M3 Blue Stipe 60 watt Japan OT HELP!

[HelpingFriendly]

Hello I am new to the forum and just recently acquired a rare Blue Stripe Mark III. It is the short head 60 watt (2 6L6's). It does have the GEQ but no Reverb. This particular head was made for a costumer in Japan to be used there under Japan power specs. I know nothing about how they do things in Japan as far a AC voltage. I understand the Transformer is made for there. So as odd as all this is, The Jap Blue Stripe will be arriving with a separate Tranny that plugs in so it can be used here in the US. The seller claims this is how they bought it and swears it sounds amazing. I want to email Mike B. about this right? Or Mark himself lol? Anyone have his email? Also do any of you know if any other parts inside were altered at the time they made this thing to be able to run in Japan? I ask because I want to know if it will be the same as any other true Blue srtipe made in the U.S. Or is the Tranny the only odd thing about it? I am very curious.

Also is the OT a big part of the Mark 3 sound? I don't want to be disappointed because it turns out to be some crappy aftermarket Transformer that degrades the tone. Or even worse take the Boogie Mark 3 tone out of the Mesa! Please help! This is all very odd to me.

And last, can I get reverb added in by the man? (mike b)

 

[MrMarkIII]

You have the "long" head. "Short" heads have only seven knobs on the front panel.

Don't confuse the PT (power transformer) with the OT (output transformer).

The former converts the A/C from the wall outlet into D/C to be used by the amp.

The latter takes the signal from the amp and converts it to a signal to be used by the speaker.

I'm guessing here, but unless there is a BIG RED SWITCH on the rear panel enabling you to change the input voltage coming from the wall, that loose transformer pictured is *probably* a replacement power transformer, and *probably* needs to be installed, i.e., wired and soldered into place, where the current power transformer is now.

Of course, I could be wrong. I was once before. :lol:

 

[HelpingFriendly]

You have the "long" head. "Short" heads have only seven knobs on the front panel.

Don't confuse the PT (power transformer) with the OT (output transformer).

The former converts the A/C from the wall outlet into D/C to be used by the amp.

The latter takes the signal from the amp and converts it to a signal to be used by the speaker.

I'm guessing here, but unless there is a BIG RED SWITCH on the rear panel enabling you to change the input voltage coming from the wall, that loose transformer pictured is *probably* a replacement power transformer, and *probably* needs to be installed, i.e., wired and soldered into place, where the current power transformer is now.

Of course, I could be wrong. I was once before. :lol:

Yes I actually realized it was long also after I posted. Sorry bout that. And I believe you are right about it being the power transformer! Duh I really messed up there. No big read switch. Thanks for clearing this up. So the guts should be a normal blue stripe right? Also do you see where its says wired for a 100 volts. Is that normal? Never seen that on other pics?

 

[HelpingFriendly]

Also he said it runs on 3 preamp tubes? Don't all markIII's have 5?

 

[Agustín Collia]

It is normal, it came wired for 100 volts from the factory. I live in Argentina (we have 220v here) and own a Green Stripe from '93, and it was factory wired to be used at 220v.

 

[MrMarkIII]

100 volts would be normal for Japan.
I would *call* Mesa.
Yes, they will get back to you. Don't bother with email, you'll never get an answer.
A bud of mine had an English Vox AC-30. All he had to do was switch around some push-on connectors on his transformer to get it to work with U.S. juice.

 

[tony777]

This is definitely a rare amp. It's the first time I see a 60w medium (or long) head.

 

[HelpingFriendly]

This is definitely a rare amp. It's the first time I see a 60w medium (or long) head.

Yes it is very rare. I actually am also thinking it's not the right stripe for me. I am the complete opposite of the Blue stripe aggressiveness. I really think I want the rounder sounding Red stripe. Anyone wana trade? Seriously

 

[Authorized Boogie]

100 volts would be normal for Japan.
I would *call* Mesa.
Yes, they will get back to you. Don't bother with email, you'll never get an answer.
A bud of mine had an English Vox AC-30. All he had to do was switch around some push-on connectors on his transformer to get it to work with U.S. juice.

Actually, we answer all emails - usually the same day they arrive (keep in mind we're closed Fri-Sun) ; )

But yes, give us a call and we can verify any and all info with Mike B (he just left for the day). Thanks!

 

[megavoice]

This is definitely a rare amp. It's the first time I see a 60w medium (or long) head.

Yes it is very rare. I actually am also thinking it's not the right stripe for me. I am the complete opposite of the Blue stripe aggressiveness. I really think I want the rounder sounding Red stripe. Anyone wana trade? Seriously

Do you know for sure red stripes are sounding so much rounder ? Have you ever checked one ?
Recently I've spoken to an owner who wanted to sell one of his two, red and blue, and he told me he A/Bd them for a hundred and hundred of times, on the show, at home and everywhere else and he could never see any difference..................

 

[dodger916]

If they are like Mark IIs and reverb is an option, then it's possible to have 3 "preamp" tubes and a 4th 12ax7 as a driver/phase inverter. Without reverb there would be no need for the 5th 12ax7, which powers the reverb.

Also he said it runs on 3 preamp tubes? Don't all markIII's have 5?