Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,324
High-end/Boutique
$300
$701+
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Budget
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High-end
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Description
Unleash the full spectrum of your guitar's potential with the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV, an amplifier that blends power, versatility, and sonic precision into one compact package. This 85-watt tube behemoth not only offers you an expansive range of tonal possibilities with its two rhythm channels and a dedicated lead channel, but it also brings the nuanced control every guitarist craves. Whether you're crafting delicate cleans or pushing for high-gain roars, the Mark IV's five-band graphic EQ, effects loop, and spring reverb ensure your sound is uniquely yours. Independent Gain and Master controls per channel allow for meticulous sound shaping, making this combo amp a go-to for players seeking the ultimate in musical expression.
Key Features:
- 85-watt all-tube combo amplifier provides powerful sound.
- Two rhythm channels and a dedicated lead channel for versatile tonal options.
- Five-band graphic EQ for precise sound shaping.
- Effects loop and spring reverb for adding depth and dimension.
- Independent Gain and Master controls per channel allow for intricate adjustments.
Product specs
| Brand | Mesa Boogie |
| Model | Mark IV 3-Channel 85-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Various |
| Year | 1990 - 2008 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 3 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 85 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 / EL34 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x12" |
FAQs
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What are the main tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV is known for its versatility, offering a wide range of tones from pristine cleans to aggressive high-gain sounds. It features three channels, allowing for distinct clean, crunchy, and lead tones, making it suitable for various music genres, including rock, metal, and blues.
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Can the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV be used for gigging with a drummer?
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Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV is an 85-watt amplifier, providing ample power for live performances with a full band, including a drummer. Its robust output ensures it can cut through the mix on stage.
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What kind of power tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV use?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV utilizes 6L6 and EL34 power tubes, offering flexibility in tonal characteristics. The 6L6 tubes provide a more American-style, clean sound, while the EL34s offer a British-style, midrange-focused tone.
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Does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV comes with built-in spring reverb, adding depth and ambiance to your sound without needing external pedals.
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How many channels does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV feature, and what are they?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV features three channels: a clean channel, a crunch channel for overdriven sounds, and a lead channel for high-gain solos, providing a versatile array of tonal options.
Videos
Leon Todd
Mesa/Boogie Mark IV - Bucket List Gear
Mesa/Boogie Mark IV - Bucket List Gear
Leon Todd
Gear Curiosities: Mesa Boogie Mark IV - Amps Don't Get Much Better!
Plague Scythe Studios
Mesa/Boogie Mark IV - 5 Killer Tones
Leon Todd
Mesa Mark IV - In Depth Review / Playthrough
Totally Rad Guitars
Mesa Boogie Mark IV SHOOTOUT!
Riffs, Beards & Gear
Mesa Mark IV || TOP 5 TONES!!
NickJennison
Mesa Boogie Mark IV vs Mark IIC+
Blake Mansfield
MESA BOOGIE MARK IV - Why haven't we met earlier?!
CarstenStepanowicz
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional tonal versatility across all music genres
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Superior build quality with high-quality materials
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Three channels with extended sonic range for diverse sound
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Warm, clear, and tight sound, especially with quality guitars
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Built to withstand rigorous use and the test of time
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Channel switching and EQ options offer a wide range of tones
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Works well in both small clubs and larger venues
CONS
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Heavy, making it difficult to transport
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Expensive maintenance and repair costs
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Requires time and patience to dial in specific tones
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Some users may find the amp technically complex
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Mark IV.
Features and functionality
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV offers significant tonal shaping with the treble knob, which heavily influences mid-range and can tighten up tones for metal genres.
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The amp's knobs are pre-gain stage, functioning similarly to a distortion pedal, while the graphic EQ is used for overall EQ adjustments.
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The Mark IV-B can be identified by its detachable power cord, unlike the Mark IV-A's permanent cable.
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The Mesa Mark IV lacks a 16-ohm output, requiring careful impedance matching with cabinets to avoid damage and optimize performance.
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Use cases and applications
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The amp performs well at low volumes when using triode mode, tweed power, and low output volume, making it suitable for bedroom use without sacrificing tone.
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A reactive load box or attenuator is recommended for optimal tone management with this amp.
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Ideal setup involves connecting the 4-ohm output from the Mesa Mark IV to the 4-ohm mono input on a compatible cabinet for optimal sound distribution.
Source
User experience
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Owners report the Mark IV can still be loud at the lowest settings, but it's manageable with proper volume control adjustments.
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The Mark IV is considered a "dream amp" for versatile players due to its ability to handle a wide range of genres effectively.
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Owners report sound only from one cabinet side if the switch is faulty, indicating a significant usability issue.
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Comparisons
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Owners mention that while the Mark IV is louder than some amps, its unique tones, particularly rhy2, are difficult to replicate with other models.
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Setup and maintenance
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The reverb issue may involve preamp tubes V3 and V4, with V4B being the reverb send and V3B the reverb return. Swapping these tubes could resolve problems.
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Footswitch cable issues are common. Mesa builds replacements to order even if listed as out of stock.
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Using the Mark IV with a mismatched impedance output can potentially damage the amp, emphasizing the importance of correct wiring setups.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings
The Secret Weapon
I rented this amp to record my band's album, and for over ten years I thought about buying it. I finally got it and its truly amazing - some of the gnarliest tone I've ever been able to draw from an amp. The tone stacking is insane and their is a huge learning curve - this amp is for someone who knows what they want. It took me a few hours with a notebook to discover all the tones I was dreaming of - but I finally found them.
If you're playing gnarly, heavy alt rock, grunge, or shoegaze - this amp is a secret weapon.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this picture from 1991, David Bowie is apparently sitting on a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV combo amplifier.
According to an article on Ultimate Guitar, Noodles, the lead guitarist of The Offspring, confirms that both he and Dexter Holland used Mesa/Boogie Mark IV amplifiers while recording their breakthrough album Smash.
Miki Berenyi can be seen playing through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV combo throughout the attached video, most clearly at 0:39 as the camera pans out. It's clear that it's Berenyi and not Lush's other guitarist Emma Anderson, who is playing through the stereo setup she was using during this period.
Creevy briefly discusses the amplifier in her rig rundown with Premier Guitar. She briefly mentions the amplifier during her 2019 interview with PG.
It’s a ’90s Mark IV that once belonged to Phantom Planet. I know because their name is on the road case. So, I have the Mesa/Boogie, and she is a beast. She’s awesome, I love her so much, and she sounds great. And then, I play with Mogami cables because I have champagne taste when it comes to cables.
In the description of this video on Travis' Youtube, he puts in the description that he used a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV.
Album Usage
The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa/Boogie Mark IV, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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