Grateful Dead Music Forum

I've always been interested in the Mesa era but know next to nothing about it. JGB second half of '77 through the early 80? Only used with JGB or what? And what of the lackluster mesa reverb what was the workaround for that pickle?

'Thanks also anybody got a extra for tomorrow?

I thought he used a Boogie with the Dead for a while...no idea of the years. Was hoping that somebody would jump in on this...I've got a Mark IV and was unaware that the reverb would be so "lackluster" as you put it. Really would like to know what others do about that.

I believe I saw a picture of Jerry playing through a Mark I Bookie in '75 with the Dead. Also a pick of a Bookie with JGB in '80. Nothing else as far as I know.

Jim

Early Mesas had poor reverb, IMO. New ones are just fine, IMO.

I am sure Tigerstrat will chime in with the drop solid dates as usual ,
But I think Jerry played a Boogie mark1 at the end of 1975 and all through 1976 until the beginning of October when they played those day on the green shows with the Who he reverted back to the Twin/Mac deal.

And yes Jim is right,
Jerry used a Mark2a for the legendary Winter 1980 East coast tour.

Those are definite Boogie times.

It has been speculated that some of the 79 reconstruction shows had a boogie too, but I have never seen proof.

Did Jerry use that Boogie in '76 era strictly as a preamp into his Mac, or did he use the Boogie's power instead?

Brad

I believe it was preamped into the mac........

In the 1975 Blues For Allah sessions at Weir's house it appears to be used as a combo.

In this 1979 Reconstruction shot, there is one Mk I on each side of the stage... hard to tell how they are being used.

tigerstrat wrote:In the 1975 Blues For Allah sessions at Weir's house it appears to be used as a combo.

In this 1979 Reconstruction shot, there is one Mk I on each side of the stage... hard to tell how they are being used.

WOW that is a great picture, TS!

I've got a Mark IV and was unaware that the reverb would be so "lackluster" as you put it. Really would like to know what others do about that.

And what of the lackluster mesa reverb what was the workaround for that pickle?

I can't say whether Jerry used the Boogie's stock reverb or not, or if he used outboard reverb. But having Healy or any other tech modify the reverb on the Boogie to anything Jerry wanted would have, and still is today, one of the easiest mods to make on an amp, whether its a new tank, or adjusting the existing reverb circuit.

KCJones wrote:

I've got a Mark IV and was unaware that the reverb would be so "lackluster" as you put it. Really would like to know what others do about that.

And what of the lackluster mesa reverb what was the workaround for that pickle?

I can't say whether Jerry used the Boogie's stock reverb or not, or if he used outboard reverb. But having Healy or any other tech modify the reverb on the Boogie to anything Jerry wanted would have, and still is today, one of the easiest mods to make on an amp, whether its a new tank, or adjusting the existing reverb circuit.

It's as simple as a resistor placed in series with the reverb input. http://www.rukind.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 441#p56441

Yeah that is one of the coolest shots I have seen. Merl was the greatest.

For what it's worth, I have a Mark IV that absolutely sings.

strumminsix wrote:

tigerstrat wrote:In the 1975 Blues For Allah sessions at Weir's house it appears to be used as a combo.

In this 1979 Reconstruction shot, there is one Mk I on each side of the stage... hard to tell how they are being used.

WOW that is a great picture, TS!

I'll tell Bruce P. you said so! Just spoke to him last Sunday.

Please do, Tom!