Question for Mesa/Boogie MarkIV owners - Reverb - how subtle

john w · #1 11-20-2001, 01:36 PM

I got my MKIV a couple of months ago and I love it.
It's a tone monster. However, It seems as if the reverb channel is very subtle, I don't hear much of a difference between having the reverb on 3 or on 10. I'm not expecting
it to mimic a Fender Super Twin, but I expected it to be a little stronger than it is. If any of you have run into this before, or if this is just the way it is, please let me know. I'll be taking a cruise to my nearest Boogie dealer later in the week, but figured I'd ask here first. Thanks in advance for any help....

John W

p.s. Boogie says it is a subtle reverb, but I should be able to hear the difference......

lgascoig · #2 11-20-2001, 05:51 PM

Boogies have traditionally minimal reverbs. *I think it's more of a coloration than an actual reverb effect, surf guitar players need not apply...

vaijem777 · #3 11-20-2001, 05:57 PM

I'm in love with my Mark IV head too, and the reverb is VERY subtle. *Cranked, I can definitely hear it-it's too much. *I leave mine at about 5 or 6, and it's definitely there, but it's not overpowering. *Definitely not a Fender-type reverb.

john w · #4 11-21-2001, 02:46 PM

Thanks for the reply guys, *I do appreciate it.
Apparently then mine might be just fine. It does seem to be
more of a coloration type effect *I wasn't expecting to be di*k
Dale with this amp, just a plain ol' di*k

thanks again!

John W

lgascoig · #5 11-21-2001, 06:14 PM

On the plus side it does keep you from getting into tasteless regions with the reverb. *I had a couple friends who would always have tons of reverb while they were playing stuff like Metallica and I'd just have to shake my head in disgust every time. *Move the same guy onto a Boogie and he can still set his reverb to 5-6 but this time it won't make his tone sound lame.

john w · #6 11-26-2001, 12:59 PM

I acquired a used MK IV reverb tank on E-bay just as a precaution, only cost me $43, so I figured if I ever rack mount my head, at least I wouldn't have to transfer mine from the original head. As it turns out, the reverb tank WAS the issue. I haven't figured out what's wrong with the tank yet
but I wasn't crazy! The replacement works fine, HUGE difference in the reverb sound. The one thing I learned is that the rack tanks and the head/combo tanks ARE different. I had to pry off the sheet metal cover from the old one, and use automotive adhesive to attach it to the new one. At least Mesa used double sided tape and didn't spot weld the metal cover on. Damn, if I only had a Dremmel!

John W

lgascoig · #7 11-26-2001, 05:18 PM

You're still not getting surf reverb though right?

john w · #8 11-27-2001, 01:39 PM

No, not at all, but having the reverb on 10 is WAY too much! lol. HUGE difference in BARELY any reverb, even on 10, to my "nice" setting around 2 or 3. No "Richard" Dale surf king for me......thank God! At least it wasn't something in the reverb circut causing me problems.

John W

Kremlin · #9 11-27-2001, 10:21 PM

Hmm.. I've got pretty subtle reverb at 10.. wonder if my tank is damaged?

john w · #10 11-28-2001, 03:19 PM

I'm sure "subtle" is VERY subjective to the listeners ear as well. The reverb bon my Crate GX-40C for example is
unusable (for me) at anything higher than 5. I can use the reverb on 10 with the Boogie, it's just not very pleasant to my ear. The Boogie on 10 equates to the crate at around 4 or 5.
You should be just able to hear that little bit of slap back reverb on 3-4 on your Boogie. If you can't, you may be in the same predicament I was in .......

John W