mark 3 serial numbers

[igfraso]

laedco58:
can you give us the third digit on your s/n? As in 21?xx

Thank you

 

[igfraso]

Nobody else care what serial numbers/years each stripe came out in seems to me with the exception of early mark 1,s the other marks are pretty well documented.

Hi bartchamdoh!
Actually, the Marks started to be well documented after Mesa moved from Lagunitas to Petaluma.

The Mark II-A series is as much a mess as the Mark I. I have a Mark II from 2/80 with no serial number.

Boogiebabies' proved that last s/n on the IIC+ (except for the odd 15,000) was around 14,400.

In the same way, I want to share the observations I gathered about the last serial numbers on the transition among Boogies chapters:

1) The last Mark I that I have seen are:
- 7/78 with s/n A2213
- 8/78 with s/n A2148
- 8/23/78 with s/n A2179
- 9/78 with s/n A2259

2A) The last Mark II-A that I have seen is:
- 8/14/80 with s/n 5574
- 9/10/80 with s/n 5022

2B) The last Mark II-B (8/80 to 5/83) that I have seen are:
- 5/83 with s/n 10654
- ?/83 with s/n 10881

2C) The last II-C (5/83 to 2/84) that I have seen is:
- 2/84 with s/n 12376

2D) According to Boogiebabies, the last Mark IIC+ (2/84 to 4/85) he saw was s/n 14,36x (and there is an odd s/n 15,000, according to Ian Dickey). The first original Mark IIC+ that I have seen is s/n 12,467 from 3/84.

3) Now, regarding the Mark III:

- black stripe (3/85 to 1/86): 15001 to 16715
- purple stripe (1/86 to 12/86): 16657 to 19059
- red stripe (12/86 to 1/88): 19100 to 21863
- blue stripe ('88 to '89): 21825 to 24933
- green stripe ('89 to '98): 24940 to 28386

Blue Stripes in 60 W or 60/100 W power amps extend into green stripe territory. Amps in head configuration are sometimes out of their own stripe range as well. Anyway, keep those odd s/n and manufacturing date coming.

4) Finally, for the Mark IV:

- version A ('90~'93)
- no A/no B or early B (1/93 to 12/93): s/n 5,9xx to 6,7xx approx.
- version B ('93~'08)

Regards

 

[laedco58]

laedco58:
can you give us the third digit on your s/n? As in 21?xx

Thank you

Third digit in my serial number is zero.

 

[igfraso]

Thank you, laedco58.

 

[gts]

2D) According to Boogiebabies, the last Mark IIC+ (2/84 to 4/85) he saw was s/n 14,36x (and there is an odd s/n 15,000, according to Ian Dickey). The first original Mark IIC+ that I have seen is s/n 12,467 from 3/84.

Not to side track the thread but we've seen/ documented at least five C+'s earlier than 12467.
A couple were even in the 122xx and 123xx range!

 

[igfraso]

gts,
your comments are always welcome.

I think I saw one serial number 1228x that Boogiebabies said it was an upgraded C to C+ but surely there has to be some 2/84 original C+ amps out there. Please feel free to copy and edit the post with what you have seen/documented. Mine is just a work in progress.

Thank you and best regards

 

[igfraso]

Interesting to see one of the c+ transformers in the 800,s keep it coming guys.

Actually, the X100/X101 (100 W) and the X62 (60 W) were the export transformers for the Mark series from the Mark I up to the Mark III. With the Mark IV, Mesa discontinued the export transformer.

The difference between the X100 and the X101 is:

- the X100 is the older one and the voltage selection is: 117; 200; 210; 220; 230 and 240. It was used on Mark I, II-A and II-B.
- the X101 export transformer has the following voltage selection: 100; 117; 200; 220; 230 and 240. It was used from Mark II-B up to Mark III.

Now, what country uses (or has used in the past) 210 Volt? Maybe selected for some European/South American countries with lousy electrical grid quality and lower than nominal 220 Volt?

The X62 export transformer has the same voltage selection as the X101.

Regards

 

[igfraso]

I have been revising some numbers. Here you have my last version of ballpark serial number transitions between Mark III stripes:

- black stripe (3/85 to 1/86): 15001 to 16715
- purple stripe (1/86 to 12/86): 16657 to 19059
- red stripe (12/86 to 1/88): 18949 to 21863
- blue stripe (1/88 to 5/89): 21825 to 24933
- green stripe (5/89 to 9/98): 24898 to 28386

Blue Stripes in 60 W and 60/100 W power amps extend into green stripe territory. It seems that all green stripe were Simulclass and fully loaded (same thing Mesa did with the Mark IV). Amps in head configuration are sometimes out of their own stripe range as well.

Please, keep those odd s/n (manufacturing date included, please) coming.

Regards
Daniel

 

[ChrisYoung]

Mk III, Black Stripe
Serial: 16592
Build Date: Jan 1986

 

[Vigo1999]

- Mk III short head fully loaded simul
s/n: 23728
stripe: blue
Initials: MB
date of production: too lazy to open it


- MkIV/A
s/n: 0761
initials: GM
date of production: 10/90

 

[igfraso]

Muito obrigado, Vigo, for the info on your 10/90 Mark IV.

As a separate note, I checked the timeline in the Mesa brochures and I found that they put 1989 as the initial date of Mark IV manufaturing. Yet, that timeline is a little bit inaccurate. It states:

- Mark I: 1972
- Mark II-A: 1980 (instead of 1978)
- Mark II-B: 1982 (instead of 1980)
- Mark II-C: 1983
- Mark III: 1986 (instead of 1985)
- Mark IV: 1989

Regards

 

[Vigo1999]

Muito obrigado, Vigo, for the info on your 10/90 Mark IV.

As a separate note, I checked the timeline in the Mesa brochures and I found that they put 1989 as the initial date of Mark IV manufaturing. Yet, that timeline is a little bit inaccurate.

De nada Daniel! 8)

 

[MikeMax]

For those keeping score at home, I have a Mark III short head with serial# 22671 Blue Stripe. It is Simul Class and has 60/100 W switch, no EQ. Has R script and MB, and a plugged hole marked Reverb on the rear panel next to Presence.

Looks like 11/98 date code.

Never really have been happy with the sound, it is very flat sounding, not live at all. I have tried Mesa tubes and JJs.

 

[Paul Johnson]

First Mark III was a fully loaded head (except A/C plug). Serial number was 15924. She is gone now...nothing ever compared to its performance and tone.

My present Mark III is a blue stripe combo that pales in comparison to my first Mark III. Its serial number is 226??. MB's initials are inside and under power cord. It was built in April of 88.

 

[fretout]

I'll add in a few more Mark IIIs I have. They seems to fall into the ranges alradh listed...

Mark III Blue Stripe Simulclass - 226XX dated 09/88
Mark III Coliseum Blue Stripe Simulclass - 231XX dated 06/88
Mark III Coliseum No Stripe Simulclass - K5XX dated 09/85

 

[jhreid]

My purple stripe is 16750.

 

[igfraso]

What date is your purple stripe #16750?
Thank you

 

[Philippe]

Mark III hardwood combo fully loaded
s/n: 25217
stripe: Green
Date of production: 4/89 (I'm not 100% sure if it's a 4 or a 6 on the chassis, so it could also be 6/89)
Initials: MB
Wiring: Kaydee
Date of wiring: 6/14/89

 

[gratefuljed]

All fully loaded...

Black dot 16478 1/86
Red stripe 19798 cant see date
Blue stripe coli 24146 1/89

 

[lovetoboogie]

I currently have in for servicing and sale an 89' Blue Stripe...

5/89
Serial# 25149
HRG
100/60 Non-Simul, Reverb & GEQ
Wood/Wicker
*The wood cab is made from Shedua, also known as Ovangkol. A now rather rare African hardwood.*