Mesa Quad vs IV

  • Thread starter Thread starter peterc52
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I've got a Quad that hasn't been fired up in a few years. I started building a stereo system with it. It sounds glorious. I need to get back to work on it so I can experience one of those overbuilt rack systems finally. I dreamed of them back in the day, but they were out of my price range at the time.
 
^^^^ love my mkivs,nice amps no doubt. But for me there is more fun factor with the Quad and a killer poweramp.
 
The Quad is a little closer to the C+ than the Mark Iv. Although, there is a C+ mode in the IV.
 
I also have found the Boogie 50/50 is the best power amp, beating the simul-stereo 295 and Boogie 400 power amps IMO.
It'd be interesting to hear the 2:Ninety as well. Seems like it's a classic pairing for Mk sounding pres.
 
Has anyone mastered hitting two buttons at the same time on the Quad Footswitch?

I was able to do it but...Didnt seem like it would work quick enough in a live setting
 
Midi on the Quad might let u combine any channel with another, or a midi interface running 1/4" jacks on the quad.Ive tried it,that was decades ago,I can't remember if I liked or not.Back I'm the day I do remember stepping on 2 chls at once on the fu2 pedal and getting both on.
My fav poweramp for the Quad would be the 400,500 or vht 292 & 2150.
 
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I have a Quad/2:90 and MkIVb, among others.

The Quad/2:90 is head and shoulders above the MkIV to me, especially when you use two 4x12s to take full advantage of the 2 x 90 watts stereo output. It's simply another league, especially when you use the right cabs (Mark cabs). The 2:90 is already overkill for most people and sounds MASSIVE, no need to have the bigger 400 or 500 unless Metallica is opening for you at your next gig. I run the 2:90 in Full Power/Modern, turned down fairly low for most studio use but with generous master volume, and even very loud jams don't require cranking it, it has huge reserves of powah.... :uzi:

I love the Quad's R1 (Clean) and Lead 1 (IIC), which is also a great boost platform if you are so inclined, don't really need one for most playing if you have toasty pickups, especially with Treble shift pulled. I love Lead 2 (III) just as much but for thrashy playing, like the MkIII head, this channel really wakes up at high volume. Obviously, you have to understand how the Mark rotary controls interact with each other as well the dual 5-band GEQs to get the best.

The Quad's direct out recording is excellent also.
 
Top o line quad pairing is without a doubt the 400 or 500 - if u can find one & ( if ur staying with mesa power).Over the decades Ive ran many quads thru a mesa 2 90 and strategy 400 and the 400 crushed the 90.It doesn't get any better.Amount of volume has absolutely nothing to do with it at all.
A mesa 2 50,2 90,295,etc all go to loud.
Where the 400 and 500 take the lead is in feel and authority and pure agression in tone. That where the big boy IRON out shines the others.
Back in the late 80s I bought my 1rst of many quads,a 295, and 2 cabs from thoroughbred music. I thought that sounded pretty darn good for a teenagers rig...until I stood in front of strypers Michael Sweet and Oz fox's quads,400s and cabs at a show one night. That was nxt level eye and ear opening for sure.ill never forget that.
That was also lesson #1 for me in how iron makes a big difference.
 
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