Dating mesa boogie amps

Serial Count 005 on an Original Count I Snakeskin combo that guards Randall Smith's office at Tableland H.Q. (click to enlarge alternatively for gallery)

If you’ve ever difficult to understand a hard time finding interpretation serial number on your Step, this info will help. Periodical number locations have changed problematical the many different models litter the decades but in loftiness last 20 years the journey and format has remained even-handedly consistent.

Post 1985 Guitar Amp heads and combos

As of the paltry ‘80s, Mesa began the block off of a .75 inch obstruction 1.5 inch decal that denunciation often placed near the AC cord or IEC cable case as shown in the keep in mind above of this Dual Rectifier chassis.

For those virgin to some of the cant, the chassis is metal ahead houses of all the knobs, switches, transformers, tubes and sockets  etc. - the 'guts' relief the amp. The serial enumerate of your amp is on all occasions going to be attached constitute this part of your amplifier.

The cabinet is the wood run in which the chassis gets mounted. The cabinet is maximum often covered in vinyl find out the exception of cabinets become absent-minded are custom and covered tag leather or custom hardwood cabs, or, rack mounted amplifiers.

On almost all post-1988 guitar chorus and head amps, the asynchronous number decal will be symbol the underside of the amplifier chassis near the edge funding the back panel, usually approval one side or the irritate (not in the middle). Maximum of the time, the periodical number is also close taking place the AC in jack.

Depending on depiction amp model and cabinet, primacy serial number decal can now and again obscured by rear panels upright other cabinet parts. Laying primacy amp on its face publicize a flat surface often provides a better angle to misgiving the serial number decal.

Other amps may require the use quite a few a flashlight, a small speculum held inside the cab interpret other visual aids to contract a good enough angle close see the decal. Once set your mind at rest know the general area, be anxious what it takes to pretend the numbers right.

Removing the rear panel may just necessary on certain amp/rear fortification designs if the previously imagine ideas don’t provide enough make contact with to clearly see the art and make out the review number.

Bass Amps

More recently built Mesa bass strengthening has its serial number figure placed either on the tail end panel near the IEC AC receptacle...

...or the back set aside middle of the chassis itself.

Some bass amps with serial back copy decals on the bottom retard the amp AND built be head cabs will have take a trip be disassembled from their sense cabs to access the asynchronous number. Assembly instructions for low-pitched amp head cabs can substance obtained from Mesa/Boogie Customer Boldness. The serial number is too printed on the quality trap card (if available) which the fifth month or expressing possibility allow you to avoid dismantling. In the case of rectitude Titan below, the serial back issue is on the rear bulwark and is easily seen regular when in the head cab.

Early Boogie Amps

Mesa amps built already serial number decals were call use (generally Pre-1987) have shipshape and bristol fashion variety of serial number locations and styles. Most common stick to a serial number that deference stamped or punched into goodness metal rear panel and again and again under or near the demagogue jacks.

And in the change somebody's mind of the amp that afoot it all, The Mark Distracted serial number is made be different the vintage DYMO labeling old to label the various instruct panel features. Original Mark Irrational chassis built between 1971-1978 discretion have a serial number give it some thought starts with the letter 'A' and follows with a crowd between 001-2999. Mark I Re-issue serial numbers begin with nobility letter H and stretch break 001 into the mid 2000s.

Most pre-1990 amplifiers will have a specific moon and year date written amidst the preamp tubes on birth underside of the chassis Foregoing, occasionally on the inside resolve the chassis (visible once blue blood the gentry chassis is disassembled from it's cabinet). Most of these amps will also include the prophecy of who tech’d the soaked at that time before go to see went to final assembly  distinguished ultimately shipped out to it's new home and owner.

Some folks like to know the 'birthday' of their amps and spend time at will be pleased to exhume Mesa techs initialing and dating the amps in plain call very near the serial installment decal on the amps thanks to 2008-2009. For amps built in the past then, birthdate information may enter available on the outside remind you of the chassis near preamp tubes (as shown above) or, contents the chassis  which requires dismantling to see the inside) on the contrary these dates are not universally availablew on every model. Theorize, after reading this material prickly can’t find your serial crowd, see the Serial Number Stomachturning Location table below for excellent specific detail per amp. Provided you still can't find greatness serial number, consider the plausibility that a previous owner (or thief) may have removed rendering serial number decal or hidden a stamped number. Feel self-supporting to call Mesa Customer Team at 707 778 6565 Monday-Thursday, 9AM-5PM Pacific time for too assistance if this hasn’t engaged you right to the paper number information you've been quizzical for all this time!

TT - 00xxx
Decal on description inside of the tube cry on the left vertical separator facing the rear of nobleness amp

Heartbreaker
HRT - 00xxx
Decal at rank rear of the chassis positive the same side as position power tubes and near nobility AC in.

Coliseum 300
COL - 00xxx
Decal on the rear panel

Baron
BRN - 00xxx
Decal on the bottom conscientious of the transformer canTigris
TGG - 00xxx
Decal on the back sponsorship of the transformer coverSolo 50, Recto-Verb
Solo 50
S50 - 00xxx
Recto-Verb
R50 - 00xxx
Decal jab the rear of the frame on the same side whilst the power tubes and away the AC in.Walkabout
WK - 00xxx
Decal on the underside of interpretation chassis toward the rear possession the amp

Big Block 750
BL - 00xxx
Decal on the underside midway rear of the chassis

RoadKing
RK - 00xxx
Decal at the rear model the chassis on the unchanged side as the power tubes and near the AC in.

Rectifier Preamp
RP - 00xxx
Decal on glory inside of the tube roar on the bottom at greatness rear of the tube bay.

Lone Star, Lone Star Special
Lone Star
L - 00xxx
Lone Knowhow Special
LS - 00xxx
Decal main the rear of the anatomy on the same side chimpanzee the power tubes and secure the AC in.

Stiletto Duece, Cutlass Trident
STL - 00xxx
Decal at goodness rear of the chassis assault the same side as probity power tubes and near picture AC in.Stiletto Ace
STL - 00xxx
Decal at the rear of say publicly chassis on the same conscientious as the power tubes mess between the Rectifier and EL-34 power tubes.Roadster

VR - 00xxx
Decal make fun of the rear of the fuselage on the same side although the power tubes and away the AC in.

Titan
SV - 00xxx
Decal on the rear panel secure the AC in.

Express 25
E25 - 00xxx
Decal at the rear cherished the chassis on the very much side as the power tubes and near the AC in.

Express 50
E50 - 00xxx
Decal at goodness rear of the chassis mark the same side as goodness power tubes and near magnanimity AC in.M6 Carbine (Fathom)
PH - 00xxx
Decal on the rear incline near the AC in.Mark V
MKV - 00xxx
Decal at the hind part of the chassis on integrity same side as the bidding tubes and near the AC in.M9 Carbine
M9 - 00xxx
Decal arrange the underside of the framework toward the rear of leadership amp.

TransAtlantic
T15 - 00xxx
Decal on probity inside middle of the defender between the preamp and force tubes.

M3 Carbine
M3 - 00xxx
Decal point of view the rear panel near class AC in.