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Average Price: $1,862
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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Budget
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High-end
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Description
Unleash your sonic potential with the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head, a powerhouse of tonal versatility and precision for guitarists who demand excellence. Packed into a road-ready chassis, this amp head is a testament to Mesa Boogie's legendary craftsmanship, offering an impressive range of tone-shaping capabilities that suit a myriad of genres and playing styles. Whether you're diving into shimmering cleans or exploring the depths of molten lead tones, the Mark IV's three-channel design, featuring two rhythm channels and a scorching lead channel, delivers with authority.
The Mark IV is celebrated for its iconic five-band graphic EQ, allowing you to sculpt your sound with surgical precision. From jazzy blues to heavy metal, this amp head adapts seamlessly, making it a favorite among professional musicians. It's not just about the tones; the Mark IV is designed for the modern player with switchable power section modes, a lush spring reverb, and an assignable FX loop, ensuring your effects chain integrates smoothly. Built to withstand the demands of the road, this amp head promises reliability without sacrificing performance.
Key Features:
- 85 W all-tube power
- Three-channel design: two rhythm channels and one lead channel
- Iconic five-band graphic EQ for detailed tone shaping
- Switchable power section modes for versatility
- Built-in spring reverb
- Assignable FX loop for seamless integration with effects
- Rugged chassis designed for road durability
Product specs
| Brand | Mesa Boogie |
| Model | Mark IV 3-Channel 85-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Various |
| Year | 1990 - 2008 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 3 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 85 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 / EL34 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
FAQs
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What type of music genres is the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head best suited for?
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The Mesa Boogie Mark IV is highly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of genres including rock, metal, blues, and jazz. Its three channels allow for a variety of tones from clean to high-gain distortion.
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Can the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head use both 6L6 and EL34 tubes?
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Yes, the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head is compatible with both 6L6 and EL34 power tubes, allowing players to customize their sound based on their tonal preferences.
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Does the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Mesa Boogie Mark IV includes built-in effects such as spring reverb, enhancing its tonal versatility without needing additional pedals.
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How many channels does the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head have, and what are they for?
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The Mesa Boogie Mark IV features three channels: clean, rhythm, and lead. This allows for seamless switching between different tones, from pristine cleans to crunchy rhythms and soaring leads.
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Is the Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head suitable for live performances?
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With its 85-watt power output and robust build, the Mesa Boogie Mark IV is well-suited for live performances, providing enough volume and tonal flexibility to handle various performance settings.
Videos
Plague Scythe Studios
Gear Curiosities: Mesa Boogie Mark IV - Amps Don't Get Much Better!
Gear Curiosities: Mesa Boogie Mark IV - Amps Don't Get Much Better!
Plague Scythe Studios
Mesa Mark IV - In Depth Review / Playthrough
Totally Rad Guitars
Mesa Boogie Mark IV Blind Shootout - Pedal, Plugin, or Real Amp?
Plague Scythe Studios
Reviews
PROS
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Extremely versatile with a wide range of tonal capabilities
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Legendary lead channel perfect for tight riffage and lead tones
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Lush clean tones and strong bluesy sounds
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Swiss Army knife of amps, adaptable to almost any genre
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Excellent sustain and ability to dial in new tones continuously
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5-band Graphic EQ enhances customization and sound control
CONS
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Complex to learn; requires time to fully master
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Might not suit those seeking a Marshall-like tone
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa Boogie Mark IV 85 W Head.
Features and functionality
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The Mark IV is praised for its versatility with triode mode, tweed power, and low output volume adjustments for managing volume levels effectively in different settings.
Source -
The treble knob significantly impacts the tone stack; setting it higher tightens the mid-range, beneficial for achieving Metallica-like tones with a scooped sound.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Despite high power, it's noted to perform well at bedroom volumes by using triode mode and channel master volumes to control loudness.
Source -
Owners find that while the Mark IV can produce modern tones, achieving vintage clean tones can be challenging without additional equipment like a Triaxis with EQ in the loop.
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The Mark IV is highly effective for cover gigs and rock bands, capable of driving two cabinets and keeping up with a hard-hitting drummer.
Source
User experience
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The graphic EQ acts more like a traditional EQ while the knobs function akin to a distortion pedal, requiring users to adjust treble high and bass low for optimal performance.
Source -
Owners transitioning from the DC-5 to the Mark IV report it as a definitive upgrade, highlighting its superior tonal capabilities.
Source
Comparisons
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Though loud, using a power attenuator can help manage volume levels, similar to experiences with other high-wattage amps like the Marshall DSL 100 watt.
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The Mark IV is favored over newer models for its punchy, less compressed tone compared to later series, which some find more processed.
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The DC-5, noted for its clean channel borrowed from the Mark IV, offers a darker high-gain mix of rectifier and mark series, providing a different tonal palette.
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The Mark IV's rhythm II channel is comparable to the Mark V's tweed mode, while the "extreme" setting on the Mark IV is a pull knob feature.
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The Mark IV's simul-state power is a hallmark of Mesa's design, delivering a classic and unique tone that distinguishes it from the EL84-powered smaller Mark series.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Older Mesa amps, including the Mark IV, may require servicing soon due to their age, with particular attention needed for electrolytic caps and resistors prone to heat damage.
Source
Other
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Some owners suggest that Mesa amps, including the Mark IV, respond more sensitively to different guitar types, requiring adjustments when switching instruments during use.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
My Greatest Amp I've even Owned
I have had this Mesa Boogie Mark IV for over 20 yrs, and i'm always dialing in a new tone when ever i need it. To me it's that 5 band Graphic EQ that makes this amp work for me.
Artist usage
Add artist
"The electrics are sent to a Framptone amp switcher, which splits the signal off to four different paths. One route goes to a MESA/Boogie amp switcher that selects between a MESA/Boogie Mark IV rackmounted head powering a Hammond 147 Leslie (modified), or a MESA/Boogie Rectifier preamp. The preamp sends its signal to a pair of Digital Music dual stereo line mixers, which blend in the effects: a TC Electronic 2290 delay, TC Electronic 1210 chorus, Eventide Eclipse, dbx 1066 compressor, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Mu-Tron octaver, Foxx Tone distortion, Ampeg overdrive, and Korg DL8000 delay."
Taken from Angel Vivaldi's website and used around 2014-2015.
Favorite piece of gear: "My Mesa/Boogie Mark lV, which l've had for about 20 years, lt took me a long time to handle it the right way, because subtle changes in how you set the controls can make a big difference. But it's really rewarding in the end and more unique sounding than a lot of what's out there."
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 85 W Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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