Recent content by MarshMesa

Mesa Mark IV I have owned the DC3, Dual Rectifier Solo Head (original), Stiletto and most recently, the TC-50. I keep thinking there's something better for me than the Mark IV. I am always wrong. My ears are so conditioned to the smooth, saturated gain of the IV that everything else Mesa...

I currently have a Mark IV head that I like most things about. I bought it knowing well that it doesn't really do a true Marshall sound. I sold my DSL100 head about a year ago because it was just too loud, and also because it was starting to fall apart. I never did get to play a Stiletto Ace...

I don't use R1 as much as I used the Lead channel, but it does offer a really nice Plexi-ish sound to my ears. I will use it with the gain at 8 (pulled), treble 8, mid 5.5, bass 3, and presence 8. I use the graphic EQ to boost the bass, and gives it a nice, thick sound that can create a smooth...

Interesting, because when I read midrange, I usually think of Marshall. But I just get better harmonic balance with Mesa amps. Marshall's have always been great lead playing amps for me, but they've never sounded as good when playing complex chords or 6-string chords.

I've been a previous owner of the Dual Rectifier Solo Head (early 2 channel version), a DC3 head, and currently a Mark IV head. One thing I've noticed with every Mesa I have owned, is that it's easier to hear all the notes within a chord. Comparing my Mark IV to my Marshall DSL100, the...

I read that too somewhere, and you could be right. I will just point out that my Mesa preamp tubes in my Mark IV are old, possibly from when Mesa was using tubes from other sources. I have no way to verify if they were produced by JJ or not.

The most common mistake people make is putting the bass up on 6 or 7 and then they wonder why it sounds nothing like what they hear on recordings. If you want more bass, there are other ways to increase it. Putting the 80 slider up near the top will boost the bass, as well changing other...

For what it's worth, I never turn my bass up past 4 on my Mark IV. I get muddy / fubby sound if I do. Also, JJ preamp tubes to my ears, are a little more muddy / dark than my standard Mesa preamp tubes.

Well, I tried changing out tubes tonight and learned that it's not a tube problem for my amp. I also learned something unexpected but important. I used to own a DC-3 head. When I bought it, I replaced all the tubes with a JJ retube kit. I could never get the amp to sound focused -- it was...

I much prefer single coils on my Strat for most things non-heavy. My Strat has the EMG SA pickups (what David Gilmour uses) and they can get surprisingly heavy if needed. But they don't sound nearly as rich and full as my humbucker Telecaster does. Sometimes though, I wish my Strat had...

I also just purchased a Mark IV head last week, and it has the exact same problem. I read somewhere on here that it might be a problem with the reverb tank. If that's the case, it would cost $40 plus whatever it costs to install it. I'm not sure if that's the issue though.

Wow guys, all I had to do is turn this thing on and plug in, and it sounds amazing. However, it's going to take me a long time to figure out how to take advantage of every little option in this thing. It's one in the early B models. Whoever owned this before looks like they barely used it...

Good Lord it's been about 6 years since I last posted on this site! Crazy how time just disappears like water in the California sun. I just wanted to share that I finally ordered a Mark IV head and will have it sometime next week. I sold my DC-3 head in 2015, as it wasn't quite my sound on...

No, but I think that might be my best bet of figuring out if I want to keep the amp long term. I will take it to the Hollywood store and try it out on a Mesa speaker. Do you recommend trying it on a 2x12 or a 4x12?

Alright guys, I may have asked a similar question a few years ago, but I'd like to see if you guys have any suggestions. I own a DC-3 head that sits on a 1922 Marshall 2x12 half cabinet. I play mainly this rock telecaster with dual humbuckers. Now to get to my point - my DC 3 is always a...