Hey folks,
I just thought I'd share my renewed appreciation for my MkIV widebody combo. I purchased my IV in '96 and admittedly went through a fairly extensive "learning curve" to dial in the amp to my liking back then. Part of that had to do with the fact the manual for the IV really sucked considering all of the excellent features (great sounds) the amp had to offer, and that I pretty much sucked as a guitar player. The MkIV was also my first tube amp so that was another learning experience in itself. In fact, I got so frustrated that I purchased some good rack gear with excellent effects that allowed me to preprogram great footswitchable sounds (and mask my sloppy playing I might add) that I used for several years playing live. This rig actually did work well for me at the time.
However, over the past 10 years or so.....I have become obsessed with plugging my guitar into a nice tube amp with minimal effects and just playing. The good news is that this "forced me" to become a better guitar player....both technically and "touch sensitivity wise" for better dynamic control. During the past 10 years, I have purchased many nice tube amps (Mesa Boogie and others for that matter) which also helped me to become a better guitar player.
Recently, I have "dusted off" my MkIV widebody combo and have been very pleased with the sounds that I get out of the amp. I am connected to this amp moreso than ever before......largely due to having improved as a guitar player over the past 10 years, but also realizing how great of an amp this was / is.....especially considering how long ago it was introduced.
Some complain about Rhythm 1 and 2 (especially Rhy 2), but honestly, I am able to achieve a great clean sound out of R1 and crunch out of R2....just as I did years ago (after learning how to set the amp to my liking). The channel 3 lead channel continues to be one of the very best high gain lead/rhythm sounds that many consider to be the "signature sound" of the IV.
While I prefer my MkV combo over my IV while rehearsing/gigging (mainly for additional useful flexibility and maintaining the ability to obtain great Mark sounds...please no flame wars here as that is not my intent), I very much have a "renewed appreciation" for the greatness of my MkIV! My MkIV Widebody Combo is the oldest amp that I own and is a keeper for life!
I just thought I'd share my renewed appreciation for my MkIV widebody combo. I purchased my IV in '96 and admittedly went through a fairly extensive "learning curve" to dial in the amp to my liking back then. Part of that had to do with the fact the manual for the IV really sucked considering all of the excellent features (great sounds) the amp had to offer, and that I pretty much sucked as a guitar player. The MkIV was also my first tube amp so that was another learning experience in itself. In fact, I got so frustrated that I purchased some good rack gear with excellent effects that allowed me to preprogram great footswitchable sounds (and mask my sloppy playing I might add) that I used for several years playing live. This rig actually did work well for me at the time.
However, over the past 10 years or so.....I have become obsessed with plugging my guitar into a nice tube amp with minimal effects and just playing. The good news is that this "forced me" to become a better guitar player....both technically and "touch sensitivity wise" for better dynamic control. During the past 10 years, I have purchased many nice tube amps (Mesa Boogie and others for that matter) which also helped me to become a better guitar player.
Recently, I have "dusted off" my MkIV widebody combo and have been very pleased with the sounds that I get out of the amp. I am connected to this amp moreso than ever before......largely due to having improved as a guitar player over the past 10 years, but also realizing how great of an amp this was / is.....especially considering how long ago it was introduced.
Some complain about Rhythm 1 and 2 (especially Rhy 2), but honestly, I am able to achieve a great clean sound out of R1 and crunch out of R2....just as I did years ago (after learning how to set the amp to my liking). The channel 3 lead channel continues to be one of the very best high gain lead/rhythm sounds that many consider to be the "signature sound" of the IV.
While I prefer my MkV combo over my IV while rehearsing/gigging (mainly for additional useful flexibility and maintaining the ability to obtain great Mark sounds...please no flame wars here as that is not my intent), I very much have a "renewed appreciation" for the greatness of my MkIV! My MkIV Widebody Combo is the oldest amp that I own and is a keeper for life!