Questions on the mark III and its stripes

[Slanderous666]

Hi, I just had a few questions on the mark III amps from boogie. I apoligize if there is already a guide to what I'm asking, I didnt see one though.

I currently have a mesa boogie express 5:25 and although I like the amp alot I really would like an amp with more gain on it as I want an amp that I don't need a pedal for.

I was looking at the mark III's and they seem to sell in my price range so my two major questions would be,

1. How much gain does the mark III have compared to a mark IIC+ or mark IV?

2. I was just wondering what the different stripe colours meant?


Thanks in advance.

 

[kramerxxx]

I have had two Mark IIc+s, a Mark IV, a Triaxis and I now have a Mark III blue stripe. The IIc+s sounded great for lead, but it was difficult to get a good clean sound AND a good lead sound without a pedal. The Mark IV was the best live amp for it's three channels, but didn't have a sweet, chimey clean nor the MKIIc+ lead sound. I was a compromise on all fronts. I hear they sound better with 6V6s, but I never tried that. I also bought a Triaxis, same complaint, good sounds, just not great sounds.

I like the Mark III the best, overall, for Mark Lead sounds but it still sounds best with a pedal in front of it. It has more gain that the Mark IIc+ and a more raw/aggresive sound than the Mark IVs. I bought it for the Mark sound and I got it fairly cheap so for that sound, it cannot be beat. The Mark IIIs are very Underrated. I think most amps sound best if you find what they do best and then not try to make them sound like every other amp out there. I think it's better to have more than one 'type' of amp to get the sounds you hear in your head than expect any single amp to do it all. AND, it is cheaper to accomplish this with an amp that gets you in the ballpark and then putting a pedal or two in front to give you more options. I prefer almost every amp with a pedal in front of it, as another gain option.

Don't forget that speaker type, cab type and number of speakers/output load also change the sound, so try those options too.

I have used an OCD, BB Preamp, Tim, modded TubeScreamer and a various modded Boss pedals with good luck in front of the amp as well as running an MXR 10 band GEQ through the loop to taylor the final sound.

 

[dodger916]

Here ya go: http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

 

[Slanderous666]

I have had two Mark IIc+s, a Mark IV, a Triaxis and I now have a Mark III blue stripe. The IIc+s sounded great for lead, but it was difficult to get a good clean sound AND a good lead sound without a pedal. The Mark IV was the best live amp for it's three channels, but didn't have a sweet, chimey clean nor the MKIIc+ lead sound. I was a compromise on all fronts. I hear they sound better with 6V6s, but I never tried that. I also bought a Triaxis, same complaint, good sounds, just not great sounds.

I like the Mark III the best, overall, for Mark Lead sounds but it still sounds best with a pedal in front of it. It has more gain that the Mark IIc+ and a more raw/aggresive sound than the Mark IVs. I bought it for the Mark sound and I got it fairly cheap so for that sound, it cannot be beat. The Mark IIIs are very Underrated. I think most amps sound best if you find what they do best and then not try to make them sound like every other amp out there. I think it's better to have more than one 'type' of amp to get the sounds you hear in your head than expect any single amp to do it all. AND, it is cheaper to accomplish this with an amp that gets you in the ballpark and then putting a pedal or two in front to give you more options. I prefer almost every amp with a pedal in front of it, as another gain option.

Don't forget that speaker type, cab type and number of speakers/output load also change the sound, so try those options too.

I have used an OCD, BB Preamp, Tim, modded TubeScreamer and a various modded Boss pedals with good luck in front of the amp as well as running an MXR 10 band GEQ through the loop to taylor the final sound.

I understand what your saying, I might trade my distortion pedal in for an overdrive of some sort. Is a noise gate necessary or unneeded?

 

[Slanderous666]

Here ya go: http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

Hey man this really cleared up the stripes for me I really appreciate it. The mark III closest to me is a purple stripe, are the purple stripes least suitable for metal?

 

[dodger916]

Here ya go: http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

Hey man this really cleared up the stripes for me I really appreciate it. The mark III closest to me is a purple stripe, are the purple stripes least suitable for metal?

I can't really speak to that, but I think any Mark III is highly metal-capable. The different stripes are more similar than different, so any differences are probably very minor - probably more a matter of personal preference. "Less gain" in a purple stripe doesn't mean low gain: these amps are gain beasts! Sounds like a purple might be slightly less aggresive. Don't forget: You can always adjust the amount of gain and feel of the amp with tube changes.

You also mention you're looking for gain than your Express. Are you sure you want Mark-style gain and not Rectifier-style gain? They are different.

 

[bartchamdoh]

I doubt you will need an overdrive or distortion pedal with a mark 3 but as said previously in this post a good pedal of this type can widen your sonic palate.I find the mark 3 to be a very variable beast it,s had more revisions,tweaks and options than any other mesa and although there all good.....is it good for YOU! some sound and play a lot better than others...SO BEWARE!!! if you can try before you buy.

 

[Slanderous666]

Here ya go: http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

Hey man this really cleared up the stripes for me I really appreciate it. The mark III closest to me is a purple stripe, are the purple stripes least suitable for metal?

I can't really speak to that, but I think any Mark III is highly metal-capable. The different stripes are more similar than different, so any differences are probably very minor - probably more a matter of personal preference. "Less gain" in a purple stripe doesn't mean low gain: these amps are gain beasts! Sounds like a purple might be slightly less aggresive. Don't forget: You can always adjust the amount of gain and feel of the amp with tube changes.

You also mention you're looking for gain than your Express. Are you sure you want Mark-style gain and not Rectifier-style gain? They are different.

Well im not sure how to classify the gain on the express. Closest I would say is to a mark series amplifier. As for the gain I'm looking for I'd say either a high gain mark series type thing or a stiletto deuce ( which is pretty recto I know but I prefer this amp do a dual rectifier for instance)

 

[Slanderous666]

I doubt you will need an overdrive or distortion pedal with a mark 3 but as said previously in this post a good pedal of this type can widen your sonic palate.I find the mark 3 to be a very variable beast it,s had more revisions,tweaks and options than any other mesa and although there all good.....is it good for YOU! some sound and play a lot better than others...SO BEWARE!!! if you can try before you buy.

I see from your sig you have both a green stripe mark III and a purple stripe mark III. How much of a difference in gain is there?

 

[bartchamdoh]

I have a Greenie and two purples lol! First off the Greenie is the fully loaded simul-class model with reverb,eq etc.The two purples i have are the basic 60 watt models without reverb ,eq etc.I have to say the Greenie imo has a hotter lead and rythmn 2 channel and all three channels balance quite well with generic settings.I can never balance more than two channels on the purples to sound good but having said that i can tweak the purples to get more or less any sound i get with the green stripe and they don,t have the extra eq( so don,t believe all that bulls**t bout these models not sounding as good)I really like these stripped down models as they need less maintenance and use less tubes(six as opposed to nine in a simul-class).

 

[MrMarkIII]

As a Mark III player for over 20 years, I agree with everybody. I'd just lean toward recommending a blue or green stripe, as they are (obviously) the ones with the most refinements.
But it is still true that all Mark IIIs are more similar than different.
I've had a Blue forever, just got a Green, and while I can hear and feel the small differences (10 more watts, pentode vs. triode in the outer sockets), I doubt I would be able to tell the difference in a blind taste test.
There may be larger differences between a Black (early) and a Green (late).
I didn't care for the Mark IV, too many knobs, R1 was too clean, and Lead wasn't as aggressive. And I am old and set in my ways. :lol:

 

[steve_k]

I recently got my hands on a Mark III Red Stripe. Tell you what.....I own 2 Diezels, a Bogner, an Elmwood, a Mark V and several others, but when I plugged the III for the first time and got it dialed in, I was in awe. The MIII is very 3D sounding to me with a lot of depth and character not found in other amps I own or have played. I am not sure if it is the simulclass or or what, but it sounds like a border line stereo rig. The gain/crunch out of this little 28 year old piece of history is unreal. I think I am not in the market for a Green stripe head.

Yep, old Mesa's and me get on very well.....


Steve

 

[Slanderous666]

I have a Greenie and two purples lol! First off the Greenie is the fully loaded simul-class model with reverb,eq etc.The two purples i have are the basic 60 watt models without reverb ,eq etc.I have to say the Greenie imo has a hotter lead and rythmn 2 channel and all three channels balance quite well with generic settings.I can never balance more than two channels on the purples to sound good but having said that i can tweak the purples to get more or less any sound i get with the green stripe and they don,t have the extra eq( so don,t believe all that bulls**t bout these models not sounding as good)I really like these stripped down models as they need less maintenance and use less tubes(six as opposed to nine in a simul-class).

Ah I expected as much similar amps basically just a bit more heat out of the green stripe. Thanks man

 

[Slanderous666]

As a Mark III player for over 20 years, I agree with everybody. I'd just lean toward recommending a blue or green stripe, as they are (obviously) the ones with the most refinements.
But it is still true that all Mark IIIs are more similar than different.
I've had a Blue forever, just got a Green, and while I can hear and feel the small differences (10 more watts, pentode vs. triode in the outer sockets), I doubt I would be able to tell the difference in a blind taste test.
There may be larger differences between a Black (early) and a Green (late).
I didn't care for the Mark IV, too many knobs, R1 was too clean, and Lead wasn't as aggressive. And I am old and set in my ways. :lol:

Hmm, There is only a purple close to me but I will take a look for any blue or green mark III's.

 

[Slanderous666]

I recently got my hands on a Mark III Red Stripe. Tell you what.....I own 2 Diezels, a Bogner, an Elmwood, a Mark V and several others, but when I plugged the III for the first time and got it dialed in, I was in awe. The MIII is very 3D sounding to me with a lot of depth and character not found in other amps I own or have played. I am not sure if it is the simulclass or or what, but it sounds like a border line stereo rig. The gain/crunch out of this little 28 year old piece of history is unreal. I think I am not in the market for a Green stripe head.

Yep, old Mesa's and me get on very well.....


Steve

Really you have a mark V and the mark III surprised you ?:O I wasn't expecting to hear that to tell you the truth.

Just out of curiosity has anyone had any reliability issues with their mark III's and would the boogie shop be able to service mine if I got a used one and it had a problem a couple months later?

 

[dodger916]

Boogie still services their old amps. There are a number of amp techs on this board who service them as well.

Concerning steve_k's comment about old Mesas, I completely agree. The older Marks (pre-Mark IV) posess a feel that the new amps just don't have. There's an organic 3-d sound, but it's the feel that hooks me. The new amps have distinct advantages, like an amazing palette of sounds. But I think the amount of components needed to create that versatility "clutters" the signal path and "numbs" the feel of the amp a bit. There's no free lunch...

 

[Slanderous666]

Boogie still services their old amps. There are a number of amp techs on this board who service them as well.

Concerning steve_k's comment about old Mesas, I completely agree. The older Marks (pre-Mark IV) posess a feel that the new amps just don't have. There's an organic 3-d sound, but it's the feel that hooks me. The new amps have distinct advantages, like an amazing palette of sounds. But I think the amount of components needed to create that versatility "clutters" the signal path and "numbs" the feel of the amp a bit. There's no free lunch...

Wow it's really cool the boogie shop still works on all their old stuff. A sign of quality. I'll try to find a mark III soon Trying to sell the express right now.

 

[dodger916]

There are some nice ones on eBay right now.

 

[Slanderous666]

There are some nice ones on eBay right now.

Limited number ship to canada sadly.

 

[dodger916]

There are some nice ones on eBay right now.

Limited number ship to canada sadly.

Bummer!