MESA BOOGIE MARK III Tropical hardwood, Simul-class version.

MESA BOOGIE MARK III  Tropical hardwood, Simul-class version.

One of the most important amps in Mesa Boogie's history, the Mark III was launched in 1985. It introduced a third channel, a "crunch" rhythm sound right in between the rhythm and lead channels. This combo amp has a dual footswitch system: one footswitch alternates between the current rhythm mode and the lead mode and has an input on the front of the amp, and the other selects either the clean rhythm mode or the crunch rhythm mode, its input is on the chassis in the back of the amp. The two rhythm modes share all of their controls, while the lead mode only shares the rhythm modes' tone stack, featuring independent gain and master volume controls. The physical hand switch for the crunch rhythm mode was implemented as a push/pull switch above the Middle frequency control. This Mark IIIs has the presence and reverb controls on the back; Graphic EQ was an extra option and is located on the front. Getting the boogie EQ right is quite tricky as changing it changes the gain and little tweaks can make a BIG change.

The Mark III went through multiple revisions, similar to the Mark II. Each revision had a slightly different voicing, but identical functionality. This amp is the so-called Purple Stripe (1986) or second revision of the Mark III, which featured a purple marker stripe above the power cord. This amplifier was identical in component values and R2 channel as the later Black Stripes, but had a lead section much closer to a holy grail of the Mesa’s the IIC+.  In fact this amp is voiced with a more mellow lead and crunch modes, with slightly reduced gain. Simul class versions of the Mark III like this one contain  five 12AX7 tubes in the pre-amp section, of which one is forthe reverb option. Simul-class Mark IIIs usually contain two 6L6s in the inner sockets and two EL34s in the outer sockets for 15w/75w use. The Mark III was delivered in a variety of configurations -- 60- and 100-watt heads and 1x12" combos, as well as with the "Simul-Class" power section from the Mark IIB which runs the outer pair of power tubes (either EL34 or 6L6 as triodes) in Class-A while the inner pair of 6L6s runs Class-AB, making the amp switchable from 75- to -15-watt operation. This Mark III comes in the most sought-after tropical hardwood version with a wickers cane grill. It has all extra options offered by Boogie including an Electro Voice Speaker, it was built in 1986 and is in almost mint condition.

The amp comes with the original cover and with a custom built flight case on wheels.