Lore
Member
Should have prepared the popcorn lolThis welcome newbie post delivers (something… not sure WTF IT is, but it’s getting traction)…. Like I said @Lore in my initial welcome note… you may regret this!
Chris O
Well-known member
All those...but in a Fractal FM3 and NDSP Quad Cortex!
But man...I sure miss my MK IV rackmount head. Probably the best amp I ever (stupidly) let go.
Lore
Member
Mark IVs (both A and B) aren't going anywhere they are my absolute favourite. They are my go to..IV A if i want beautiful cleans and raw aggression and the IV B if i want saturated liquid screaming leads. They both compliment each other extremely well. Absolute perfection.All those...but in a Fractal FM3 and NDSP Quad Cortex!
But man...I sure miss my MK IV rackmount head. Probably the best amp I ever (stupidly) let go.
Lore
Member
Monkey Man
Super Moderator
This welcome newbie post delivers (something… not sure WTF IT is, but it’s getting traction)…. Like I said @Lore in my initial welcome note… you may regret this!
Welcome Lore.
Meeotch
Well-known member
Welcome to the board, and you have some killer gear! Can you elaborate on the IV A vs B? I've had a B for a while now and the darker, compressed nastiness has really grown on me. Is the A really that much different to own both? I probably just need to pick one up and see for myself but prices these days aren't so conducive for such experiments.
Lore
Member
Thank you man !
Welcome Lore.
Lore
Member
Thank you for the welcome.
I totally understand when you say that in today's market to experiment isn't really conducive due to high prices. So i will try my best to help you out. In my experience with both amps the A is closer to a IIC+ meaning it's growly, raw, more organic, better cleans (of both B and IIC+) it's totally awesome and also takes boosts pedal like a compressor or a clean boost much better than his younger brother (B).
The B is a modern metal behemoth, it's aggressive as hell, doesn't need a boost, more compressed, darker sounding and it tweaked to sound more modern in every way. It depends what you are after. If i had to pick one i would go with the A since it has a more organic less processed sound BUT make no mistakes to own both is totally worth it as they are quite different from each other.
I hope this helps a little.
Cheers
Lore
Lore
Member
anomaly
Well-known member
Welcome, and I own a IV too, it's technically a B but the guys over at the boogie board call these ones a IVa/b cause it's an early B with some elements of the A revision still in it, including components. Anyways, it sounds killer and is the best sounding mark IV i've played. Had it all fixed up and recapped recently too.
Oh, and these early B's sound a bit different than the later 2000's era B's. They're a bit less compressed and actually quite similar to an A tonally, but have the ability to sound modern as well. You know Mesa would change component values among the same series of amps all the time, this would change their tone a bit. I've heard A's that sound different from each other too.
What someone would prefer as far as the revisions go is really up to their personal taste. I don't think one is better than the other. I guess if they are into a more brutal sound or a modern rock/metal tone the B is the way to go, and if you're into a more Metallica style sound, go with the A.
Oh, and these early B's sound a bit different than the later 2000's era B's. They're a bit less compressed and actually quite similar to an A tonally, but have the ability to sound modern as well. You know Mesa would change component values among the same series of amps all the time, this would change their tone a bit. I've heard A's that sound different from each other too.
What someone would prefer as far as the revisions go is really up to their personal taste. I don't think one is better than the other. I guess if they are into a more brutal sound or a modern rock/metal tone the B is the way to go, and if you're into a more Metallica style sound, go with the A.
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Lore
Member
Thank you ! What’s the serial number ? Curious as I’ve never encountered an A/B version.
anomaly
Well-known member
I believe it's #006138
Ya, they have the same cosmetics as the A (but mine is a rackmount), with the attatched power cable, but have the stereo effects loop. Mine has the same mark III PT that the A has but a IV OT and the lead channel is supposed to be very close to a IIc+. The rhythm 2 is like a regular IV, same as the clean. That's all I know, but they made several changes to the IV before settling on the regular B.
Lore
Member
That’s incredible, it’s an hybrid. A transition model on which Mesa were trying different things before they made the transaction to B. Extremely curious how it sounds having both a and b in my studio. I guess you have to have a strike of luck to get one of those. Do you have any videos of it ?
Lore
Member
Sounds like more an A than a B since also the A in my possession sounds super close to a IIC+. They are all incredible amps. Thanks for sharing
