Well, marks sound pretty bad without the PEQ, that's why the models without it sell for way cheaper. Mesa got the clue and there isn't any EQless Mark IV or V, but up to mark III they made some without EQ.
The good thing about it is that youjust have to alter the PEQ *a bit* to get radically different tones without touching anything else.
For the clip I made above I used a 808 in front and the input trim isn't any higher than 2.5 if I remember well. sounded better to my ears than no pedal and cranking the input trim.
I'll try to come with a more modern tone with it when I have some time. Lowering the bass alone on the PEQ might do the trick.