Need Advice Thinking of trading Mark IV for Roadster!?

[xedwinx206]

Figured i might get more luck posting in here.
Well I've had my Mark IV for a while and just have a feeling that it isn't the amp for me. I've played a roadster before and love that recto tone. Can anyone give me advice to keep the Mark IV or if I should trade for a Roadster? I know that both have very good reviews, it's just personal preference. I really am gonna miss the lead tone from the mark IV, but can I get a pedal to help with that for the roadster?
Thanks for any advice
Edwin

 

[LithiumZero]

I went from a Mark IV to a Roadster and don't regret it for a moment. I LOVE the Mark lead tones but I struggled with R2 a bit. The Roadster, while lacking the singing lead tones of the Mark is a much more versatile amp for me. It's also more consistent. The mark would sound killer one day and the next it would be back to tweaking even if I hadn't touched it. Since I've had the Roadster I basically set the amp up at practice and haven't touched it very much since. A boost would definitely make the Roadster sing a bit better for leads but I find that it's fine without the boost.

Hope this helps.

 

[kingster911]

Get a RKII.

 

[Robusto]

keep the mark iv, and get a roadster.

best o both worlds.

 

[MetalMatt]

keep the mark iv, and get a roadster.

best o both worlds.

+1

When people hear the name Mesa Boogie they either think of that classic singing Boogie lead or the thick crushing Recto sound.
I thought the Mark IV was a one trick pony. The clean channel was ok, R2 was ok, but the lead channel... awesome! Honestly, I think the DC's are better amps.

The Recto is no slouch when it comes to a lead tone, but its not that classic Boogie lead. It might take a pedal or two, a pickup change or a speaker/cab change. In the end I get a lead tone I'm very happy with. Sustain for days, and it cuts though brilliantly. With the Marks you get the feeling your playing softer stings, like the amp knows what your going to play next. The Rectos add a stiffer feel to the stings.

If you pick up the Roadster, spend some time with it and realize it not the amp for you. I'm sure lots of people are going to unload their Mark IV for the new V. So you can always switch back.

 

[Tfunk Ian]

I would say that it depends on what is the most important for you. How often would you use a recifier tone verses a traditional Boogie lead tone? If your answer is that you'd have more use for a recifier tone, then get the Roadster. If you'd rather keep you traditional Boogie lead tone, then keep the Mark IV. I've recently come to the conclusion that a great lead tone has more to do with the player then with the amp, whereas a great rhythm tone has more to do with the amp. I'm sure you'd be able to find a great lead tone in the Roadster. But hey, maybe I'm wrong...

I hope that helps...

 

[Tfunk Ian]

I should also add that if you can afford it, have both. I can't tell you how many times I've sold an amp, or a guitar, or something else that I've kicked myself for later.

Personally, I have a new rule: NO MORE SELLING OFF MUSICAL EQUIPMENT.

 

[scottkahn]

I have owned and played more Boogies than I can recall. Currently I have two rigs -- a Road King II head in my A rig, and a Triaxis/2:Ninety in my B rig. The Triaxis rig gives me the "classic" Boogie tones, and as with the Mk IV gets extremely heavy when you want, but the Recto tone is different from it. Personally, I find more daily love in the recto tone, but that could change next month... hence I keep both rigs. But if I only had one Boogie, it would be the Road King II, which can generate so many tones it's hard to fathom, especially when you get into low-power SAG mode, using solid-state rectification instead of the tubes, etc.... it's highly customizable. The Roadster isn't quite as flexible as the RK II, but it's close. I never use the EL34 tubes anyway... just the 6L6 stuff.

 

[xedwinx206]

thanks for all the input guys. I've narrowed my search down to a Roadster, Engl Powerball, or Splawn Nitro. Now the search continues. haha.

 

[Old BF Shred]

Personally, I have a new rule: NO MORE SELLING OFF MUSICAL EQUIPMENT.

Wow! Can I ever relate!
In these lousy economic times I could see why people would have to sell things, but also, on the flipside, now is a bad time to get a good price...you almost have to "dump" things as it is now a buyer's market!
I now wish I'd have kept almost all my past gear!

It's almost always cheaper to keep something than to try to replace it again later.
Where do you draw the line? ...How long can you go without eating? :lol:
Seriously, do what you got to do, but don't let go of something valuable (at least to you) until it's absolutely necessary or you may regret it one day.
Good luck!

 

[primal]

I would not unload the Mark IV. Unless you just don't like it, you will regret it.

Course if I had a Roadster and wanted a Mark IV, I wouldn't sell the Roadster either. I have a hard time parting with gear I love, even if I try telling myself it's an "upgrade".

I have a Roadking 1 setup and a Mark IV, and I love them both.

I know it's easy to say "just get both" since you can't just print your own money (unless your the treasurey of course, then just print away till your hearts content).

But if you can hold out, I would wait the extra however many months and save up to buy a Roadster.

Unless of course the Mark IV is just not for you, then by all means sell it.

I would have a very hard time parting with either of my amps.

 

[fishyfishfish]

There is no pedal to make your Recto sound like a Mark IV. Sorry.