Mark III Red or Blue

[FourT6and2]

If there were two identical Mesa Mark III combos sitting next to each other, one Red stripe and the other Blue, which would you choose? Both Simul-Class, Reverb, GEQ, and EV speaker.

There's one of each available to me. But I can't play either. And they're both the same price.

 

[tfridgen]

I wouldn't worry either way. I bet the biggest difference would be in the what the tubes were puttin' out. You really can't go wrong!

 

[Heritage Softail]

Buy both at fair market price and sell the one you don't like. They are not super expensive,

 

[blackba]

Buy the one with the r2 mod already done. Do both have a footswitch?

 

[dsquared]

I love my Red. Can't go wrong with either, though.

 

[FourT6and2]

Neither have any modifications. No footswitches either. According to Wiki, Blue is brighter and more aggressive?

 

[Code001]

Red

 

[Tone Monster]

Red

 

[Anonymous]

I'd get the red just because some people are convinced it sounds better
Then resale is easier

 

[Charvel_King]

I read that the Blue is closest to a 2C+

I had a green and it was awesome. I don't think you could go wrong with either!

Great amps!

Personally i wouldn't get a combo if possible. But hey, that's just me.

 

[Tone Monster]

I'd get the red just because some people are convinced it sounds better
Then resale is easier

This is an extremely logical response. Plus they DO sound better!
BwahahaHhahHhHhHaha

 

[FourT6and2]

I read that the Blue is closest to a 2C+

I had a green and it was awesome. I don't think you could go wrong with either!

Great amps!

Personally i wouldn't get a combo if possible. But hey, that's just me.

From what ive read the green is wired pentode. The other stripes are triode. So if any of them are noticeably different its the green.

 

[Charvel_King]

I read that the Blue is closest to a 2C+

I had a green and it was awesome. I don't think you could go wrong with either!

Great amps!

Personally i wouldn't get a combo if possible. But hey, that's just me.

From what ive read the green is wired pentode. The other stripes are triode. So if any of them are noticeably different its the green.

Correct, green is wired pentode in the power section. Amps prior to that were triode.

 

[megaboogie]

You can't go wrong with either, but the price on the red seems to go a bit more than the blue so I'd go with the red.

 

[Thunderchunk]

I owned an early black stripe, a red stripe, and a blue stripe. All were fully loaded hardwood, simul-class, EQ, reverb, EV, etc.

The red smoked them all. Best amp ever. I still kick myself for selling it.

 

[FourT6and2]

Red it is! If I get one at all...

I want one. But I don't need one. And I'm on the fence whether or not I should do it. I guess I could always flip it later.

GAS... she's a cruel bitch.

 

[Mailman1971]

Played thru a friends Blue stripe for a few hours...loved it!
Owned the Red stripe for a few months and loved it as well. Pretty similar vibe from both amps to me.
Great ripping tone from both.
But my hearing is shot.

 

[FourT6and2]

Played thru a friends Blue stripe for a few hours...loved it!
Owned the Red stripe for a few months and loved it as well. Pretty similar vibe from both amps to me.
Great ripping tone from both.
But my hearing is shot.

Why'd you get rid of yours?

 

[Mailman1971]

Played thru a friends Blue stripe for a few hours...loved it!
Owned the Red stripe for a few months and loved it as well. Pretty similar vibe from both amps to me.
Great ripping tone from both.
But my hearing is shot.

Why'd you get rid of yours?

I had just bought a Diezel VH4S and the Mark was not being played.

The Mark is still one of my all time fave amps for sure.

 

[Little B]

Played thru a friends Blue stripe for a few hours...loved it!
Owned the Red stripe for a few months and loved it as well. Pretty similar vibe from both amps to me.
Great ripping tone from both.
But my hearing is shot.

like mailman, my ears have been put thru many hours of a drummers crash, and my loud mkIII red stripe coliseum. I also had a blue stripe coli for a while..They are so close in tone, youd have to stick em both on a oscillator scope to find any difference.Theyres a well known thread/sticky floatin around with all the stripe changes.You cant go wrong with either..MkIIIs are killer amps.