Mark IV head vs. Mark IV combo

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amiller

amiller

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I saw something about this a while back but I thought I'd post here for a little clarification...or mud...which ever you prefer.

Someone suggested that the head sounds better than the combo. If they were both plugged into a 4x12 cab loaded with the same speakers...why would the sound different? In other words, why would Mesa design two different preamp and power sections just because one was a combo and the other a head...?

Hmmmm...I hope that's clear. :confused: :D
 
Different tubes well give it different sound and may confuse someone. I do not belive there is anything real about this idea.
 
amiller":7b8a1 said:
I saw something about this a while back but I thought I'd post here for a little clarification...or mud...which ever you prefer.

Someone suggested that the head sounds better than the combo. If they were both plugged into a 4x12 cab loaded with the same speakers...why would the sound different? In other words, why would Mesa design two different preamp and power sections just because one was a combo and the other a head...?

Hmmmm...I hope that's clear. :confused: :D
Click to expand...

they would sound the same going thru that same 4x12 cab. what everyone refers to is the stock 1x12 speaker and cab the IVcombo is enclosed in, it just doesnt sound as good as if you have it going to a 4x12, or even a 2x12 for that matter(i run my IV into a legacy 2x12 cab).
 
I used to tell everyone that there was a differance in tone between the head and Combo version even with an ext cab but I must retract my statements!! Im pretty sure that it was because i had two beat sounding combos. :rock:
 
I've played both the head and the combo (although both play tests were almost a year apart), and with some small tweaking to a settings template I used on both modela, I've been able to come up with some very similar tones.

IMO, the combo is not worth it. I'd just rather get a short head and a Thele 1X12.
 
You can get some real cool clean/lead tones from the combo. The Mesa theile cab is one of the best one -12 I have heard. I use a 4X 12 or two with mine most of the time. I am the original owner of number 12. Owned a IIc/III before that. I have heard the combo/head thing before and think it's silly. I have played many other I,II,III,IV and they all sounded a little different. :yes:
 
I had a IV combo for a short time and it sounded really good. As long as you unplug the combo speaker then it will sound the same as a good head into a 4x12. But like someone else said, a short head on a Thiele 1x12 would be a better bet than the sound of the combo, i just don't like open back cabs.
 
The other guitarist in my band uses his mark IV combo, EV loaded. I think it sounds really good, its in one those wicker hardwood custom order cabs. We are playing classic rock and it works great for that, plenty of spread and fullness. It doesn't have the thump that my mark IV does through my mesa 412 halfback cab though....
 
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