I've finally decided in to buying a Mesa. I've never been a fan of the recto series but after more research into the mark series, I really dig them. I live up in canada and there's very little chance for me to play any of them so I need to ask all you mesa owners for some help!! Currently, I'm looking for an amp where there is lots of versatility when plugged straight in. I know the Mark IV is very versatile so i'm leaning towards a IV but I really like the rawness in the clips i heard of the Mark III's Blue Stripes. My question is, can the IV get that rawness of the III? Or is that just the speaker/recording technique used to create the rawness!! Please help meeeee I'm dying to play on a mark series