POWER SERIES Mark XXX

As Daion was coming to an end in 1984, there were a few new models released - the Mark XXV, Mark XXX, and Mark XX-B2.

Though the Mark XXXX was priced the same as the Mark XX at $799 USD, there were differences - and perhaps some cost cutting. The triple screw anti-tilt humbuckers were replaced by more traditional two adjustment screw humbuckers (GOTOH are printed on the bottom of the pickups). Coil taps are still present and the sound is comparable to the Mark XX.

The brass truss rod cover, which would normally say “POWER SERIES” along with the model, has been replaced with a plastic cover that looks to be lifted off the Savage Series. There is no model designation on the guitar, only the gold script Daion logo on the headstock (which is consistent with most 1984 builds). The Mark XXX has a black plastic switch tip and knobs that look to be off a Mark X or Savage Series. Also reminiscent of a Mark X or Savage Series, we have chrome tuners and bridge plate (Mark XX were gold plated).

The lines of the neck through construction are barely visible through the solid paint of the black example pictured below. The wood control covers on the back continue over from the Mark XX. It makes you wonder why solid colors were added so late in the life of the POWER SERIES - was it driven by the fashion of the times or cost? Perhaps it was a way of using stock of Mark XXs that were not suitable for a transparent finish. We’ll probably never know.

Though we have not seen a catalog with the Mark XXX pictured, we do have pricing ($799 USD) and colors (Ivory and Black) from a MCI price sheet dated January 1, 1984 (pictured below).