nosajwp Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 I'm looking to buy one of these in excellent to like-new condition. If you have one you're thinking of selling, please let me know!Heartbreaker 2x12 combo or headMark IV widebody combo or headDC-3 headDC-10 headLonestar Special 2x12 comboLonestar Classic 2x12 comboTremoverb comboThanks guys!
gwayne Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Hi, I don't have an amp for sale but wanted to offer some advice. If you're after that liquid, singing "Boogie" tone, the Heartbreaker ain't gonna get you there - not even close. Mesa marketed this to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mark-I, but to my ears it sounded NOTHING like a Mark (I've had several so I know). Also, the combo is pushing 100lbs. Now the Mark-IV will get you there, but my God you'll tweak it until you drive yourself crazy. Not trying to piss on your parade, just offering up some advice before you're disappointed like I was. I really can't comment on your other choices. Best of luck in your search.
nosajwp Posted January 30, 2007 Author Posted January 30, 2007 Thanks gwayne! That's not the first time I've heard that about the HB, plus the graphics on it don't do much for me.
Scottcrud Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 forget about the MKIV amd DC-10 combo and find a MKIII combo, it's a lot easier to tweak and sounds better than both of those.
nosajwp Posted January 30, 2007 Author Posted January 30, 2007 I've read that the Mk III could be hard to dial in because of the shared eq.I'm also poosibly considering a Maverick as well.
gwayne Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 I've read that the Mk III could be hard to dial in because of the shared eq. Not hard at all. The main complaint people have is the volume jump between "Rhythm 1" and "Rhythm 2". There's a common mod where the Reverb is bypassed and the Reverb pot is used as a Rhythm 2 volume control. The Lead channel has its own master volume so this mod gives each channel its own volume control. What I love about the Mark-III and IV is the footswitchable EQ which is almost like having 6 channels. This allows you to go from, say a PHAT Fender clean in Rhythm 1 to scooped crazy-ass havoc in Lead mode. Awesome, awesome amp. The gain maxed out in the Mark-III is pure metal mayhem. You really should try one. On the used market, you will not lose money if you shop a little and get a feel for prices. I've bought and sold several Marks and I've never lost money on them.
nosajwp Posted January 31, 2007 Author Posted January 31, 2007 I'd love to get my hands on a Mk IV widebody combo, but I'm having a hard time finding one in good condition for the price I want to pay...around $1K.
Scottcrud Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 Well if a MKIII is "hard" to dial in then a MKIV is a "nightmare" to dial in cause you've got twice as many knobs. The way I looked at and used my MKIII was as a 2 channel amp. Clean and Lead, I used Lead for all my chunk rythyms and leads. Forget about Channel 2, cause it kinda sucks, and so does channel 2 on a MKIV. On a MKIII you can get great clean and lead tones with no problem. The main thing to remember is to run the bass low and the treble high and then shape your lowend and highend with the graphic EQ.
Gino Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 I've read that the Mk III could be hard to dial in because of the shared eq. I'm also poosibly considering a Maverick as well. The Mav is a completely different trick pony! The clean channel is more on the Voxy side of things but not as bright, darker and warmer (I love it a lot!). The lead channel doesn't sound Boogie at all (in terms of the Mark series). I perceive it more towards the plexi side of tone (medium gain) and the more vol, the better (true for all tube amps, but for the mav especially ) I love mine a lot !!! Gino
mattb Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 I have a MKIII and MKIV. The MKIV is my main gigging amp so I am thinking of unloading the MKIII. I haven't decided if I want to let it go though. If you are interested I may be swayed.-MattB
e-isle rock Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 I have a MKIII blue stripe head. It sounds killer! Especially with that Centaura you sold me! The shared eq is a little bit of a compromise. But I've been able to dial in nice cleans and leads. I also like the rythym channel. A lot of people don't but I found some uses for it. I have the R2 volume mod and it really helps. Instead of replacing the reverb pot for the R2 mod mine uses the old Direct Out pot. And what Scottcrud said about keeping the bass low, treble high and the EQ is totally true. I also use a Sott's Crisy Cream treblebooster in front of it once in a while that really bumps up the gain. It already has a lot but what the hell!
SteveB Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 Forget about Channel 2, cause it kinda sucks, and so does channel 2 on a MKIV. I never figured out what to do with channel 2 on the Mark IV I had. I was hoping the MIV could do the three channel "clean/crunch/lead" thing but it doesn't seem to work that way. I've heard very few people who are happy with channel 2.
Caddie Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 We could go on all day with Mk3 sucks Mk4 rules, Mk4 sucks Mk3 rules.....more taste less filling.They are both good amps. Yes, knob twiddling is an art/science on them both. Some people find "their sound" quick, some never find it. Read the manual, they are on line at Mesa Manuals. I'd recommend that you try out the dial setting suggestions in the manual. Use that as a starting point and start twiddling from there. I believe there are also some Mesa Fan Clubs that offer setting suggestions, etc.If your music store owner will allow it, twiddle until you cannot take it anymore or until you find "your sound". It probably goes without saying but bring your own guitar for the amp audition.FWIW, I gigged with an Mk4 and found usable sounds for me on all 3 channels, including Ch2. In my case it could be done. It just required some extra twiddling. Gentlemen, scrub up and let the twiddling begin!The Mk4 did not suck for me. YMMVnoonan
HamerHokie Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 My experience with the Lone Star line is that most are 1x12s and the 2x12s are much rarer.
nosajwp Posted February 3, 2007 Author Posted February 3, 2007 Thanks for all the opinions! It's coming down to the final lap, and the T-verb, Maverick, and Heartbreaker are all tied for first...who do you think should win?
Jason01 Posted February 3, 2007 Posted February 3, 2007 I think Doody has a maverick he might be willing to sell.
dermglass Posted February 3, 2007 Posted February 3, 2007 I have a MarkIV combo ,just serviced that I want to sell. It's not a wide body though. Email me @ dermglass@yahoo.com if your interested.
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