Mesa Boogie

  • Thread starter Thread starter booyah14
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Thanks for the responses guys, very helpful. The info on the mesa preamp is definitely want I wanted to know how to do. So basically you would just get that if you had another amp, or at least one of the options would be to do that. Will definitely check out all of my options once I look this up a little more.

I want to check out some of the Framus stuff because i absolutely love their live sound. Seen a good amount of them lately from heavy bands and have always loved what was coming out of them. The cobra is mostly what I have seen at live shows, and I remember unearth having a really chunky heavy tone from them so definitely need to check them out somemore.

And Toker, thanks about the volume info, that is really good to know since I want whatever amp I choose to be a solid recording amp. Thanks man.
 
One other "new comer" at the GC you might look at...the reviews are a little mixed but, I had a chance to play one for a little while and it pulled off a convincing Mesa sound was the B-52 line. A way cheaper 3 channel tube unit with valve rectifier. It comes in 60 watts and 100 watts, effects loop, headphone and line-out...might be worth a look.

Best luck
 
If you don't have the opportunity to record with mics at 'gig volume', you might want to consider a Mk IV.
Use the record out straight into the recorder - works great.

. . . and a Mk IV is also a very versatile amp for gigging, too. Great range of tones and it will happily take your head off if volume is your thing.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, and yes if I don't have to record at gig volume that would be great. Any other info would rule.
 
Power attenuators are definitely a help in that situation, but as said they can color the sound sometimes. But check into getting if you want a head that can be used live, and also when in the studio.

We record with a Mesa Dual Rect. and a Marshall JCM 900. I leave the marshall on 50watts (though it's 100) and it gets much meatier, but less gainy tone that the mesa at the same level.

It all depends on how you push the speakers too. With a power attenuator, you'll not be driving the cab as hard, thus losing some of the natural sound that the speakers get when driven properly.

I personally like the sound of a single rectifier as opposed to a dual. if you need that extra gain, i always have an EQ pedal sittin in front of my marshall and have it EQed for a treble boost on solos. Honestly, other than solos, do you need three channels?

THe only other thing,a nd it's been said, tat extra 50 watts gives you a whole whopping 3dB of sound. Not much at all.

Hope i've helped out and not confused you, i'm bad to explain myself poorly!!
 
I would have no problem with just getting a single rectifier and be done with it but I'm not sure that it would really get the heavier sound I'm looking for. I have heard from the grape vine that it just doesn't distort for a good metal tone. Now this could be completely wrong but this is just what I have heard. I have played a dual rect. a few times and I loved that, so I don't know. I will definitely try and find some of the other amps people have suggested and see what comes out. I just wish I lived closer to a city because it's really hard to test out gear where I'm from. Guess I'll have to make a road trip sometime soon.
 
punkin said:
I usually set my Mesa to the diode rectifier otherwise the sound gets a little mushy (ala single but lower power). One good thing about getting a triple recto amp is that the resale value is pretty good...it's hard to find a nice (NICE) used triple for less than 1k on ebay.
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I use the sillicon diode setting as well. It would be muddy otherwise. Actually, I've removed my rectifier tubes from the amp entirely. I kind of wish I had a Road King head... then I could experiment with one of the 4 channels having rectifier tubes instead.

As for resale value. I'd say the chances of losing money on the amp (provided you don't buy new and don't fuck it up) are practically nil. Triples have been pretty steady at $900-1,200 (depending on condition and rarity) since as long as I've had mine. They will probably increase in value as time goes on.

As punkin said, it's worth playing other amps first though. You don't want to get an amp and then regret not experimenting more first. The only other head I've played through that gave me a bit of envy was my friend's Hughes and Kettner Triamp (MK1). It was 3X as expensive as mine was though. ;)
 
The single rectifier is a beautiful amp with more than enough volume and gain.

-MD
 
Yes this is the reason I have been looking at the single because I do not really need tons of volume, I just need the heavy tone.
 
Worth noting....
...the 3 channel Dual Recto not only has 3 DIFFERENT channel, but also has a solo boast on the foot pedal that can be set with it's own volume.
 
The single rectifier also has the solo feature. The new single rects have two channels. The first channel can do clean or pushed, and the second channel can do raw, vintage, or modern.

-MD
 
booyah14 said:
Yes this is the reason I have been looking at the single because I do not really need tons of volume, I just need the heavy tone.
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You also need to isolate whether or not you want output tube distortion as part of your sound.

Some may find it muddy and would like the extra headroom of the Triple. Others might love the sound of pushed tubes and the Triple would make them crank too loud to get that sound.

Try all three in the same enviornment if you are able.
 
That is a very good point. I just wish I had the option. Living in the middle of nowhere is not enjoyable.
 
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