Mark III Coliseum Specs

[fretout]

So, I've spent about 3 days poring over all of the Mark III Coli threads using the search tool. Long-story-short, I bought a Mark III Coli last weekend, and while I am waiting for it to be delivered (apparently I'm impatient), I've been trying to find info about them, so that when it gets here, I can act like an promptu QC rep. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

So, outside of the "K serial number vs. non-K serial number" threads, "how to run simul-class on my Coli" threads, there seems to be little information about the transformers, or any other components of oddities about this extremely limited run.

Would you Coli-vets care to share any and all unique info about these amps for the forums benefit (well, really it's my benefit, i'm not going to BS you). Maybe we can determine what components these ear-drum-shattering behemoths share, and how "inconsistent" Boogie was during the production of these amps. Maybe we can even start a Boogie Board Mark III registry (think "Mark IIC+" and "pre-500 Recto threads).

Whaddaya think about that BB? I'll post some hi-res pics on mine once I get mine tomorrow (so anxious!!!!). Anyone have serial numbers for the Trannys for our "Special K" monsters...

:lol:

 

[zodiac272]

If yours is a Simul, it can't run in class A. The center 2 sockets are for the 6ca7 or EL-34's. But when switched to half power, it really just drops it from 150 watts to about 120, still using all 6 sockets. Yeah they are loud, but very useable. tons of gain, bottom end, and headroom. it would be interesting to know how it sounds next to the blue stripe you already have.

the PT is the PT from the Mesa bass 400+ amp, so it's huge. the OT may be whatever simul tranny they were using for big watt simul amps.

as far as other components, I imagine the preamp circuit board is nearly the same as any other blue stripe. The power supply side has a bunch more caps.

nice going on the amp... did you get it from canada?

scott

 

[fretout]

I purchased the Coliseum from Chicago, and it's supposed to be delivered today (I can't wait)! Since you're from Chicago, was this possibly your amp?

I'm going to walk through the entire amp and post the numbers from the transformers (since there seems to be little information available about them), and once my "normal" Blue Stripe comes in (also a long head), I will take pics of the chassis/caps and do a compare/contrast between a 100w and a coliseum and hopefully identify some of the differences between the two.

 

[zodiac272]

no, not mine, did you find it in a store?

scott

 

[fretout]

So, my amp is here today, and all I can day is "fffuuuuuuuuu". This things is amazing. I don't think there is one genre I can't play with this thing. I first dialed in some setting that I had from my Mark IVs, and they sounded full, robust and absolutely saturated...and then I realized I forgot to engage my EQ, and then it was all over. This amp has the tone I have been looking for. I should mention that my Coli does not have the typical "K" serial number. I'm not sure what this means, but i don't care. The amp came loaded with STR 454s for the power section, and for the preamp, it's a mix of all Mesa branded tubes. Some Sovtel 12AX7WAs (Sovtek 7025), some Mesa 12AX7As, and Mesa 12AX7s. I don't know much about the tubes, but I can tell they have some mileage on them.

As for the specs, I figured I'd take some pic of the Trannys and choke, and maybe (hopefully) some other Coli owners can contribute, and we can see what differences exists. I will continually update this thread, and maybe the intellect-elite can chime in on every minute detail. Now for pics...

Power Transformer...

Output Transformer...

Choke...

 

[fretout]

So, here's a few gut shots of the Coliseum. Once my "normal" fully loaded Blue Stripe arrives tomorrow, I'll post them up to. As always, if anyone can add to the thread, we could determine if there are any differences between the transformers used in the production of the Colis...

The whole chassis...

Instead of the chassis being marked with the "options" if the amp, mine has the codes written on the board...

Power supply board...

I have no idea what these red scribbles are, but maybe someone could chime in...

Everything looks original...

 

[zodiac272]

nice pics, looks nice and clean!

I took these #'s off my simul C+ Coliseum


PT: SD 190 555 EIA 606-343

OT: 0160 322 EIA 606-401

Choke: 38-15115 EIA 606-424


scott

 

[fretout]

Thanks for the info (and the compliments) Scott! What Coli did you have?

 

[zodiac272]

hey,

it's a mark IIC+ simulclass with GEQ coliseum. I just got it back from mesa for a complete service in may... totally clean and "new" now

if you want to see pics....

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=53022


scott

 

[fretout]

My newest purchase came in the mail today...a Mark III Blue Stripe Long Head (non-Coliseum). Here's a couple gut shots to compare with the Coli above...

Full chassis shot...

Board...

Output Tranny...

Power Tranny...

Choke...

Sockets...

???...

More Sovteks...

V1...

 

[Neptical]

Nice!! You're on a mission! Haha

Excellent choice in amps!!!!

 

[fretout]

Nice!! You're on a mission! Haha

Excellent choice in amps!!!!

Hahahahaha!!! I've browsed through this forum for years, and learned a lot of information that I wouldn't have gained otherwise, so I figured this is one way to give back. I literally went through 34 pages of info regarding the Mark III Coliseums, but I couldn't find much in the way of techinical info, so I figured I would start a thread offering a contrast of not only the different Colis, and also to determine if there are any technical differences between the Coli and standard Mark III offerings outside the extra tubes, extra caps, transformers, and a more urgent symptoms of tinnitus!

There are people around here that can look at the internals and describe the differences between the amps better than I can, and I hoped that they could shed some light on these rare amps.

So far, I'm digging the lead tones i'm getting, I'll just need to get a decent rhythm tone.