Considering a Mesa Mark II A - Need Advice from the experts

[JacobW]

Hello everyone!
I have an opportunity to buy a '79/'80 Mesa Boogie Mark II A (head, no graphic EQ) in good condition at a decent price. I've always wanted a Mark I with graphic EQ, but they are extremely rare and expensive here in Europe. So I think the Mk II A is the next best thing.

Unfortunately, I can't play the amp in person, but the seller seems legit and we had a good conversation on the phone about the amp. I'm new to Mesa Boogie amps, and I've had trouble finding information specifically about the Mk II A (famous players, tone characteristics, etc.).

Could you guys tell me how it differs from other amps in the Mark series?

One more thing - what drew me to Mesa Boogie amps is this Eagles live concert video from 1977. Don Felder apparently plays through a Mark I combo, and the tone he gets is just phenomenal. Is it possible to achieve a similar tone with the Mk II A? I'm particularly interested in that distinctive rasp around the notes.

Below I have attached some photos of the amp and a short video that the seller sent me.
Thanks!

 

[danielpasco]

The amp looks okay. The IIA had some issues that were apparently corrected in the IIB ("pop while changing channels", etc).

As far as I know, Felder used and uses a Fender Tweed Deluxe for just about everything.

 

[domct203]

That appears to be his ‘59 LP/Tweed Deluxe rig which has been his staple for many years.

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/don-felder-eagles-dear-guitar-2013

 

[JacobW]

Thank you guys! I know he used Tweed Deluxe in the studio, but live he used quite a few different amps. In the video I linked you can see a Mesa Boogie behind him (supposedly a Mark I), and I think it sounds great

 

[danielpasco]

Sure - just sharing what I've heard.

 

[Jamme1961]

I think you should get one with the EQ - I have a IIB and think you need that eq imho

 

[Wozza]

I have a Mark ll A, 60 watt, graphic but no reverb. Here’s a link to what mine sounds like on the lead channel with various settings. No effects, just straight into the amp:

 

[JacobW]

Thank you guys for the input! I decided to pull the trigger on the amp. I haven't turned it on yet, just cleaned it up a bit and took a look inside.

It's dated June 7th, 1979, and there's "XPH" written on the side of the chassis. From what I was able to find on the Internet, the "X" means Export and "H" probably means hundred (watts) - no idea about the "P" though.

What seems weird to me is that there are 3 pre-amp tubes instead of 4 (from what I've seen on the Internet, there are usually 4, but maybe that's because there's no reverb, not sure though).
Also, there's a switch that selects between 12AX7 and TR1009, which was set to TR1009 even though there's a tube installed. Should it be like that? I'm not sure if it's okay to have a tube there with the switch set to TR1009.

One more thing - there's a capacitor glued to the power transformer, with one leg soldered to the chassis. Other than that, the amp seems pretty much original, though the filter caps were changed.

What do you guys think? Maybe something weird catches your eye in these photos?
I'll try to record a few tones next week and share them here with you.

(I can attach only 10 photos, I posted more on imgur )

 

[JacobW]

As promised I have recorded a few tones, excuse my sloppy playing. No EQing, no compression, just a bit of reverb
Note, it may be a bit loud around the 40th second

 

[danielpasco]

sounds great! playing was good, too. for switching back and forth it sounds like you've got some good settings picked, but if you want a great clean and pretty terrible lead sound, drop volume 1 level to under five, push in all of the knobs except bass shift, and put treble, mid, and bass at five with the presence low. Amazing fat clean sound.

it sounds like you have scored a keeper

 

[b00g13mk2B]

I play a MK IIA 60W, no reverb or EQ. I find it makes a great pedal platform. Play with different settings to see what you can get. The manual has suggestions, but you can try anything. When volume 1 is low (under 7), you may need to increase the master a bit. I turn down the presence these days or I get too much brightness

I don’t have a noticeable pop when channel switching. However, I use my pedal board now and don’t use the lead channel. It is hard to balance the lead channel volume to the clean channel on the MK IIA, the lead channel is either on or off with a small turn of the knob. Fits the concept of a “lead” channel in simple terms.