HI all,
First off.....yep I'm a nOOb to this forum. So go easy on me guys.
I just recently got my paws on what I believe to be a blonde tolex, with cloth speaker cover, 1977 MK1 that could have possibly been modified during it's some 33 years of life. I received it yesterday. first thing I noticed....WOW is it heavy :shock: !! Second thing i noticed....certain areas had multiple layers of dust on them and it had that "old piece of electrical equipment smell" to it. I began with inspecting the whole thing. No obvious character flaws, so after it set for a couple hours, to make sure the tubes were up to room temp before powering it up. On went the power switch! Smooooth! Started off with input 2 just to see what kinda cleans I can get out of her. Warm, rich, creamy...yep, all of that. Aside from it being a vintage amp, I originally purchased cause I wanted that original Boogie clean tone (I do believe I'm well on my way to finding it). With the option to use input 1 for some gain. I'll probably stick with my Single Recto head through a 4X12 recto cab for the really heavy rhythm stuff that I so love. But who knows...maybe I'll find a voicing on the MK1 that I'll really like for those soulful yet heavy leads.
So gents, what do ya think? Did I get the real deal? On the bottom of the chassis (all in green Sharpie) are what I am assuming are Mr. Smiths initials and 7/77 along with several of the pre-amp tube inputs (there are 5) being marked either 12AX7 (2) 12AT7 (1) Unmarked (2). There is a concoction of pre-amp tubes in it. 3 Mesa 12AX7-A's, 1 Groove-Tube 12AT7 and 1 Groove-Tube 7025.
Pics of said amplifier are ready to roll........
See ya!
First off.....yep I'm a nOOb to this forum. So go easy on me guys.
I just recently got my paws on what I believe to be a blonde tolex, with cloth speaker cover, 1977 MK1 that could have possibly been modified during it's some 33 years of life. I received it yesterday. first thing I noticed....WOW is it heavy :shock: !! Second thing i noticed....certain areas had multiple layers of dust on them and it had that "old piece of electrical equipment smell" to it. I began with inspecting the whole thing. No obvious character flaws, so after it set for a couple hours, to make sure the tubes were up to room temp before powering it up. On went the power switch! Smooooth! Started off with input 2 just to see what kinda cleans I can get out of her. Warm, rich, creamy...yep, all of that. Aside from it being a vintage amp, I originally purchased cause I wanted that original Boogie clean tone (I do believe I'm well on my way to finding it). With the option to use input 1 for some gain. I'll probably stick with my Single Recto head through a 4X12 recto cab for the really heavy rhythm stuff that I so love. But who knows...maybe I'll find a voicing on the MK1 that I'll really like for those soulful yet heavy leads.
So gents, what do ya think? Did I get the real deal? On the bottom of the chassis (all in green Sharpie) are what I am assuming are Mr. Smiths initials and 7/77 along with several of the pre-amp tube inputs (there are 5) being marked either 12AX7 (2) 12AT7 (1) Unmarked (2). There is a concoction of pre-amp tubes in it. 3 Mesa 12AX7-A's, 1 Groove-Tube 12AT7 and 1 Groove-Tube 7025.
Pics of said amplifier are ready to roll........
See ya!