The Mark III is awesome

[Markedman]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100168049@N04/9489481691/in/photostream/ 5/85 black dot 105 tranny: rip your face off! This is one raw amp with the Boogafunk EV thieles.

 

[MrSmitty]

I've had my Mk III (green stripe) for about 1 year now. What did it for me was to run all Mesa 6L6 tubes (red colored in outer sockets). I just ordered a spax7 for V1 from Mesa...I'm curious to see what that will sound like.
Lately, I've been experimenting with the Class A tube setting. I even played a gig last weekend (small venue) in class A and it sounded awesome!
Call me crazy, but I might actually like the lead tone on my Mk III better than my MKV.

 

[kdorsey]

...I just ordered a spax7 for V1 from Mesa...I'm curious to see what that will sound like.

The SPAX7 is Mesa's specially sorted, ultra low noise standard tube for V1. The brand changes as they evolve their suppliers. What did you have in there before?

Lately, I've been experimenting with the Class A tube setting. I even played a gig last weekend (small venue) in class A and it sounded awesome!

What kind of music are you playing? What speaker(s)/cab(s)?

 

[Markedman]

Right now I have spax in V1 and V3 and my Mark III sounds awesome. I used it at practice last night and it was ripping. My bass player asked me what I was smiling about, it was because the gain was at about 4.5 and it was perfect for Led Zeppelin type gain. I must say the spax that I have sound really really good, open and tight. I also have new =C= quad 21.5 power tubes. Heaven.

 

[MrSmitty]

...I just ordered a spax7 for V1 from Mesa...I'm curious to see what that will sound like.

The SPAX7 is Mesa's specially sorted, ultra low noise standard tube for V1. The brand changes as they evolve their suppliers. What did you have in there before?

Lately, I've been experimenting with the Class A tube setting. I even played a gig last weekend (small venue) in class A and it sounded awesome!

What kind of music are you playing? What speaker(s)/cab(s)?

Currently I have a regular Mesa 12ax7 in V1.

I play in a cover band... classic/new rock, top 40, etc. Normally I use Recto 2x12 horizontal (w/v-30s). But at this last gig I had to use the 1x12 wide-body (w/c-90)due to lack of space. We miked it through the PA, it sounded great! I haven't gigged with the 1x12 very much, but I'm kinda digging the smoother tone from that cab.

 

[DJPattP]

I guess I might be a little old school or an old foogie playing my Class 5 Custom Shop Les Paul into a Wicker n Wood Blue stripe combo!! I have found the EMG's to be too hot in my opinion. The pups of my choice come down to the PAF's. I run a duncan Hybrid 59 now and can't imagine anything else sounding better with my MKIII. It is super distorted but the thing is that is USABLE distortion.

I use to run an ADA with a simulclass 295. Then I got married and had kids. Explains that!!

The Mark III is simply plug n play. It rocks right out of the box. 15 watts is a little unbelievable though. It is so impressive that my brother bought one the following week and he hasn't even heard mine yet.

 

[kdorsey]

...I just ordered a spax7 for V1 from Mesa...I'm curious to see what that will sound like.

The SPAX7 is Mesa's specially sorted, ultra low noise standard tube for V1. The brand changes as they evolve their suppliers. What did you have in there before?

Lately, I've been experimenting with the Class A tube setting. I even played a gig last weekend (small venue) in class A and it sounded awesome!

What kind of music are you playing? What speaker(s)/cab(s)?

Currently I have a regular Mesa 12ax7 in V1.

I play in a cover band... classic/new rock, top 40, etc. Normally I use Recto 2x12 horizontal (w/v-30s). But at this last gig I had to use the 1x12 wide-body (w/c-90)due to lack of space. We miked it through the PA, it sounded great! I haven't gigged with the 1x12 very much, but I'm kinda digging the smoother tone from that cab.

Yeah, I used my MkIII heavily in both a true classic rock and a more modern "classic" rock gigs with great success. The C90 loaded vert 2x12 cabs were awesome once I closed the top. Played in class A mode exclusively, too.

I've bounced between an NOS RFT, NOS gray plate RCA, SPAX and new Tung Sol in V1 before settling on the Tung Sol. It adds definition and reduced the gain a bit, which was good for our music at the time. But the beast is the RFT in V3. *drool*

 

[revolucien]

Have to say I was worried when I bought my MK III (green) cause it didn't have the bite I remember from an old friends amp. Bummer cause I play metal and I had always heard great things about the amp. I put it in the closet and didn't touch it for a year or so. I decided to mess with it again and made two changes- I put NOS RFT's in 1 and 3 with JJ's in the 2,4 and 5 (and stock mesa 6l6's for power)
and change two was ad the 1000pf cap in the c30 spot (was empty). BAMMM!!! This amp breathes fire and crushing anything in its way> It was destined for the chopping block and now it's a highly effective shredding tool. Love it, and thanks to everyone on this board with the modification posts.

 

[MrSmitty]

What are these "NOS RFT" tubes you guys are talking about? And where can I find them? I might give it a try...

I did try a Mesa SPAX7 in v1 and didn't like it, it was a little too stiff. I put a regular 12ax7 back in for now.

 

[kdorsey]

What are these "NOS RFT" tubes you guys are talking about? And where can I find them? I might give it a try...

I did try a Mesa SPAX7 in v1 and didn't like it, it was a little too stiff. I put a regular 12ax7 back in for now.

It's a process of trial-n-error, unfortunately. Since this is SO subjective, you grab a few reasonably priced options (I went with as big of a tonal difference as possible...Tung Sol to RFT with a few in between) and give them a try.

As for where to find RFT 12ax7s/ECC85s, I got mine on eBay, but buyer beware.

 

[revolucien]

yeah I got mine on ebay as well just look up NOS RFT 12AX7. They came from czech and took a few weeks to get here, well worth the wait. They were a night and difference from the JJ's I had in there.

 

[DJPattP]

I don't think Metallica's tone really evolved past the Black Album, it's kind of "diminished" over the years in my opinion. They have more of a lighter, punkier guitar sound now and they're lacking in the crushing weight they once had as a metal band. The Het Set fits in with that, it fits in with the "no swearing during concerts" family friendly version of Metallica we have today. It's like they took the EMG 81/60 set and gave it to Phil Towle.

I'm not dissing Metallica, I'm a huge fan and I'm not ashamed to be. I'm just expressing an opinion.

The EMG 81/60 is much, much better than the Het Set.

I love Metallica but who cares about their sound. My ADA MP-1 through a Simul-Class 95 was the the bomb. I think they used ADA's because the sounds were identical to them. The ADA is the most incredible Preamp and with the 295 behind it just rocked.

Now I just run a MKIII and I am totally satisfied. With proper tube selections you can get the best sound outta these. Mine is the only amp I will run from now on. All others will be moved.

The Mark III is awesome

 

[DJPattP]

"What are these "NOS RFT" tubes you guys are talking about? And where can I find them? I might give it a try...

I did try a Mesa SPAX7 in v1 and didn't like it, it was a little too stiff. I put a regular 12ax7 back in for now."


The RFT are now considered NOS wich means they are not making them anymore. I would really pick a set up sooner rather than later. I am sure they would be a nice tube to have in any collection.

As for the SPAX7's ? I have had no luck with them. I have tried them in every slot I could stuff them in and guess what? They were pulled minutes after.

Try some Telefunkins or any USA made 12AX7 if you really want some good preamp sounds. They may cost a little more but they will last that extra money times many.

 

[DJPattP]

Two Blue Stripe identical.

 

[jpdennis]

All,

I have been having fun with all my Mesas and agree it is the ear of the player that can make the differnece in liking one amp over another.

As to new tubes - YES. I drove my Mark III to Petaluma about two months ago for work on my EQ. I didn't realize it had been over 10 months with the same power tubes so I got replacements for my EL84 .50 Caliber, which the Mesa techs had done their major Mesa love to a year ago & I had to use while the Mark III was getting Mesa Love.

As to getting older Mesas checked out - DOUBLE YES!! On this trip Mike replaced all the sliders, some resistors, and I now have all Mesa approved caps. Mike even changed out two caps with ones of different values - I don't know the vaules or why but when Mike suggests anything I say yes! :wink: In addition I have all Mesa tubes and it sounds great to me. Rich spoke with me for awhile I said, as all things change, I can now use 6L6 in all four sockets of my Simulclass. He further said that Randy has put out an articel about not getting hung up oin the color code these days.

One thing I found interesting was that at a fair gig I had two players come up and comment on how righteous my Mark II sounded.  I didn't have the heart to tell them it was my .50 Caliber

:mrgreen:

Dennis

 

[dlpasco]

Two Blue Stripe identical.

Now that's some darn fine amp porn right there.

 

[DJPattP]

Two Blue Stripe identical.

Now that's some darn fine amp porn right there.

Look behind the skirt of the black one. After a few suds my bros named it a NOS Mesa Boogie Mark III Blue stripe.LOL!!!

 

[little-b]

I love pittin the IV and III beside each other..theyre really cool blended together..But yes, the The MKIII is an awesome amp..and the clean channel kills too!

 

[Zoner]

I agree it is an awesome, dangerous-sounding amp. I have never been intimidated by a piece of gear before but this thing demands respect and careful use, or it WILL hurt you and anyone within earshot! I liked that aspect after a while, and even though I'm not a "metal" guy I really came to appreciate what was on tap here; warm, smooth, beautiful clean tones, very nice "classic" crunch, and a lead tone that would just sing and sing......


Here is my live rig from way back. MKIII green stripe. The Marshall 1965a 4x10 was a great match as it was plenty toneful and easier to carry. The Simul-Sat was just icing and not used all the time, but that stereo spread was super-cool when it was employed.

 

[little-b]

I agree it is an awesome, dangerous-sounding amp. I have never been intimidated by a piece of gear before but this thing demands respect and careful use, or it WILL hurt you and anyone within earshot! I liked that aspect after a while, and even though I'm not a "metal" guy I really came to appreciate what was on tap here; warm, smooth, beautiful clean tones, very nice "classic" crunch, and a lead tone that would just sing and sing......


Here is my live rig from way back. MKIII green stripe. The Marshall 1965a 4x10 was a great match as it was plenty toneful and easier to carry. The Simul-Sat was just icing and not used all the time, but that stereo spread was super-cool when it was employed.

NICE!!!