Are the Mk 1 reissues well thought of?

[Old Cane]

I have been looking for a smaller, lighter, lower wattage amp than my Mk IIb that also has reverb and will do what a boogie will do. No much luck other than just a smaller boogie but I always seem to miss out on the deals on the subway reverb rockets and studio 22s. So today I found a Mk 1 reissue locally and it looks like just the deal....other than it probably weighs even more. I was just wondering how these are regarded by boogie folks like me. I bought my mk II in 1983 and haven't really looked at another amp since so I haven't really kept up.

 

[Old Cane]

I guess that answers my question.

 

[GIG4FUN]

I guess that answers my question.

kind of I suppose...

I know they are very low on my wish list for sure. I would find a Mark III (green stripe) if I were you. You'll gain a few things over the IIB. But I don't know a whole lot, that's just me. I Know if made to choose I would buy another Mark III before I would get a Mark I original or re-issue for USING it. I would only get one for collection/bragging rights. I can not afford to do it for those reasons. If I buy something I have to like it enough to use it regularly.

 

[MarkofXlnts]

I have a Mark I reissue head in orange bronco with a wicker cane grille. I love mine and will not part with it. I have used mine in a variety of applications that include clean only, clean with pedals, dirty, and dirty with a booster thrown in front. I have managed to find great tones in each application. The reverb is lacking a bit when compared to some of Mesa's newer offerings, but it still sounds great and I appreciate the simple but highly effective layout. The Mark I is a breath of fresh air after playing with the Mark IV. Of the two, I prefer the Mark I, but they both have their place. The Mark I is very simple and toneful. FYI, I have also owned the Mark III and found the Mark I to be best suited to my needs. I have used the Mark I for blues, rock, classic rock, and 80's metal (achieved with a booster and humbuckers). If you don't need ultra-high gain you should give the Mark I a chance. I think it's more organic sounding than my Mark IV or Studio Caliber.

 

[GIG4FUN]

I have a Mark I reissue head in orange bronco with a wicker cane grille. I love mine and will not part with it. I have used mine in a variety of applications that include clean only, clean with pedals, dirty, and dirty with a booster thrown in front. I have managed to find great tones in each application. The reverb is lacking a bit when compared to some of Mesa's newer offerings, but it still sounds great and I appreciate the simple but highly effective layout. The Mark I is a breath of fresh air after playing with the Mark IV. Of the two, I prefer the Mark I, but they both have their place. The Mark I is very simple and toneful. FYI, I have also owned the Mark III and found the Mark I to be best suited to my needs. I have used the Mark I for blues, rock, classic rock, and 80's metal (achieved with a booster and humbuckers). If you don't need ultra-high gain you should give the Mark I a chance. I think it's more organic sounding than my Mark IV or Studio Caliber.

Good to hear. I am not a metal/heavy distorton user. I play crunchy and may take a stab at getting a Mark I sooner than later now. I thought they were a one channel amp? true?

 

[zebpedersen]

Ignoring whether or not it's a reissue or not (and the originals are invariably going to be regarded as superior) the Mark I is an absolute beast of an amp, it really sounds like nothing else. An educated ear can tell apart a Mark II, III or IV, but anyone can hear the difference between a Mark I and anything else - it's totally unique. If you're looking for a 'new sound' but don't want to leave the Boogie stable - which obviously would be a terrible mistake - then the Mark I, reissue or not, is a fantastic choice.

In terms of buying an amp for it's weight, though....look elsewhere. Like at a 15w solid-state Marshall or something! Boogies always and will forever weigh an absolute ton. Just be glad you're not getting a 15", believe me!

Good to hear. I am not a metal/heavy distorton user. I play crunchy and may take a stab at getting a Mark I sooner than later now. I thought they were a one channel amp? true?

Yes, they are a single channel/dual input affair. Some of them can A/B'd to change inputs one and two with a switching unit, but others (like mine) don't have that facility. I've never actually played one which does, but Tony at Startouch says that there are some models which can take a switching unit. A lot of originals have been modified for a channel footswitch anyways. To be honest, you can get a lot of mileage out of changing guitars or just using your volume control. Reissue or original, it's a superb amp.

 

[MarkofXlnts]

It's good to see some love for the Mark I, it truly is a great amp and I feel it gets overlooked because of its simplicity and age. The lack of channel switching does not bother me, if I need more than one sound I can use pedals with the clean settings. Otherwise, some delay in the loop (reissue, not sure if the originals had an fx loop...) and the guitar's volume control is generally all that's needed in my opinion.

 

[zebpedersen]

It's good to see some love for the Mark I, it truly is a great amp and I feel it gets overlooked because of its simplicity and age. The lack of channel switching does not bother me, if I need more than one sound I can use pedals with the clean settings. Otherwise, some delay in the loop (reissue, not sure if the originals had an fx loop...) and the guitar's volume control is generally all that's needed in my opinion.

No loop on the 'original' originals, but loads of them have had loops added aftermarket (my 15" has a loop, for example). Absolutely superb amplifier, no question about it - bags and bags of personality, and let's not forget the fact that these were the first small combos to bring a Ma***ll stack to it's knees heavvvyyyyyy!

 

[dancullinane]

You have the right amp in the IIB. If you're looking for a bit of a change have Mike B do the effects loop mod. Better tone and makes the reverb more usable. The Mark I is nice but IMH not as useful as the IIB. The mark III...that's like driving an older Vette compared to a newer. The old ones are good...but the new ones outperform on all levels.

DC

 

[igfraso]

As far as I know, the Mark I and the II-B are different amps from the start because the tone controls are placed in different parts of the circuit. In the Mark I, two preamp stages are placed before the tone controls (looser sound) while, in the Mark II-B, there is only one gain stage before the tone controls (tighter sound).

I was told by Mesa that the Vintage Mark I was a little bit inconsistant and that it is a matter of luck whether you find an excellent sounding or an average sounding amp. The Reissue Mark Is are more consistant and sort of middle of the road soundwise between the excellent and the average vintage Mark Is.

I found in eBay a vintage '77 head signed by RCS and I decided to run the risk. I sent it to Mike Bendinelli for a clean up and he told me it sounded great, so my bet payed off.

I asked Mike:
- can I use it as a "2-channel amp" by switching the gain boost in and out? Reply: yes, but it could sound a little harsh; it might be better to use the volume control in the guitar.
- the graphic EQ doesn't seem to be very useful; anything wrong with it? Reply: that is the way it was designed; Mike suggested modding the GEQ and moving it after the master.
- is there any way I can nail exactly Santana's sound (of course, without being Santana myself :lol: )? Reply: Mike can tweak it for you to get the Lotus sound out of the amp.

So a Reissue I is a very reliable amp that you can buy one through eBay without even listening to it. When you are buying a Vintage I, you are taking your chances.
Regards

 

[phyrexia]

The only reason they discontinued the Mark I is because the amp is wholly and fully inside the Mark V, I believe.

 

[phyrexia]

- the graphic EQ doesn't seem to be very useful; anything wrong with it? Reply: that is the way it was designed; Mike suggested modding the GEQ and moving it after the master.

This is a very commonly performed mod. JOEY B. had a '78 IIRC with this mod.

 

[JOEY B.]

- the graphic EQ doesn't seem to be very useful; anything wrong with it? Reply: that is the way it was designed; Mike suggested modding the GEQ and moving it after the master.

This is a very commonly performed mod. JOEY B. had a '78 IIRC with this mod.

Mine had that done as part of the "Post FX Level" mod, a-la Mark IIB.

 

[Ultramog]

My M1RI does a beautiful rich roots clean in input 2. I'm usually in input 1 where it goes from a semi-dark warm clean (Kenny Burrell) straight through Albert King to noisier stuff; maybe Bonamassa or classic B. F. Gibbons. I was looking for warm saturation in the upper mids and highs without compromising bass definition and that mid-chest thump, and I got it. The cascading pres offer great control of the overdrive and the 6L6s bring the headroom. Reverb is nothing to write home about, but I keep it at 1 1/2 and it warms things up enough.

 

[zebpedersen]

I was looking for warm saturation in the upper mids and highs without compromising bass definition and that mid-chest thump, and I got it.

Try a 15", the speaker gives you so much warmth and tight, defined bass - and because the Mark I has such an awesome mid/high gain tone the combination is quite breathtaking

 

[MarkofXlnts]

I decided to revisit this thread as I recently had to make a decision regarding my Boogie amps. I needed to sell two of the three, and the Mark I is the amp I decided to keep. The Mark IV and Studio Caliber were fun, but lacked the "vibe" or "mojo" of the Mark I. I have never tried a Mark II, but have owned the Mark III and the Mark IV. For my needs, the Mark I wins hands-down. It sounds immense through both of the Thieles. If I need more gain and tighter bass response I run my FullDrive II into the lead input, this gets me into 80's hard rock territory with the Les Paul. I almost overlooked this amp, I was originally looking for another Mark III and was initially turned off by the Mark I's simplicity and lack of features. I took a chance and I am glad I did. If your looking for a Mark series amp don't count this one out. In my own "battle of the Boogies" the Mark I has become the winner.

 

[zebpedersen]

Shame to hear about the other amps, but glad to hear some love for the Mark I. You're right about people wrongly overlooking it - and with a drive pedal in front (or even without) it can give you plenty of gain and/or versatility.

In fact, whenever I play any RATM, it's my first port of call, no pedals

 

[Blue Gilbo]

I've only owned one tyoe of Boogie...a Mark 1 Reissue. It'll be the last tube amp I will ever own.

The best comment I can make is that I wish I had this amp 30 years ago. I plan on keeping it until I can't lift it anymore LOL!

 

[Kendall]

I can't say enough good things about my Mark 1 RI. It's a head that I use with an Avatar 1x12 cab (loaded with a Celestion Lead 80) and it's absolutely fantastic. I keep mine on 60 watts using the Tweed mode and always through Input 2 with a few pedals up front. I'd like to keep it forever, but I'm in a situation where I'm going to need to come off of it in the immediate future. I can only hope to find another one at some point later down the road.

 

[AndréMK1r]

Hi,

I'm new here, firts reply.

When Mesa reissued the Mk 1, had to have it becuase of Carlos on the ad. Was ordered by the musicshop owner and he told me (I'm from Holland) the dealer didn't know about this new model. It turned out, I was told, to be the first one in Holland for that matter (ser.n. H00097) and was tested by de shop owner for some time before he let go.

Funny, recently I bought a Mk III blue (ser.n. 23287) head with a JCM800 4x12 Marshall box. It's an American import using an step down trans. Great for metal. When roaming the mesa-site for manuals I stumbled on the Mk 1 manual. Discoffered an extra gain stage when using a pathkabel in the effectsloop. Great sounds.

Mk III, best for metal, but Mk 1 best overall with the found extra gain-stage. For those who don't know, try it and adjust the hell out off your controlls

André