Vintage Mesa 4x12 Question. For a Mark IV

[Beyond Black]

I’ve got a Mark IV on the way. It’ll be my first Mesa. If I really dig it, and from what I’ve heard I will. I’m entertaining the idea of getting a cab for it. How are those old metal grill Mesa 4x12’s with a Mark IV? I’ve read that they’re the shit with the right speakers. I now have a Splawn with Greenbacks, A Marshall with Scumbacks (M and H LHDC X pattern), and a borrowed old Marshall with G12-65’s. Am I fine with what I’ve got? What cabs and speakers do you Mark IV guys dig?

 

[Metlupass2]

Couldn't wait huh?

 

[Racerxrated]

I’ve got a Mark IV on the way. It’ll be my first Mesa. If I really dig it, and from what I’ve heard I will. I’m entertaining the idea of getting a cab for it. How are those old metal grill Mesa 4x12’s with a Mark IV? I’ve read that they’re the shit with the right speakers. I now have a Splawn with Greenbacks, A Marshall with Scumbacks (M and H LHDC X pattern), and a borrowed old Marshall with G12-65’s. Am I fine with what I’ve got? What cabs and speakers do you Mark IV guys dig?

You'll be fine with what you have...any Mark (2B, 2C+, III) that I've owned has jelled with the speakers you have. I will say that a good V30 cab is arguably the best for any Mesa...they just sound 'right' with them. I have an old school metal grill halfback (C90/EV) and it sounds nice...but that cab when you push it turns into a MONSTER. I have a 74 Marshall with original cream backs, 79 Marshall with 65s, Mesa Recto with V30s, and an 80s Butcher cab with K85s. All sound killer with my Mark.

 

[stephen sawall]

Your fine with what you have. I think it sounds best with the small Rectifier 4x12. But that's just subjective.

 

[Beyond Black]

Couldn't wait huh?

Cabin fever, need a new toy.

 

[LP Freak]

Couldn't wait huh?

Cabin fever, need a new toy.

I think you’re down with the sickness ?

 

[Beyond Black]

Thanks guys, that’s what I was hoping to hear. I’ll just roll with what I’ve got. I also have access to a V30 loaded Marshall that I’ll try.

 

[Beyond Black]

Couldn't wait huh?

Cabin fever, need a new toy.

I think you’re down with the sickness ?

It’s dire, bro!!! Must....Get....MOAR TONEZ!!!!!

 

[Metlupass2]

Let's see what you're getting

 

[bubucci]

Mesa V30 cab, it is the essence of 'modern' Mesa sound imho. But I will be very curious about Scumbacks thru MKIV also.
There are smaller and bigger version of metal grill cab. I seen a few EVM's damaged in those cabs and I will never buy them on blind. But I'm not fan of them personally.

 

[SpiderWars]

I always play Mark series amps thru my old Mesa 4x12 with V30s.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that Mark series amps do not have a 16ohm speaker out, only 4ohm and 8ohm. So 16ohm Marshall cabs would need to be rewired to 4ohms. I'm pretty sure you could run it mismatched (i.e. 8ohm jack into 16ohm cab) and the amp would be fine but it wouldn't sound as good.

The power section of a Mk IV is really good ime.

 

[reilly]

No need to rewire a cab, just plug into the 8ohm jack on the amp. The mark iv sounds great with v30s i have owned four over the years, i also found it to not be picky with cabs and speakers which is good.

 

[155]

I always play Mark series amps thru my old Mesa 4x12 with V30s.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that Mark series amps do not have a 16ohm speaker out, only 4ohm and 8ohm. So 16ohm Marshall cabs would need to be rewired to 4ohms. I'm pretty sure you could run it mismatched and the amp would be fine but it wouldn't sound as good.

The power section of a Mk IV is really good ime.

wrong doesnt need to be rewired, use the 8 ohm jack...

 

[SpiderWars]

I always play Mark series amps thru my old Mesa 4x12 with V30s.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that Mark series amps do not have a 16ohm speaker out, only 4ohm and 8ohm. So 16ohm Marshall cabs would need to be rewired to 4ohms. I'm pretty sure you could run it mismatched and the amp would be fine but it wouldn't sound as good.

The power section of a Mk IV is really good ime.

wrong doesnt need to be rewired, use the 8 ohm jack...

Yeah, I bolded where I said that. But as I said, it won't sound as good.

 

[Beyond Black]

No need to rewire a cab, just plug into the 8ohm jack on the amp. The mark iv sounds great with v30s i have owned four over the years, i also found it to not be picky with cabs and speakers which is good.

Have all four been pretty consistent in tone?

 

[Beyond Black]

I always play Mark series amps thru my old Mesa 4x12 with V30s.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that Mark series amps do not have a 16ohm speaker out, only 4ohm and 8ohm. So 16ohm Marshall cabs would need to be rewired to 4ohms. I'm pretty sure you could run it mismatched and the amp would be fine but it wouldn't sound as good.

The power section of a Mk IV is really good ime.

wrong doesnt need to be rewired, use the 8 ohm jack...

Yeah, I bolded where I said that. But as I said, it won't sound as good.

What about two 16 ohm cabs? Is there two 8 ohm outputs?

 

[SpiderWars]

IIRC, it's 1x 8ohm jack and 2x 4ohm jacks (eg - for running 2x Mesa 4x12s).

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I always play Mark series amps thru my old Mesa 4x12 with V30s.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that Mark series amps do not have a 16ohm speaker out, only 4ohm and 8ohm. So 16ohm Marshall cabs would need to be rewired to 4ohms. I'm pretty sure you could run it mismatched and the amp would be fine but it wouldn't sound as good.

The power section of a Mk IV is really good ime.

wrong doesnt need to be rewired, use the 8 ohm jack...

Yeah, I bolded where I said that. But as I said, it won't sound as good.

What about two 16 ohm cabs? Is there two 8 ohm outputs?

You can just buy a $30 splitter box through Mesa, or on the net, to run two 16ohm cabs.

 

[stephen sawall]

I always use two 4x12 cabs and a THD Hot Plate. So I'm using a 8 ohm load. The Hot Plate is set to bypass.

 

[reilly]

No need to rewire a cab, just plug into the 8ohm jack on the amp. The mark iv sounds great with v30s i have owned four over the years, i also found it to not be picky with cabs and speakers which is good.

Have all four been pretty consistent in tone?

They all sound like a mark iv however they were a little different. I had two earlier A/B heads and toe later B’s. My 2003 sounded the best of all of them but both of the newer later ones I liked the best. A little more compressed and modern sounding.