Boogie Amps

I have been a user of Mesa Boogie amps since the Mark III era. I used to have many brands of tube amps and none of them really hacked it. I have used Peavey (Mace, Deuce and MX), Marshall (6101, TSL60, DSL100, 9200), Fender (Twin Reverb), Selmer (zodiac) and many more too numerous to even think about.

BUT, once I bought the Mark III I was hooked for life. That does not mean that I don't like other amps, on the contrary, for example I also own today a Marshall 2203 (the one above) as well as other Boogie kit. The Marshall's have their place and the sound can be awesome if you get one of the older models (mine is a 79 untouched) and a Marshall 9200 (100 watts per side stereo rack amp). I have to admit though along the way I have dumped an awful lot of kit and lost even more money.

OK, so I like Boogie kit - there I've said it, but my Marshall tube amps are equal, but just a different sound. I also think the Boogie amps are built to the highest standards in the world today. The only Boogie amp I ever had a problem with was the Mark III - which was faulty brand new and the dealer swapped it out on the spot (with a little help from Mark Smith).

Take a look at the amps on the left - I like all of these, but some are better than others in the list. Is your favourite amp in the list as good as you think? or will it surpass everything you thought it was? Find out what others think BEFORE you spend the money.

Relish in the fact that you will be paying almost DOUBLE in the UK for this kit - so try and buy second hand, you could get one for the NEW USA price if you try hard (i.e. 50% off list second hand).

Don't forget - it costs big bucks to re tube some of these amps and second hand amps have not generally had their tubes replaced recently... would you spend £150.00 on a new set of tubes it you are selling the amp? I don't think so.