Mesa/Boogie... What don't you like?

[fretout]

I've always liked my Mesas over the Marshall's I've played through. My favorite Marshall was the old JCM 800 2203, and from there I moved on to the Rectifiers, and then finally the Marks.

Ever since I demo'ed my first Mark (which was a Mark III Purple Stripe), I absolutely felt at home. It seems that very few players want "just a JCM". They'll boost it, or mod it, or buy other designs that are based off the older Marshalls, but those designs usually have more gain than the original. That's why I started looking at higher gain options. I always liked the sound of an amp that has plenty of gain, but can "turn down" to a nice crunch, than a mid gain amp pushed and boosted to the same level. To my ears, one sounds natural (or dare I say "organic"), and they other sounds processed.

Another reason I stuck with the Mark III is because of all the compliments I've received on my tone. The first three Mark IIIs I tried to purchase, I tried them at the owner's houses (via craigslist ads), and after they heard me play it, they refused to sell it! Also, live, people seem to love it (and I'll take all the help I can get)!

I won't get started on Coliseums, but the Mark III on Rhythm 2 is definitely capable of getting "modded Marshall" type tones, especially if you have EL34s and run in Class A (for simulclass amps).

 

[Findthetone]

I was listening to a interview with Brad Gillis on YT. He said that a lot of players back in the 80's were using the Mark IIC+ in the studio.

He and Jeff Watson were for sure. They are the number one reason I got interested in Mesas.

 

[tallcoolone]

My Friedman, DSL50 and JMP haven't seen a gig since I got my Mark V.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

A Dual Rectifier in my hands sounds like a buzzy, flubby mess. I hear other guys play them and they sound great. I've had 3 of them and hated them all.

The Mark III is a different story. My favorite amp ever. I have been gigging with it for 3 years and get a ton of questions/compliments about my tone. It just suits me.

 

[spanny]

I've always liked Mesa way more than Marshall amps

 

[TrueTone500]

A Dual Rectifier in my hands sounds like a buzzy, flubby mess. I hear other guys play them and they sound great. I've had 3 of them and hated them all.

The Mark III is a different story. My favorite amp ever. I have been gigging with it for 3 years and get a ton of questions/compliments about my tone. It just suits me.

Same here! As much as I wanted to love that amp, it just wasn't my thing.

I had the first of several Dual-Rectifier amps that Mesa produced. It sounded different from one I had played at Lentine's Music, so I called Mesa to inquire as to why it sounded different? Mesa; "The preamp is different from production DR's. It was originally sent to Akron Music, but was not suppose to be sold! Where did you get the amp? Hello? Hello?".

I purchased it from a Cleveland cop. I got to this guy's house at 9:00 am on a Saturday... He introduced himself, and then asked my if I wanted a Jack and Coke!

 

[RJF]

I'm thinking about getting a Mesa Mark V, or maybe a Mark III. I'd love to have a Mark IIC+, but... $$$!!!

Go for a mark 3! Should be able to grab one for $700 or less. I have owned a red and green stripe, they were identical in tone, other than the green having a tough more treble at the same settings. I've never played a black or purple stripe, but I think the stripes are blown out of proportion, at least between the red/blue/green era.

I had a mk4 and didn't really like it all that much, but the 3 is awesome. Agressive, and easy to use layout. I'll be keeping my green long head for a long time.

 

[thegame]

but the Mark III on Rhythm 2 is definitely capable of getting "modded Marshall" type tones, especially if you have EL34s and run in Class A (for simulclass amps).

Yes, thats how I ran mine years ago. Surprising amount of gain. Best tone in the amp IMO.

 

[TrueTone500]

I'm thinking about getting a Mesa Mark V, or maybe a Mark III. I'd love to have a Mark IIC+, but... $$$!!!

Go for a mark 3! Should be able to grab one for $700 or less. I have owned a red and green stripe, they were identical in tone, other than the green having a tough more treble at the same settings. I've never played a black or purple stripe, but I think the stripes are blown out of proportion, at least between the red/blue/green era.

I had a mk4 and didn't really like it all that much, but the 3 is awesome. Agressive, and easy to use layout. I'll be keeping my green long head for a long time.

I'll check one out if I can.

 

[V-Type]

If you can find a Mark III for $700 I say jump.
The tones and options they achieve are worth at least twice as much imo.
My Purple Mark III combo may look old and plain but in reality it kills many amps I had paid more $$
for and just destroys when big volumes are needed.
The size of a Princeton Reverb but the sonic footprint of half stack.
Yep the Mark III is a vastly under apreciated model in the Mark design s
but more folks are catching on.

 

[Badronald]

Interesting. I rarely see any players locally use Marshall's any more. Everything but. I'm one of the few guys who does.

I called myself a Marshall guy forever. But as I look back over the last 30 years of playing I've used Mesa Boogies more than anything. Whenever I'm playing a Marshall I wish it had the impact of a Boogie. When I'm playing a Boogie I don't wish it to anything other than what it is.

Big Mesa Boogie fan here.

 

[TrueTone500]

Looks like Mark III's are selling for $1200.00 and higher on ebay. At that price, I'd rather hold-out for a good deal on a IIC+.

 

[V-Type]

Yeah ebay and reverb have inflated $$$ Mark III's but Gc's used page and cl shows them moving at $700-$900 on avg but they are fewer fewer too be had lately.
And II c, s rarely go below $1200.
hmm

 

[severinsteel]

I've owned the following Boogies:
Mark III red stripe
Mark IV
Rectoverb Combo
Tremoverb
Triple Rectifier (3 channel)
Dual Rectifier (rev C)

And the Following Marshalls:
JTM 30 Combo
JCM 2000 TSL
JCM 800 2203x
Cameron Aldrich modded JCM 800
FJA Nick modded 1959x SLP
Friedman Kitchen Sink modded JMP 2203
JMP 2204

I still own the 2204, 2203x, the Friedman, and the Rev C dual Rec.

The Mark series were always a little too 'tight' and the rectos aside from the Rev. C were too flubby and harsh.

I just prefer the mids of the Marshalls. Plus, they are more fun to play. I much prefer the feel.

 

[RJF]

Looks like Mark III's are selling for $1200.00 and higher on ebay. At that price, I'd rather hold-out for a good deal on a IIC+.

Where are you at? Just watch CL, one will pop up.

I bought my red stripe ( mint cond.) for $650. I just sold it for $700, and I struggled to get $700 out of it.

I paid $550 for my green stripe fully loaded long head 8/10 condition.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I like them both but the only real Mesa/Boogie based amp I have is a DC-5 which is an awesome, way underrated amp from them. I don't know why folks prefer Marshall based amps but for me I think it was more so the tone of folks I like mostly used Marshall's or hot rodded Marshall's back in the day. An LP or a strat into a Marshall just works and has from the beginning. The other thing is they do cut through the mix better live to my ears anyway.

 

[blackba]

As a long time Mesa mark Iva owner, I love the amp, but I rarely use it live. My Marshall 2553 just seems to cover the songs I am doing better. And I love the way that Marshall's sit in a mix.

In my current gig, I think the mark Iva would work great, but I am too lazy to haul it and just using a provided peavey classic 30.

 

[4406cuda]

Comparing a Mesa/Boogie Mark series amp to a Marshall based circuit. Why do most of you prefer Marshall? Does the Boogie not sound and/or respond as well as the Marshall? It seems 9 out of 10 players choose Marshall-esque amplifiers... Why?

Dude, it's simple. Look where you are at. It's 1984, EVH and Motley Crue are at the top of the charts. Seriously, it's always 1980 something around here at RT. So, Marshall it is.

I personally love the Mesa/Diezel/VHT/Framus type tones. Every marshall I've had, I was thrilled to see it go out the front door. My last Marshall I had, was a flip and I made a fortune off it. Thought I would keep it, but nope.

Even the Fortin Bones.... brought it home and thought I had found my new favorite amp. Every time I played it, I liked it less. Couldn't dial out a mid honk and it quickly got old.

A couple of my favorite 80's guitar tones are:

Brad Gillis on "Speak Of The Devil"
John Sykes on "Whitesnake"

Both are Mesa Boogie Marks

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Brad Gillis on "Speak Of The Devil"

Hell yeah....one of the better live tones caught on tape to my ears!

 

[4406cuda]

Brad Gillis on "Speak Of The Devil"

Hell yeah....one of the better live tones caught on tape to my ears!

I don't believe there was much post production on that album.

One of my desert island must haves!