Mesa Mark III ?

[frigid midget]

I *think* I know what to expect from this amp, but opinions/tips/reviews are still verry welcome, as I haven't totally made up my mind yet.
I'm basically just after something different. Been playing my amp for a decade now, and even though I still love it and don't want to replace it, I'd really like something else to mess with now and then. Preferably something that's better at handling really heavy tunes a bit better, cause that's sort of the only thing my current amp isn't perfect for.

If it weren't for the price, I would've probably grabbed one that's for sale not too far from where I live.

So that's pretty much my only real question here: $1250 for a Mark III seems kinda steep, but Marshall and Fender are the only brands I have a clue about in terms of market value and pricing, so I'm really not sure. It's the latest version btw, VG condition. I do know a recto can be found for less than what this guy is asking, and a Caliber .50 can be had for almost half that amount. That tells my instincts he'll need to bring down his price at least $200 if I wanna make a deal here...RIght??? I don't wanna spend a ton on something I don't really need at all:s

Oh yeah, prices here in europe are generally about 15% higher than in the US. I just converted the currency here, but what's considered a shitty deal in the US, can still be a steal here in Europe.

[GardenoftheDead]

$1250 for a Mark III in Europe seems very good. Keep in mind the Mark series are about $3000 brand new stateside.

HOWEVER, if you can get a Recto or a Caliber .50 for cheaper, the real question is what do you actually want the amp to do? Those are three very different sounding beasts.

[frigid midget]

Thanks!

Not the answer I was hoping for though:s

I was hoping I could easily talk him down to $1000, which seems unlikely if his price is already pretty fair.

I was just referencing to the recto and the caliber .50 because they're the only boogies I roughtly know the value of. I've concidered them both, but the recto is total overkill for me since I mostly rely on my fuzz peds (duh) and don't want to spend that much money on a high end amp that gets used to its full potention only now and then. Meaning I'm not enough of a "modern" metal player to justify owning an amp like that:)

The Caliber 50. just gets too many many less-than-good reviews. It seems like the general consensus is that it's a poor man's Mark, but that there's a really a considerable difference in favor of the Mark series.

That brought me to the Mark series. Great reputation, a lot of guitarists I dig use em, and -though not high on my list- versatile enough to handle all the genres, styles and bans I'm into.

Just spotted something totally different that fits my budget a little better but could also work for fuzzed out sludge/drone/doom post-rock: Sovtek Mig 60. Tempting at only $550, but I'm a tiny little bit worried about the build quality and versatility, which seem like the exact oppositie of that of the Mark III :s

[Gone Fission]

I usually see $800 for Mark IIIs in the US. No idea how that translates because they are long out of production and supply/demand could be very different there.

The later Mark stuff, like Mark IIC and on, seem to be most sought after for thrash and metal stuff. General rep on the III is lots of gain without much compression. The shared eq can make it a bit of a chore to dial in all three channels, so people often use them as two channel amps live, or switch with another amp.

The source for info on all Boogie stuff is forum.grailtone.com -- their titling gives a hint of their obsessiveness.

[Iommic Pope]

Caliber 50. Good enough for Pepper Keenan = good enough for you.
I kid, get what you want.
All Mesas are bullshit expensive down here.
Its killing my dream of one day owning a two channel recto.

[frigid midget]

I'll check that mesa worship page, thanks for the tip!

Didn't even know the IIC came after the III, I just always assume the names followed logicall:)

Have to be honest, I had to google Pepper Keenan. I do know his bands though, and you actually made a good point there. I tend to forget I'm not a professional recording artist or some milionaire virtuoso session player:) My gear would put a lot of established musicians to shame, which can't be said for my talent or skills:p

Otoh, I tried a lot of really nice amps, popular among succesful guitarists that I really dig. They didn't all necesarilly impress me, for some odd reason they just didn't work for me like they do for the rock stars that inspired me to buy them.

Truth is I probably can't afford a mark III, even at a very decent price. At least not without selling other stuff that I really don't want to miss. The hunt for a Caliber .50 is offically open, but I'll also keep on the lookout for similar affordable heads, from whatever brand...

[Iommic Pope]

Otoh, I tried a lot of really nice amps, popular among succesful guitarists that I really dig. They didn't all necesarilly impress me, for some odd reason they just didn't work for me like they do for the rock stars that inspired me to buy them.

I've been down that road too.
One day I just started doing the opposite.
I ended up with a clean amp and a quality dirt pedal.
Most satisfying thing I had done in years, totally counter-intuitive to my previous approach to gear.
Felt good again, like when you get your first shitbox amp as a kid and you think you're a fucking rock god.

Gear is a strange mistress man.
She'll take you places you never thought you'd witness, then take a shit in your ear.
Fickle, wonderful lover.


Ok I'm done....I'm gonna ogle some shit in the B/S/T.

[ThurberMingus]

Of all the amps I've tried in my day there are two that will always stick out: an Ampeg Gemini and the Mesa mkIII, both 1x12 combos, both awesome.