How loud is a Mark IVa Combo

[hartattak]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a used mark iva combo with an EV speaker. I just put in 4 new boogie 6l6 matched yellow.

I'm trying to understand how much volume a combo will put out. I have used the recommended settings from a scanned copy of the original Mark IV manual, and with the lead channel, set the channel at 3 and the master at 3., Full Power, Simul Class, Pentode, Harmonics, reverb 0, classic V (not extreme, all are between the top and bottom lines)

When I compare this to a Peavey Stereo Chorus 400, the Peavey is so much louder than the Mark IV.

After reading so much about how loud mark IVs are, I have to start wondering if there is something wrong with my Mark IV? or do I just need to turn it up more? I feel like I'm getting lost in the overall band mix, and I feel like the band I am playing with is moderate volume, classic rock.

thx

 

[Mordacain]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a used mark iva combo with an EV speaker. I just put in 4 new boogie 6l6 matched yellow.

I'm trying to understand how much volume a combo will put out. I have used the recommended settings from a scanned copy of the original Mark IV manual, and with the lead channel, set the channel at 3 and the master at 3., Full Power, Simul Class, Pentode, Harmonics, reverb 0, classic V (not extreme, all are between the top and bottom lines)

When I compare this to a Peavey Stereo Chorus 400, the Peavey is so much louder than the Mark IV.

After reading so much about how loud mark IVs are, I have to start wondering if there is something wrong with my Mark IV? or do I just need to turn it up more? I feel like I'm getting lost in the overall band mix, and I feel like the band I am playing with is moderate volume, classic rock.

thx

Yea, recommended settings, with Master on 3 should be stupid loud. My Mark IVb combo was easily overpowering the drummer on 1 with similar settings to Clean/Crunch/Lead settings (the first recommended settings in the Mark IV manual).

I think you might need to get that amp checked out. Before you do that, you might want to replace all of the preamp tubes, they make a big difference in final volume and if even one is weak (particularly the PI) then the overall preamp section will be weak.

 

[MrMarkIII]

The Mark IV is 85 watts, mono, 1 x 12.

The Peavey is 100 watts per side stereo, 2 x 12.

Now, just doubling the power (and speakers) doesn't mean twice as loud, of course, but it should be quite noticeable, and if you are running the stereo chorus effect, it will sound even bigger and wider.

I'm also betting the mids on the Peavey are nowhere as scooped as the Mk IV. Any mid-scoop on the Mesa is exactly the same as boosting the mids on the Peavey, and more mids means it's louder to the human ear.

Peavey amps have stupid clean headroom, too, which sounds louder.

Rule Of Thumb: If you want to cut through a loud band, Don't Scoop The Mids. Do it at home, in the privacy of your bedroom.

Solution: run the Mark IV Slave Out into the Peavey's Power Amp In.
If you build it, they will come! (The po-po, that is). :lol:

 

[Mordacain]

The Mark IV is 85 watts, mono, 1 x 12.

The Peavey is 100 watts per side stereo, 2 x 12.

Now, just doubling the power (and speakers) doesn't mean twice as loud, of course, but it should be quite noticeable, and if you are running the stereo chorus effect, it will sound even bigger and wider.

I'm also betting the mids on the Peavey are nowhere as scooped as the Mk IV. Any mid-scoop on the Mesa is exactly the same as boosting the mids on the Peavey, and more mids means it's louder to the human ear.

Peavey amps have stupid clean headroom, too, which sounds louder.

Rule Of Thumb: If you want to cut through a loud band, Don't Scoop The Mids. Do it at home, in the privacy of your bedroom.

Solution: run the Mark IV Slave Out into the Peavey's Power Amp In.
If you build it, they will come! (The po-po, that is). :lol:

The Peavey is a solid-state amp. Even cranking full output it would nowhere near approach the level of SPLs the Mesa is cable of delivering. The mid-scoop on the Boogie in the traditional "V" formation only removes a small section of mid frequencies (not the low-mids or high-mids), so cutting is not an issue when the traditional V is employed. If it were, then you would never hear John Petrucci against the rest of Dream Theater. In short, the Boogie V is not really a mid scoop. Cranking the mids down to 0 on an old Randall is a true midscoop and leads to mush-land.

I've used the exact same settings OP is mentioning and have 0 problems with cut in a band setting.

 

[topcat0399]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a used mark iva combo with an EV speaker. I just put in 4 new boogie 6l6 matched yellow.

I'm trying to understand how much volume a combo will put out. I have used the recommended settings from a scanned copy of the original Mark IV manual, and with the lead channel, set the channel at 3 and the master at 3., Full Power, Simul Class, Pentode, Harmonics, reverb 0, classic V (not extreme, all are between the top and bottom lines)

When I compare this to a Peavey Stereo Chorus 400, the Peavey is so much louder than the Mark IV.

After reading so much about how loud mark IVs are, I have to start wondering if there is something wrong with my Mark IV? or do I just need to turn it up more? I feel like I'm getting lost in the overall band mix, and I feel like the band I am playing with is moderate volume, classic rock.

thx

Yea, recommended settings, with Master on 3 should be stupid loud. My Mark IVb combo was easily overpowering the drummer on 1 with similar settings to Clean/Crunch/Lead settings (the first recommended settings in the Mark IV manual).

I think you might need to get that amp checked out. Before you do that, you might want to replace all of the preamp tubes, they make a big difference in final volume and if even one is weak (particularly the PI) then the overall preamp section will be weak.

Mark IV w/recommended settings = STOOPID LOUD. GAWD.

If our band played at those recommended settings around these parts we would be sitting home most of the time I'm thinkin'. Fortunately we play a STOOPID alot. We control ourselves.

My Mark Iv lives in Class A tweed most of its life with the master rarely ever hitting 2!

There is an occasional need at outdoor festivals to put er in Full and hit 5 on master - almost never though. I am glad to know I have the ability at any moment though

Personally - If I go to a club and the band is STOOPID Loud; I leave - no matter how great they are.

I like to order drinks and talk to people without resorting to a frickin bull horn......


eh? eh? eh? huh?

 

[hartattak]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a used mark iva combo with an EV speaker. I just put in 4 new boogie 6l6 matched yellow.

I'm trying to understand how much volume a combo will put out. I have used the recommended settings from a scanned copy of the original Mark IV manual, and with the lead channel, set the channel at 3 and the master at 3., Full Power, Simul Class, Pentode, Harmonics, reverb 0, classic V (not extreme, all are between the top and bottom lines)

When I compare this to a Peavey Stereo Chorus 400, the Peavey is so much louder than the Mark IV.

After reading so much about how loud mark IVs are, I have to start wondering if there is something wrong with my Mark IV? or do I just need to turn it up more? I feel like I'm getting lost in the overall band mix, and I feel like the band I am playing with is moderate volume, classic rock.

thx

Yea, recommended settings, with Master on 3 should be stupid loud. My Mark IVb combo was easily overpowering the drummer on 1 with similar settings to Clean/Crunch/Lead settings (the first recommended settings in the Mark IV manual).

I think you might need to get that amp checked out. Before you do that, you might want to replace all of the preamp tubes, they make a big difference in final volume and if even one is weak (particularly the PI) then the overall preamp section will be weak.

Got all new mesa preamp tubes, 1 SP ax7, 1 12at7 and 3 12ax7, seems to sound better now. I guess the GT were not great. Even the lead drive is better.

Damn, everyone kept saying, change the tubes. I never realized how big of an improvement new tubes was going to be until now. When in doubt, buy new tubes.

thanks all

 

[Mordacain]

Got all new mesa preamp tubes, 1 SP ax7, 1 12at7 and 3 12ax7, seems to sound better now. I guess the GT were not great. Even the lead drive is better.

Damn, everyone kept saying, change the tubes. I never realized how big of an improvement new tubes was going to be until now. When in doubt, buy new tubes.

thanks all

No problem, good to hear it was something simple.