Wondering what the opinions are of the folks here. I'm looking at a used Boogie Mark IV head. Seller is asking 1100. I'd be looking to pair this amp with the 7 string Majesty I should be getting later this month. Any thoughts? Is this amp worth it? I'd love a JP2C, but at 2500 for the head alone, that's probably not an option for me.
Need opinion on a used amp
- Thread starter LesPaul
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Kinjin
Well-known member
If you don't buy it, let me know and I will.
AgustinJP50
Well-known member
It depends really. I'm assuming Majesty 7 string + Boogie Mark = You're just going for a tone similar to JP's. And that's great. However, whether the Mark IV is a good choice or not depends on your needs. Do you play exclusively at home? If so, can you turn your amp up to gig/rehearsal levels? Or you can't get past TV volumes? Do you have a band? Do you play other styles of music apart from Progressive Metal? How many sounds do you need to be able to switch between on the fly (I mean, without having to change your amp's settings?
With those details, we can have a clearer picture to give you a more appropriate answer.
With those details, we can have a clearer picture to give you a more appropriate answer.
Right now, I play exclusively at home, although I do want to get back into playing with other people in an informal setting. JP is my main influence but I do like to mess around with other styles as well: Clapton, Timmons, Gilmour, Rhoads, Hendrix. While playing at home, I'll be pretty restricted to low volume levels.
Just to add, in strictly a home setting, I know I could probably live with a single channel amp, but since I want to eventually get back to an informal band setting, I was thinking a multiple channel amp would be the better way to go. I'm not a fan of distortion pedals, so I want something with a solid high gain channel and a clean channel as well so I dont need to rely on the guitars volume knob and hoping the high gain channel will clean up well enough when dialing it down. That what a did back in the 80s with my old jcm800. Not ideal and always a compromise between the two sounds.
Sorry for rambling, but the mk iv seller is willing to take 900 for the head. Almost seems like to sweet a deal to pass up, but if you guys think Id be better served with something else, I'd listen since most of you likey have more recent experience than I do.
kestrou
Well-known member
What's it cost to re-tube that bad mamma jamma?
Anytime you buy something like that be prepared to re-tube it, cause the prior owner may have ridden her hard and put her in the barn wet...
Just a possibility to be prepared for - now get that beast in hand!
Kevin
Anytime you buy something like that be prepared to re-tube it, cause the prior owner may have ridden her hard and put her in the barn wet...
Just a possibility to be prepared for - now get that beast in hand!
Kevin
AgustinJP50
Well-known member
What Kevin points out above is a possibility you always have to consider. You may not have to change preamp tubes, but you may find yourself having to change power tubes not too long after the purchase if the owner has never changed them or has used the amp a lot with those tubes.
Regarding your needs, I'd say just snatch that Mark IV up! I was thinking about suggesting the Mark III, but you definitely won't find a good clean, crunch and high gain at the same time in that amp without changing the settings. While I am able to footswitch between a clean and a high gain sound that are both superb for my needs, I know there are many people that haven't been able to achieve that and view it as a compromise.
At the end of the day, it's always best if you can try the amp first. That's what happened to me, as I was always hearing how you "couldn't get both a great clean sound and a crushing high gain sound at the same time from the Mark III because it shares its' controls". However, I found one in a music store, just laying there, forgotten, and was able to try it out. Having read the manual previously, I knew exactly how the controls worked, and I was able to get both a superb clean and an awesome high gain sound (for my taste at least) at the same time! If I hadn't been able to try it out, I would probably have never considered it as an option.
The other alternative is to find a used Mark V for even more flexibility, but I'd snatch that Mark IV for that price and then try a Mark V down the road.
Sorry for rambling too much and best of luck!
Regarding your needs, I'd say just snatch that Mark IV up! I was thinking about suggesting the Mark III, but you definitely won't find a good clean, crunch and high gain at the same time in that amp without changing the settings. While I am able to footswitch between a clean and a high gain sound that are both superb for my needs, I know there are many people that haven't been able to achieve that and view it as a compromise.
At the end of the day, it's always best if you can try the amp first. That's what happened to me, as I was always hearing how you "couldn't get both a great clean sound and a crushing high gain sound at the same time from the Mark III because it shares its' controls". However, I found one in a music store, just laying there, forgotten, and was able to try it out. Having read the manual previously, I knew exactly how the controls worked, and I was able to get both a superb clean and an awesome high gain sound (for my taste at least) at the same time! If I hadn't been able to try it out, I would probably have never considered it as an option.
The other alternative is to find a used Mark V for even more flexibility, but I'd snatch that Mark IV for that price and then try a Mark V down the road.
Sorry for rambling too much and best of luck!
luiscesaripad
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2013
- Messages
- 121
Look for an EGNATER TOURMASTER, the used combos are going around $800. This amp is amazing. Four channels of great tones.
If you can grab the Mesa for that price I would do it. The tubes may or may not be fine, you will never know until you start using it. That amp has some odd ways of dialing it in but once you learn the secrets to it and such, it is a great amp. I miss mine and wouldn't hesitate getting another one if I really needed an amp....(which I need another amp like a hole in the head). Good luck with it!
Got her. Now to find a deal on a cab. Need an effects unit too. Just delay and mod effects. I don't want any of the amp modeling stuff.
Went and tried it out with my cheap Schecter 7 string. Seller was a nice guy and a huge EBMM fan. I think he had at least 5 Balls. Must've felt bad for me because he handed me his Luke after about 10 minutes on my cheapo. As soon as I heard the amp with the Luke plugged in, I knew I had to have it. Can't wait for my Majesty to arrive.
Went and tried it out with my cheap Schecter 7 string. Seller was a nice guy and a huge EBMM fan. I think he had at least 5 Balls. Must've felt bad for me because he handed me his Luke after about 10 minutes on my cheapo. As soon as I heard the amp with the Luke plugged in, I knew I had to have it. Can't wait for my Majesty to arrive.
kestrou
Well-known member
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog - but... Pics my friend!
Watcha looking for on a cab? I recently picked up a great Matchless 2x12. Might not be what you're after, but it really fits my needs.
Kevin
Watcha looking for on a cab? I recently picked up a great Matchless 2x12. Might not be what you're after, but it really fits my needs.
Kevin
AgustinJP50
Well-known member
Look for used Mesa cabs, used 4x12s or Vertical 2x12s. I've seen 4x12s go for $400 IIRC. If you want something smaller until you can buy a bigger cab, look for used Thieles. They are 1x12 but sound bigger because they are ported. Usually you can score good deals at The Boogie Board, also look on Craigslist, some crazy deals there too.
Good luck and report back!
P.s.: if you need help with the settings and finding your sound, first of all, read the manual!! (It can be downloaded online) Then, ask on The Boogie Board.
Good luck and report back!
P.s.: if you need help with the settings and finding your sound, first of all, read the manual!! (It can be downloaded online) Then, ask on The Boogie Board.
Seller gave me his printout of the manual. Almost feel like I could spend a bunch of time reading it while I wait for the Majesty to arrived before getting serious about tweaking. After hearing how much better the seller's Luke sounded through it (even with me playing it) than my piece of junk Schecter, I have almost no desire to play the old guitar anymore. Hopefully only 3 more weeks according to my rep at Sweetwater.
Now I'm starting to research multi-effects units.
Thank you all to everyone here for the advice. This is a great forum!
AgustinJP50
Well-known member
Congrats! It is a great place indeed, let's hope it gets to you in three weeks or less! By all means, read the manual, you'll find it's an easy read. Maybe what you could do is, as you are reading it, plug in your guitar just to hear the effect each control has. Not to hear how the amp sounds as it'll sound much better with the Majesty, but to give you a sonic picture of each knob to compliment what you are reading in the manual. If once you start tweaking you still have doubts, drop by the The Boogie Board, some of us here are also members there.
Regarding multi-effects units, what do you need it to do and what's your budget?
Regarding multi-effects units, what do you need it to do and what's your budget?
At a minimum I'd want delay, chorus, flanger and perhaps a preamp. Of course the preamp may not be a necessity considering the Majesty has one built in. A looper would also be nice. I've been starting to research the Boss GT 100 because, from what I'm readibg, that may allow me to choose where in the signal chain the effects will go. Something referred to as the 4 cable method. Just started reading about it, so I don't know all the details. Any other suggestions?
AgustinJP50
Well-known member
Yeah, what RockyStar said is true, every piece matters, from the guitar and amp down to the cables (which are often given much less importance than they actually have).
LesPaul, by "preamp" I assume you mean a boost/overdrive circuit and not a preamp emulator, right?
Yes, the "4-cable method" allows you to split your multi effects unit so that some effects go between the guitar and the input of the amp, and others go through the loop. Some devices allow you to assign which (and how many) effects go where, while others have a fixed chain of effects. IMO, it'd be best if you could buy a unit that can be connected using the 4-cable method, as you'll be able to have just one unit to handle all your effects without having to add individual pedals apart from a multi effects unit. However, I'm not aware of any high quality units that feature a built-in looper.
My last recommendation (without knowing what your budget is) would be to try to keep the multi effects unit as close to the amp as possible to minimize the cable length, and use a MIDI controller to control the unit.
Hope that helps!
LesPaul, by "preamp" I assume you mean a boost/overdrive circuit and not a preamp emulator, right?
Yes, the "4-cable method" allows you to split your multi effects unit so that some effects go between the guitar and the input of the amp, and others go through the loop. Some devices allow you to assign which (and how many) effects go where, while others have a fixed chain of effects. IMO, it'd be best if you could buy a unit that can be connected using the 4-cable method, as you'll be able to have just one unit to handle all your effects without having to add individual pedals apart from a multi effects unit. However, I'm not aware of any high quality units that feature a built-in looper.
My last recommendation (without knowing what your budget is) would be to try to keep the multi effects unit as close to the amp as possible to minimize the cable length, and use a MIDI controller to control the unit.
Hope that helps!
The Presence controls on all the Boogie Mark series amps is very effective. Enjoy your amp. It's a very good one.
Looper: I've got the Boomerang 3. It's incredible. If that's too much too soon for you, though, the tc electronic Ditto is a great buy.
Looper: I've got the Boomerang 3. It's incredible. If that's too much too soon for you, though, the tc electronic Ditto is a great buy.
