Coliseums

I picked up a Mark III Simul Blue Stripe Coli earlier this week. This is not your grandfather's Mark III. It's a nasty amp! Ton of usable gain. Very bright but in a good way. No flub using my normal settings. The low end is tight. It sounds just as huge as my c+ Coli. The c+ is smoother but III is punchier. I'm sending it in for service and the III+\R2 mods. Here's some pics.

https://flic.kr/p/2iBvSz6

https://flic.kr/p/2iBukfZ

https://flic.kr/p/2iBrE8M

https://flic.kr/p/2iBukfZ

There are no words :shock:

Lookin’ tough, xdg999! :shock:

Just dropped off the Mark III Coli at the UPS Store for it's trip back to Mesa. I was playing it last night thru a 2x12 Half Back loaded with MS-12's and it sounded really good. I thought maybe I should keep it stock and then I switched to my III+ DRG Wide Head with the 105 transformer. The III+ cleans are warmer and the overdrive is smoother the the stock Coli. So off it goes for service and the +/R2 mod.

Here's the cab and III+.
https://flic.kr/p/2iBHWtt

When Mike B fires it up you'll be able to see the tube glow from your place :lol: :lol: :lol:

When Mike fires it up it will trip the utility grid :lol:

What would happen if I powered up both of my Coli's at the same time? :|

xdg999 said:

What would happen if I powered up both of my Coli's at the same time? :|

Click to expand...

Surely the lights would dim momentarily :lol:

BLACKOUT

FYI, a MkIIC+ Coliseum Half Stack was just listed on Reverb for a cool $10K:
https://reverb.com/item/32832130-mesa-boogie-mark-iic-coliseum

We know but no way is it worth that much

I don't know. The way amp prices are going, the cream always rises. I see this amp being "worth it". I'd take it over a Dumble or Trianwreck any day!

Well we know how much something is worth by what people are willing to pay. They are rare but did it sell, no. You state it's worth it but did you buy it for the asking price, no. I know of one that was sold to the middle east for $15k but is this the metric for value, no. We still see the amp for sale and it was lowered since it was listed a while back...

Now priced at an even cooler $15K! :shock:
https://reverb.com/item/32832130-mesa-boogie-mark-iic-coliseum

I struggle a bit with the concept of a III+ or III++ mod. I have Mark IIs, so I don't want to turn my Mark III into a Mark II in terms of the smoothness. Part of the appeal of the III is how raw & aggressive it is. BUT, I have not played a III+ so it's hard to say from here. I've also learned "if it's not broke don't fix it".

The OP has his III+ back now so looking forward to commentary.

GJgo said:

I struggle a bit with the concept of a III+ or III++ mod. I have Mark IIs, so I don't want to turn my Mark III into a Mark II in terms of the smoothness. Part of the appeal of the III is how raw & aggressive it is. BUT, I have not played a III+ so it's hard to say from here. I've also learned "if it's not broke don't fix it".

The OP has his III+ back now so looking forward to commentary.

Click to expand...

I've traded a couple of emails with Mike B. on this. The intention of the + mod is to approximate the sound of the Mk IIC+ using the Mk III platform. However, it will never be there 100%, presumably due to the differences in circuit board layouts (and perhaps transformers). The ++ mod is switchable, and only active when R2 and Lead are engaged. So R1 should not be affected, unlike a IIC++. I'm strongly considering dropping my Mk III DRG off in Petaluma, especially now that we're all rich with Stimulus Checks!

BTW, I'm really digging your YouTube channel! The Boogie action is awesome! I'm curious how close a Mk III can get to a Mk II simply with less conventional settings. I believe you touched on this previously by lowering the 6600 slider while raising the Presence. An A/B comparison between two amps would be cool!

Thanks man. Well, I did this the other day.. Recorded, I think I could get them to sound the same if I tweaked it. In the room the II is warmer & fatter where the III is more tight & aggressive.

https://youtu.be/OW7Yz1FaVQE

Personally if the III+ mod is to make it sound more like a IIC+ then I don't think I'd want it. I like the III because it's a III. It's ANGRY.

I got the Coli back last Wednesday. I wanted to a wait few days to post anything until the new caps burn in. This amp is freakin amazing! It should be called The Hammer of the Gods not Coliseum. I just turned it up to 1.5. What a wall of sound! The low end is full and tight. The III+ mod warms it up but it's still aggressive. Sounds great even at low volume. All of my Mark III's felt flat before the III+ mod. They have more of the c+ elasticity after the mod. I haven't compared it yet to my c+ Coli. I want to wait some more to really break it in.

Awesome

The III Colis didn't come with the limit board, did they?

No limit. Nothing but unbridled horsepower!