Standby Switch - Mesa/Boogie MARK 1 RE-ISSUE Owner's Manual

FRONT PANEL:
STANDBY SWITCH: The STANDBY switch turns off the high voltages in your Boogie, while allowing it to idle, keeping the tube
filaments warm. It should be used during power-up to keep from "shocking" cold power tubes. Simply flip the POWER switch to the ON
ON
POWER
STANDBY TWEED
M
ARK I
POWER / TWEED SWITCH: This is the A.C. power switch for the MARK I and is unique in that it offers two modes of operation:
NORMAL and TWEED. With the toggle switch up ( Power ), the amplifier operates like usual amplifiers: at the voltage rating present
ON POWER
STANDBY TWEED
M
ARK I
(Their weak, sagging power supplies just weren't capable of the efficiency inherent in the modern amplifiers of today.) These vintage
gems of yesteryear are wonderful to play at home or in the studio, but not too reliable or practical for everyday gig use. The special
tapped transformer of the MARK I combines the sound and feel of these vintage classics with necessary reliability found in modern
design and construction. For everyday use in larger clubs or when you need lots of clean headroom, the NORMAL position is perfect.
When you find yourself in that tiny barroom situation, where even the 60 watt power position gets you dirty looks from the bartender,
simply switch to TWEED and you'll both be happy. Likewise, if you find yourself in the studio needing a vintage sound with lots of
power section overdrive, try TWEED. This feature is invaluable for late night practicing, or recording around the house. You'll be
wailing with the sound you've always dreamt of, while the next-door neighbors are fast asleep.
With the POWER switch in the TWEED position, it is also possible to utilize different types of power tubes for different sounds, styles
and feels. In this position, the MARK I can be used with not only the standard 6L6 type tubes, but also 6V6 and EL34 power tubes
as well. Using these three types of power tubes, three very distinct personalities can be achieved. With the standard 6L6 tubes in
place, the amp is most versatile - warm and rich sounding, yet capable of delivering full power for lots of clean headroom. These tubes
can be used in either the NORMAL ( switch up ) POWER position, or the TWEED ( switch down ) position for a softer sweeter sound.
Installing the smaller 6V6 power tubes ( most often seen in the classic Fender Deluxe amps ) produces a sound that is vintage and
beyond. Wonderful for blues dates or the recording studio, these tubes create a sweet, round, yet bubbly sound. Easy to drive to clip,
they are a favorite of many die-hard bluesmen with their emotional, explosive style of attack. In the 100 watt position with the TWEED
switch down, the amplifier produces roughly 40 watts and roughly half that in the 60 watt position. This is possibly one of the most
enjoyable features of the MARK I and we strongly encourage you to try these various tubes.
REMEMBER...Only use the 6V6 tubes with the POWER switch in the TWEED ( down ) position. Using them in the POWER switch
( Up ) position will cause them to burn out rapidly! For a proper impedance match when using 6V6 power tubes, the internal combo
speaker should be connected to the 4 OHM SPEAKER JACK or used with a 16 Ohm speaker cabinet on the 8 OHM SPEAKER
JACK. With the 60 / 100 switch in the 60 watt position, the 8 OHM SPEAKER JACK becomes a 32 Ohm jack and the 4 Ohm jack
becomes a 16 Ohm jack. Again, mismatching in the lower than proper impedance direction will cause power tubes to wear faster and
sound somewhat "harsher".
(Continued)
position while leaving the STANDBY switch in the standby position (toggle down) for about a minute.
This reduces the strain on your power tubes and prolongs their toneful life substantially. Standby mode
should also be used during breaks in playing, as it produces less strain on tubes if they are kept warm,
rather than turned completely on and off with every use.
at the wall socket ( normally between 110 and 120 volts in the United States ). With the toggle switch in
the TWEED position ( Down ), your Boogie becomes a unique and extremely versatile tone machine!
Over the last decade we have put strong emphasis on not only the sound of our instruments, but on the
way they respond to you as you play. TWEED is the ultimate example of this. By using a specially
designed tapped transformer, we were able to lower voltages across the circuit at will. This endows the
amplifier with the best qualities of the early "tweed" amps of the 50's, so sought after for their sweet,
warm tone and spongy, elastic feel.
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