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About 4 years ago I came into possession of MkIII 15084 dated 4/85 (no GEQ with reverb and presence, white Tolex). Sent it straight to Petaluma for the complete service and R2 mod and have been enjoying it ever since. Mike B. was very helpful with advice and history!

His vids are super informative. I think I’ve watched them all twice. The more I research, the more I think the loop mod isn’t really what I need because: 1. I don’t want more gain. 2. I don’t want to sacrifice any clean tone. 3. I can balance both channels pretty well. 4. I like the IIB as is...

Got my Mark III back last week and have to say that it sounds great! Got the R2 mod and now have 3 balanced and useful channels; got a full “going over”, got the reverb fixed, and got a friendly follow-up email from Mike B explaining everything he did in detail. Great customer service, great...

Excellent suggestion as well, thanks!

So that’s what the R2 mod is then? Sounds useful. Probably get that if it makes all 3 channels useful at once.

Not sure. I’m certainly open to improvements. Not a gain seeker, so not sure which mods to consider.

Sharpie date on the chassis is “4/85”. Sent it to Petaluma 2 days ago. Powered up fine and everything glowed, but no sound. Tried all the obvious stuff to no avail. Had a fried pre-amp tube (tip broken with white scorching inside). Looked untouched inside the chassis, so it needed servicing...

Just realized I didn’t throw my question into the post. Quick one: Did the MkIII production really start at 15000? Thanks!

Seems real early: SR12, no stripe, CP10 circuit board dated 1984, SN: 150XX, white tolex with leather corners secured with horse shoe nails, Build date 4/85. Got some bulging caps and smells like it needs service. It’s going back to Cali as soon as I can get a RMA. Pics coming...

I’m sure I’ll have it serviced, but I’m not sure if the loop mod is for me. I’ve got the sounds I’m looking for and both channels balanced pretty well.

SRG - February of 1982.

Loving this amp! It threw me a little at first, but after reading up on how to dial it in here on this board - all I can say is “all right!”. I even found settings that let me use both channels without compromise (to me anyway). Awesome! Thanks again everyone! I’m hooked on Boogie!

Ha! Great stuff! I’m pretty sure a MkIII is in my future as well!

So what’s the deal with IIBs being so different, even during same model years? Some have good reverb, some have good FX loops, some have both (or neither) etc. Was Boogie just constantly innovating and improving as they built, was it component availability, was it due to personal style between...

Thanks for the insight regarding your experience with ‘Cats and Boogies, something I’ll definitely look out for. The fact that you prefer IIB cleans to a vintage Tremo certainly speaks volumes and really has me looking forward to hearing them. Sound like the Mesa techs sort of guide you through...

I kind of feel the same way. It’s like having Neal Moser service your ‘79 Mockingbird. A certain intangible feeling of “full circle”. Thanks again for sharing your experience!

Interesting. You pay Mesa for the tune-up and Mike separately. Thanks for that info. What did you do with yours, just the loop mod? Do you sacrifice anything more than that tiny bit of clean? I understand that it gives you a “master-master” volume and helps balance the channels, which is...

All great info, thanks for your reply! I’ve pulled the trigger on the IIB. It’s an early’82, unmodified 60w with reverb and GEQ. I plan to send it back to Petaluma for a checkup. Can you tell me more about how that went for you please? Did you talk to Mike B, did you get any other mods, do you...

Thanks for the info and great demos! I watched them all and learned a lot about the subtleties that separate the II and III. The IIB can certainly do the Metallica sounds for sure. You aren’t by chance an artillery dude, are you?

Great analogy! Really puts it in perspective. My fear (knowing how I get about gear) is that I’m on the precipice of a giant rabbit hole - and your suggestion “buy both” will eventually happen (and them some). Thanks for the pics as well! Always been a “form follows function” type who preferred...