Mesa Mark 3 or 4?

[Motorpud]

Depends on the use. For recording I'd take the MarkIII because the cleans are pretty good and the lead channel is as good as it gets (for me) but the shared eq makes it tough to dial in both channels to sound their best. That makes the MarkIV a better live amp IMO.

 

[steve_k]

Depends on the use. For recording I'd take the MarkIII because the cleans are pretty good and the lead channel is as good as it gets (for me) but the shared eq makes it tough to dial in both channels to sound their best. That makes the MarkIV a better live amp IMO.

I didn't even know the III had a clean channel. I can say with some certainty that I never dialed it in. For me, the III had two channels.....OFF and ON. When on, it was on the shock and awe setting.

 

[Motorpud]

Depends on the use. For recording I'd take the MarkIII because the cleans are pretty good and the lead channel is as good as it gets (for me) but the shared eq makes it tough to dial in both channels to sound their best. That makes the MarkIV a better live amp IMO.

I didn't even know the III had a clean channel. I can say with some certainty that I never dialed it in. For me, the III had two channels.....OFF and ON. When on, it was on the shock and awe setting.

I pretty much lived on the lead channel too but the cleans are actually really good on the Mark series amps, 3 included. Not that I ever need them

 

[VC4Ever]

I love the clean channel on the Mark iii.

 

[Code001]

As a long time owner of the III, I'd probably get the IV. I prefer the smoother gain for leads and independent EQs for clean/dirty.

 

[stephen sawall]

I have a IV .... had a II & III before the IV. Always had a Mark around since 1982. I like the IV because it can do a lot of voices and can switch channels live. But if I just wanted one for the lead channel .... the best sound from these amps ~ I would look for a red stripe Coliseum 300 Mark III. I just really like this power section / amp...

 

[Anonymous]

whats wrong with the power section of the mark v?
curious to know cause im debating this amp.

 

[steve_k]

whats wrong with the power section of the mark v?
curious to know cause im debating this amp.

Nothing wrong with it. Guess I should have phrased it a bit different. I have owned them all at one point or another, and this is where I find the biggest disparity between old and new. It almost like it is too difficult to get the amp to loosen up a bit on its on. YMMV and with some of the great prices on used MkV's around, if you are interested in one, I would highly recommend to check it out. By slaving the amp to another power amp though, and and setting up as a wet/dry rig, it is a power house. There's some quirks in setting the amp up on its on though and like any other Mark, especially a IV, it is very touch sensitive. My biggest problem with the MkV is that they put the two best modes (IIC+ and IV) on the same damn channel.

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, i've played one before...and thought it was odd they put those 2 modes together.

i think i know what you mean about the power section...super tight...but very mark-y to me.

i had a m3 in the past...didnt know what the fuck i was doing, and of course, it's gone now.

 

[thiswaythatway]

whats wrong with the power section of the mark v?
curious to know cause im debating this amp.

My biggest problem with the MkV is that they put the two best modes (IIC+ and IV) on the same damn channel.

Steve

Especially since it doesn't sound like them.

 

[spanny]

The IV was my fav, though the IIC+ is pretty swell as well.

 

[steve_k]

whats wrong with the power section of the mark v?
curious to know cause im debating this amp.

My biggest problem with the MkV is that they put the two best modes (IIC+ and IV) on the same damn channel.

Steve

Especially since it doesn't sound like them.

Close enough for me.....

 

[Dimebag11]

I RARELY use clean live....the only time I really need a clean tone is just jamming alone or in the studio. I've been looking for Mark III's for sale and my god have they jumped! For $700 I'd buy one now, but they seem to be in the 900+ range now!

 

[tripstan]

What's everyones favorite power tubes for the Mark III?

 

[sjk]

What's everyones favorite power tubes for the Mark III?

I've got winged C's 6l6's in the inner sockets C el34's in the outer sockets, sounds killer good.

 

[thiswaythatway]

What's everyones favorite power tubes for the Mark III?

I've got winged C's 6l6's in the inner sockets C el34's in the outer sockets, sounds killer good.

So you like the III more than the Royal Atlantic? I guess they're just different animals altogether. I play the Royal twice and liked it both times, but I thought a boost Electra Dyne could do anything the Royal could. I'm surprised you can't sell it at $1400.

 

[sjk]

What's everyones favorite power tubes for the Mark III?

I've got winged C's 6l6's in the inner sockets C el34's in the outer sockets, sounds killer good.

So you like the III more than the Royal Atlantic? I guess they're just different animals altogether. I play the Royal twice and liked it both times, but I thought a boost Electra Dyne could do anything the Royal could. I'm surprised you can't sell it at $1400.

RA is a great amp for someone just not me, it was fun for about a week Can't get rid of it to save my life...it's been for sale here and other places for 3 months. Just put it on the Boogie Board this week maybe that will be the ticket And yes I love the Mark III, one of my favorite amps ever and unlike the Mark V it sounds good with or without the graphic eq.

 

[sjk]

Get the Mark III if you can live with the shared channel limitations.

 

[Dimebag11]

Yea, I prefer shared eq....I don't need versatility on stage...

 

[thiswaythatway]

What's everyones favorite power tubes for the Mark III?

I've got winged C's 6l6's in the inner sockets C el34's in the outer sockets, sounds killer good.

So you like the III more than the Royal Atlantic? I guess they're just different animals altogether. I play the Royal twice and liked it both times, but I thought a boost Electra Dyne could do anything the Royal could. I'm surprised you can't sell it at $1400.

RA is a great amp for someone just not me, it was fun for about a week Can't get rid of it to save my life...it's been for sale here and other places for 3 months. Just put it on the Boogie Board this week maybe that will be the ticket And yes I love the Mark III, one of my favorite amps ever and unlike the Mark V it sounds good with or without the graphic eq.

Doesn't Lamb Of God have any fanboys that need the same amp they're using now?