Want to purchase a Mesa Boogie Mark III

[mellonhead]

Hello - I'm new to the board. I'm looking to purchase a Mesa Boogie Mark III. I'm looking for a massive clean sound that's not going to break up at gig volume and I think the Mark III is going to solve this problem. A friend has a Mark III that I've played through and like the sounds enough to purchase one (the relatively affordable price tag helps as well.)

I've noticed that some of the Mark III come with the EQ sliders while others don't (from the searches I've done I gather this was an option that was available when the amps were manufactured but I could be wrong). I was just looking for some opinions on whether or not the EQ was something that I REALLY need to have or if it's something that I can live without. For what it's worth, the Mark III that I've played and liked does have the EQ.

[Navigator]

If you plan on using the amp's distortion channel the eq is a must, not an option. The key to getting a tight low end (bass) with distortion is to keep the bass control on the front panel at or below "2" and then use the eq to reintroduce that low end. This is because the front panel controls are pre-distortion/preamp, while the graphic eq is post-preamp. Makes a big difference. Do some searches and you'll see. Great amp. Good luck with the search.

[eschoendorff]

Originally Posted by Navigator

If you plan on using the amp's distortion channel the eq is a must, not an option. The key to getting a tight low end (bass) with distortion is to keep the bass control on the front panel at or below "2" and then use the eq to reintroduce that low end. This is because the front panel controls are pre-distortion/preamp, while the graphic eq is post-preamp. Makes a big difference. Do some searches and you'll see. Great amp. Good luck with the search.

What he said. Better to buy one with the graphic EQ than buy one without and wish you hadn't. In my experience, the Boogie graphic EQ is an especially powerful tone-shaping tool.

[xroads]

Go for the model with EQ.
It's a great and very efficient feature I have used all the time to either 'blackface' the clean channel or make the OD more transparent.

[guitarvc]

Originally Posted by Navigator

If you plan on using the amp's distortion channel the eq is a must, not an option. The key to getting a tight low end (bass) with distortion is to keep the bass control on the front panel at or below "2" and then use the eq to reintroduce that low end. This is because the front panel controls are pre-distortion/preamp, while the graphic eq is post-preamp. Makes a big difference. Do some searches and you'll see. Great amp. Good luck with the search.

+1 Exactly right. The cleans are really good and the overdrive is killer. As far as I am concerned it was the first really great channell switcher. That being said I never heard a MK2 C+...but those are really pricey and hard to find.

If you want a great one, my friend and Kurt Wilson of Kurt Wilson Custom Guitars has 3 or 4 of them. When we spoke a few days ago he asked me if I would like to buy one...I wish I could, just for GAS satisfaction. Feel free to check him out if you wish. PM me and I'll give you his number or check out his website.

[nullin]

Agree, EQ a must. If only for keeping resale value, if you ever need to sell it to some metal guy. Can't get those distortion tones without it.

Plus, you might find some really cool things to do with it on the clean channel too!