Mesa Mark IV vs. Mark III -- comparing channels

[asookazian]

I just got a green stripe Simul-Class Mark III that I'm experimenting with and love. Also looking at selling my Road King I and buying a Mark IV.

Could someone explain the sonic differences b/n the two amps? I read somewhere that the green stripe is closer to a Mark IV than earlier stripes. Based on the additional switches (triode/pentode, harmonics/mid-gain), sounds like Mark IV has more tonal possibilities.

Also, is Mesa planning any mods/revs to the Mark IV amps in the near future? I know there is an A and B...

 

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. Road Kings and a Mark III is way more versatile than a Mark III and IV. Your Mark III will get better tone than the Mark IV anyways.

 

[Antoine]

... Your Mark III will get better tone than the Mark IV anyways.

It's your own point of view, i think the opposite !

 

[asookazian]

Well it's one of those that must sell or my cherished JCM 800 2205 in mint condition. Otherwise, I'll have to sell my soul to afford a nice engagement ring for my g/f!

It seems to me after playing the Mark III a few days now, it has more tonal options (esp. considering the Class A mode) than the JCM 800. But the rhythm 2 channel on the Mark III doesn't have that crunch that the JCM 800 has (unless you turn up the master volume past 3???) The clean on the Mark III is much better/brighter than the RK's channel 1.

What professional musicians have used the Mark III? (I've read that John Scofield did/does). thx.

 

[srf399]

Tone is very subjective... try them out live with a band if possible. Everyone in here raves about the amp they have and it's all a little biased. I've tried MKII's MKIII's and MKIV's and the difference can be amazing between amps. Tubes and speaker arrangements can change everything. The MKIV is an amazing amp and is more versatile than a MKIII but you basically have that sound in it that the Road King cannot get.... the ultra smooth compressed lead tone of the MK series. I'd stick with your setup and keep the versatility of the road king.

 

[srf399]

Okay...so what you're saying is you can only keep the Marshall and one boogie so one of the boogies must go?


I'd get the MKIV then to replace the two boogies... and A/B it with the Marshall

You'll get the crunch with the Marshall and the Smooth Boogie lead with the MKIV but still have a good clean sound.

The Road King has a better clean in my opinion than the MKIV series but the lead isn't as smooth and the MK series.

 

[ytse_jam]

eh eh, i think you would have been fine with a Road King II and a Mark IV! I like mkIV slightly better than mkIII but they're similar amps. The difference actually is not wide, plus the green stripe is considered by many to be the best of MKIIIs (because it's supposed to be closest sounding to mkIIC+)...
if you don't like recto distortion i would sell the Road King I, keep the markIII (or trading it for a Mark IV if you want) and maybe get a Road King II simply beacuse this last has awesome cleans compared to the I.

 

[user 2126]

What professional musicians have used the Mark III? (I've read that John Scofield did/does). thx.

Here some Mark III users:
James Hetfield, Dan Spitz (Anthrax) back in the day, Trey used one in the early Phish days, John Sykes used one with both Whitesnake and Blue Murder, Kurt Cobain used one for a while in the early 90s, Allan Holdsworth, Marco Sfogli in James Labrie EoP, and like you say John Scofield are the ones that I know.