta agree with that - my Mark III red strip is awesome, I do only really use it as a one channel amp, but what a channel that is

 

[stephen sawall]

I like the IV best because of the versatility. There is sounds in it that I could never get from my II & III. I can get close enough to those sounds with it.

I also really like the red III....... pretty much what I consider a perfect lead sound.

 

[skoora]

What I found in the MK V that other MK's couldn't touch was vintage style, overdriven Fender tones. I get a lot of good sounds out CH2 and CH3 but CH 1 rules the roost on my MK V. I was never a disciple of the II or III for a metal tone so the tones I get on CH3 I dial in for what my ear likes and is never compared to anything they made before.

 

[stephen sawall]

danyeo..... If you can remember the settings you used to get the IV and II to sound the same I would really like to try them ???

I never had them in the same room and very interested in what you found.
I am sure I am not the only one.....

 

[bgh]

Can't compare a IV to a IIC+ (as I've never seen a IIC+ live and "in person"). But, I am amazed at the versatility available in the Mark IV. Without a doubt one of the best amps I have ever owned - and the "honeymoon" is long past. I even like channel 2. A lot of people don't, but I find it has some very nice tones in there.

I put a pair of EL34s in the outer sockets and really like what it has done to the amp. Playing in class "A" (and running EL34s only) gets a slightly different sound that does a straight 6L6 setup. The headroom is different, and the breakup occurrs quicker. I also like the ability to run EL34s and 6L6s in parallel (via Simul-Sync).

All in all, a very nice amp.

 

[thiswaythatway]

danyeo..... If you can remember the settings you used to get the IV and II to sound the same I would really like to try them ???

I never had them in the same room and very interested in what you found.
I am sure I am not the only one.....

It was years ago, 2004 or 05 maybe. I do remember following the manul for the IV so set it in triode and you need to use a certain presence setting, either pushed in or pulled but I don't remember which.

I did like the lead channel on the IV a LOT more than the V. If you don't need all the versatility of the V and you want that killer Boogie lead and heavy rhythm then the IV is it.

I thought about trying the V again but I think I'd rather stick with the III or IV.

There's a V in the classifieds for cheap but no footswitch.

 

[marvcus]

Can't compare a IV to a IIC+ (as I've never seen a IIC+ live and "in person"). But, I am amazed at the versatility available in the Mark IV.

I had the Mark IV for about 5 years - no doubt it's a nice amp. I had the Mark IIC+ for about four years, a few months overlapped with the IV before unloading the IV. Then I moved to Marshall... The Mark IIC+/IV is really an apples/oranges comparison.

I had the 100/60 (not Simulclass) with the Graphic EQ. Here's where I thought the IIC+ outshined the IV:

-Feel. There is not another amp that feels like the IIC+. The IV is different and the Triaxis cannot do it. It is a very distinct, buttery, slick feel. More round, less edgy.
-Clean channel. I hated the IV's lean hyper clean. I like a little dirt in my clean. IIC+ can do that and is thicker with more chime.
-Versatility - Dare I say, the IIC+ has more USABLE versatility than the IV. The R2 on the IV was useless. Yes, I know how to set up the amps.

 

[stephen sawall]

Lead Gain 7
Pull Fat - in
Lead Treble 8
Lead Bass 2.5 -3
Lead Mid 3-4
Lead Drive 7
Presence 3-7
Presence pull out
Lead Master 3-5
Output 2-4
Power. Full
Triode
Sumil Class
Harmonics

This is my version if a IV doing a IIC+...... With help from the manual and old memories.
I am using very different cabs and guitars than when I had a II .... 30 years ago.

 

[Guitarnobody]

Tough call. I chose the 2C+, but my Mark III red strip coliseum is a very close second. That said, I currently own two 2C+'s and two Mark III's. One of each will be for sale soon. ;0)

 

[yngzaklynch]

Mk IV

 

[Zachman]

The MKIII Coliseum w/ eq, & reverb-- no stripe that I've had since new, purchased in '86, is my favorite of the several MKII, III, IV, Rectifiers etc., that I've had over the years.