[b-nads]

It may not be what their heart is into, but I play a lot of country, blues and southern rock. I have a chance to pick a Mark III Red Line head for a pretty fair price, but I'm wondering if the cleans are going to lend themselves well to country.

 

[335Bob]

I've had multiple Mesa amps. Currently I use a Lonestar Special or a Mark V, depending on the gig. You shouldn't have a problem getting clean tones from that amp. I've owned several Mark IIs and always had great clean tones and great overdriven tones on the second channel.

 

[keto]

Just a note, title says Mk2, your post says Mk3.

 

[b-nads]

Thanks - why we can't change titles I don't know. I'm considering a mark iii red. Looking at it and a 5:25 express

 

[Budda]

Find a lonestar, thank me later.

 

[High/Deaf]

Clean for days. And days!!!

Based on Fender pre-amps, it can do clean comparable to Fenders with similar power output. Nice reverb too, it if has it. There are nuances between Fender and Mesa but it can be clean and loud.

The big draw back with II and the III is the shared EQ. Some people have a hard time getting tones they like on both sides of the channel change switch, but as a clean platform or a gained up amp, it has a ton of adjustments to get you lots of places. Oh, and their heavy as hell.

While I agree with Budda about Lonestars, if you get a good deal on a Mk III, I wouldn't pass it up. You can probably turn it around for the same price - as long as you don't have to ship it. LOL

 

[335Bob]

There are quite a few Lonestars out there and the used prices are usually decent. I have the Special 30/15/5/ watt. Add an extension cab and you can squeeze 35 watts out of it. Plenty loud if you're playing small to medium size venues.

 

[b-nads]

Headroom is less of a concern for me than the quality of the cleans. We mic most of the time.

 

[High/Deaf]

Think of it as a Fender-like clean platform that has tone controls with 10X the range. There is a lot more options if you are chasing something, but some people don't enjoy the effort required to dial one in - especially the gain adjustments and interaction of the tone controls.