Mesa Mark III Red Stripe Head

[steve_k]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

 

[Mailman1971]

Oh yeah......
I wanted one of them Mark III Blue stripers BAD!!!!!
They all sound killer eh?

 

[thiswaythatway]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

Keep playing it and i won't be suprised to see a Mark V for sale from you. The III's lead channel kills the V's lead channel IMHO.

 

[steve_k]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

Keep playing it and i won't be suprised to see a Mark V for sale from you. The III's lead channel kills the V's lead channel IMHO.

And....my Mark IV will be here tomorrow. It got held up in customs because it shipped in a road case.

It is an A version. Really looking forward to that one


Steve

 

[AmpliFIRE]

DIBS on the MKIII

 

[Dror520]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

Keep playing it and i won't be suprised to see a Mark V for sale from you. The III's lead channel kills the V's lead channel IMHO.

And....my Mark IV will be here tomorrow. It got held up in customs because it shipped in a road case.

It is an A version. Really looking forward to that one



Steve

I love my Mark IVA it's awesome! I'm sure you're going to enjoy it!

 

[TWPietz37]

I really miss my IIC+ and my III blue stripe.

 

[steve_k]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

Keep playing it and i won't be suprised to see a Mark V for sale from you. The III's lead channel kills the V's lead channel IMHO.

Nah, won't sell the Mark V. It really goes over the top when needed. But, Daneyo - I see exactly where you are coming from though. There is none of the old Mark in the new Mark. But, I didn't buy it expecting it to. These old Mesa's sure have a lot of character, which is something I was missing and really enjoy - a lot. My new live rig is taking shape (Mark III, IV & V). The heads are so light compared to some of my other stuff that carrying around a few of them in a road case is not a nut-busting event!

I just have to resist the urge now for a Triaxis

Steve

 

[sebby123]

After a week of it sitting here, I finally got my Mark III Red Stripe head unpacked, tubed and fired up (I wish Randall would have put all the preamp tube sockets in the same direction!). It took a bit to figure out the controls on this thing. Damn what a beast this is with all the gains dimed. The little piece of history just blows my mind! Haven't had this much fun with my clothes on in a while... The Simulclass with 6L6's and 34's really sings on the Mark III, almost sounding on the border of stereo. Picked this little gem up for under $700.

Steve

Keep playing it and i won't be suprised to see a Mark V for sale from you. The III's lead channel kills the V's lead channel IMHO.

Nah, won't sell the Mark V. It really goes over the top when needed. But, Daneyo - I see exactly where you are coming from though. There is none of the old Mark in the new Mark. But, I didn't buy it expecting it to. These old Mesa's sure have a lot of character, which is something I was missing and really enjoy - a lot. My new live rig is taking shape (Mark III, IV & V). The heads are so light compared to some of my other stuff that carrying around a few of them in a road case is not a nut-busting event!

I just have to resist the urge now for a Triaxis

Steve

Welcome to the mark fanboi club

 

[steve_k]

Hell, I have come full circle and right back where I started - with Mesa. It only cost me $30,000 to get here

Steve

 

[sebby123]

Hell, I have come full circle and right back where I started - with Mesa. It only cost me $30,000 to get here

Steve

Its a good feeling though isnt it? I dunno only amp i gas for is a fortin bones but even then i love the way old mark series amps colour a persons tone. Im 100% content with my rig.

But as for guitars... There will never be an end

 

[steve_k]

Hell, I have come full circle and right back where I started - with Mesa. It only cost me $30,000 to get here

Steve

Its a good feeling though isnt it? I dunno only amp i gas for is a fortin bones but even then i love the way old mark series amps colour a persons tone. Im 100% content with my rig.

But as for guitars... There will never be an end

The only other guitar I am gassing for right now is another ESP. To me, they are perfect right off the shelf. I have my Kirk Hamster Vintage KH2. When the black Truckster comes out (not the LTD one), I will grab one.

Yep, it feels good to find an amp or combination of amps that makes one happier than a pig in shit. These old Mesa's are really doing it for me right now. Of course, the Herbert will always be there, but I use it for one thing only - uber heavy and to me it has only one sound. Mostly because I don't fiddle with it. Got the settings marked and that is where Channel 2 and 3 stays. Essentially do the same with the Marks, but there is much more life and feel in the amps. The Bones is an awesome piece of kit too. To be fair though, I haven't got to play it much and really get it dialed in. There are so many possibilities with it. I need a month off of work!

Steve

 

[Hard&Heavy]

Steve
Took the kids to see stryper last night and micheal was using a mk V and it sounded fantastic,bone crushing to more on the money. It has me thinking about one very hard. Just thought I'ed let you know...

 

[steve_k]

Steve
Took the kids to see stryper last night and micheal was using a mk V and it sounded fantastic,bone crushing to more on the money. It has me thinking about one very hard. Just thought I'ed let you know...

Yep. They are making their way into some road cases. To me, its a hell of an amp for the money. I haven't really messed around with Channel 1 or 2. Channel 3 kicks ass to me. I haven't done any tube changes yet. Someone said Mesa tubes were now relabeled JJ's. Everyone seems to say a tube change really opens it up. For 2 grand, it is a hell of a deal. That's just me though. Now, the old Mesa Marks are what is really making my loins quiver these days...

Ordered me a new road case with 8 rack spaces and two head cavities for the Mesa's. Which 2 will go in it????

Steve

 

[Hard&Heavy]

That'a a tuff choice. I would go for the V and the IV that would be a brutal combonation.

 

[steve_k]

Just sold my 1983 JCM800, a 1978 JMP and a 4x12 Marshall cab. Now I don't feel like such an amp whore...and I was able to part with something. It was hard to let go of the JCM800 though. Sold a Fender Tele too that has been under the bed for a couple years.

 

[Hard&Heavy]

I know how you fill I just moved the vht for a suhr and I am ok with it I think

 

[Neeklaus]

man I would do terrible things for a mark III. I have been THIS ___ close to scoring a mark III twice. I have already promised myself one with my upcoming tax return. What's a fair price for one of these nowadays. Any thing I should know if I am considering rack mounting it?

 

[Hard&Heavy]

I missed picking one up about a year ago at $800, I should have snaged it up been kicking myself ever since

 

[sebby123]

I would say IV for clean and lead and III for the agressive tight rythm sound.

BTW SED Winged =C= 6l6's are amazing with mark series amps.