School me on the varieties of Mesa Mark IIIs

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MadAsAHatter said:
When I got my red stripe about 2 years ago I set it with the more typical presence on 3 and the 6600 bumped up and left it that way for a while. After watching your video I gave that suggestion a try. I have the presence on 7 and 6600 pushed down to where the top of the slider is touching the middle line. I like it much better this way. It does sound more 3D and punchy. At least on my red stripe, I also find the highs aren't as harsh, but doesn't compromise the aggressive top end when set this way.
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I found this also to be the case on the red and earlier models. The blue stripe is the presence demon ime
 
FWIW
I thought my Simul Mark IIIs ( especially the Red Stripe) were pretty brutal until I got my F50 & F100 heads, modded the loops and goose the front. They have this fat, squishy, throaty tone ( contour mode ) that is absolutely annihilating in the most glorious way. There's NO amp I've played that has that kind of voicing - nothing close. ( it's a Mesa thang) Very Recto [Modern] and Mark compression sort-of-kind-of - ish.
The cleans are very, very Twin. Absolute banger all the way around. Top of the list favorite amps.
 
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Went back to my local tech and looks like it's a Red Stripe version.

So I'm between a rack mount RS III for $1750 and a combo IIB RP9C (based on the S/N and some forum comments) for $1000 (can probably negotiate both lower). Both I'd want to convert to a head shell and probably send to Mike B for mods.
 
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ners said:
Went back to my local tech and looks like it's a Red Stripe version.

So I'm between a rack mount RS III for $1750 and a combo IIB RP9C (based on the S/N and some forum comments) for $1000 (can probably negotiate both lower). Both I'd want to convert to a head shell and probably send to Mike B for mods.
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Dude, go play them so you can decide for yourself. Personally I'd take a late IIB all day, and more guys would probably take the red stripe. If you play them, you'll know! No bad choices, only personal preferences.
 
I've had 2 blue stripes, and I've played a friend's red stripe. I still have a blue stripe. I love my blue stripe. It has a deep rounded low end with the kickass mids and highs the Mark Series is known for. Also, it can get real smooth when you lower the presence.
 
Necrobump my own shit for thoughts...

$2000 - IIB+ SR - Would require buying a new headshell and tubes, but seems loop modded already and has the right preamp allegedly.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/msg/d/brooklyn-mesa-boogie-mark-iib-amplifier/7834348072.html

$2500 - III DRG Black Stripe - No mods, but not sure if that's needed/worth it (unlike the IIB where it seems like a requirement)
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/msg/d/middletown-mesa-boogie-mark-iii/7827578310.html

Or I just keep waiting because I've accidentally bought two other expensive amps in the last 30 days.
 
I'd pass on the SR and aim for the DRG. Have it serviced & III+ modded by Mike B. and you're as close as you're going to get to a C+.

$2500 is in the ballpark if it's clean, high if it's not.
 
In a nutshell, the Mark III’s range from ones that sound a little harsh, to ones that sound very harsh
 
PurityS.L.G said:
This will basically tell you what you need to know, which seems like you’ve already read.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa/Boogie_Mark_Series

Other than that;

The Boogie board forums will lay it straight to you and tell you the differences are minute, which is true in my experience. The differences are over exaggerated in true Internet forum fashion. HOWEVER, I will say the blue stripe was noticeably more aggressive in the highs than the red and purple. Haven’t played the other stripes to compare further but I would bet and trust those guys are right.

This forum will tell you don’t bother with one. It’s too aggressive in the highs that can’t be dialed out (laughable) and worlds apart from a IIC+/++ which is the only mark that matters other than a IVb. IIC+ warrants the extra 6k for the feel bro.

I own a red stripe and I love it. Super raw, aggressive and lows that shake the walls. It leans toward the vintage side of sound characteristics in terms of rawness. Best way I can explain it is if you played a MKIV, they have the same voicing but the IV has a modern polished sheen over the tone where the III has no filtering. The leads are super fluid on the IV where the III is brash but still sings.
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That's a pretty good comparison of a III vs a IV. I just think 80's tones with the III and 90's tones with the iv. Also the presence control acts way different on a IV, and the mids seem to sit in a different spot, slightly.

You gotta admit though iii's do tend to be a bit on the harsh side at band volumes
 
anomaly said:
That's a pretty good comparison of a III vs a IV. I just think 80's tones with the III and 90's tones with the iv. Also the presence control acts way different on a IV, and the mids seem to sit in a different spot, slightly.

You gotta admit though iii's do tend to be a bit on the harsh side at band volumes
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Yeah 80's=III and 90's=IV is an easier way to put it, I definitely agree with that. Also you are correct with the presence knob difference which I failed to mention. Its more useful on the IV and does what it actually is supposed to rather than act as an additional gain & tone knob as one on the III.

Single note riffs can be grating after a while depending on your pickups, I'll meet you halfway on that. Hanging chords sound so aggressive though which is why I don't mind the extra cut.
 
anomaly said:
That's a pretty good comparison of a III vs a IV. I just think 80's tones with the III and 90's tones with the iv. Also the presence control acts way different on a IV, and the mids seem to sit in a different spot, slightly.

You gotta admit though iii's do tend to be a bit on the harsh side at band volumes
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FWIW, my perspective is that IIIs are much better in the live band than a IIC+ because of the extra harshness. IIC+ suck live in a band mix, too smooth & polite for hard rock or heavier. That said the C+ is much better in the bedroom than a III.

I'd take a IIB, III or IV any day of the week for live use in a high gain band over a C+.
 
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