Mesa Boogie Mark III Red Stripe

Valves for Mesa Boogie Mark III Red Stripe amplifier

The Mesa Boogie Mark III Red Stripe amplifier uses:

• 4 x ECC83 (also called 12AX7) preamp valves/tubes.
• 1 x Balanced ECC83 for the V5 position.
• 2 x EL34 Matched power valves.
• 2 x 6L6 GC Matched power valves.

The power valves are specifically chosen for this amp and are a direct replacement for the Mesa STR440 valves. So there is no need to rebias your amp when you change the valves.

We have listed this valve set for the Red Stripe but of course, it fits all Mesa Mark IIIs which includes Black Stripe, Purple Stripe, Red Stripe, Blue Stripe and Green Stripe.

Where is the “Stripe”? Good question, it’s on the back over the power cord. Nothing fancy, it’s done with a magic marker.

These stripes are nothing more than a representation of the timeline as the amp evolved. They represent snapshots in time in the development of the amplifier.

Don’t get too hung up about the stripe colour. There are lots of views and comments on the forums which you can read at your leisure but don’t disappear down the rabbit hole. There is a great deal of misinformation about what these stripes represent so let’s put the record straight.

This is what Mesa say:

#1 – Black Stripe/No mark or a little dot. Only a few hundred then some black marks or “+”‘s .
– Lean and powerful amp with more output power than a IIC+

#2 – Purple Stripe (1986): reshaping of R2
– R2 was shaped to be more “rounded” and less gain, with improved level.

#3 – Red Stripe (1987): R2 is like current Mark III
– R2 further developed and very hot. The lead mode is also tweaked to close in on the IIC+ sound.

#4 – Blue Stripe (1988): Reshaping of R1
– More aggressive preamp gain – reshaping of R1, Power section made akin to IIC+

#5 – Green Stripe (1989)/Simul-Class: Final R1 and Lead Channel reshaping
– Cleaner R1, Lead channel reshaping, and unlike other Simul amps, these Mark III’s were wired in Pentode – NOT triode in the Class A sockets for more power. The power section is the same as Blue otherwise.

Overview of the Mark III range

The Mark III launched in 1985. It offered a third “crunch” channel, which meant even more versatility to an already-winning formula that offered a wider range of tones than any of the mass-produced amps of that time. Slightly revised each year from 1985 – 1989, most of these amps (but not all) came with Reverb and Presence controls on the rear panel and, though it was optional, a 5-band graphic equaliser made it onto a majority of Mark IIIs.

The Mark III was delivered in a variety of configurations. You could have 60 and 100-watt heads and 1×12″ combos, as well as with the “Simul-Class” power section from the Mark IIB which runs the outer pair of power tubes (either EL34 or 6L6 as triodes) in Class-A while the inner pair of 6L6s runs Class-AB. This made the amp switchable from 75 to 15 watts.

The “Green Stripe” revision from 1989 and onward was only offered in Simul-Class, and ran the outer pair of power tubes as pentodes rather than triodes to gain an extra 10 watts of power in both modes, making it switchable between 85 and 25 watts.

Order your valves below and hear the difference.

So restore the tone, the power and the sparkle to your guitar amplifier. Treat yourself to a brand new set of valves today.

• All of our valves are carefully selected, fully tested, digitally balanced and matched.
• No need to bias your amp with our replacement valves.
• We offer a variety of shipping options with full tracking and insurance so you can order with confidence.
• We have 30 years experience so you know you are in safe hands.
• International shipping – we post all over the world every single day.

Replace the Valves on your Mesa Boogie Mark III Red Stripe amplifier.

If you have any queries about replacing your valves please get in touch. We have over 30 years experience so one of our team will always be happy to help and advise.

We also have an FAQ section where we answer the most popular questions we get asked each week.