• Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Topic: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Hey all,

I bought this amp on eBay some years back.  I always thought it was a IIB model based on information at hand.

Then today, I get an comment from a guy who saw it on a Youtube clip of mine and he said it is a IIC model because of the pull switch on the bass knob.

Can any Mesa/Boogie experts clarify this for me?  I think Joe has a few of these amps himself.  Here are some shots I took a couple of years back...

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2779/4438 … 9fb9_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2692/4437 … a730_z.jpg

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Hey Dude!!!   Nice Score!!  I have a pair of early Jim Kelley's that look like that !  Awesome amp.... I think it would say it on the back somewhere... I have a Mark 2b and I think thats how I learned or figured out what I had bought..  It was one of those pay first, ask questions later type of deals.... Oops..
Joe B

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Yeah, thanks Joe - it's a awesome amp.  Love it.

Seems to be a bit of a Hybrid.  I thought the 'C' models all had the 5 band EQ and Reverb, but this one doesn't have either, which is what lead me to believe it was a 'B'.  I'll double check the back and serial number again... smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"

4 Reply by rythmplaya (edited by rythmplaya 2012-05-28 19:33:33)

  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Devan wrote:

Hey all,

I bought this amp on eBay some years back.  I always thought it was a IIB model based on information at hand.

Then today, I get an comment from a guy who saw it on a Youtube clip of mine and he said it is a IIC model because of the pull switch on the bass knob.

Can any Mesa/Boogie experts clarify this for me?  I think Joe has a few of these amps himself.  Here are some shots I took a couple of years back...

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2779/4438 … 9fb9_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2692/4437 … a730_z.jpg

Hey Devan,

AFIK the 5 band EQ and Reverb were options so some have them and some don't.

Here's some Mesa Mark info for ya...

http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/MarkSeries.html

http://homepage.mac.com/mesaboogie/dot.html

RP

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010
  • Registered: 2010-12-26
  • Posts: 206

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

I have a Mark 2b and love it. I had it custom made before Mesa Boogies were sold in stores. I would say it's a mark 2b because of the four large rings on the top of the amp where the screws are. Somebody once told me mark 2c did not have the large screw rings on top.

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Hey Dude!!!   Nice Score!!  I have a pair of early Jim Kelley's that look like that !  Awesome amp.... I think it would say it on the back somewhere... I have a Mark 2b and I think thats how I learned or figured out what I had bought..  It was one of those pay first, ask questions later type of deals.... Oops..
Joe B

Looks like Joe likes your amp Devan!! Excited for the M+G in Adelaide, I'll be able to meet both you and Joe!! We can talk gear and all sorts!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

7 Reply by Devan (edited by Devan 2012-05-29 05:15:49)

  • Devan
  • Devan
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Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Thank you rhythmplaya!  According to those lists, my serial number makes it a IIC??

bob13 - You have to post pics of YOURS now!

Stefan - for sure dude!

Here are some shots of the back of the amp... I assume the stamped number under the words "SPEAKERS" and above "Mesa Boogie Ltd." is the serial number?  If so, the S/N is 11779.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7292 … 9dd4_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7292 … 39c4_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7292 … 6351_z.jpg

No "+" sign above the power cord to designate it a IIC+, but what the heck is that squiggle UNDER the power cord inlet?  Is it a "-B" ??

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

I have a Mk IIII, and the color of the marker on the chassis indicates what version the amp is. Might be ex pensive from AU, but you could call Mesa and talk to someone who could tell you exactly what you have. They might have an email contact as well, although at one time the only way to contact them was by phone.

  • Registered: 2010-12-26
  • Posts: 206

Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Devan wrote:

Thank you rhythmplaya!  According to those lists, my serial number makes it a IIC??

bob13 - You have to post pics of YOURS now!

Stefan - for sure dude!

Here are some shots of the back of the amp... I assume the stamped number under the words "SPEAKERS" and above "Mesa Boogie Ltd." is the serial number?  If so, the S/N is 11779.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7292 … 9dd4_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7292 … 39c4_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7292 … 6351_z.jpg

No "+" sign above the power cord to designate it a IIC+, but what the heck is that squiggle UNDER the power cord inlet?  Is it a "-B" ??

Devan I wouldn't even know where to begin to post pictures on-line.  It took me 3 years to figure out how to do an avatar.

  • Devan
  • Devan
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Re: Any Mesa/Boogie experts on here? Is my amp a IIB or IIC?

Morning again all... just checking back in to update everyone on this amp.

The experts over at TGP looked over the photos too, and from that, the conclusion is that this is a 1984 MkIIC amp, hand built by Mike Benadelli at Mesa.  Mike still works there apparently, and still does work on the MkII amps that are sent back there for refurbishing etc.

I had always loved these amps ever since seeing that ad in Guitar Player magazine back in the late 70's, early 80's of Carlos Santana rocking out next to a wicker grille MkI on his Ibanez (or was it Yamaha?) guitar.  When I was gigging back then though, I could never afford one so used to beg, borrow and steal amps for gigs.

Finally, about 5 years ago, I saw this one come up for sale on eBay here in Aus.  Had to have it even though my gigging days are long over.  Just to fulfil a teenage dream, LOL...

After posting these pics yesterday, I was inspired to fire it up and just plug my Strat straight in and played for about 30 minutes, enjoying the simple, pure, clean tones from this little wondrous box of tone...

Thanks for the feedback and help everyone! cool

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"