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Post subject: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:56 am
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Hi,

Love this forum.

I Have a Mustang III and am thinking seriously of adding the IV. I like the idea of having a backup, and think the IV would make a great gigging/ band practice amp to my III, which I could use for home use. Even thought the III has been a good gigging amp, will I get a better sound out of the four. Or, is it just louder? Is there a marked difference between the two. Has anyone run a side by side comparison? Will the IV give me a wider, thicker sound? Will the same preset sound different in both amps?

Thanks in advance for your replies.


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:47 pm
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I own a MIII, but originally tried out the M IV because GC in Indy didn't have a III in stock at the time. I was sold in 5 minutes on the Mustang. But then had to compare the two models online for about a week before I decided which one to buy.

The IV has the 4-button footswitch standard, while the III only comes with the 2-button. (You can find the 4-button switch online for about $39.00.)

The extra power in the IV amp is only a 50% power increase over the III, which isn't really a lot of difference. Physics dictates the need for doubling the power output for a 3db gain in volume, which is just audible. The difference is in "headroom" or the ability to get a little more punch without the power amp going into clipping. The IV also is a stereo amp (75 Watts per channel) If I remember right, it also has external speaker jacks, which the MIII doesn't have. (I wish it did!) Someone may need to correct me on this one.

The main difference will be in the speaker cabinet. 2-12" speakers side by side instead of a single 12" sounds a bit "bigger." Some would say darker. I just noticed a bit more punch in the low end. More of a solid foundation under fat chords. Though I don't think it was a drastic difference. My guess is that most presets will sound about the same, with a little tweaking needed between the two amps to account for tonal differences between the cabinets.

You can compare other technical specs online.

The question... Is the difference worth an extra $150 - $200 and the extra backache of hauling around a larger amp? Although it isn't really a lot heaver than the MIII.

I traded in a vintage 1977 Ampeg VT-22 on my MIII. I was the original owner (bought it with my HS graduation money). I hated to part with it, but it weighed a ton (over a hundred US pounds) and was severe overkill for what I was ever going to play.

The bottom line is. Go play both of them for a while and see if you need to pay the difference.

I am satisfied with the 36 pound single 12 cabinet on my MIII. Any additional guts I need in my small venue can be added by adjusting the EQ on the amp. And my back thanks me every day!

Others may have bigger needs.

Have fun!

Ken - NM9P

laywrite wrote:
Hi,

Love this forum.

I Have a Mustang III and am thinking seriously of adding the IV. I like the idea of having a backup, and think the IV would make a great gigging/ band practice amp to my III, which I could use for home use. Even thought the III has been a good gigging amp, will I get a better sound out of the four. Or, is it just louder? Is there a marked difference between the two. Has anyone run a side by side comparison? Will the IV give me a wider, thicker sound? Will the same preset sound different in both amps?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

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1976 Alvarez Acoustic w/fishbine pickup; '98 American Series Strat (custom rewired); Modded Gibson Les Paul.
Mustang III; Crate v33 2-12; Raven G20; Digitech RP-2000; Morley Bad Horsie 2; various Danelectric stomps ...


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:39 am
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Thank you very much. My goal with adding the IV is bring on stage a fuller more vibrant sound. I am hoping the IV will do this.


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:54 pm
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I have the Mustang IV. It does not have an output for an external speaker by the way, just effects send and return. But then I can't imagine a scenario where you'd want an extension speaker. I went to the store wanting the III to wow me. I did not want to buy the IV unless the difference bowled me over. Well, it did. It is just bigger, aurally speaking. It moves some serious air. I wouldn't call it darker. It's warmer, and to me more organic sounding. I didn't get to comparing loudness between the two - by the time I heard the A/B comparison that was all I needed. I walked out with a bigger, heavier amp than I wanted to, but have never regretted it, especially with gigging. It's really not that heavy an amp considering it's a 2x12. Oh, and the 4 button footswitch is a big asset to me as well.


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:40 pm
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laywrite wrote:
Hi,

Love this forum.

I Have a Mustang III and am thinking seriously of adding the IV. I like the idea of having a backup, and think the IV would make a great gigging/ band practice amp to my III, which I could use for home use. Even thought the III has been a good gigging amp, will I get a better sound out of the four. Or, is it just louder? Is there a marked difference between the two. Has anyone run a side by side comparison? Will the IV give me a wider, thicker sound? Will the same preset sound different in both amps?

Thanks in advance for your replies.


If you want a wider, more strident sound, you should get a second Mustang III, use both and split your guitar input with a pedal - stereo digital delay or flange. Having 2 Mustang III's EQ'd differently or using different amp models should give you an incredible stereo effect.


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:56 pm
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I've got a III and V head that I use with a 2x12 cab wired in stereo. To be honest, I bought the V to gig with, but I usually just take the III instead - the sound guy always just mics one speaker so the stereo effect doesn't buy you much. If I were you, I'd put the money into a upgraded speaker - I've got a Eminence Gov'nor in my III right now and Eminence Cannabis Rex(es) in my 2x12 cab - both are great speakers. If you like a little more sparkle, get the Cannabis, if you like a little more balls, the Gov'nor is all you need. Both speakers are huge improvements over the stock speaker - just my .02 ;)


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:15 pm
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I may have to consider it for my V412. The Rocket 50 speakers are really leaving much to be desired. The special 12" in my Mustang 2 sounds better.

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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:21 am
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Replacing the speaker in the III? Never thought of that as an option. You did this and it sounded much better? Has anyone else replaced the speaker in their III? I am having issues with the speaker distorting the sound on some of my crunchier tones at high volume.

Are there different speakers in the IV than the III?

Also wanted to add the IV just in case the computer dies in one of the maps, I have a backup.


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Post subject: Re: Sound difference between the III & IV
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:26 am
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So I pulled the trigger and added a IV...and man am I glad I did. What a HUGE difference between the III and IV. I was pretty shocked at how much better the IV sounds:

The III is brighter, with highs coming though over the lows. The sound seems compacted, and even though it sounds good, the difference between the two is comparable to listening to a stock stereo and a BOSE.

The IV gives off a warmer, meatier sound. The lows seem to fill the room with the highs in the background. The sound is MUCH bigger, less 'blurry' for lack of a better word. It's just a better sounding amp, through and through.

My observations: the III is good, but the IV really delivers.


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