MESA/Boogie Mark IIB Tube Amplifier (1981)
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Item # 11342
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MESA/Boogie Mark IIB Model Tube Amplifier (1981), made in Petaluma, California, serial # 8020, Natural Laquer finish, Imbuya hardwood cabinet, wicker cane grille.
In the 1970s Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith initially became infamous for hot-rodding Fender Princetons into something like a 60-watt Bassman circuit driving a JBL D-120 12" speaker. What started out as a practical joke became the foundation of the company. The Boogie name hails back to the fairly well-known anecdote of Carlos Santana one day wandering into Randall Smith's shop and after playing one of Smith's modified Fender Princetons, exclaiming "Wow! This little amp really boogies!" ultimately leading to the company's moniker. Smith estimates he built around 200 of these modified Princetons before Fender figured out what he was up to and cut off his supply. Smith then founded Mesa Engineering, debuting an original design titled the Mark I featuring a cascading gain preamp circuit that many players were looking for in amps at that time.
After building approximately 3000 of the Mark I models, Mesa introduced the Mark II in 1978. It had foot switchable channels and an optional 5-band graphic EQ. In 1980 Mesa introduced the Mark IIB which had an effects loop, an expanded control panel that included Lead Drive and Lead Master controls as well as their proprietary Simul-Class feature allowing for switchable power tube operation.
This particular version of the Mark IIB features the graphic EQ, Reverb, switchable output power between 100W and 60W as well as an "all-world" power transformer. Being very much made-to-order at this time, the aforementioned features were optional and cost extra including the exotic hardwood Imbuya cabinet with wicker cane grille. The amps also came in 60W, 100/60W and Simul-Class versions. This particular one is the 100/60W with four 6L6 power tubes driving a 12" Electro Voice EVM12L speaker.
Height is 18 in. (45.7 cm.), 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp is in beautiful, phenomenal shape looking not much used over 40+ years. The Imbuya hardwood cabinet is extraordinarily well-preserved with no notable scuffing, scratches or wear. The wicker cane grille is also in great condition with no tearing or notable fraying. The control panel is very clean with even the gloss graphic EQ portion showing virtually no scratches. The original handle is present with the hardware untarnished. The amp comes with the original Rhythm/Lead footswitch for switching between the two channels.
Electrically, this potent little Boogie is entirely original. The Electro Voice EVM12L speaker still retains its original cone and sounds fantastic. The power, choke and output transformers are original as well, marked 606-019, 606-122 and 606-124, dating them to the 19th week of 1980 and the 22nd and 24th week of 1981, respectively. The amp has received typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biasing to spec. It sounds fabulous as one would expect, still one of the classic professional go-to amps of all time. Excellent + Condition.
In the 1970s Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith initially became infamous for hot-rodding Fender Princetons into something like a 60-watt Bassman circuit driving a JBL D-120 12" speaker. What started out as a practical joke became the foundation of the company. The Boogie name hails back to the fairly well-known anecdote of Carlos Santana one day wandering into Randall Smith's shop and after playing one of Smith's modified Fender Princetons, exclaiming "Wow! This little amp really boogies!" ultimately leading to the company's moniker. Smith estimates he built around 200 of these modified Princetons before Fender figured out what he was up to and cut off his supply. Smith then founded Mesa Engineering, debuting an original design titled the Mark I featuring a cascading gain preamp circuit that many players were looking for in amps at that time.
After building approximately 3000 of the Mark I models, Mesa introduced the Mark II in 1978. It had foot switchable channels and an optional 5-band graphic EQ. In 1980 Mesa introduced the Mark IIB which had an effects loop, an expanded control panel that included Lead Drive and Lead Master controls as well as their proprietary Simul-Class feature allowing for switchable power tube operation.
This particular version of the Mark IIB features the graphic EQ, Reverb, switchable output power between 100W and 60W as well as an "all-world" power transformer. Being very much made-to-order at this time, the aforementioned features were optional and cost extra including the exotic hardwood Imbuya cabinet with wicker cane grille. The amps also came in 60W, 100/60W and Simul-Class versions. This particular one is the 100/60W with four 6L6 power tubes driving a 12" Electro Voice EVM12L speaker.
Height is 18 in. (45.7 cm.), 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp is in beautiful, phenomenal shape looking not much used over 40+ years. The Imbuya hardwood cabinet is extraordinarily well-preserved with no notable scuffing, scratches or wear. The wicker cane grille is also in great condition with no tearing or notable fraying. The control panel is very clean with even the gloss graphic EQ portion showing virtually no scratches. The original handle is present with the hardware untarnished. The amp comes with the original Rhythm/Lead footswitch for switching between the two channels.
Electrically, this potent little Boogie is entirely original. The Electro Voice EVM12L speaker still retains its original cone and sounds fantastic. The power, choke and output transformers are original as well, marked 606-019, 606-122 and 606-124, dating them to the 19th week of 1980 and the 22nd and 24th week of 1981, respectively. The amp has received typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biasing to spec. It sounds fabulous as one would expect, still one of the classic professional go-to amps of all time. Excellent + Condition.