NADT: Mesa Mark IV content and questions

[peterc52]

New amp day tomorrow.

So I was all set on the Herbert... But then a Mk. IV came out of nowhere for the same price they are going for in the US (i'm from Denmark), so I had to take the chance and buy it.

I won't be able to buy the Herbert for a long time, but I think it will be worth it!

I'm picking up the bastard tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it! And I will post pictures tomorrow.

Anyone who digs the Mk. IV on RT?

 

[Death by Uberschall]

You won't be disappointed.

 

[snowdog]

Yes, It is a great amp. I have one and won't be getting rid of it.

 

[stephen sawall]

Congratulations ....

I rather have a IV than Herbert for most things. Both great amps.

 

[droptrd]

Cant go wrong with a good deal on a mark IV

 

[blackba]

Welcome to the mesa mark series club. I was beginning to think I was the only Mark series owner left on RT for a while there

A couple of tips. Tweak with your eyes, keep the bass low on all channels, use the graphic EQ, try a closed back cab, and boost R2 with a Timmy or tubescreamer type pedal (I use a Maxon OD-808).

 

[gibson5413]

Congratulations ....

I rather have a IV than Herbert for most things. Both great amps.

+1

One of my favorite amps.

 

[stephen sawall]

Welcome to the mesa mark series club. I was beginning to think I was the only Mark series owner left on RT for a while there

A couple of tips. Tweak with your eyes, keep the bass low on all channels, use the graphic EQ, try a closed back cab, and boost R2 with a Timmy or tubescreamer type pedal (I use a Maxon OD-808).

I have had a Mark amp around since 82' .... lots of other amps are gone.

 

[glip22]

I have a very early "B" version that kicks ass. I just replaced all of the electrolyte caps in it and it sounds unreal. Very aggressive, loud, and cutting. You can't go wrong with a IV. No fizz, just great tone. Mine is 18 years old and looks brand new. I have a Cornford MK50 and a Wizard MC100 for referrence. The Mark is staying.

 

[locoed]

Think I've had my MK IV for almost 20 years and I
still love it,you will too,congrats,great amp for every
kind of music.

 

[RJF]

I am actually getting a Mark IV tomorrow too!

 

[blackba]

I have a very early "B" version that kicks ass. I just replaced all of the electrolyte caps in it and it sounds unreal. Very aggressive, loud, and cutting. You can't go wrong with a IV. No fizz, just great tone. Mine is 18 years old and looks brand new. I have a Cornford MK50 and a Wizard MC100 for referrence. The Mark is staying.

You replaced the electrolytic caps in your mark IV already? Were you having issues?

I have a 1990 mark IVA and have not even thought to change out the caps.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Love my Mark IV. You will not regret your choice.

 

[peterc52]

So I picked it up today, and I was very excited!

It works perfectly, but I haven't had a chance to crank it up yet, soI'm really looking forward to doing that.

I'm thinking of throwing it at a tech to have the tubes changed and to have a check up, just to be sure that's everything is working correctly.

Any help on choosing tubes? - I'm thinking about 2xEL34 and 2x6L6. And it gotta be cheap for now, I'm short. How are the JJ's?

It is importet from the US, but at some point someone changed it to 240 volt.

Pictures:

As you can see it's missing 1 slider-knob on the eq, but that shouln't be too hard to find.

And here are pretty much the rest of my gear:

 

[peterc52]

The serial number is by the way 68**, any idea on how old it is?

 

[peterc52]

I have a very early "B" version that kicks ass. I just replaced all of the electrolyte caps in it and it sounds unreal. Very aggressive, loud, and cutting. You can't go wrong with a IV. No fizz, just great tone. Mine is 18 years old and looks brand new. I have a Cornford MK50 and a Wizard MC100 for referrence. The Mark is staying.

You replaced the electrolytic caps in your mark IV already? Were you having issues?

I have a 1990 mark IVA and have not even thought to change out the caps.

When do you know it's time to change the caps?

 

[glip22]

I have a very early "B" version that kicks ass. I just replaced all of the electrolyte caps in it and it sounds unreal. Very aggressive, loud, and cutting. You can't go wrong with a IV. No fizz, just great tone. Mine is 18 years old and looks brand new. I have a Cornford MK50 and a Wizard MC100 for referrence. The Mark is staying.

You replaced the electrolytic caps in your mark IV already? Were you having issues?

I have a 1990 mark IVA and have not even thought to change out the caps.

When do you know it's time to change the caps?

There are mixed thughts on EC caps. The bottom line is they dry out over time. They have a five year shelf life. When used regularly, they can last quite a while. Most reccommend to change them after 12-15 years. they can do alot of damage if they fail. Some sighns of wear are bulging at one end, or leakage. I am fairly handy with an iron, so I figured why not. I actually enjoyed doing it. I was able to easily lift the power board up and replace the 2-220uf by only needing to desolder one wire. The 3-30uf caps I desoldered from the top of the board and soldered the new ones in. I also replaced the smaller caps as well. I completely removed the old leads. Job came out perfect. I did notice a difference in the bass and punch of the amp. After 18 years they surely dried up at least a little. Another thing that made a huge difference was putting in a super hot mixed quad from Eurotubes. My 6L6's are reading at 37ma, and the E34L are biasing up to 18MA(Which is alot for this amp) Sounds killer.

 

[kmanick]

Congrats!
I have a Mark IVA and have never been happier with an amp.
try it thru a Recto 2X12 cab, it's a match made in heaven

 

[peterc52]

Congrats!
I have a Mark IVA and have never been happier with an amp.
try it thru a Recto 2X12 cab, it's a match made in heaven

I'm actually saving up for a Mesa cab, but they are quite expensive here in europe.

How are the Orange cabs? If they are not at least as good as the Mesas, I'm going for the Mesas or maybe the Diezels.

 

[TX6Strings]

Congrats! I have a Mark IVB that I love!!