Mesa Mark IIB opinions?

[Grandturk]

This seller has several other vintage amps for sale so he obviously knows what he has and what its worth.

Well, I would never presume to argue worth with the person selling the amp. Especially if he doesn't have to make rent that week.

[jgcable]

Well, I would never presume to argue worth with the person selling the amp. Especially if he doesn't have to make rent that week.

Yea, he knows he listed it high. This deal isn't going to work out. No problem for me. I am not really looking for another amp although I am REALLY GASSING for a 1987x 50w Marshall Plexi Reissue. I hate when this happens!

[Dog Boy]

I wanna chime in here again and say that the blonde tolex was NOT rare in those days. Mesa used that color on many, many Mark2s.

[Grandturk]

Yea, he knows he listed it high. This deal isn't going to work out. No problem for me. I am not really looking for another amp although I am REALLY GASSING for a 1987x 50w Marshall Plexi Reissue. I hate when this happens!

I'm at work today and UPS already delivered a new amp to my apartment... I hate when THAT happens!

[vondran]

I own a blonde Mark IIB and love it.

First the blonde is definitely not rare and actually is likely more common than black. I don't think blonde increases or decreases the value. Second, if it has 100/60W switch it is not Simulclass. The options for the IIB were 60W (base model) and then either 100/60W or Simulclass as an factory option. Some people prefer the 100/60W and some the Simulclass, and I don't think one is more collectible or valuable than the other. I personally prefer the 100/60W. The reverb and EQ were options each with an upcharge. The reverb is a great true spring reverb and a must for me. Most seem to want the EQ. I personally like it without EQ. The real upcharge is with the wood cabnet.

The challenge with the IIB is the controls seem not as intuitive as other amps as the Treb, Bass, and Mids are shared between the Lead and Clean channels. Also the Lead Master and Master 1 interact. Also, the Volume 1 (the input volume) effects the brightness when set above 7, much like your guitar volume knob rolls off the highs as turned down. My favorite setting is Volume 1 at 7, Treb 10, Bass 10, Mid 10, Master 1 set to desired clean volume, Lead Drive between 6-8, Lead Master at desired lead volume, Presence at ~4, Reverb at 6, Volume 1 Pull Bridge pulled, Pull Shift pulled, Pull Boost pulled, and Lead Master Pull Bright not pulled.

Mine has the Black Shadow speaker and is definitely not muddy. I would describe it as very punchy and clear. The lead channel has a very nice overdrive with rich overtones without the EQ engaged that cuts through any band situation. To me it sounds more natural and not fuzzy like I find with Marshalls. That said both the clean and lead channels are very articulate and you'll hear all nuances of your playing including mistakes if you're not playing or fretting cleanly. I think that is why they are not as popular as they are not forgiving if you're not playing well.

I personally think they are great amps.

I wanna chime in here again and say that the blonde tolex was NOT rare in those days. Mesa used that color on many, many Mark2s.

[jgcable]

So what do you think a 1979 Mark IIb with reverb, EQ in white with the 60/100 power option and an Altec Lansing speaker is worth (I was told that the speaker could have been ordered new and could be original)? The seller started at $1595, dropped to $1500, I told him there is a Mark IIC for sale locally for $1100 and he dropped his price down to $1200.
Does that sound more in line?

[Dog Boy]

As far as I'm concerned I wouldn't go over 900 for an absolutely mint 100/60 w/ verb and EQ.

[slo100]

FWIW I have owned my MkIIC since 1992. It has weathered a storm of amplifiers parading by but I've always kept it. It is a 1x12" 60/EQ/RV/EVM/wood-wicker. Frankly I'd go after that MkIIC and forget the B as long as it has the options you'd like. I actually think the C has become one of the most rare Mark series as many folks converted to the "+" version over the years which primarily improves the FX loop. I doubt many non + C versions still exist.

As for value of the B I'd say $900 - $1,100 range. The C is probably $1,200 - $1,500 or so IMHO.

[jgcable]

The seller of this Mark IIb is delusional. He feels its worth $1300-1400 even though he has had it listed for $1500 for over a month now. He also happens to have a 1996 RR1 in black sparkle. He is looking for $1500 for that and not a penny less. I think that's over priced too.

Anyway... I am looking to trade my Mesa Single Rectifier Series 2 head for a Marshall. Preferably a Plexi or a 2203, 2204, 2210 maybe a TSL100. I am also interested in trying out that JMD100 after hearing one live that blew me away.

[slo100]

That is quite a range of Marshalls. What kind of tone and flexibility are you looking for? Rigging up a plexi is going to be much different than a channel switcher or one with a high gain preamp and an fx loop. What kind of tone are you after? FWIW I think the JMP era Marshall 2203/4 are my favorites. With the massive range of overdrive and preamp options you have to run into the front end you can get any level of gain and tone you'd like.

[jgcable]

That is quite a range of Marshalls. What kind of tone and flexibility are you looking for? Rigging up a plexi is going to be much different than a channel switcher or one with a high gain preamp and an fx loop. What kind of tone are you after? FWIW I think the JMP era Marshall 2203/4 are my favorites. With the massive range of overdrive and preamp options you have to run into the front end you can get any level of gain and tone you'd like.

I want a straight up Marshall crunch. All of my current amps are modern sounding and very high gain. I guess stock JCM800 2203/4 with no pedals would be the perfect amount of gain. It doesn't have to be Marshall. I just want it to sound like one. Something like the AC/DC tone from Back in Black or Kiss Destroyer or better yet... Stained Class by Judas Priest.
The problem I am having is I am using super high gain amps at very low gain settings and they just don't react the way I need them to when I am soloing. I play on the heavier side of music but I play with a surprisingly little amount of gain live. I only have the gain on my Single Rectifier on the red channel at 11 o'clock . On my Triple X on the crunch channel which isn't even the high gain channel I have the gain set at about 10 o'clock.

[markD]

john, the problem with getting one of those marshalls is that to get the tone you are hearing requires volume. you mentioned in another post that a lot of the time you are playing so quiet that your stage sound is coming from the monitors. any of the all tube marshalls will be too loud. maybe you should look into the JMD, or maybe a haze 15. I am using a 3203 on stage these days and couldn't be happier. I am running it 50% on the master and preamp. I use pedals for my OD tones. I am also using an 1936 2X12 with the 75 watt celestions. I am getting great classic marshall tones just using the clean channel.

the 2204 I had was SO loud that it was unbearable with the master on 3. mine was a vertical input 1981 JCM800. I used it for one gig and my band mates asked me to never use it again - and it was only on 2 on the master. in comparison, my 120 watt rivera was regularly used with the master on 4-5 depending on the stage.

[jgcable]

john, the problem with getting one of those marshalls is that to get the tone you are hearing requires volume. you mentioned in another post that a lot of the time you are playing so quiet that your stage sound is coming from the monitors. any of the all tube marshalls will be too loud. maybe you should look into the JMD, or maybe a haze 15. I am using a 3203 on stage these days and couldn't be happier. I am running it 50% on the master and preamp. I use pedals for my OD tones. I am also using an 1936 2X12 with the 75 watt celestions. I am getting great classic marshall tones just using the clean channel.

the 2204 I had was SO loud that it was unbearable with the master on 3. mine was a vertical input 1981 JCM800. I used it for one gig and my band mates asked me to never use it again - and it was only on 2 on the master. in comparison, my 120 watt rivera was regularly used with the master on 4-5 depending on the stage.

Yea, your probably right. I am going to look into that JMD or dare I say... an Ax FX. lol.....

[jgcable]

I did own a 3203 with the 1936 cab. That was a great combination.

[markD]

yeah, I got that 3203 from you - haha, I didn't appreciate it at the time. I dumped, missed it a few years later - then I got another one and it is the shit.