Hey guys, new to the board and new to Mesa Boogie. I`m ready to step up to a new Boogie, but cant decide between the two. Whats making me hesitate is the fx loop. On the iv ( "A" i think) i can run my modulation fx in the loop and have them at the ready... and run a delay in the switchable loop to only come on with the lead channel. On the mkv you cant do this... correct me if I`m wrong. Of course the choice between iva vs ivb and so on. And the countless hours of researching and listening to clips... iv vs v... its endless. I`d just like to know that the iva can do pretty much everything the v can do but with the dual fx loop and if there is REALLY that much of a tonal difference. Thanks in advance for any help...
Torn between the two... iv or v
- Thread starter robertray
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Aside from the loop function that you are worried about, consider R2 channel on both amps, some folks might find R2 lacking in gain for the mark IV, R2 for the mark V has more gain on tap. Plus, the shared EQ on the IV might be an issue if you want to have totally independent sounds per channel. The mark V has separate eq controls for all three channels. both are killer amps, just try em both if you have a chance.
Personal experience after owning a IV and a V, i prefer the V for the independent eq controls. the big "HOWEVER" is, i also own a mark III and that has shared EQ, and that amp got killer aggressive distortion sounds that somehow, i am unable to get with the V, and somehow still use the Mark III's shared EQ between clean, R2 sounds, Lead sound, and the combined R2 and Lead 2 sounds. Plus, my III has recently been through Monsta-Tone's shop with a tune up (caps replaced, etc..) and never sounded better.
On paper without trying the IV or V, choose the V for it's updated features, my opinion only...
Personal experience after owning a IV and a V, i prefer the V for the independent eq controls. the big "HOWEVER" is, i also own a mark III and that has shared EQ, and that amp got killer aggressive distortion sounds that somehow, i am unable to get with the V, and somehow still use the Mark III's shared EQ between clean, R2 sounds, Lead sound, and the combined R2 and Lead 2 sounds. Plus, my III has recently been through Monsta-Tone's shop with a tune up (caps replaced, etc..) and never sounded better.
On paper without trying the IV or V, choose the V for it's updated features, my opinion only...
Rob Lockwood
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I don't think you can use the loops on the MarkIVa in the way you expect, but it would be worth getting other opinions on that. I had hoped that the loops worked that way too, but as far as I am aware the switch on the rear panel toggles between either the switchable loop or the normal loop but you can not have both loops on at the same time. I'm not really sure what the point of having two sets of send/return sockets is really, ie why not just have one switchable loop and set it on all the time if you dont want to switch? If anyone knows what the logic behind the two loops on the IVa is I would be interested to find out too.
gummx97 said:
The only shared eq contorls on the Mark IV are the Mid and Bass controls between R1 and R2, otherwise R2 still has a separate Presence and Gain. Treble on R1 and R2 are separate and the Lead channel has completely separate controls.
I've owned a Mark IVA for 20 years and believe me those 2 shared controls will have little to no affect between those 2 channels, it won't inhibit you in anyway.
DaveP said:
You can configure which channels they are on for, for example it can go on automatically everytime you are in R1 or R2 or Lead. You can choose none (switchable), one or two channels. If you need all three then use non-switchable and it'll always be on.
Hope that makes sense.
So, basically you`re gonna use one or the other... constent or switchable. You cant have both correct? So....chorus in the constant loop to be switched on/off on my pedalboard, and delay (which stays "on" on the pb) in the switchable to come on with the lead channel only, is not how it works. Bummer. Thanks for clarification.
Rob Lockwood
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Yes, that exactly how it seems to work on mine. There is a rocker switch on the rear panel that selects either normal or switchable loops, never both. I've tried it by accident when setting up, patching effects into the normal loop when the switch is set to switchable - I get no effects until the switch is changed. I dont see anything that you could do with the IVa loop that couldnt be covered with the MkV. Of course there are lots of other differences to consider. I was thinking about the IV and V too. I wanted the old style Boogie lead sound, like a mark IIb/c sound and I like to set the lead gain to medium so it can be used for rhythm playing then boost it with a pedal for higher gain leads. On the lead channel the IVa got much closer to the sound in my head than the V I tried. I think its because some of the pots/switches on the IVa are preset on the V, also the smaller cab and EV speaker on the IV makes it closer to the older Boogies. Also I suspect (might be wrong) that the preset choices on the V may be more geared to metal players which is not me. The downside was that the R1 and R2 channels on the V are much more versatile and I liked both of those a lot. The EQ on the V is also more versatile although I dont use it a lot. In the end finding a really nice IVa for half the price of the V swung the decision for me and I have no regrets. If I had tried a MkV head into an older Boogie cab with EV it might have been different. By the way when I was trying Mark IVs out I found that I preferred the brighter and slightly more punchy sound of the a version, but again its a matter of personal preference and others (probably the heavier players) may go the other way. I would sugggest giving both a really good try before you decide.
