290 or 250 ?

[mARKw]

I am thinking of joining the mesa club. Currently I'm running a JMP1 into a TSL 122 combo. I want to get rid of the Marshall combo and get a rack mounted power amp. When I save up I'd also like a Tri Axis. I see the triaxis and 2:90 go well together... I'm not sure however if the 2:90 is going to be too powerful for my needs. I am playing in a band where the other guitarist has a 2:50 running el34s through a marshall 4x12 - he reckons a I don't need the 2:90 it's too powerful. We play pubs mainly.

Also, I was planning on playing through my marshall 1936 2x12. (I can't fit a 4x12 in my car :? )

Is the 2:90 overkill - Is the tone very similar, I know the 2:50 is going to be loud enough but are the other features of the 2:90 worth it ????

Has anyone ever heard a triaxis with a marshall 50/50??

Cheers
mARK

 

[samhill]

When you try these things out don't rule out the 2:100 Rectifier power amp, it's tone is absolutely killer. I have a 2:50 hanging around here and tried a 2:90, the Recto kills them for pure tone.
Of course this is just my opinion.

Here's a clip with the 2:100, Recto Pre, two Recto Std cabs (4x12's) miked with 57's
http://www.thesamhillband.com/satall.mp3

Mark

 

[Nocturno_Culto]

I'm very interested as well about this choice. I'd like to run a 50/50 in two 2x12 recto cab. What do you guys think?

 

[mARKw]

Here's a clip with the 2:100, Recto Pre, two Recto Std cabs (4x12's) miked with 57's
http://www.thesamhillband.com/satall.mp3

That does sound pretty good... Is it going to be overkill running the 2:100 through a 2x12 and playing small to medium size venues ?
Sounds good but.
Cheers

 

[samhill]

Here's a clip with the 2:100, Recto Pre, two Recto Std cabs (4x12's) miked with 57's
http://www.thesamhillband.com/satall.mp3

That does sound pretty good... Is it going to be overkill running the 2:100 through a 2x12 and playing small to medium size venues ?
Sounds good but.
Cheers

I am not anywhere close to achieving power tube saturation. To me it sounds great at bedroom levels or wailing on a big stage. If it's too loud I simply turn it down...it still sounds great! Maybe someday I will experiment with some sort of power soak, but for the time being I am quite pleased with the tone.

Mark

 

[t0aj15]

I am thinking of joining the mesa club. I want to get rid of the Marshall combo and get a rack mounted power amp. When I save up I'd also like a Tri Axis. I see the triaxis and 2:90 go well together... I'm not sure however if the 2:90 is going to be too powerful for my needs. I am playing in a band where the other guitarist has a 2:50 running el34s through a marshall 4x12 - he reckons a I don't need the 2:90 it's too powerful. We play pubs mainly. Also, I was planning on playing through my marshall 1936 2x12. (I can't fit a 4x12 in my car :? ) Is the 2:90 overkill - Is the tone very similar, I know the 2:50 is going to be loud enough but are the other features of the 2:90 worth it ????
Cheers, mARK

I use the older model Mesa 50/50 poweramp with my TriAxis and I love it. IMO 90-100 watts per channel is just overkill. Like you I play pubs and there's just no way I could ever use that extra power. In fact I bought my TriAxis/poweramp a year ago when both the 50/50 and the 2:50 were available and I chose the older model because of the Hi/Lo power switch that allows me to chose between 15 or 50 watts per channel. You'd be surprised how often 15 watts per side is plenty even in a bar. Not only that but the Lo power setting also allows me to use my 212 open back cab which contains a pair of 15 watt Celestion Alnico Blues which sounds fantastic and is plenty loud for most bars.

 

[chedgeco]

I personally love the Simul 2:90. It does mate well with the Triaxis.

I have no experience with the 2:50 but I use the 2:90 in all environments from Jazz to Rock and I never have a problem controlling my levels. I use it with a one 2X12 that runs in stereo. One side of the 2:90 for each 8 ohm speaker.

Of course I haven't retubed yet so after that I may sing a different story. If you want the flexability of 6L6's and EL34's, it looks as though the new 2:50 can accommodate either one with it's bias select switch.

Chris... 8)

 

[mARKw]

Hey cool. It looks like I will probably settle for the 2:50 and get el34s. I got all woozy when I saw all those tubes on the back of the 2:90...

Does anyone know the difference between open and closed back cabs? Mine is closed, though I am sure I could modify it somehow.

Cheers
mARK

 

[chedgeco]

With the Triaxis and the 2:90 going full tilt boogie you should see what the back of the rack looks like... glowing gorgeously.

I use to use Mesa Thiele's with closed backs and ported fronts. They were super directional. I recently switched to the oval ported back 2X12, and love it. It is much more present in the room yet I didn't lose any of the low end that I use to get fom the Thiele's.

Chris... 8)
Here is a picture of the back:

 

[t0aj15]

I use to use Mesa Thiele's with closed backs and ported fronts. They were super directional. I recently switched to the oval ported back 2X12, and love it. It is much more present in the room yet I didn't lose any of the low end that I use to get fom the Thiele's.

IMO it's a win/lose situation either way. When I use my two Thiele-EVM-12L cabs I get better low end and much better stereo separation, but when I use my 2-12" semi-open back stereo cab loaded with Celestion Blues I get better over all tone and a more room filling sound. Generally the room I'm playing in will dictate which setup I use. If it's a larger room requiring more power I'll switch the amp to 50 watts per channel and use the Thiele's, if it's a smaller room requiring less power I'll switch the amp down to 15 watts per channel and use the stereo 2-12" cab. There are good points and bad to both but all in all I enjoy swiching back and forth. I think the best setup will be when Celestion finally releases the new 50 watt version of the Celestion Blue and I can have the best of both worlds at the same time.

 

[mcmanus]

I am thinking of joining the mesa club. Currently I'm running a JMP1 into a TSL 122 combo. I want to get rid of the Marshall combo and get a rack mounted power amp. When I save up I'd also like a Tri Axis. I see the triaxis and 2:90 go well together... I'm not sure however if the 2:90 is going to be too powerful for my needs. I am playing in a band where the other guitarist has a 2:50 running el34s through a marshall 4x12 - he reckons a I don't need the 2:90 it's too powerful. We play pubs mainly.

Also, I was planning on playing through my marshall 1936 2x12. (I can't fit a 4x12 in my car :? )

Is the 2:90 overkill - Is the tone very similar, I know the 2:50 is going to be loud enough but are the other features of the 2:90 worth it ????

Has anyone ever heard a triaxis with a marshall 50/50??

Cheers
mARK

I think Tony McKenzie uses that combination. (google TriAxis, he's on the first page) Personally, I would use a 2:90 and nothing else with it, tho. The 2:90 has completely different tonal characteristics and offers features that are intended for the TriAxis (such as Deep and Modern.... similar to Deep and Bright modes on their Mark series). Get a 2:90, you won't regret it.

 

[mARKw]

Can the 2:90 take EL34s ?

 

[Nocki]

I dont know if it can take EL34 tubes.

I had the same quetsions as you have amd i can tell you the 2:90 can play lower in volume then the 20/20. I was really afraid of it being to loud but it isnt. is has great sounds in it and sounds great on lower volumes. better then that I'm used to setting it on a low volume level but after practicing 1 song the members of my benad ask me to turn up the volume a bit. and I always hear myself!

NOcki

 

[mARKw]

Well it looks like I am going to get a 2:90 - sometime soon. Unless somebody can convince me why not. Here's your last chance. I am sure if I settled for the 2:50 I would just think about what could have been... Anyway, thanks for all your input and invaluable experience.

Rock on
mARK