Is the Mesa Mark III under rated?

[Achilles]

Any excuse to show off my Red Stripe.

 

[spawnofthesith]

This creepy photo is the only evidence I can find that my old red stripe ever existed. Wish I still had it

 

[Bossman415]

They're great amps. I've owned a handful of III's (Red HRG & No Stripes DRG w/ 105pt's), but I prefer the IIC+/++ & Mark IV over them.

They're definitely a good value, if you can find them for a reasonable price, compared to the IIC+, especially w/ Mike B's 3+ or 3++ mod.

Tonewise, they sound great but aren't as full or immediate in the low mids or smooth as a IIC+. However, some people prefer that about the III's.

 

[Desertdweller]

The only noise I’ve ever heard from the half dozen or so Mark IIIs I’ve crossed paths with was fan noise. They are not known to be noisy amps.

Truth. IIIs and IVs are not noisy at all.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Truth. IIIs and IVs are not noisy at all.

You’re saying that there is absolutely no noise floor on a Mesa mk iii? And that it’s not inherently higher than a Marshall of the same era? We’re just not going to agree at all. But I’m ok with that if you are.

 

[EOengineer]

You’re saying that there is absolutely no noise floor on a Mesa mk iii? And that it’s not inherently higher than a Marshall of the same era? We’re just not going to agree at all. But I’m ok with that if you are.

Every piece of tube gear obviously has a noise floor. My Mark III is not noticeably more noisy than my 1959 and 2204 heads.

I will say that I did have some hum when I bought it years ago but it had been sitting unused for years. After a cap job it’s dead quiet. Killing the fan when recording I often have to double check I’m not in standby.

Not sure what caused the experience you had, but it’s certainly atypical for a healthy Mark III to be noisy.

 

[HomespunEffects]

… Not sure what caused the experience you had, but it’s certainly atypical for a healthy Mark III to be noisy.

My next Mesa was a Dual Rectifier. Had the same noise so I assumed it was just a Mesa thing. Sounds like a fluorescent light is inside the amp next to the transformers. Even the YouTube example have the same noise.

I had a Mark Five:35 that was much better in the noise department. I’m just not a Mesa guy. I’ve never been happy with them. The Mk III was the one that really soured me to the brand.

I sold it for $450. Can you believe that??

 

[spawnofthesith]

My Mark III had some noise, Mark IV some, but not much, V dead silent anywhere on the master

 

[Desertdweller]

You’re saying that there is absolutely no noise floor on a Mesa mk iii? And that it’s not inherently higher than a Marshall of the same era? We’re just not going to agree at all. But I’m ok with that if you are.

what an absurd response.

 

[la szum]

MKIII's are great.... so long as you don't need a channel switcher.







I've had IIIs, IVs, and Vs. At this point I think my old man pants I am wearing now
would like to own/try and Mrak I or II.

 

[HomespunEffects]

what an absurd response.

Yes, it was hyperbole. I know they are noisy amps.

 

[Desertdweller]

MKIII's are great.... so long as you don't need a channel switcher.







I've had IIIs, IVs, and Vs. At this point I think my old man pants I am wearing now
would like to own/try and Mrak I or II.

There are sweet spots where you can get a good clean and a good heavy sound using the same settings though.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Yeah I was more than satisfied with my cleans + high gain


who cares about R2 lolol

 

[Desertdweller]

Yeah I was more than satisfied with my cleans + high gain


who cares about R2 lolol

This is the way.

 

[6CA7-A]

40+ years of hype id say no.

 

[Bossman415]

Personal opinion here, but the best stuff Mesa made is the Mark & Rectifier Series (no surprise there). The others are fun, but not must haves.

I liked the Badlander, but felt it lacked saturation and the low-end wall of sound effect. Keep in mind I haven't tried one with the Mr. Scary mod.

The Triple Crown 100 was fun, but I prefer the Diezel VH-4. Oddly enough, the guy I bought the TC-100 offloaded it for a VH-4, coincidence?

Any which way you slice it, we are truly spoiled living in this day & age with an abundance of options to choose from regarding guitar gear.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Personal opinion here, but the best stuff Mesa made is the Mark & Rectifier Series (no surprise there). The others are fun, but not must haves. …

I don’t know. The Electra Dyne was an excellent design.

 

[Desertdweller]

Any excuse to show off my Red Stripe.

Looks awesome! I'll join in, here's my 1994 green stripe DRG sitting on top of my VII.

 

[EOengineer]

I don’t know. The Electra Dyne was an excellent design.

I still wonder why they killed that series. It’s a cool amp that checks a lot of boxes. IIRC it might have been a belt tightening move around the 2008 crash.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I still wonder why they killed that series. It’s a cool amp that checks a lot of boxes. IIRC it might have been a belt tightening move around the 2008 crash.

I think it was also up against their Dual Rectifier which was EVERYWHERE at the time. You’d even see a Dual Rectifier on country music stages.

I’m gonna have to pick up an Electra Dyne one of these days.