UPDATED - Mark V for Mark III

[Anonymous]

UPDATE in lower post

So I've got this Boogie Mark V at home that I rarely play, but keep around in case I want some Mesa tones. Basically just interested in Lead and heavy Rhythm (spradic metal phases). I don't see myself using much more than 2-3 modes on the Mark V. Thinking about selling it and getting a Mark III blue stripe. Studio environment, no gigging.

Thoughts?

 

[Tone Monster]

Smart idea. Go for a red stripe instead IMO.

 

[Motorpud]

Smart idea. Go for a red stripe instead IMO.

+1. Red stripe all the way. Also, if you get a MarkIII make sure it has all the options, GEQ is a must IMO.

 

[Tone Monster]

Smart idea. Go for a red stripe instead IMO.

+1. Red stripe all the way. Also, if you get a MarkIII make sure it has all the options, GEQ is a must IMO.

Oh yeah. GEQ was assumed 100%

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I'm strictly looking for one with a Graphic EQ

Main differences between blue and red stripe?

 

[Tone Monster]

The Red stripe gets to over the top, aggressive metal heaven, yet can be dialed in more mellow. The blue can't quite match the reds level of aggressiveness. Very close but not quite.

 

[tfridgen]

I'd be happy with any stripe, FANTASTIC AMPS. I had a V for a while as well, and while it was awesome, my III just had something special. The blue stripe will be very aggressive if you want it to be, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[blackba]

I think getting a mark III makes very good sense from both a money standpoint and a pure tone standpoint. Mark IIIs are great values and mark Vs are still holding their value pretty well on the used market.

 

[Motorpud]

Something most people fail to mention is that it has a great clean channel too. It can be challenging to dial in a really good clean and lead at the same time though because of the shared EQ, but its easy to find a middle ground.

Its also worth noting that when dialing in the lead channel, the treble knob has an effect on gain.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

The Mark III Red Stripe that I have is my favorite amp ever. That's all.

 

[skoora]

I Recently played a blue stripe combo (through a 4x12) and thought it was aggressive as fuck. Even with the 750 slider all the way down it still kept a growl to it. I wonder if the main difference is in how Rhy 2 might sound, as on the blue stripe it actually sounded pretty damn good and it usually gets a pretty bad rap depending on the stripe. I played a red stripe head many months ago and certainly don't remember it sounding any better for metal etc. In fact I would dig a blue stripe head to get the 15 watt Class A operation as well. I think the MK V will kill a MKIII for versatility on cleaner and mid gain tones but none of the metal tones in the V sound as good to me as a MKIII. I will say I love the MKI setting on channel two for a thick metal tone. You need to kill the bass and crank the treble and presence and use the GEQ but it sounds killer.

 

[Tone Monster]

I Recently played a blue stripe combo (through a 4x12) and thought it was aggressive as fuck. Even with the 750 slider all the way down it still kept a growl to it. I wonder if the main difference is in how Rhy 2 might sound, as on the blue stripe it actually sounded pretty damn good and it usually gets a pretty bad rap depending on the stripe. I played a red stripe head many months ago and certainly don't remember it sounding any better for metal etc. In fact I would dig a blue stripe head to get the 15 watt Class A operation as well. I think the MK V will kill a MKIII for versatility on cleaner and mid gain tones but none of the metal tones in the V sound as good to me as a MKIII. I will say I love the MKI setting on channel two for a thick metal tone. You need to kill the bass and crank the treble and presence and use the GEQ but it sounds killer.

My comments on the blue vs red came from the experience of owning both at the same time. They are close, very close. The red is just 5% "more metal". That said, it could easily be the difference in tubes or something.?!. It was noticable but no deal breaker or anything. All well running MarkIIIs sound killer.

 

[skoora]

I Recently played a blue stripe combo (through a 4x12) and thought it was aggressive as fuck. Even with the 750 slider all the way down it still kept a growl to it. I wonder if the main difference is in how Rhy 2 might sound, as on the blue stripe it actually sounded pretty damn good and it usually gets a pretty bad rap depending on the stripe. I played a red stripe head many months ago and certainly don't remember it sounding any better for metal etc. In fact I would dig a blue stripe head to get the 15 watt Class A operation as well. I think the MK V will kill a MKIII for versatility on cleaner and mid gain tones but none of the metal tones in the V sound as good to me as a MKIII. I will say I love the MKI setting on channel two for a thick metal tone. You need to kill the bass and crank the treble and presence and use the GEQ but it sounds killer.

My comments on the blue vs red came from the experience of owning both at the same time. They are close, very close. The red is just 5% "more metal". That said, it could easily be the difference in tubes or something.?!. It was noticable but no deal breaker or anything. All well running MarkIIIs sound killer.

I totally agree. The differences the tube choice makes in my Studio Pre for the lead channel is not negligible .

 

[dsquared]

Yes, I'm strictly looking for one with a Graphic EQ

Main differences between blue and red stripe?

Blue has a more aggressive preamp section and a power section modeled on the IIC+; supposed to be the most aggressive of all the stripes.

I love my red stripe, never tried a blue. My red's gain tones are very close to my IIC+.

 

[thiswaythatway]

The Red stripe gets to over the top, aggressive metal heaven, yet can be dialed in more mellow. The blue can't quite match the reds level of aggressiveness. Very close but not quite.

I've owned both and disagree. A blue stripe I owned had the most preamp gain of any Mark series amp I've owned, and that includes 3 IIC+'s, 3 or 4 Mark IV's, A V, and a red, blue, and no stripe III. My friend also owned a Blue stripe at one point and the thing had tons of gain. I think ALL the III's are aggressive and raw sounding, much less refined than a IV and V and much more in your face. I'm not saying the Red isn't a beast...which it is...but from my findings the blue is as aggressive and gainy as they get.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I'd also like to add that our long lost friend Psychodave owned a Green Stripe III and that thing was a monster. I wouldn't hesitate to check out the Green one's as well. I think they were wired pentode instead of triode............or maybe I have it backwards, don't remember.

 

[Mailman1971]

Only had a Red stripe....and a Blue Stripe.
They both sounded pretty damn close to me. When the drummer is banging away.....and the 4x12's are pumping....
I couldnt tell.



They both sounded great!! But I am sure if you want to get down to the nitty gritty and disect the tone....
they sound different. Had the Mark IV and for my use I liked the III's better.
I only had limited time with a V....it was a combo....and I goofed around with it in a music store and hated it.

 

[braintheory]

The blue and green stripe are equally aggressive and more aggressive than than the red stripe. The green stripe just has a slightly stiffer feel because of the pentode wiring and an extra 10 watts over the other stripes. I don't know of any amp more aggressive than the mark iii's.

 

[shane159]

I prefer the Blue stripe as well.

 

[blackba]

I hate these mark III threads, it always makes me want to add a mark III to my amp stable. I love my mark IVA, but have long been curious about the III. How is the effects loop on the mark III, is it usable?

Darn GAS.....