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Average Price: $1,862
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$300
$801+
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Description
Immerse yourself in the world of rich, dynamic sound with the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head. This tube amp head is an embodiment of versatility and durability, providing you with a plethora of features and a vast spectrum of tonal shaping capabilities, all housed in a sturdy, road-friendly chassis. Whether you're chasing sparkling clean tones, fat rhythmic breakups, or searing leads, this amplifier head delivers in spades. With Mesa/Boogie's renowned five-band graphic EQ, you've got the freedom to sculpt your sound to your heart's content. In addition, switchable power section modes, spring reverb, and an assignable FX loop make the Mark IV a must-have addition to any serious musician's gear collection.
Key Features:
- Versatile tube amp with a wide range of features
- Two distinct rhythm channels for clean tones and fat breakups
- A lead channel that delivers high-intensity sound
- Five-band graphic EQ for extensive tone shaping
- Switchable power section modes for flexibility
- Spring reverb for added depth of sound
- Assignable FX loop for integrating your favorite effects
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 are the core tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head is renowned for its versatility, offering a wide range of tones from sparkling cleans to aggressive high-gain sounds. Its three channels allow for a diverse tonal palette, making it suitable for various genres from jazz to metal.
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Is the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with its 85-watt output and robust build, the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head is well-suited for live performances. Its power and tonal flexibility ensure it can cut through a mix in both small venues and larger stages.
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How does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head handle effects pedals?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head is designed to work well with effects pedals. Its effects loop allows seamless integration, ensuring that your pedals can enhance your sound without compromising the amp's natural tone.
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What type of power tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head use?
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The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head uses 6L6 and EL34 power tubes, allowing players to choose between different tonal characteristics. This flexibility provides a range of sounds from warm and smooth to bright and aggressive.
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Does the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head have built-in reverb?
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Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head features built-in spring reverb, adding depth and ambiance to your sound. This classic reverb type is known for its warm, natural decay, enhancing both clean and overdriven tones.
Videos
Plague Scythe Studios
Gear Curiosities: Mesa Boogie Mark IV - Amps Don't Get Much Better!
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile, covers a wide range of tones from clean to metal
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Lush clean channel, ideal for blues and jazz
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Legendary lead channel for tight riffage
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Works well with external boosts and EQs for customization
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Long-term learning and discovery of new tones
CONS
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Not for those seeking a Marshall type tone
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Complexity requires time to fully understand and master
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head.
Features and functionality
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The Mark IV's knobs function as pre-gain stages, acting like a distortion pedal, while the graphic EQ serves as the primary tone control.
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The tweed switch, acting like a built-in variac, alters power transformer winding ratios, providing more saturation for lead work at lower volumes.
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The Mark IV can achieve classic Metallica and 80s thrash tones, praised for its punchy, less compressed sound compared to newer Mesa models.
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Use cases and applications
User experience
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Owners find the manual crucial for setup due to the amp's complexity, suggesting multiple readings for optimal use.
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Despite occasional long periods of disuse, returning to the Mark IV consistently yields satisfying tones, reinforcing its value as a classic amp.
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Owners report that Mesa amps, including the Mark IV, are highly sensitive to different guitars, requiring frequent adjustments when switching instruments.
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Comparisons
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The Rev A and B versions are considered similar in performance; condition is prioritized over version when purchasing.
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The Mark IV is noted for achieving precise Dream Theater and Metallica tones, making it a unique choice for fans of these specific sounds.
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The Mark IV's EQ circuits are noted as unusual, making it tricky to dial in compared to simpler models like the Filmore and Express, which have more traditional control layouts.
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Setup and maintenance
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Retubing multiple tube amps, including the Mark IV, can be costly, with estimates around $500 for comprehensive maintenance on several units.
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Older Mesa Boogie amps like the Mark IV require attention as they age, with specific issues like resistor overheating needing preemptive replacement for reliability.
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It's noted that Mesa amps can be challenging to service due to a shortage of trained techs, with factory servicing being more efficient than local options.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
According to producer Karl Bauerfeind, a Mesa Boogie Mark IV was used by Rolf for all of the rhythm guitar tracks on Black Hand Inn.
In this post jack shows off his mesa mark iv. His amp is an early 90s model. This amp was used on bayside albums such as sirens, self titled, and walking wounded. This was also his live amp until 06
In this video, Sergey Golovin is seen using a Mark IV head for his playthrough.
Cameran Nelson is shown using the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head in the video "Cameran Nelson - 90.1 KPFT & Texas Roadhouse Live," as provided by the source author, Brian Lalley, on YouTube.
Equipment used during recording:
- Warmoth Custom Tele w/ Seymour Duncan pickups
- Gibson Explorer
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IV for most distorted tones
- Carvin Legacy for cleans and some overdrive
- Line 6 DL-4 and FM-4 pedals
- Digitech Whammy
- Boss RV-5 and RC-2
Used from 1995-2014. Dave Genn used the rack variant of the MK IV and had it in a Mesa SUS-4 rack along with a Korg DT-1 Pro all being powered via a Furman PL-PLUS
Listed among Jones' gear in the May 1991 Musician interview "Fishbone Swims Upstream To Spawn Its Punk-Funk Hybrid" by Roy Trakin.
KENDALL REY JONES' "Rack o' Doom" includes two MESA Boogie 2x12 cabinets with EV speakers, a Furman Power Conditioner and Light Module, a Samson Broadcast STD Series channel switcher with 10-channel capacity, a dbx 160X compressor limiter, a 32-band IEQ-ART MIDI-programmable EQ, a t.c. electronics 2290 digital delay and effects controller, two Eventide M-3000s, including the SE with the "real cool crazy psycho-effects." His axes include a '57 Strat reissue he's gutted and rebuit with Seymour Duncan live wire pickups and a Floyd Rose tremolo. He uses a Switch 2 L for all the amp and MIDI switching and running two MESA/Boogie Mark IVs in stereo. His other guitar is a Tom Anderson Pro-Am custom-built in Sylmar, California, with Stay-in-Tune strings. He also uses a Jim Dunlop Cry Baby wah-wah pedal and "various secret stomp boxes I can't tell you about."
Charles Elliot, guitarist for Abysmal Dawn, confirms in a rig rundown with MetalSucks that he uses the Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head. Elliot states,
This has been my main head and source of my sound for a long time. The versatility of this thing is ridiculous. It has a really tight attack to it which is good for really fast and tech-death style riffing as well as classic thrash.
Album Usage
The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV Amp Head has been featured on the following albums:
Good Thing Going
Cameran Nelson (2015)
Happy To Beer
Cameran Nelson (2013)
Option Paralysis
The Dillinger Escape Plan (2010)
The Walking Wounded
Bayside (2008)
Suspended Animation
John Petrucci (2005)
Bayside
Bayside (2005)
Sirens And Condolences
Bayside (2004)
Swans Are Dead: Live '95-'97
Swans (2003)
Freak Show
Silverchair (1997)
Load (Remastered)
Metallica (1996)
Black Hand Inn
Running Wild (1994)
Angel Dust
Faith No More (1992)
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 Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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