Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

M

Mukobi

New member
Hi!

I'm looking for a new amplifier and have really been interested in Mesa Boogie amps. I don't want a high gain amp like a Dual Rec because I'm just not into that type of music. Particularly, I like the tones of the Mark series with their Fender cleans to creamy Santana drives. The only problem is they are all super expensive!

Are there any amps the Boogie or perhaps a different manufacturer makes or made that get these diverse, versatile, great tones while staying under ~USD $600 used street price? I play blues, jazz, fusion, and some rock and would like an amp that has seperate eqs for the clean and gain channel in order to be able to change channels in a gig without having to go dial up a different setting.

Thanks!
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

I see used Mark IIIs going for around $800-900 pretty frequently, but a $600 budget makes things a bit more difficult. At that price point you could probably find a .50 Caliber or a Studio .22 Plus; I'd avoid the regular Studio .22 as you can't really use both channels at the same time due to a lack of a lead master control. I haven't looked at used prices, but Fender Supersonics get similar tones without being insanely expensive.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

dystrust said:
I see used Mark IIIs going for around $800-900 pretty frequently, but a $600 budget makes things a bit more difficult. At that price point you could probably find a .50 Caliber or a Studio .22 Plus; I'd avoid the regular Studio .22 as you can't really use both channels at the same time due to a lack of a lead master control. I haven't looked at used prices, but Fender Supersonics get similar tones without being insanely expensive.
Click to expand...

22+ local to me just popped up on craigslist for $500 today. Patience is the key for searches like this.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

Sorry to Hijack the thread, but I'm considering looking for a used studio 22 or express 5:25 the (markv25 just seems too much ie too complicated too many knobs)
Like the OP for blackface esque cleans & boogie lead sustain (can you get a nice crunch with either channel using vol knob on the guitar?)
I am worried that mesa say I shouldn't put my boss pedals in the loop though (ph2,tr2 & dm3)
Anyone have any experience of either of these?
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

regan said:
Sorry to Hijack the thread, but I'm considering looking for a used studio 22 or express 5:25 the (markv25 just seems too much ie too complicated too many knobs)
Like the OP for blackface esque cleans & boogie lead sustain (can you get a nice crunch with either channel using vol knob on the guitar?)
I am worried that mesa say I shouldn't put my boss pedals in the loop though (ph2,tr2 & dm3)
Anyone have any experience of either of these?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with the Express, but I'm familiar with both the Studio .22 and the Plus. The original Studio .22 was designed for recording only, and it isn't possible to balance the volume of both channels so you can only use one at a time. The Studio .22+ addressed the problem by adding a lead master control. I tried the original Express (not the new version) when it first came out and didn't care for it, so I haven't tried one since.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

Have any of these companies that Bugera ripped off ever taken them to court, or does Bugera change the circuit just enough to avoid that?
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

DMR said:
Have any of these companies that Bugera ripped off ever taken them to court, or does Bugera change the circuit just enough to avoid that?
Click to expand...


I belie there is a massive loop-hole in the system, and they get away with it that way.

Also, afaik, Bugera ''head office'' is in Germany.
And we know modern-day Germans. They will NOT do something unless it is been thoroughly planed, re-thinked and gone over with a fine tooth comb.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

allbutromeo said:
A Fender type clean amp and a Mesa Flux Five OD/Distortion pedal.
Click to expand...
As the owner of a 68 Bassman, a Mesa Flux Five, and a Mesa Mark IIB Coliseum, I would say that this is a great suggestion if you already have an amp with good cleans and need to stick to your budget.

But honestly, I think you're better off saving up for a Mark II/III combo. I see Mark IIs under 800 all the time. Mark IIIs are a bit more expensive, but they can be had under a grand.

Honestly, it's really worth it. Mesa amps are ****ing fantastic.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

SirJackdeFuzz said:
I belie there is a massive loop-hole in the system, and they get away with it that way.

Also, afaik, Bugera ''head office'' is in Germany.
And we know modern-day Germans. They will NOT do something unless it is been thoroughly planed, re-thinked and gone over with a fine tooth comb.
Click to expand...

A bit like what Volkswagen have done? haha
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

DMR said:
Have any of these companies that Bugera ripped off ever taken them to court, or does Bugera change the circuit just enough to avoid that?
Click to expand...

Circuits are patented and patents expire (unlike trademarks).

It goes both ways. I see a lot of amp patents that are too trivial to be valid patents but since it's only musical instruments and not a real industry they slip by the $8/hour clerks.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

dystrust said:
I see used Mark IIIs going for around $800-900 pretty frequently, but a $600 budget makes things a bit more difficult. At that price point you could probably find a .50 Caliber or a Studio .22 Plus; I'd avoid the regular Studio .22 as you can't really use both channels at the same time due to a lack of a lead master control. I haven't looked at used prices, but Fender Supersonics get similar tones without being insanely expensive.
Click to expand...

I own 2 Boogies that might fit the bill at that price point.
If you don't need a huge amount of stage volume the little Subway rockets would be a great choice. Really solid performing little amp and mine is definitely a keeper.
Can be bought for $450- 550 in nice shape if you really look. I paid $450 for mine ( had owned this particular amp almost 20 years ago and found it in a local shop after the guy I traded it to sold it).
You might also look at a .50 cal +. I have a really clean .50+ head I might consider selling ( have 2 heads one must go so--) in the $550 range with a DTF cover. If your interested hit me with a PM.
Would rather sell my other head ( Peavey ULTRA +) as it's SO blasted heavy but---.
The Supersonics are nice amps but don't really sound to much like the Boogies (owned 2 of them BTW) now a Fender Prosonic DOES have a similar vibe if tubed and set up right!
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

I have also seen a few Son of Boogies for $500-600, you'd need an a/b box to change from clean to OD, and it doesn't have eq for both channels, but it would get real close for those Mk 1 Santana tones
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

Mesa DC-5.
All the tones are in there. Clean channel based on MKI and lead channel based on MK4.
Plus you get the classic mesa 5 band eq.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

Dual Rectifiers are definitely not just high gain metal amps. They are incredibly versatile and the tube rectification is actually a callback to very early amp designs. A folk band I am producing an album for recorded some layers of guitar using the vintage, low gain sounds of the orange channel that fit in wonderfully. I strongly suggest trying one out with the vintage gain channels, spongy mode and tube rectification engaged. When it comes to guitar amplifiers, you get what you pay for and with the money you would spend accumulating cheap gear trying to squeeze the sounds you want out of it, it's much more worth it to explore the used amplifier market.
 
Re: Mesa Boogie Mark Tones on a Budget

regan said:
I'd have a VW in a heartbeat too, but the point is they've left themselves wide open to litigious action with their emissions figures,simply being a German company does not guarantee all i's are dotted & t's crossed
Click to expand...

Yep sorta like what Mercedes did in the mid 90's with using the 3 biodegradable self destructing eco JUNK underhood wiring harness they did on $50,000 + cars.
Ask me how i know-:censored::cussing::banghead:



 
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