The price of Mark series amps these days. thoughts?

[robvoyles]

Just wanted to get some thoughts on the prices im seeing these days on mark series amps. I'm sure most of you are seeing them too. Any thoughts on IIC+ amp's some priced over $10, 000 dollars and the coliseum's IIc+ asking $16,000 to $20,0000. Mark III's in the $3,000 range and higher. would really like to hear some thoughts on what people are asking for them.

 

[rarebitusa]

Having Mesa GAS for years does prompt me looking at the used market on an ongoing basis. It's just one players opinion here... but the actual selling prices have softened quite a bit over the last year. The asking prices do remain high and on some cases overly optimistic especially for IIIs and IVs, which are great amps BTW. Currently it's pretty much a buyers market.

 

[CoG]

the question is never the asking price, it's the selling price. Reverb's existence* has led to a selling strategy across all platforms where if the seller's livelihood is not dependent on buying and selling gear, it often makes more sense for them to post dramatically inflated prices and hope for some weirdo to make an impulse buy based on internet hype than to 'compete'. Now, this is fine, **** happens, there is no such thing as an objectively 'fair price' and I made a good chunk of money flipping gear during the pandemic so I'm not dragging it. But it creates a heavily distorted market where lack of demand at a price point does not necessarily reduce prices.

*this was an ebay thing too, but the prevalence of fraud and ripoffs in decades past means that few people are inclined to make high-dollar impulse buys on ebay compared to reverb where it can pay off to go whaling.

 

[spawnofthesith2]

From my observation, price on Vs is way down, and IVs are coming back down to reality (I got mine for $1k at the beginning of the year and I've been seeing a lot of combos in the 1400-1500 range lately)

The price of IIIs is pretty discouraging. I'm also not convinced that they're actually selling at those prices though, seems like theres an awful lot that just sit for forever. There is a GEQ combo on GC used for around $1800 right now, which is lower than I've seen GEQ models listed for in a while


Locally there's a 60 watt purple stripe (no GEQ but it does have reverb) for $1200 which is the lowest price I've seen on a III period in almost a decade. I'm pretty tempted by that one, if its still around in a few weeks might not be able to resist. Its already been sitting for a month. I know on the lower end of desirable specs for a III but its tempting

I can't comment on IIs

 

[rarebitusa]

(I got mine for $1k at the beginning of the year a

Sweet, gotta dig that

I'm also not convinced that they're actually selling at those prices though, seems like theres an awful lot that just sit for forever.

Yep, FWIW III's that I've seen move recently here on CL, even with GEQs, are below $1500. Tempting indeed.

 

[spawnofthesith2]

Sweet, gotta dig that


Yep, FWIW III's that I've seen move recently here on CL, even with GEQs, are below $1500. Tempting indeed.

Damn!! I’d Jump on one at a GEQ below 15 in a heartbeat!

In 2016 I paid around 1200-1300 for my fully loaded red stripe. I knew at the time I was overpaying but I had money burning a hole in my pocket and didn’t want to wait around for a deal lol. Never should have sold that thing

 

[rarebitusa]

In 2016 I paid around 1200-1300 for my fully loaded red stripe.

IIRC that wasn't that much of an overpay considering it was fully loaded. There was a point where the prices dipped even further before Covid and I kick myself for not grabbing one of the good deals to be had back then. Sigh

III's a great amp, my GAS would certainly be much higher if I didn't have the IIC+ . With the shared tone stack you can dial in some great tones.

 

[Darkstar2]

I passed up a chance at a 60 watt MkIII blue stripe for $700 in the mid-2010s. I needed some TLC but was functional. Before COVID, MkIII's of all stripes could be had in DRG format for $1,000-1,200 depending on condition. HRG's were similarly priced, sometimes under $1,000. MarkIV's were $900 to $1,200 depending on how new or old they were. There have been nearly 30,000 mark III's and mark IV's made, so they were plentiful and relatively cheap. When those prices return, I'll be buying at least 1 Mark III DRG.

 

[rarebitusa]

I passed up a chance at a 60 watt MkIII blue stripe for $700 in the mid-2010s. I needed some TLC but was functional. Before COVID, MkIII's of all stripes could be had in DRG format for $1,000-1,200 depending on condition. HRG's were similarly priced, sometimes under $1,000. MarkIV's were $900 to $1,200 depending on how new or old they were. There have been nearly 30,000 mark III's and mark IV's made, so they were plentiful and relatively cheap. When those prices return, I'll be buying at least 1 Mark III DRG.

Man those were the days

 

[JustPassingThrough]

There's a guy in my town who's been trying to sell his Mk III for about 2 years. He's asking $4250 for it.

That might explain why nobody has bought it.

 

[spawnofthesith2]

I did ask the guy last week if he was considering trades which he said yes, then he seemed a bit offended that I offered him trade value the same as what he was asking.... followed by "I could sell this for way more on Reverb"

 

[JustPassingThrough]

There's a guy in my town who's been trying to sell his Mk III for about 2 years. He's asking $4250 for it.

That might explain why nobody has bought it.

He's come down from when he first listed it at $5,500.

 

[CoG]

I love my Mark III but if someone offered me US$4K tomorrow it would be out the door so fast

 

[Appleridge]

I spent 1700 on my MKIII green stripe and 1500 on my mkIV B about 2 years ago. I also picked up a CLEAN IIb ( 60 watt w RP9C) within the last year for 2k. I sent them all back to Mesa for the + mod, cap replacements and a loop mod. Avg 500 per trip to Mesa.

I was considering dumping one, but I just can’t part w them lol. The IV would be the one to go, but it’s not worth selling for only 1500. The III+? I wouldn’t let it go for less than 3500…the IIB is too good to sell, but it would be in the 4k range. Overpriced? Yes, but that’s the cost it would take for me to part ways with some amps that have a sound I have yet to find in the new mesa offerings (I’m on the list for the IIC+ reissue…expectations are low, but I must try).

I think the IIb’s are a great buy at 2k, but I don’t see any worth picking up right now. When I bought mine, I shared the serial# and pics w MikeB. He confirmed its pedigree so I felt good about the purchase.

Lots of good MKIII options out there right now! I wouldn’t feel bad about spending 2-2300 on a clean red stripe (almost have a few times). Another trip to Mesa for checkups, the +/r2 vol mod, and we are in business. Awesome vintage amp that will last for years and years.

 

[Darkstar2]

No F'ing way would I pay $2K for a MkIII, let alone a Mk.IV. All this garbage about 'MeSa IsN'T tHe SaMe SiNcE GiBsOn BoUGhT tHeM' will die down and normalcy will return to the used amp market. I might pay $1,400 for a super-clean, recapped MkIII DRG (black dot, black stripe, no stripe) but otherwise, y'all that spent big bucks on 'em can hold on for dear life to them. The search continues! Best of luck to you guys.

 

[Appleridge]

Oh I totally agree, much too costly to justify, but here I am trying anyway! The second I start to regret my purchases I wander downstairs, fire up the Marks, and all my questions are answered. For me, I am happy to pay a premium for a product that I enjoy. You only live once! I think!