Mesa IIB with X100 Tranny?

[Dude2Dude]

Hi all,

Just looked at the bottom of my 1980 Mesa IIB Export PT, and it's a x100. It's one of the first IIBs ever made -- it may have even been a transitional model -- with a serial in the high 5300s. (Most references to the IIB seem to peg its origins starting around 5575, if I'm not mistaken, so this one is at least a few months ahead of the curve.)

It's never been worked on (purchased new), so it's definitely stock. Is this the tranny that usually came with the IIB? I seem to have read somewhere that the X100/101 didn't appear until the IIC.

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[SonicProvocateur]

Mesa moved from Randall's workshop to their shop in Pentaluma in 1980. At the time, the IIA was in production and the serial that marked the move was roughly 3000. Also the IIA's had export transformers. If you look at production numbers they really increased their load that year and also began IIB production, ending the IIA line by introducing simul-class and the coliseums. I doubt it's one of the first IIB's ever made although it may be a transitional one as 1981 is the first year I think they were in the catalogs, but it is made during Mesa's first year at Pentaluma which is cool and the xport trans is a more rare option. It's kinda like having a 1985 Mark III black/no dot. Yeah, you could have had a IIC+, but depending on which part of the year it was made in, it also could have a 105PT too.

 

[Dude2Dude]

It was Mike B who told me it was one of the very early ones. (It was made in May, 1980, I think -- will check the chassis.) But I meant that mine is one of the earliest IIBs -- not one of the earliest Mark IIs.

I guess what I wanted to know was when the X100 was introduced. I realize that the IIAs also came with an export tranny option, but — again, I could be totally off-base here — I thought the introduction of the model x100 and x101 basically coincided with the introduction of the Mark IICs.

 

[Neptical]

It was Mike B who told me it was one of the very early ones. (It was made in May, 1980, I think -- will check the chassis.) But I meant that mine is one of the earliest IIBs -- not one of the earliest Mark IIs.

I guess what I wanted to know was when the X100 was introduced. I realize that the IIAs also came with an export tranny option, but — again, I could be totally off-base here — I thought the introduction of the model x100 and x101 basically coincided with the introduction of the Mark IICs.

For what it's worth, there's been a bunch of board members I've seen here who've owned the Mark IIb with the xport trannys. I wouldn't think it was that rare,anyways. Great amp regardless.

 

[igfraso]

Maybe I am not understanding something because the export transformer was introduced at the times of the Mark I.
I have both a Mark I and a IIA with export transformers.

The 2 only export trannies, as far as I know, are the X101 (for 100 watters) and the X62 (for 60 watters).

 

[Dude2Dude]

It's probably me who's not understanding...

igfraso, was the x100/x101 (same tranny, yes?) the only model of export transformer Mesa used for the 100 watt amps? (At least until they ran out of them.)

If so, then obviously mine is simply par for Mesa's course at the time.

 

[DaveP]

I have a 1978 Mark I with a 100 transformer, this transformer was made for 117v only, the X transformers could be wired for almost any voltage requirement.

 

[igfraso]

Dude2Dude,
I have never seen an X100 export transformer. To my knowledge, the only export transformers were the X101 and the X62 but I may be wrong.

Regards,
Daniel

 

[Dude2Dude]

Mine definitely starts with "X100", and not X101.

 

[Neptical]

Boogiebabies post in regards to the X100/x101 tranny.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=40325&start=0

I believe our forum member, dodger916 has the X100 in his amp as well.

 

[igfraso]

Some of the export transformers have the following voltage selection: 100; 117; 200; 220; 230 and 240.
Some others have: 117; 200; 210; 220; 230 and 240.

Is that the difference between the X100 and the X101?

 

[Neptical]

From what I gather, the X100 and X101 are the same tranny..both having equivalent plate voltage as well.

Just another confusing number issue! :evil:

 

[Boogiebabies]

Some of the export transformers have the following voltage selection: 100; 117; 200; 220; 230 and 240.
Some others have: 117; 200; 210; 220; 230 and 240.

Is that the difference between the X100 and the X101?

Frank,

You may have just explained the only difference between a X100 and X101.
Regardsless, I bumped into an X101 and it read no different than the X100 in
the IIA Export C+ Upgrade. Maybe a little visual research will prove this difference.

 

[Dude2Dude]

Boogiebabies, my X100 has the 117, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240 options. FYI.

 

[igfraso]

Boogiebabies, Dude2Dude:

It seems to me that the one with the 210 volt option is the oldest of the two so it makes sense that it is labeled X100.
Now, what country uses (or has used in the past) 210 volts?

Regards
Daniel

 

[merendina]

Take a look to these images guys.. different size with different voltage indicator...


http://www.google.it/imgres?um=1&newwindow=1&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:itfficial&channel=fflb&hl=it&tbm=isch&tbnid=xysKeNFnCSEUFM:&imgrefurl=http://www.guitare-village.com/occasion/amplis/amplis_161.php&docid=xXoGC_KLFe4lFM&imgurl=http://www.guitare-village.com/matos/04_09_2006/mark2dos.jpg&w=520&h=526&ei=G2kBUtK3G6Px4QSpmoDgAw&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:12,s:0,i:118&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=183&tbnw=190&start=0&ndsp=28&tx=70&ty=47&biw=1680&bih=884



http://www.google.it/imgres?um=1&newwindow=1&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:itfficial&channel=fflb&hl=it&tbm=isch&tbnid=EqgO4HK60x-87M:&imgrefurl=http://annunci.ebay.it/annunci/strumenti-musicali/genova-annunci-genova/mesa-boogie-mark-ii-wood-line-1x12-electro-eq-rev-voice/29112616&docid=XndmILE-HaqVwM&imgurl=http://img3.annuncicdn.it/7b/d8/7bd8cffd1e94328b2ab6629ecfdecdd0_orig.jpg&w=600&h=544&ei=G2kBUtK3G6Px4QSpmoDgAw&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:63,s:0,i:280&iact=rc&page=3&tbnh=153&tbnw=160&start=63&ndsp=35&tx=113&ty=52&biw=1680&bih=884

 

[McBarry]

Bloody hell, that's a TON of iron on the second pic...
I suspect the first pic red voltage panel is simply an early series -no "AC MAINS" etc etc information.

FWIW: I have a super early Mk1 that has a factory original export transformer, BUT the voltages are simply dymo labels ie: NO red voltage panel..

Further, I sent pics to Boogie a few yrs ago and their reply was the export has been supsequently added.. But I know for a fact that's how it came from the factory...

My point is the info from the company is not always super-researched and reliable..

DB