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Description

The Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum is a legendary guitar amplifier head that has left a lasting imprint on the sonic landscape of rock and blues. Known for its distinctive six 6L6 power tubes, this amp head is designed for guitarists who crave both power and tonal versatility. Originally introduced in the late 1970s, the Mark IIB Coliseum has been a favorite among musicians for its ability to deliver pristine cleans and rich, saturated overdrive tones with equal finesse.

Engineered with an all-tube design, the Mark IIB Coliseum offers a unique blend of vintage warmth and modern reliability, making it a trusted companion for both studio sessions and live performances. Its comprehensive EQ section allows for meticulous tone shaping, while the presence of a graphic EQ offers further tonal customization, giving guitarists the flexibility needed to craft their signature sound.

With its rugged construction and superior components, the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum stands as a testament to the quality and craftsmanship that has made Mesa/Boogie a revered name in the world of guitar amplification. Whether you're seeking the shimmering highs of a clean channel or the growling lows of a high-gain setting, this amp head delivers with precision and clarity.

Key Features:

  • Six 6L6 power tubes for robust power output
  • All-tube design for authentic tonal warmth
  • Graphic EQ for enhanced tone shaping
  • Versatile EQ section for precise sound control
  • Renowned for both clean and overdriven tones
  • Durable construction for reliable performance
ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum - Playthrough

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum - Playthrough by ChoptonesOfficial

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum - Playthrough

ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Video thumbnail for ESP Hanneman guitar tone comparison Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum V30 by TIGHTEN

ESP Hanneman guitar tone comparison Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum V30

TIGHTEN

TIGHTEN

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum Loop Mod, EVM15L Greenback V30 G12T-75, ESP Horizon NT-II by TIGHTEN

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum Loop Mod, EVM15L Greenback V30 G12T-75, ESP Horizon NT-II

TIGHTEN

TIGHTEN

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum vs Mark III Red Stripe. ESP Hanneman. V30. by TIGHTEN

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum vs Mark III Red Stripe. ESP Hanneman. V30.

TIGHTEN

TIGHTEN

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Mark IIB loop mod vs. IIC+ Coliseum shootout. ESP Hanneman. V30. by TIGHTEN

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB loop mod vs. IIC+ Coliseum shootout. ESP Hanneman. V30.

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TIGHTEN

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Five 35 vs Mark IIB Coliseum. ESP Hanneman. G12T-75. by TIGHTEN

Mesa Boogie Five 35 vs Mark IIB Coliseum. ESP Hanneman. G12T-75.

TIGHTEN

TIGHTEN

Reviews

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Artist usage

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See how Tony Iommi uses Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum

Tony Iommi

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Tony went through a Mesa Boogie period starting with around 1982, and used the amps peridically up until the early 90s. This is a screenshot from a video from 1984.

See how Mark Knopfler uses Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum

Mark Knopfler

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

"A Fender Vibrolux and a Fender Twin Reverb were the backbone of early albums. Then he had a Mesa/Boogie MkIIB (around 1982) and he later switched to Soldano SL0 100s. Perhaps surprisingly, he’s now started using Kemper Profilers as his stage amps."

See how Prince uses Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum

Prince

Singer, Guitarist

The New Power Generation

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

“There were three of these 300 series amps,” says Bendinelli. “The original two were Mark IIBs, and this is one of them. They’re all dated 1981, and Prince had them by the time he did the 1999 tour. --- They had 180 watts of clean headroom, and it was a big, loud sound onstage.

Prince liked the C+ better, because it had a lot more punch and headroom in the preamp. I carried one of the 300 series Mark IIBs home with me, updated it to a C+, and sent it back. So Prince ended up with three C+ heads—one original and two converted."

See how John Sykes uses Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum

John Sykes

Guitarist

Thin Lizzy

...
Verified via Johnsykes

For much of the Whitesnake '87 album and first Blue Murder album John used 2 Mesa Boogie Coliseum heads. These amps have a Mark III pre-amp section but use six 6L6 power tubes--giving the amps180 watts each

See how Dez Dickerson uses Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum

Dez Dickerson

Guitarist, Composer

Prince

...
Verified via Guitarcloud

Dez used the Mesa Boogie Mark II on the "Controversy" album with Prince.

Album Usage

The Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa/Boogie Mark IIB Coliseum, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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