Starting to hate my Mark IV (rant)

[asmegin_slayer]

I thought for sure that making the trade for my roadster to a Mark IV would be a wise choice. But I've now come to the conclusion that I just flat out don't like the amp anymore... Compared to the Roadster and Mark IV... I really find that the roadster is a shit ton easier to get a great sound, while it took awhile to get the mark IV setup correctly and sound good.

So here are my dislikes and likes on this amp.. (fyi, all of my guitars are either equiped with EMG's or Dimarzio Blaze/Diactivator pickups)

Likes:
It has 3 channels
It has a custom wine tolex
Can get Brutal high tones in channel 3

Dislikes:
Shared eq on channel 1 and 2 (kills the versatility of the amp)
Push Pull knobs (very easy mess up if you accidentally bump to it
Channel 2 sucks for rhythm playing
Complicated buttons behind the amp...

I'm fully aware that I could put a OD pedal in front of the amp, but I'm just one of those musicians who just refuses to use a pedal on an amp that is fully capable of making great high gain sounds. Plus I hate making additional stomps on pedals and switches to go to a different channel...


BAH!!!

[newamerikangospel]

Originally Posted by asmegin_slayer

I'm fully aware that I could put a OD pedal in front of the amp, but I'm just one of those musicians who just refuses to use a pedal on an amp that is fully capable of making great high gain sounds. Plus I hate making additional stomps on pedals and switches to go to a different channel...


BAH!!!

You understand that you started this topic by stating "start to hate my tone", then say that you dont want an OD an amp "that is fully capable of high gain sounds". If you want to handicap yourself, that is fine, but if you haven't tried an OD then dont say it wont help you out

Maybe the roadster was you, the mark IV isn't.

[cycloptopus]

I really dig mine. If you want to sell it let me know...

[djpharoah]

Mesas have insane EQs man - I've heard it takes a long time to dial in tone. Don't give up so easily considering how long you were jonsing for the Mark IV. Also dude -get an OD pedal if not for the additional gain but rather just a clean boost which will do wonders.

I say try an OD pedal and RTFM before you make a hasty decision.

GL

[155]

mesa eqs are bullshit

[JJ Rodriguez]

+1 on the OD. It's pretty much the standard for any high gain amp. It has nothing to do with adding gain and everything to do with cutting lows, and giving a bit more bite to the amp.

[asmegin_slayer]

Originally Posted by newamerikangospel

You understand that you started this topic by stating "start to hate my tone", then say that you dont want an OD an amp "that is fully capable of high gain sounds". If you want to handicap yourself, that is fine, but if you haven't tried an OD then dont say it wont help you out

Maybe the roadster was you, the mark IV isn't.

I tend to do that to myself, lol I need to stop that.

I was a bit hasty saying that I refuse to put an OD pedal in front of it, while in fact one of my buddies last night actually did put his original Boss OD1 pedal on it.. and I didn't hear a difference that really sold me.. Could it be a fact that I was playing through a 1960 cab or maybe I should try a different pedal...?

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by asmegin_slayer

I tend to do that to myself, lol I need to stop that.

I was a bit hasty saying that I refuse to put an OD pedal in front of it, while in fact one of my buddies last night actually did put his original Boss OD1 pedal on it.. and I didn't hear a difference that really sold me.. Could it be a fact that I was playing through a 1960 cab or maybe I should try a different pedal...?

Try a better pedal in front - find a cheap TS7 on craigslist then convert it to 808 specs usng LoVC's thread and voila great boost pedal.

[AeonSolus]

You can always use ODs to do clean boosts, not to actually overdrive the sound, from experience i can tell, any mesa gets better boosted on the front

[xtrustisyoursx]

If you want a cheap way to try out the TS style boosted tone, get a digitech bad monkey for like 30 bucks. Drive at 8 o clock, level at 4 or 5 o clock, highs at 1 o clock and lows at 10 o clock.

[asmegin_slayer]

hhmm...

I could always use channel 3 for my high gain stuff chugs... and just have a pedal to boost the solos....

That may work..

[xtrustisyoursx]

I'm not sure if you're understanding what we're advocating. Forgive me if I sound condescending, but are you clear on what we're suggesting with a boost?

[asmegin_slayer]

Originally Posted by xtrustisyoursx

I'm not sure if you're understanding what we're advocating. Forgive me if I sound condescending, but are you clear on what we're suggesting with a boost?

You know what, I don't think I am understanding the concept of boosting.

Please inform me....



(embarrassed.)

[Pyramid Gallery]

they're all saying to boost ch 2 with a tubescreamer. But I think you are on the right track about using 3 for chugs, and using a neutral booster for leads. afterburner, or symour pedal pu booster, they are both different than tubescreamers, they don't add grit, jsut gain like turning your guit vol knob or amp gain knob a couple notches. If you like the grit, I recommend emgs or blackouts, and 75s and 30s in an X.
I have a 5150 as well as a IV and when you go from one to the other it's like starting all over again, but you need both to be satisfied. If you have just one, it will either be too harsh or too smooth, same with the rectos for me. But the IV does bedroom volume, the fiddy doesn't. I only record, so that matters to tme.

[Troegenator]

I couldnt disagree more, the Mark IV is perfect for me in every way.

[xtrustisyoursx]

Originally Posted by asmegin_slayer

You know what, I don't think I am understanding the concept of boosting.

Please inform me....



(embarrassed.)

Don't be embarrassed, alot of people aren't aware of this technique. Basically, take a tubescreamer style pedal (any ibanez ts, mxr gt-od, digitech hardwire, digitech bad monkey, maxon stuff, etc) and run it with the level maxed, but gain at nothing (or just a bit) into your amp. Normally you'll run your amp with a little less gain than normal.

This changes the tone two ways. First, it makes the distortion a little smoother and pleasing due to the saturation of the preamp tubes. Second, due to the EQ of a TS style pedal, it tightens up your tone by cutting the muddy bass frequencies and boosting the mids.

[budda]

I leave my TS on. I also would NOT own my roadster if I did not boost it - it would be way too loose, and I like a fairly tight high gain tone.

1. Boost.
2. write down settings
3. Try a different cab. Mainly a Mesa 412

[MacTown09]

Asmegin if you really hate your Mark IV then you could trade it for my Triple X. It would be a quick swap as we are close and no hassle. Haha i am always trying to trade my good ole Triple X for your awesome amps like your Mark IV and your roadster.

[sith]

I'm using my marks 3rd channel for rythm and leads. For rhytms I use it with eq engaged ( sort of classic V shape ), and for leads I just disengage eq and all the mids kicks in and I'm very much dominating the mix
takes a bit of tweaking to find right levels without compromising tone for one or the other.
R2 serves me perfectly for my non-metal band and for some gilmour-ish solos.

just an idea.

[Herb Dorklift]

Rhythm 2 is awesome, you just gotta know what you can and can't use it for.

Can
AC/DC
Thin Lizzy
Free
UFO
Sabbath
Foos
Basically any style that ISN'T brutal high gain.

Can't
Dirty heavy metal
Death metal
ETC...you get it.

I LOVE Rhythm 2. I play in a rock covers band and it's perfect for Kinks, Sabbath, Queen, Rush,Thin Lizzy... It sounds even better with a semi acoustic guitar.

You just gotta turn it up. Unlike the lead channel, you can't get a good sound at low volumes.

Ohh, also, when I boost it with my GE-7, add a little delay... it makes a killer lead tone.

[JJ Rodriguez]

Originally Posted by Pyramid Gallery

they're all saying to boost ch 2 with a tubescreamer. But I think you are on the right track about using 3 for chugs, and using a neutral booster for leads

Actually, you want the booster for rhythm more than lead. That's where you really need that low cut for tight rhythm and muting and shit.

[cycloptopus]

Boosted or not, I view the Mark IV as a sick 4 channel amp. You got yer cleans in Rhythm 1, you got yer dirt in Rhythm 2 (and to be honest it can be a ripping semi-high gain rhythm sound, a kind of dynamic heavy tone where the more you push the strings and your picking attack, the more it responds. Add a boost and high gain is easy with a different flavor from the Lead channel. Also see Herb Dorklift's post...so true), you got yer high gain Lead channel which has ridiculous amounts of midrange, and you've got yer high gain Lead+EQ (assuming your using the FU-2 footswitch) channel which allows you to dial out alot of the ridiculous mid range from the plain ol Lead channel. Personally I use Lead+EQ channel as my main high gain rhythm channel and kick in the Lead channel for leads since the added midrange allows the lead to cut through the mix a bit more.

Definitely read the manual. Try some of the suggested settings and continue to refer to the manual often. There is alot going on with this amp and it takes time/experience to learn about it all. I believe that is a big reason for the redesign of the Mark V. The Mark IV can be a bit of a headache to get going with. But Lamb of God has been using these amps for a long time (don't know if they are at this moment), so if you like their tone from say "Ashes of the Wake" then you know what the Mark IV can do.

[asmegin_slayer]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

Actually, you want the booster for rhythm more than lead. That's where you really need that low cut for tight rhythm and muting and shit.

I'm gonna give in and give a TS7 a shot...

Originally Posted by cycloptopus

Boosted or not, I view the Mark IV as a sick 4 channel amp. You got yer cleans in Rhythm 1, you got yer dirt in Rhythm 2 (and to be honest it can be a ripping semi-high gain rhythm sound, a kind of dynamic heavy tone where the more you push the strings and your picking attack, the more it responds. Add a boost and high gain is easy with a different flavor from the Lead channel. Also see Herb Dorklift's post...so true), you got yer high gain Lead channel which has ridiculous amounts of midrange, and you've got yer high gain Lead+EQ (assuming your using the FU-2 footswitch) channel which allows you to dial out alot of the ridiculous mid range from the plain ol Lead channel. Personally I use Lead+EQ channel as my main high gain rhythm channel and kick in the Lead channel for leads since the added midrange allows the lead to cut through the mix a bit more.

Definitely read the manual. Try some of the suggested settings and continue to refer to the manual often. There is alot going on with this amp and it takes time/experience to learn about it all. I believe that is a big reason for the redesign of the Mark V. The Mark IV can be a bit of a headache to get going with. But Lamb of God has been using these amps for a long time (don't know if they are at this moment), so if you like their tone from say "Ashes of the Wake" then you know what the Mark IV can do.

There is a lot going on...lol Awhile back I did find settings that other people use and what big name bands used... My favorite out of all of them is of course John Petrucci's... pentode/simu-class.

This may be great for a single guitarist in a band, but I'm playing with another guy and when I need to cut through to a solo, I want to make sure that I'm heard..

When I click the "LD+EQ" on, I really don't here a difference compared to the "Lead" and "EQ" switches on...

[Herb Dorklift]

"Lead + EQ" is the same as switching "Lead" and "EQ".

If you want a killer boost, stick a GEQ pedal in the loop (Just use patch cables, keep it all back there), get your rhythm sound using the Mark IV's GEQ then click the FX Loop on when you wanna solo. Tis what I do.

[cycloptopus]

It is the same thing. The LD+EQ button just allows you to engage them both at the same time or, if you like, you can just turn the EQ on individually with any channel.

In my case, I really don't use the EQ button on its own. I use the LD+EQ button as a "4th channel". I set the EQ to the ol' V curve for scooped mids and set it up so that it doesn't sound louder than the Lead channel on its own. I play most rhythms with the LD+EQ "channel" and stomp on the Lead "channel" to get a mid boost for leads. It works for me.