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IronStomach · November 1st, 2009, 08:15 PM

Hi everyone,

A local music store has a Mesa Boogie that I'd been eyeing for a while: it's a blonde 1x12 combo, and it looks pretty unassuming. It's also in really good shape. Anyways, I went in and tried it out today, and it absolutely sings. Now, I asked the guy at the counter if he knew anything about it, and he said "Yeah, it's a Mark I. Pretty cool, huh?"

So the end result is that I'm wondering whether I should be scrounging around and saving pennies for the $1000 (CAD) they're asking for it. I'll try and talk the price down, but is it worth that much?

Thanks!

Paul in Colorado · November 1st, 2009, 10:07 PM

A vintage MK I for $1000? I paid $1200 for my reissue, (but it does have the hardwood cab and EV speaker). It's a great amp if that's the sound you're after.
What options does it have? (60/100 watt switch, reverb, EQ and speaker choice)

muchxs · November 1st, 2009, 10:15 PM

A MkI Boogie is a pretty cool piece. If it were a Dumble or a Kelley from the same era we'd be having a discussion of how can they possibly be worth that much? A Kelley is a bargain compared to a Dumble. So, in the context of vintage exotica that old MkI is cheap.

Here's how that came to pass: Randall Smith dba "Boogie" offered high quality handbuilt amps prior to the '80s. They used to torture test / burn in each amp, the procedure involved a 24 hour burn-in minimum with the amp cranked in a test cell and subjected to hammer blows. Any amp that did anything funky during burn-in went through a re-work procedcure then was subjected to another burn-in, sort of a boot camp for amps. This during an era when most manufacturers were hustling to get away from tube amps and build solid state designs.

They're not outrageously expensive because Boogie went on to become a more mainstream manufacturer while other boutique builders didn't.

I have a hard time coming up with anything negative to say about an amp that will withstand repeated hammer blows.

Just consider for a moment what a grand will or will not buy. Then do what ya gotta do to go grab that amp!

IronStomach · November 1st, 2009, 11:35 PM

Yeah... I pretty much have my sights set on buying it as soon as I can. Apparently, though, I've been doing some research and from various pictures/comparisons of the features it has (push/pull knobs for Solo and Shift, graphic EQ), it's more likely a Mark II of some kind. I'll take some pictures and get the serial number next time I'm there to be sure, but I was thinking it's in a little too nice a condition to be a Mark I.

Still... Sounds pretty damn good to my ears. I've always liked the idea behing the early Boogies, and this one even comes hot rodded with a cooling fan!

Jakedog · November 1st, 2009, 11:41 PM

Get a little falshlight and look up under the chassis, where the tubes are. There should be a date marked in black magic marker. That will start to give you an idea of which Mark II it is. If it's a MArk IIC, it's pretty much the holy grail Boogie, and $1,000 would be about half of what it's worth in great shape IMO. The Mark II B is a fine, fine amp as well, and $1000 would be pretty much in line with they are going for now.

If you like that sound, it's a solid score.

tiktok · November 2nd, 2009, 12:22 AM

Technically Mesa never made a Mk I, they made a "Boogie".
When they added channel switching, they called that the "Boogie Mk. II".
Note: if it has channel switching, it is not a "Mk I". The original Boogie design had two input jacks, one was the normal channel, the other was the hot-rodded "boogie" channel with the cascading preamps. You used one, or the other.

After a while they started making a "Mk I. reissue".
Original Boogies can vary a bit. The reissues are very consistent. There's not a real pricey vintage market for run-of-the-mill Boogies (as opposed to the Mk IIc). A good example of either is worth about the same, be it RI or original, if the options are the same (wattage, reverb, cabinet wood, etc.).

For serial number dating, see this (they refer to Mk I's from the 70's because that's become the standard naming):

Mark I 1x12: A0001-A2999 = 2999 Mark I
Mark I 1x15: B001 - B300= 300 Mark I
1971 to 1978 = 3299 Mark I's

Mark IIA 1x12: 3000-5574 = 2575 Mark IIA
Mark IIA 1x15: B301-B549 = 249 Mark IIA
1978 to August 1980 = 2824 Mark IIA's

Mark IIB 1X12: 5575-11000 = 5426 Mark IIB
Mark IIB 1X15: B550-1100 = 550 Mark IIB
Mark IIB Series 300: K001 to K336 = 336 Series 300 Mark IIB
August 1980 to May 1983 = 5212 Mark IIB's

Mark IIC 1X12: 11001-12499 = 1499 Mark IIC
Mark IIC/IIC+ Series 300: K337 to K422 = 86 Series 300 Mark IIC/C+
Mark IIC+ 1X12 = 12500 to 14999 = 2500
Mark IIC May 1983 to January 1984
& Mark IIC+ January 1984 to March 1985 : 1499+86+2500 = 4085

Mark III 1X12: 15000 to 28384 = 13385
Mark III Series 300: K423 to K500 = 78
1988 Special Edition Mark III 1X12: 001-100 = 100
March 1985 to February 1999 = 13563

Roughly 1000 Mark III's per year.

IronStomach · November 2nd, 2009, 12:34 AM

Thanks for all the help, everyone. It's definitely not an original, since the two front jacks are for the input and a footswitch. I'll let y'all know once I find out more.

Jakedog · November 2nd, 2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiktok

Technically Mesa never made a Mk I, they made a "Boogie".
When they added channel switching, they called that the "Boogie Mk. II".
Note: if it has channel switching, it is not a "Mk I". The original Boogie design had two input jacks, one was the normal channel, the other was the hot-rodded "boogie" channel with the cascading preamps. You used one, or the other.

After a while they started making a "Mk I. reissue".
Original Boogies can vary a bit. The reissues are very consistent. There's not a real pricey vintage market for run-of-the-mill Boogies (as opposed to the Mk IIc). A good example of either is worth about the same, be it RI or original, if the options are the same (wattage, reverb, cabinet wood, etc.).

For serial number dating, see this (they refer to Mk I's from the 70's because that's become the standard naming):

Mark I 1x12: A0001-A2999 = 2999 Mark I
Mark I 1x15: B001 - B300= 300 Mark I
1971 to 1978 = 3299 Mark I's

Mark IIA 1x12: 3000-5574 = 2575 Mark IIA
Mark IIA 1x15: B301-B549 = 249 Mark IIA
1978 to August 1980 = 2824 Mark IIA's

Mark IIB 1X12: 5575-11000 = 5426 Mark IIB
Mark IIB 1X15: B550-1100 = 550 Mark IIB
Mark IIB Series 300: K001 to K336 = 336 Series 300 Mark IIB
August 1980 to May 1983 = 5212 Mark IIB's

Mark IIC 1X12: 11001-12499 = 1499 Mark IIC
Mark IIC/IIC+ Series 300: K337 to K422 = 86 Series 300 Mark IIC/C+
Mark IIC+ 1X12 = 12500 to 14999 = 2500
Mark IIC May 1983 to January 1984
& Mark IIC+ January 1984 to March 1985 : 1499+86+2500 = 4085

Mark III 1X12: 15000 to 28384 = 13385
Mark III Series 300: K423 to K500 = 78
1988 Special Edition Mark III 1X12: 001-100 = 100
March 1985 to February 1999 = 13563

Roughly 1000 Mark III's per year.

Well, I would say there are some inconsistencies...

I own an '81 Mark IIB, chassis date 7/9/81. 60 watt, non-verb version with no graphic. Pull bright, pull lead (also footswitchable) pull gain boost, pull shift, single input, with footswitch input under guitar input, presence on rear. Serial number 5473.

Zillinois · November 2nd, 2009, 02:42 AM

Nice info, tiktok, I have one of the originals (60/100, EQ, reverb, presence, imbuya/cane) but the one the OP asked about sound like re-issue.

Nick Fanis · November 2nd, 2009, 03:10 AM

If it is a Mark 1 REISSUE buy it immediately!One of the best amps ever (especially if you are after a HUGE clean tone (of course you will have to change the wimpy Celestion speaker w/ an EVM12L or an Eminence Delta Pro ).

tiktok · November 2nd, 2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakedog

Well, I would say there are some inconsistencies...

I own an '81 Mark IIB, chassis date 7/9/81. 60 watt, non-verb version with no graphic. Pull bright, pull lead (also footswitchable) pull gain boost, pull shift, single input, with footswitch input under guitar input, presence on rear. Serial number 5473.

Not surprising in the MI world!
No effects loop?

Paul in Colorado · November 2nd, 2009, 04:12 PM

The reissue MK I doesn't have a foot switch or any of the push/pull knobs. The amp the OP was asking about sounds like a MK II to me.

jimbach · November 2nd, 2009, 04:20 PM

A Mark I for a grand?

BUY IT.

Dan German · November 2nd, 2009, 04:25 PM

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a Mesa product being "vintage". Not that they aren't fine amps, but vintage? I've got t-shirts as old as that company.

Jakedog · November 2nd, 2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiktok

Not surprising in the MI world!
No effects loop?

It does have an FX loop. Doesn't sound very good, but it's there!

Wally · November 3rd, 2009, 02:40 PM

FWIW, there are no original Boogies... MKI's or MKII's... that have two channels. THey are all cascading preamp circuits. Mesa agressively protected the patent on this circuit back in the day. And...there are "MKI's" with a single input with a footswitching input directly under it. I have had one, sold it and still see it. IT was ordered when Randall's wife was taking orders and it was built in the 'garage'....at least that is what the original owner has told me. IT is a 100-watter with reverb and graphic EQ. IT is also the only old Boogie that I have seen that has a factory installed bias adjustment pot on the board. IT's serial number is somewhere in the low 3,000's, IIRC.

Zillinois · November 3rd, 2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan German

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a Mesa product being "vintage". Not that they aren't fine amps, but vintage? I've got t-shirts as old as that company.

Pretty sure if something is 30 years old, it's considered "vintage".

Alamo · November 4th, 2009, 05:04 PM

If the serial # says A 804 - buy it!

it's the holy grail - as that would be Keith's Boogie.

http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/K...%20Boogie.html

El Mocambo '77

Dan German · November 4th, 2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zillinois

Pretty sure if something is 30 years old, it's considered "vintage".

Then that makes me... oh, crap!

Tim Armstrong · November 4th, 2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan German

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a Mesa product being "vintage". Not that they aren't fine amps, but vintage? I've got t-shirts as old as that company.

Higgy, I don't know just how to break this to you...

...you're vintage!

Tim

November 1st, 2009, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
IronStomach TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: British Columbia Posts: 37	Vintage Mesa Boogie Question Hi everyone, A local music store has a Mesa Boogie that I'd been eyeing for a while: it's a blonde 1x12 combo, and it looks pretty unassuming. It's also in really good shape. Anyways, I went in and tried it out today, and it absolutely sings. Now, I asked the guy at the counter if he knew anything about it, and he said "Yeah, it's a Mark I. Pretty cool, huh?" So the end result is that I'm wondering whether I should be scrounging around and saving pennies for the $1000 (CAD) they're asking for it. I'll try and talk the price down, but is it worth that much? Thanks!

November 1st, 2009, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 5,155 3 Photos	A vintage MK I for $1000? I paid $1200 for my reissue, (but it does have the hardwood cab and EV speaker). It's a great amp if that's the sound you're after. What options does it have? (60/100 watt switch, reverb, EQ and speaker choice) __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

November 1st, 2009, 10:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
muchxs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New England Posts: 1,224	A MkI Boogie is a pretty cool piece. If it were a Dumble or a Kelley from the same era we'd be having a discussion of how can they possibly be worth that much? A Kelley is a bargain compared to a Dumble. So, in the context of vintage exotica that old MkI is cheap. Here's how that came to pass: Randall Smith dba "Boogie" offered high quality handbuilt amps prior to the '80s. They used to torture test / burn in each amp, the procedure involved a 24 hour burn-in minimum with the amp cranked in a test cell and subjected to hammer blows. Any amp that did anything funky during burn-in went through a re-work procedcure then was subjected to another burn-in, sort of a boot camp for amps. This during an era when most manufacturers were hustling to get away from tube amps and build solid state designs. They're not outrageously expensive because Boogie went on to become a more mainstream manufacturer while other boutique builders didn't. I have a hard time coming up with anything negative to say about an amp that will withstand repeated hammer blows. Just consider for a moment what a grand will or will not buy. Then do what ya gotta do to go grab that amp! __________________ Take it to a tech.

November 1st, 2009, 11:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TX Posts: 4,571	Get a little falshlight and look up under the chassis, where the tubes are. There should be a date marked in black magic marker. That will start to give you an idea of which Mark II it is. If it's a MArk IIC, it's pretty much the holy grail Boogie, and $1,000 would be about half of what it's worth in great shape IMO. The Mark II B is a fine, fine amp as well, and $1000 would be pretty much in line with they are going for now. If you like that sound, it's a solid score. __________________ It's not that I lack focus, it's just that I'm musically schizophrenic...

November 2nd, 2009, 12:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
tiktok Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 6,096	Technically Mesa never made a Mk I, they made a "Boogie". When they added channel switching, they called that the "Boogie Mk. II". Note: if it has channel switching, it is not a "Mk I". The original Boogie design had two input jacks, one was the normal channel, the other was the hot-rodded "boogie" channel with the cascading preamps. You used one, or the other. After a while they started making a "Mk I. reissue". Original Boogies can vary a bit. The reissues are very consistent. There's not a real pricey vintage market for run-of-the-mill Boogies (as opposed to the Mk IIc). A good example of either is worth about the same, be it RI or original, if the options are the same (wattage, reverb, cabinet wood, etc.). For serial number dating, see this (they refer to Mk I's from the 70's because that's become the standard naming): Mark I 1x12: A0001-A2999 = 2999 Mark I Mark I 1x15: B001 - B300= 300 Mark I 1971 to 1978 = 3299 Mark I's Mark IIA 1x12: 3000-5574 = 2575 Mark IIA Mark IIA 1x15: B301-B549 = 249 Mark IIA 1978 to August 1980 = 2824 Mark IIA's Mark IIB 1X12: 5575-11000 = 5426 Mark IIB Mark IIB 1X15: B550-1100 = 550 Mark IIB Mark IIB Series 300: K001 to K336 = 336 Series 300 Mark IIB August 1980 to May 1983 = 5212 Mark IIB's Mark IIC 1X12: 11001-12499 = 1499 Mark IIC Mark IIC/IIC+ Series 300: K337 to K422 = 86 Series 300 Mark IIC/C+ Mark IIC+ 1X12 = 12500 to 14999 = 2500 Mark IIC May 1983 to January 1984 & Mark IIC+ January 1984 to March 1985 : 1499+86+2500 = 4085 Mark III 1X12: 15000 to 28384 = 13385 Mark III Series 300: K423 to K500 = 78 1988 Special Edition Mark III 1X12: 001-100 = 100 March 1985 to February 1999 = 13563 Roughly 1000 Mark III's per year. __________________ "I like a tune. I like a tune and a singer and a solo, and now more of the tune."--Ian McLagan http://www.myspace.com/travishartnett Pearce Amps Info Page

November 1st, 2009, 11:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
IronStomach TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: British Columbia Posts: 37	Yeah... I pretty much have my sights set on buying it as soon as I can. Apparently, though, I've been doing some research and from various pictures/comparisons of the features it has (push/pull knobs for Solo and Shift, graphic EQ), it's more likely a Mark II of some kind. I'll take some pictures and get the serial number next time I'm there to be sure, but I was thinking it's in a little too nice a condition to be a Mark I. Still... Sounds pretty damn good to my ears. I've always liked the idea behing the early Boogies, and this one even comes hot rodded with a cooling fan!

November 2nd, 2009, 12:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
IronStomach TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: British Columbia Posts: 37	Thanks for all the help, everyone. It's definitely not an original, since the two front jacks are for the input and a footswitch. I'll let y'all know once I find out more.

November 2nd, 2009, 02:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Zillinois Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 107 18 Photos	Nice info, tiktok, I have one of the originals (60/100, EQ, reverb, presence, imbuya/cane) but the one the OP asked about sound like re-issue.

November 2nd, 2009, 03:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Nick Fanis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Athens-GREECE Posts: 1,826 15 Photos	If it is a Mark 1 REISSUE buy it immediately!One of the best amps ever (especially if you are after a HUGE clean tone (of course you will have to change the wimpy Celestion speaker w/ an EVM12L or an Eminence Delta Pro ). __________________ "Hit him again Jack,he is crazy!" Hunter S.Thompson www.myspace.com/nickfanis

November 2nd, 2009, 04:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 5,155 3 Photos	The reissue MK I doesn't have a foot switch or any of the push/pull knobs. The amp the OP was asking about sounds like a MK II to me. __________________ www.tuatha.net "There are only two kinds of music. Fast and slow."

November 2nd, 2009, 04:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
jimbach Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 120	A Mark I for a grand? BUY IT.

November 2nd, 2009, 04:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dan German Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupert's Land Age: 49 Posts: 2,050	I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a Mesa product being "vintage". Not that they aren't fine amps, but vintage? I've got t-shirts as old as that company. __________________ Higgy

November 3rd, 2009, 02:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
Wally Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 6,010	FWIW, there are no original Boogies... MKI's or MKII's... that have two channels. THey are all cascading preamp circuits. Mesa agressively protected the patent on this circuit back in the day. And...there are "MKI's" with a single input with a footswitching input directly under it. I have had one, sold it and still see it. IT was ordered when Randall's wife was taking orders and it was built in the 'garage'....at least that is what the original owner has told me. IT is a 100-watter with reverb and graphic EQ. IT is also the only old Boogie that I have seen that has a factory installed bias adjustment pot on the board. IT's serial number is somewhere in the low 3,000's, IIRC.

November 4th, 2009, 05:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
Alamo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Age: 52 Posts: 1,586	If the serial # says A 804 - buy it! it's the holy grail - as that would be Keith's Boogie. http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/K...%20Boogie.html El Mocambo '77 __________________ ----------------------------------------------------- Timebandits-Berlin Last edited by Alamo; November 4th, 2009 at 05:11 PM. Reason: pic added

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