Thoughts on these Mesa Marks

[stratjacket]

Hey guys,
Kind of got the bug to try some of the iconic amps I’ve never tried or avoided. Several weeks ago I picked up a 1984 JCM800 and that worked out great. So I’ve turned my eyes to the Mark series. I’ve never owned one or played one. Suddenly there are several local Craigslist ads and wanted to ask your advice on price and if these are worth it.

Should I just skip these older models and get a Mark V or maybe the JP2C? Or are some of these below the real deal?

First up. Has no value, so I really am not sure the value or what to offer;
https://louisville.craigslist.org/msg/d/radcliff-mesa-boogie-mark-2/7112813543.html

Second. Mark 2 B ? Never heard of this one.
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/d/middletown-mesa-boogie-mkii-red-stripe/7120236745.html

Mark IV
https://lexington.craigslist.org/msg/d/somerset-mesa-boogie-mark-4/7098451453.html

Mark 2
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/d/louisville-mesa-boogie-mark-ii-100-watt/7118691446.html

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I bought a mint MKIII Blue stripe for $785 shipped back in the fall and borrowed an almost mint 79 MKIIA that the seller wanted $1200 for. Gives you some indication of values maybe.

Both amps were absolute beasts, but the MKIIA was especially beastly. The MKIIA had a loop mod and export tranny. That amp was a phucking monster.

They were definitely different to dial in than any other amps I've owned and I felt like one day I'd have the perfect tone dialed in and the next I was spinning knobs and sliding eq pots to try and find my tone again. Probably should have hung onto them but moved on.

 

[ClintN667]

I just got a Mark IV and I absolutely love it. Out of my amps Im going to say its my favorite. Its just perfect. I've considered of just selling my other amps and just keeping this one.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Hey guys,
Kind of got the bug to try some of the iconic amps I’ve never tried or avoided. Several weeks ago I picked up a 1984 JCM800 and that worked out great. So I’ve turned my eyes to the Mark series. I’ve never owned one or played one. Suddenly there are several local Craigslist ads and wanted to ask your advice on price and if these are worth it.

Should I just skip these older models and get a Mark V or maybe the JP2C? Or are some of these below the real deal?

First up. Has no value, so I really am not sure the value or what to offer;
https://louisville.craigslist.org/msg/d/radcliff-mesa-boogie-mark-2/7112813543.html

I like this first one... if it is a DRG or HRG. Tell the seller... more pics would be a good start. LOL!

Looks like the power chord has been replaced and I'd ask for pcbs internal pics to see what else has been changed. You also have to figure the cost of new tubes, any repairs, new caps, and anything else to get it running good... also I'd convert it to a head. Those 1X12s are stupidly heavy and awkward to move. So maybe the cost of a new head box too.

If not... just go for a JP2C. 80% of the tone/feel... with 0% of the hassle of buying used.

 

[SpiderWars]

Hey guys,
Kind of got the bug to try some of the iconic amps I’ve never tried or avoided. Several weeks ago I picked up a 1984 JCM800 and that worked out great. So I’ve turned my eyes to the Mark series. I’ve never owned one or played one. Suddenly there are several local Craigslist ads and wanted to ask your advice on price and if these are worth it.

Should I just skip these older models and get a Mark V or maybe the JP2C? Or are some of these below the real deal?

First up. Has no value, so I really am not sure the value or what to offer;
https://louisville.craigslist.org/msg/d/radcliff-mesa-boogie-mark-2/7112813543.html

I like this first one... if it is a DRG or HRG. Tell the seller... more pics would be a good start. LOL!

Looks like the power chord has been replaced and I'd ask for pcbs internal pics to see what else has been changed. You also have to figure the cost of new tubes, any repairs, new caps, and anything else to get it running good... also I'd convert it to a head. Those 1X12s are stupidly heavy and awkward to move. So maybe the cost of a new head box too.

If not... just go for a JP2C. 80% of the tone/feel... with 0% of the hassle of buying used.

No kidding on the pics! Experts here can prob tell from the size of the PT but it looks bigger than 60W (I just checked my 60W). But for me it would be that one or the MkIV. Both stellar amps imo.

 

[Snave]

The second link is actually a Mark III, not IIB. Red stripes are very nice but $1,200 is pretty steep.

 

[stratjacket]

Thanks, this is all great info

 

[Markedman]

The first one is sketchy based on the front faceplate, it's a Mark IIB faceplate. Someone may have just put a + sign above the cord for the fuck of it, if it is a real C+ it may be a rare Mark IIB upgrade, I've seen Mark IIA's upgraded before.

The second is a Mark III.

The Mark IV's are great and come around for $800.00 on CL often, but not when you have cash ready! I bought mine for $1,100.00 but it's Imbuya/wicker with the EV speaker.

The 4th one is what it is, not a great deal unless it went back to Boogie and was worked on and new tubes put in otherwise it's a $750.00 amp at best IMO. The old amps need work almost every time. I bought a quad pre amp and strategy 400 power amp and they went in for work right away. I hope to see them any day now and I won't worry about them crapping out when I do play out again. I'd buy the first one if it's real and pay 2000 -2500.

 

[Racerxrated]

Contact the first guy, ask him for a serial # and then call Mesa and find out the history. If it can be confirmed a C+ then I'd go for that unless he's shooting too far with his trade requests. By the looks of it it's a 2B based on the faceplate then he states it was upgraded long ago to be a C+. If Mesa can't confirm it, since they may not have records of it then you'll need to look at the preamp board and look for either an RP/SP 10 or 11...if it's an RP9 or earlier then it's no C+. That's the true confirmation, even moreso than the fx loop test. See if he'll shoot you a pic of the circuit boards.

The Mark IV is a nice second choice, for me..then the 2B as they can sound thick and rich with a vintage vibe..just have to put something in front or the loop to tighten the low end. I'd go Mark III last only because my experience with them was that they pale to all the others mentioned...still nice though.
Good luck!

 

[SpiderWars]

The first one is sketchy based on the front faceplate, it's a Mark IIB faceplate. Someone may have just put a + sign above the cord for the fuck of it, if it is a real C+ it may be a rare Mark IIB upgrade, I've seen Mark IIA's upgraded before.

I didn't notice that, is it just the Gain Boost instead of Pull Deep on the Master?

FWIW, when people send back non-GEQ models and get them upgraded with GEQ they have to use whatever faceplate they can, apparently they ran out some time ago because mine was done in like 2004 and it has a MkIII faceplate.

 

[Racerxrated]

The first one is sketchy based on the front faceplate, it's a Mark IIB faceplate. Someone may have just put a + sign above the cord for the fuck of it, if it is a real C+ it may be a rare Mark IIB upgrade, I've seen Mark IIA's upgraded before.

I didn't notice that, is it just the Gain Boost instead of Pull Deep on the Master?

FWIW, when people send back non-GEQ models and get them upgraded with GEQ they have to use whatever faceplate they can, apparently they ran out some time ago because mine was done in like 2004 and it has a MkIII faceplate.

No 'Pull Shift' over the Bass.

The C+ is easy to spot from the front as all knobs have a pull feature except for the mids. Although, I've seen some Mark IIIs where someone tries to erase the 'Pull Rhythm' over the mid knob, to try to pass it off as a 2C+.

 

[SpiderWars]

The first one is sketchy based on the front faceplate, it's a Mark IIB faceplate. Someone may have just put a + sign above the cord for the fuck of it, if it is a real C+ it may be a rare Mark IIB upgrade, I've seen Mark IIA's upgraded before.

I didn't notice that, is it just the Gain Boost instead of Pull Deep on the Master?

FWIW, when people send back non-GEQ models and get them upgraded with GEQ they have to use whatever faceplate they can, apparently they ran out some time ago because mine was done in like 2004 and it has a MkIII faceplate.

No 'Pull Shift' over the Bass.

The C+ is easy to spot from the front as all knobs have a pull feature except for the mids. Although, I've seen some Mark IIIs where someone tries to erase the 'Pull Rhythm' over the mid knob, to try to pass it off as a 2C+.

Yep, MkIIIs (or at least the faceplate on mine) actually say Mark III on the far right and they blacked out one "I".

 

[ClintN667]

Sorry to derail the conversation but I always see mentions of sending amps to Mesa for mods and checkups. Would you guys recommend that for old Mesa's in general? My Mark IV sounds great but I kinda want to have it checked up just cause I really love this amp and want it operating in top shape.

 

[Racerxrated]

Sorry to derail the conversation but I always see mentions of sending amps to Mesa for mods and checkups. Would you guys recommend that for old Mesa's in general? My Mark IV sounds great but I kinda want to have it checked up just cause I really love this amp and want it operating in top shape.

Yep, sending any vintage Mesa back to Boogie is always a good idea. Mike B will refresh any Caps that need changing, etc. It will be good to go for another 15 or more yrs.

 

[GJgo]

To the OP- what kind of music do you play?

Do you want a vintage organic tone or a modern compressed tone? Or somewhere in the middle?

Do you need a ton of bottom end or more mids?

Old amps can go in to Mesa for service so don't worry about that, just factor $450 ish into the total price.

 

[Zachalou]

Had a Mark IV a for a while, sold it and got a mark V months ago, IMO it's superior in every way. It killed my amp gas

 

[JimAnsell]

The first one is sketchy based on the front faceplate, it's a Mark IIB faceplate. Someone may have just put a + sign above the cord for the fuck of it, if it is a real C+ it may be a rare Mark IIB upgrade, I've seen Mark IIA's upgraded before.

only a few dozen b to c+'s exist, according to mike b. i had one of them back in the early 2000's. mike b told me it involved a ton of work, i think even replacing the main circuit board, and they're no longer capable to doing that upgrade. something like that. call mike b. he knows all. its still pretty amazing that you can call that dude, and he will seemingly drop what he is doing and give you all of the time of day you need. I'd get pretty sick of those same questions by now, tbh. "can i get a mark III to sound like a c+!!?!?!11"

 

[stratjacket]

To the OP- what kind of music do you play?

Do you want a vintage organic tone or a modern compressed tone? Or somewhere in the middle?

Do you need a ton of bottom end or more mids?

Old amps can go in to Mesa for service so don't worry about that, just factor $450 ish into the total price.

Hard rock and metal, mostly original stuff. I’ve tried tons of amps but just never went down the Mesa Mark road and wanted to try it. Sounds like it’s a pretty confusing history and there’s a lot I don’t know which is why I was asking for thoughts on these local sales.

All you guys delivered on the info, I appreciate it.

 

[Deleted member 3520]

IV for tone and versatility that nails classic Boogie with more options. IIC+ if you want an amazing oldschool huge clean tone and a lead channel that feels phenomenal and is the legendary Boogie high gain tone at its finest. IV gets about 85% there though, in The lead channel. Cleans are not close. The V is awesome, more modern and not as accurate a IIC+ as even a IV. Awesome amp though. JP2C has good cleans and two high gain channels. Very aggressive, felt a bit drier than the others. If I had to have one, my choices would go chronologically; IC+ (Simulclass), IV, V, JP2C.

 

[GJgo]

I wouldn't limit yourself to local sales, heads are easy to ship & it sounds like you want a head & sealed cab. The Mark IV will be the most middle-of-the-road experience between the vintage organic & modern compressed tones. It has a great clean channel & killer lead channel, but the rhythm channel isn't spectacular just so you're prepared.