1986 Mesa Boogie Mark III Purple Stripe Black

No Sales Tax For Customers Outside Of California.

This 1986 Mesa Mark III is running perfectly, having been responsibly serviced recently (receipt included).  It also includes three footswitches.  Every Boogie I get is missing at least one of them.

The amp is in excellent cosmetic condition as well.  It is missing one EQ slider button.

Everything you expect in an Mark III - extreme versatility from huge cleans to full on overdrive.

The Mark III offers three separate channels: a clean channel that is warm and lush, a rhythm channel with a gritty, midrange-focused sound, and a lead channel capable of producing searing, high-gain saturation.

The Purple Stripe designation refers to a specific iteration within the Mark III series -the second revision that 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 IIC+.  

The amp boasts Mesa’s Simul-Class power section, which combines Class A and Class AB amplification for a blend of warmth, dynamics, and headroom.  

Just in case you're not a Boogie nerd:

In a typical amplifier, the power section operates in one of two main configurations, here is some info:
Class A: All output tubes are conducting current throughout the entire cycle of the signal (i.e., 100% of the time). This creates a warm, rich, harmonically complex tone with smooth overdrive, but it’s less efficient and produces lower power, which is why pure Class A amps tend to have lower wattage.

Class AB: In this mode, the output tubes alternate between conducting current, which makes it more efficient and able to produce more power. This results in greater headroom and more volume, but it doesn’t have the same level of harmonic complexity or smooth overdrive as Class A operation.

Mesa Boogie’s Simul-Class design essentially combines these two approaches in one amp. It uses both Class A and Class AB circuits working together to create a hybrid power section. Typically, two tubes in the amp are operating in Class A, providing warmth and harmonics, while two other tubes are running in Class AB, providing power, headroom, and efficiency.

For example, in a Mesa amp like this Mark III, when running in Simul-Class mode: Two of the power tubes (the outside pair - the EL34s) operate in Class A, creating that rich, harmonically complex tone that guitarists love for its warmth and smooth overdrive.  The other two tubes (the inside pair - 6L6s) operate in Class AB, giving the amp more volume, punch, and clarity at higher output levels.

This blending of Class A and Class AB allows guitarists to have the best of both worlds: the sweet, singing overdrive and harmonics of Class A, paired with the clean headroom and power of Class AB. As a result, amps with Simul-Class sound more dynamic, providing a richer and more versatile tonal palette.

The switch on the back moves you from Simul Class operation to Class A, allowing you to lean only on the EL34s in Class A operation, dropping the power and increasing saturation.

And another nerdy thing - the DRG designation in the title of this listing - DRG means Simul Class, Reverb and Graphic EQ.   HRG is another designation, meaning one hundred watts, reverb and graphic EQ.

So anyway, this amp operates perfectly.  When it arrived here, we tested the tubes, as we always do.  All four of the 6L6 tubes that came with the amp tested well, so they remain.  Of course we tested the preamp tubes as well, cleaned the pots, and gave her a test drive.

We will ship this amp in three boxes.  The transformers are heavy enough to damage the chassis when dropped in shipment.  The speaker can also damage the baffle board.  Assembly will be required on delivery.  It isn't tough.  We can help over the phone.

Case/Cover?: Yes
Color: Black
Dimensions: 
Weight: 66 lbs
Watts: 100 / 60 Watts
Date: 8/86
Where is Date Noted?: Chassis
Speaker 1 Brand: EV 12L
Speaker 1 Size: 12"
Speaker Code: See Pics
Speaker 1 Cone: Original
Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Choke Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Reverb Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
Extension Speaker Out? Yes
Effects Loop?: Yes
Reverb or other effects?: Reverb, EQ
Power Tubes: 4 x 6L6
Power Tube Brand: Mesa
Preamp Tubes: 3 x ECC83, 2 x 12AX7
Preamp Tube Brand: JJ, EHX
Filter Caps: Original
Pedal: 3 Pedals with cables
Pots/Codes: Original
Tolex/Tweed: Original
Grille: Original
Knobs: Original
Handle: Original
Power Cord: Original
Notes:

Shipping policy:
Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.