Mark IV: Short or Medium Head?

[Enc3f4L0]

I'm going to be ordering a Mark IV head soon...

Short or Medium? And why?

I can imagine differences in the combo (cab size and whatnot) but are there any real reasons I should choose one head over the other?

Thanks.

 

[Sardocasm]

I believe the only difference is that you can fit the short head with a rack mounting kit and put it in your rack.

 

[Enc3f4L0]

Then why would anyone chose the medium over the short? :?:

 

[Sardocasm]

I would guess because the medium head would look more proportionate to the size of a cab then a short head.

 

[JDGuitaristT]

Do you have the widebody combo or the short one?

 

[Enc3f4L0]

I have the short one.

 

[Enc3f4L0]

Anyone else wanna put in their 2c?

I'll be ordering this next week if all goes well.

 

[JDGuitaristT]

Weight and size may be an issue. If you like easy to haul stuff, it's obvious to go with the short head. However, the medium would fit the cabinet better.

I really don't know why I asked you what size combo you have...maybe I was going to tell you that you should buy the opposite when it comes to the head, because...well, yeah...I don't know where I was going with that.

 

[Enc3f4L0]

Either way, it won't matter cuz I'll be selling my combo.

I have to haul my amp around ALOT and I can't take the weight anymore (60kg in it's case)... Most of the times I don't even need to carry a cab (going to a friend's studio, he has a 4x12 there) so it's just extra weight.

Thinking of it this way, I'm probably better off with the short head huh?

 

[JDGuitaristT]

Well, depending on what you sell your combo for, maybe you should consider simply converting it into a head and then simply selling the shell case.

 

[JDGuitaristT]

I forget the quote, but I believe the cost of an empty head shell is $200-300?

 

[Enc3f4L0]

It's not worth it for me...

I can sell an used combo down here (Brazil) for atleast 5000 reais, something like 2280usd. That's almost enough for a NEW MK IV Head + 2x12 Cab I wanna get.

The other reason I'm selling is that although my amp is awesome, it's still a 16 year old equipment. Even the best gear will need some frequent maintenance at that age. I wanna avoid as much 'repairs' possible since I live thousands of miles away from the MESA factory, and there aren't many techs I trust to fuss with my amp in my city.

 

[Antoine]

I've choosen the Short Head, and never regretted it ! Better looking IMHO, even on a 4x12 :wink:

 

[Enc3f4L0]

As it turns out, I'll be getting whatever Head is available...

I talked to the dealer and he managed to get the other 2 items in time (my recto 2x12 cab and my brother's Bigblock Titan v12) but he hadn't had luck with the Mark IV yet.

He's still trying so I'm hoping... I said I'd prefer the short, but the medium will do just fine.

I never bought a NEW Mesa Boogie amp... For those who have.... How are they packed exactly, and what comes with the amp (manuals and whatnot)?

 

[CudBucket]

I never bought a NEW Mesa Boogie amp... For those who have.... How are they packed exactly, and what comes with the amp (manuals and whatnot)?

Three of the 4 Boogies I've owned were new. Packing is second to none. You'll see.

Actually, my RK2 will be my 5th Boogie and that will be shipped new as well.

 

[plumptone]

I have a similar question. I just ordered an F-50 in bubinga and wicker from my local GC (and I know I may be in the wrong forum here - although I do also currently own a DC-3. I'm really hoping this thing comes well packed - it would totally SUCK if the unit was damaged after I drop the serious coin I did and wait basically three months for it to come in.

I was also wondering if they send you any *bonus* items when you special order an amp like this. I mean for the price it would be a great show of customer appreciation if they threw in a t-shirt or something along those lines.

 

[MetalMatt]

I was also wondering if they send you any *bonus* items when you special order an amp like this. I mean for the price it would be a great show of customer appreciation if they threw in a t-shirt or something along those lines.

In my RK2 box I got a............. STICKER! YEA SCORE!

For as long as I waited to get the RK2 I think a T-shirt would have been better! The packing was great!

Oh If I were getting a Mark head I would get the short. For me easier to move around. The option of putting it in a rack and it will look deceiving to others...
OH! look at his amp its so small...Ha Ha Ha
(after the show)
WOW! that thing almost ripped my Nuts off!

:lol:

-Matt-

 

[plumptone]

MetalMatt - I have been following the progress for you guys with the RKss on order. I can't believe they didn't see fit to throw you a bone like a t-shirt or something. That sucks. But I'm guessing you're a happy man now that you have it.

For what it's worth, I'd go with the short head too, especially if you are going to be moving the thing around a lot or if you have any intentions whatsoever of putting it into a rack at some point. The "stealth" approach is always good - and it would be fun to see the looks on people's faces after you get that little thing cranking.

 

[t0aj15]

I got the short head because it fits in a standard 19" rack as is (it's 18-7/8" wide). That is to say in it's own cabinet it fits in from the back and fits snugly between the rack rails and sits on a rack shelf so that it's in my rack without having to buy a rack mount kit for it. When I want to use it out of the rack I simply pull it out of rack to stack in a different configuration.

 

[Enc3f4L0]

I'm pretty scared the shop won't get the Mark IV in before my trip... If I can't get a Mk IV I'll try the new RK II, maybe they have them pre-ordered. I won't come empty handed, that's for sure.