doing unnatural things with a Mk II

[electricblueharp]

Total amp newb here, and new to this bb as well. As a keyboardist, my axe provided the tone, so I didn't need to obsess too much. Now I have an electric harp - and I don't mean a harmonica. I've been running it through my Roland KC-500 and been none-too-happy with the result. Recently, I learned just how big a component the amp is to the sound of a guitar. Figured I'd experiment along those lines. I hooked up to a mark II combo at a local music store, and it was bloody brilliant! The sound I always wanted! However, they're asking $1300 for it. It is a hardwood/wicker model, but I don't yet know which variety of mk II it is. There's no "+" drawn above the cord. It has an EQ. I think it's a 60/100. Thing is, it looks like it's had a rough life. The plate the (slightly rusty) EQ sliders poke out of is kind of bent up. The wood has scratches, and the finish doesn't look great. The lower board across the back opening is only semi-attached. The price tag does say that it comes with footswitches. Would you say that the price is reasonable?

I tried Fenders and Marshalls at the store, but nothing else came close. They had no other Boogies. Is it possible, given the more hand-built nature of their early amps, that this specific amp has a sound no other boogie has? Would an otherwise identical amp actually sound different?

 

[fishyfishfish]

Pretty much. If you are using just the clean channel you could look for a used Mark III for a lot less with pretty much the same clean sound. If you are using the Gain channel it would be a bit of a difference in tone.
Is it a half scale harp?

 

[Elpelotero]

Go back, take some pictures, or at the least get the serial number. Then we can tell you the value (if it's a ripoff or not).

 

[electricblueharp]

I had searched for a serial number (it's pretty dark in the vintage amp room). I only found one on the Black Shadow speaker (003330), which I'm sure is just the speaker's #. It looks nothing like the numbers I've been reading about in archived posts, so I imagine it's pretty useless. Now that I finally found an old post with a pic of a serial #, I know where to look. With a flashlight! I 'll try to get back there tonight after work.

As for channels - I need more than just the clean. I like to make some pretty brutal noise.

 

[Elpelotero]

Mark II's all have 2 channels (hence the name "II"). If you pull out the Lead Drive knob, it will engage the second channel.

 

[electricblueharp]

Okay, I'm back. The serial # is 9844. It has 2 tubes, and the speaker is an MS-12. It looks identical to the boogie on this guy's page, but not so shiny:

http://www.brandoncreasman.com/gallery.php

So what do you think?

 

[babow2]

As to the serial number, I am sure others here can tell you the exact year and model. My guess is that it is a Mark IIB, but it might be an A.

Since it only has two power tubes, it is a straight 60 watt amp. You need 4 power tubes to push 100 watts, and you would have a 60/100 watt switch.

Given your description, it sounds like the amp is a little worn. My opinion is that the price is a little high. You are paying a premium for the wood finish. If that is important to you, then it is worth it. If you don't care about the wood finish, and are happy with standard black or blond, you can save money. Also, as someone else wisely suggested, you can also save money and get great Mesa tone getting a Mark III. Plus, you'll get an additional channel, wiht gain levels between the clean and lead channels.

You also could save some money by checking out some of the more modern Mesa series, which also would give you separate controls for each channel. DC, F-series, Express and Nomad series may be worth checking out, given your unique use for the amp.

Good luck.

 

[electricblueharp]

Thanks for the suggestions! The tricky part will be finding a Mark III to try out. They seem to be going for about $900 to $1000, so that would be somewhat of a savings.

I think I really need some point of comparison, since I've only ever heard my harp through one boogie amp. Maybe I should try a Mark V, and see what happens. At least I can be pretty sure of finding a store with one of those!

 

[acorkos]

did you try a fender twin reverb reissue? that's the clean channel circuit/sound the mesa mark amps were patterned after. they can be had used for $500-600. i'm guessing your harp would sound killer throught he vib channel with some reverb and tremolo dialed in