Mesa Mark IVA and IVB, really that different?

[blackba]

I was reading this thread, Jim's post surprised me a bit, do you guys really think there is as much of a difference as he is claiming.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/for ... 860&page=2

I am mainly just curious, my buddy has a IVB, but I haven't played through it, just heard him playing through it. I have long thought of getting a IVB for a backup to my IVA....

 

[Marshall Freak]

I've owned both at the same time, and I think he's full of shit.

There are subtle differences but they're the same amp. The biggest thing I notice is that the R2 has a wee bit more gain on the B. The lead channel is voiced a little differently, but it would be hard to tell the difference if you didn't look at the back to see which model it is.
I think the A sounds a bit more like the IIC+ myself.

Where's Ralph??

 

[Gainfreak]

I've owned both at the same time, and I think he's full of shit.

There are subtle differences but they're the same amp. The biggest thing I notice is that the R2 has a wee bit more gain on the B. The lead channel is voiced a little differently, but it would be hard to tell the difference if you didn't look at the back to see which model it is.
I think the A sounds a bit more like the IIC+ myself.

Where's Ralph??

Sup Bro!!

My Friend Harry has a "B" Version and I have the "A" version. We a/b'd both of them (no pun intended) and although there are differences, there's not much IMHO. Now with that said, we both have very early versions of the IV. I think there is more of a difference in tone between the ones being made now. Could be that the trannies are different or it could also be my imagination lol

 

[thiswaythatway]

I owned 2 of the A versions, my friend Paige has an A version. I traded my A version for a B version and i do hear a difference. And i saved my tubes from my old A version and put them in the B version. The B has a little more preamp grind on R2 and the lead channel. It's really not that much of a difference and it's absolutley NO reason for an owner of an A version to go running off to Ebay.

 

[Gainfreak]

I will give my review when I get my B in a few weeks...

You should hear a difference. Like I said, Harry's and mine are close in age. His was one of the first runs of the b versions with the satelites. I don't hear that much a difference but there is a bigger difference in tone between the old ones to the new ones IMHO. Still probably not enough to squalk about but its definitely audible!

~R~

 

[blackba]

Thanks guys. I have read that link before dave, I just need to bookmark it.

I really like my mark IVA, but sometime it would be nice to do a direct comparison to a IVB. My buddies mark IVB combo with an EV speaker sounds pretty similar to mine overall, but its not really a direct comparison.

 

[SFW]

having owned both, here goes.....

IMHO, the A version is brighter. The B is a little thicker and meaner in it's tone. The Lead channel is where these differences are most notible. both are great amps. I like the B version better for my playing style, as it feels more aggressive.

 

[Gainfreak]

I will give my review when I get my B in a few weeks...

You should hear a difference. Like I said, Harry's and mine are close in age. His was one of the first runs of the b versions with the satelites. I don't hear that much a difference but there is a bigger difference in tone between the old ones to the new ones IMHO. Still probably enough to squalk about but its definitely audible!

~R~

Good. I want them to sound different... if not, then I will get rid on one. I personally love my IVA.

Like someone else said, tubes make a big difference. I tried 5881's and they sounded smooth and dark in my IVA. I also like the 6L6WXT+ made by Sovtek...as well as the Winged C 6L6's Pre-amp tubes change the amp as well

Tubes definitely make or break that amp. I know this is probably true with a lot of amps but the MKIV really does respond to different tubes and it can make or break the sound IMHO. I like the 5881's in the IV and hate them in other amps.

 

[Gainfreak]

I thought the 5881's sonded killer in my Mark III greenstripe. I really like the Sovtek WXT+'s in my III as well. They have an awesome depth... They even beat out NOS Sylvania 6L6's

I don't doubt it. Before I used to re-tube my own amps,I told my amp tech that I thought that the 5881's sounded better in my MKIV then the tubes that he recommended and he thought I was crazy and told me to come in. After bringing in the amp and trying them both side to side he agreed with me that the 588'a sounded best and and was just blown away! (that's the cool thing of knowing an amptech who uses his ears and not the scope lol! )
The cool thing is that they are really cheap tubes!!

 

[Gainfreak]

I thought the 5881's sonded killer in my Mark III greenstripe. I really like the Sovtek WXT+'s in my III as well. They have an awesome depth... They even beat out NOS Sylvania 6L6's

I don't doubt it. Before I used to re-tube my own amps,I told my amp tech that I thought that the 5881's sounded better in my MKIV then the tubes that he recommended and he thought I was crazy and told me to come in. After bringing in the amp and trying them both side to side he agreed with me that the 588'a sounded best and and was just blown away! (that's the cool thing of knowing an amptech who uses his ears and not the scope lol! )
The cool thing is that they are really cheap tubes!!

I think the Sovtek power tubes are a great bang for the buck. I pay $40 a matched quad shipped for the 5881's and/or 6L6WXT+'s. Plus they last for a long time on Tweed power. I think I have enough to last a lifetime.

Regarding the Winged C's... they sound great too. They have this up front midrange that sound good as well. I was thinking about mixing the Winged C's and Sovteks. I am just too lazy to start pulling tubes. With my new Mark IV, I may run EL-34's in the outside tubes of it (or the Mark IVa).

Well thats just the thing brother! You can make your MKIV's sound different just by screwing around with tubes! That said, 2 MKIV's is sofa king metal!!!!