Mark III, Green vs. Blue stripe specific question

gwayne · Jan 7, 2006

I have a deal in the works for a Mark III green stripe 1-12 combo, Simul-class, EQ, and EV speaker. I saw this quote on the Mark history

"#5 - Green/Simul-Class: Final R1 and Lead Channel reshaping

- Cleaner R1, Lead channel reshaping, and unlike other Simul amps, these Mark III's were wired in Pentode - NOT triode in the Class A sockets for more power. Power section is same as Blue otherwise."

What can I expect with Pentode wiring vs. triode. Also, anyone using a green stripe Mark III want to comment on their amp?

Boogiebabies · Jan 8, 2006

It will be brighter with more cut and power. The bottom end should also be a bit better.

Marshall_Fascist · Jan 8, 2006

I own a mark III green stripe long head.

Can't compare to blue from hand's on exp. But the green is the final product in the III line, so it can't be worse! It can only be better, if not, the same.
My green stripe has massive low end, clarity, and warmth. I play alot thrash metal, and it is a high gain beast. The green stripe has also been in production alot longer than the other 4 stripes, which are pretty much just prototypes you might say. they stoped making the greens in 1998!!! The other 4 did not last that long, at most 3 years maybe 4?

axwielding1 · Jan 8, 2006

I'd say it's got more headroom, and tighter attack. Maybe a more refined tone, not that there's less gain at all. Similar to the mark IV in tone without the added features...
ax. 8)

Zoner · Jan 9, 2006

I'm using a green striper (long head) with a Marshall 1965A 4x10 and love it. I found the clarity and note definition to be almost too good at first - it made me pay closer attention to my phrasing 'cause every last little bit of player input was tossed right back in full, but I haven't had a better tone from a Mesa and have used both a red stripe combo and a blue stripe head as well, plus a Mav, DC-3, Subways, and a Simul-Sat. I agree that the bottom seems tighter and the clean has headroom for days, where the other MKIII's I have had would get crunchy on the R1 around 7 on the volume setting. I only wish the overall volume could be tamed somewhat as the half-power switch only cuts it a wee bit. I believe this is the result of the pentode/triode wiring difference making the lower power setting (what would normally be the "classs A" setting on earlier versions) still a pretty big output rating, somewhere in the 40-60 watt range I think. I wonder if a "Tweed" option is available as a mod? Hmmm... Z