Help - Keep my Mark IV or get an Electra Dyne?

[LerxstFan]

Hi All,

I don't knwo if I should post this in the Mark IV section, but I played an Electra Dyne a few weeks ago and fell in love with sounds I was getting. I have been playing a Mesa Mark IV B for the last two years, and gigging about twice a month in a classic rock/pop cover band. I never should have played the Electra Dyne because now I am not so happy with my Mark IV.

The ED's simple set-up, great reverb, and very usable sounds nearly any way I dialed the controls was VERY appealing. I honestly don't use a lot of the features on my Mark IV and am seriously considering selling the amp to get the Electra Dyne. I'd be grateful to get any Mark IV and Electra Dyne owners input, and Electra Dyne players. The few questions I have are: I did not get a chance to demo the amp with my pedal board. I use a Fulltone OCD and Barber Special Recipe for some boosting options and wanted to know if using a pedal on the Hi mode of the Electra Dyne will get me the singing sustain and 'liquid' tone I get on the Lead channel of my Mark IV.

I have read about some issues adjusting the levels between modes, but I believe that is something that can be dialed in just like my Mark IV - is that right?

Thanks!!

Jay

 

[JOEY B.]

I use a Fulltone OCD and Barber Special Recipe for some boosting options and wanted to know if using a pedal on the Hi mode of the Electra Dyne will get me the singing sustain and 'liquid' tone I get on the Lead channel of my Mark IV.

I would suggest carrying your pedals with you and trying them out with the Electra Dyne. The mids are voiced differently than the Mark series Boogies. Even when I boost the Vintage HI mode (Fulltone Fulldrive 2), the leads are not as "liquid" to my ears. An EQ pedal in the loop might get you closer to the Mark series mids than a booster pedal. I hooked up the ED and the Mark IIC+ in a stereo format the other day. They complement each other very nicely. 8)

 

[tubby_cosmos]

Your boost pedals will get you endless sustain with the ED, but they won't give it that "liquid" feel of the Mark series amps. The ED's always going to be a bit punchier than a Mark IV, but that was a big selling point for me.

 

[primal]

I have both amps, and I would hate to have to decide between them. It would be like Sophia's Choice.

Personally, if I only owned a Mark IV, I would not sell it to get and ED.

But if I only owned an ED, I would not sell the ED to get a Mark IV.

As far as tone for what you play, I think the ED is far more of a classic rock amp then the Mark IV.

The Mark IV is a better lead amp.

ED cleans are in a whole other class then the Mark IV's.

Mark IV much more compressed then the ED.

I don't know, both amps rock.

My advice, save for the ED and keep the Mark IV. Even if it takes a year. If you sell the Mark IV, you may regret it, likewise if you sold an ED to get a Mark IV you could regret that.

Hope that helps

 

[ifailedshapes]

Did you happen to check out the Mark V? I think that would give you the best of both worlds without having to carry around two amps. You'll get your creamy lead sound in channel 3, a good crunchy rhythm sound in channel 2, and a world-class clean in channel 1. It's a pricy sucker, but it's worth it. Just my dos centavos...

 

[TimeSignature]

A most difficult decision! I was in your shoes a few weeks ago. I absolutely love the ED (with the gain (volume)) maxed. The Cleans in the ED are much nicer than the IV's cleans. More punch...

However, I've been playing my Mark IV more recently and really dig it as well. Stop playing and thinking about the ED and eventually the GAS will subside and you will be happy with the IV!!!

 

[LerxstFan]

Thanks for all the input. I'll take some pedals with me the next time I go to the shop - good idea. Of course I would like to keep the Mark IV and get the Dyne as well. I think I'll just start saving up for it and will spend some quality time with my Mark IV and do some tweaking

 

[PhilBelanger]

Good question....

I don't see a clear winner of one over the other so I would keep the Mark IV and save up and get a ED.

 

[Assumer]

I have never played the V (all those knobs look confusing to me) but I agree, if it works for you, save and get the dyne. By the time you save the money, you may decide you do not want or need the ED and have all that money laying around for something else. I am bad about impulse buying! Often I make myself walk away and realize it was just some gear lust and it would be money wasted.

 

[Laskyman]

I am biased- completely- but I wouldnt trade an ED for ANY Mark...but thats me. If you play PRIMARILY metal- keep the Mark, if you play hard rock- the ED cant be beat IMO...you need to decide to walk away or jump full in, because IF you plug an OCD in front of that ED- just be prepared to sell the Mark. Especially if you throw a delay in that loop.... You've been warned...

 

[dodger916]

My playing is primarily rhythmic in nature, and I had a blast demoing an ED. It has a more present bass than an MIV, boomy and tight, but not flubby. It has a vintage playability that feels very much like a Mark II, my favorite Mesa. But, I play enough lead that I couldn't imagine selling my Mark IV. If I could get REAL close to that from an ED, I'd have no reason to keep the MIV.

If I had to chose one, I'd have to say the MIV, but only because I've had years with it versus 1.5 hours with an ED. I have the feeling that if I owned an ED, I'd figure out a way to coax a great lead tone from it. The great thing about Mesas is you can great lead tones with medium gain, or add a pedal for more.

Get both if you can, or save for an ED while continuing to demo them. I think it's good enough to trade on a MIV, then you can decide at your leisure and always trade back if desired.

 

[primal]

I am biased- completely- but I wouldnt trade an ED for ANY Mark...but thats me. If you play PRIMARILY metal- keep the Mark, if you play hard rock- the ED cant be beat IMO...you need to decide to walk away or jump full in, because IF you plug an OCD in front of that ED- just be prepared to sell the Mark. Especially if you throw a delay in that loop.... You've been warned...

I pretty much agree. For me it's just either way. I think both are incredable amps and once you get either, keep them! And I'm not a guy who is afraid to let go of an amp, even if I like it.

I loved my Road King, but I traded it and 200$ for my ED combo. Don't regret it in the least. 60 seconds after I started playing the ED I knew the Road King was history.

Man this thread has had me going back and forth between my Mark IV and the ED.

They are both so good at what they do and they just have different specialties.

 

[LerxstFan]

Thanks again for all the input. My cover band doesn't play any metal. The heaviest stuff we play is a few old Sabbath and Deep Purple tunes - mostly classic rock and some upbeat pop/rock tunes. I do play a lot of leads, and that is the main reason I bought a Mark IV (played a Nomad 45 for about 4 years prior to getting the Mark IV). The ED has a great sound and seems easy to dial in...I will likely hold on to the Mark until I can save up money for the ED. I can imagine running those amps together would just KILL

 

[primal]

I can imagine running those amps together would just KILL

It does put a smile on one's face for sure!

 

[dodger916]

Thanks again for all the input. My cover band doesn't play any metal. The heaviest stuff we play is a few old Sabbath and Deep Purple tunes - mostly classic rock and some upbeat pop/rock tunes. I do play a lot of leads, and that is the main reason I bought a Mark IV (played a Nomad 45 for about 4 years prior to getting the Mark IV). The ED has a great sound and seems easy to dial in...I will likely hold on to the Mark until I can save up money for the ED. I can imagine running those amps together would just KILL

Now you're talking!