First post. New member.

[lawsam]

Hello all. I play in a cover band that plays 60's soul and British invasion. I have always played through a Twin Reverb with a tube screamer. I have wondered if there was a Mesa/Boogie (still don't know why one is a Mesa and one is a Boogie) that can give me great cleans and almost Marshall like growl? I have been reading about the new Mark 5/25. What do you guys think about it or any other Mesa/ Boogie to do what I'm looking for?

I have 2 Orange 2x12 closed back cabs with vintage 30's in them so I would only be looking for the head not a combo.

Thanks for any response.

Sam

 

[dodger916]

Hi same. Welcome! Tons of valuable info on this Board.

It's not that one is called "Mesa" and one called "Boogie". The name of the company is Mesa Engineering, and the amps are usually referred to as Mesa/Boogie. The company has put different nameplates on their amps, some say "Boogie" (earlier models), some say "Mesa/Boogie", and some say "Mesa Engineering". It's all just marketing.

There are one or two threads about the new mini-Mark, and it sounds like it could be a useful amp. For your purposes, I'd think the Trans-Atlantic 30 might come close to what you're looking for. It contains Fender, Marshall and Vox tones (EL84 power tubes), hence the name "Trans-Atlantic", covering both sides of the Pond. But understand one thing: much of the true Marshall growl comes from over-driven EL34 power tubes.

Do some reading on the "Atlantic Series" sub-forum in the Modern Amps forum.

 

[YellowJacket]

The TA15 is more of a low gain blues / clean machine with some amazing lower gain tones as well. Not sure with the TA30 because I have not played it.

The RA100 gets gnarly with the potential for a lot more gain saturation should you need it. The amp is an EL-34 platform so the cleans may not be as fender-esque as you are used to. I would imagine it will take 6L6s as well but someone who owns the RA and has tried this swap can comment further.

The Electra Dyne is another good option although you'd probably have to buy used. The clean mode on it is very fender like and Vintage lo / hi are somewhat marshall-esque but at the same time, it is most definitely a boogie. To my ears, the Electra Dyne sounds like a cross between a plexi (Vintage Lo) or a JCM800 (Vintage Hi) with the Mark I mode on the Mark V. It has this mark-esque thickness and feel to the tone even if the amp crunches a lot more.

The Mark V 25 has some incredible demo clips. I'd suggest trying the Mini Recto and the Mark V 25 as well as the other amps listed. Try a lot of stuff with an open mind and see what speaks to you.

 

[elvis]

Welcome!

You almost can't go wrong. I am gigging classic rock with a Mini Rectifier. I have a MV 25 on order, and can't wait for that.

For a Twin Reverb killer, I have an Electradyne that I would put up against it any day of the week and twice on Sundays. It is exactly what you describe: Blackface clean (but with more headroom and low-end) plus a Marshall growl. Amazing amp. Not difficult to find used and the prices are good (saw a head for like $899 recently).

 

[lawsam]

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies. There is no dealer in my town of LaGrange, GA so sitting down to try a few is difficult. However, we do have a guitar center in Atlanta and I could arrange one weekend to go up there. In the meantime I will use this great site to educate myself about Mesa/Boogie. Thanks again.

Sam

 

[elvis]

GC is not a Mesa dealer, though they may have the odd used Mesa in stock. Here are the dealers in GA

http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Dealers/dlr_select_2.php

 

[lawsam]

Thank you Elvis. I didn't know that. The last time I went in their downtown store I remembered seeing a lot of them. How do they get them if they aren't a dealer. Thank you for the link to legit dealers.

Sam

 

[J.J]

I'd recommend both the RA100 and ED for what you are doing. . I play mostly blues, especially British Invasion. For Fender and Marshall in one box, these are the Mesa picks. I have both both of those amps and the older 5:25

The RA100 clean channel is fantastic with EL34 tubes. I have tried 6L6 and they made a slight improvement, but the vintage channel suffered to much so the EL43s went right back in.

I think it's worth saying, in my option, Fender Blackface amps can't be all lumped together. In terms of the RA and ED, the RA is more like a super reverb and the ED more like a twin. The ED is a little stiffer sounding and the RA has more chime and sparkle.

On the gain side the ED is more of a Plexi sound and the RA a JCM800. The RA is definitely brighter and also less compressed in vintage low. Vintage hi on both amps will give screaming Garry Moore tone.

The 5:25 is a good little amp and very convenient for carting around, but just isn't in the class of the bigger ED and RA.

I'd be a little worried that the ED would be to boomy with the oversize orange 2x12. Getting the bass to balance with the ED can be an issue.

V30 speakers work well with both amps, but for more British tones, a Green back is really the order to give that krang. I am running one V30 and one Creamback in a traditional 2x12" and love it.

 

[bandit2013]

I may as well chime in here....

I have no experience with the mini versions or the EL84 powered amps offered by Mesa. From what I heard thought the Video and sound samples they all sound great. The RA100 will do what your band plays quite well. As for the clean channel of the RA, you can get some creamy blues vibe, not as bright as I would expect but well balanced. Push the gain on the clean channel and it becomes alive with enough edge and soft clip that is a pleasure to experience. The Hi/Lo also has mojo for that British invasion and classic rock and with some respects Heavy classic Rock. There is also the Roadster too, both clean channels have two distinctive modes TWEED and BRIT that can provide a hot rod fender or early Marshall bite. Depending on what instrument you play, the high gain channels will give you some awesome Marshall killer tone with a single coil guitar like a strat, hook up a humbucker guitar and the amp turns into a beast. What I like about the Roadster, I can get a nice bell like tone in the clean channel for ballads, soulful blues or push the gain and get similar tones and gain characteristic of the RA100. I play a mix of everything, including heavy metal and more modern styles so the Roadster is a perfect match for my use. Actually both RA100 and Roadster are great performing amps that will not let you down on the road or in the studio.

Based on your description of what you are looking for, RA100 will probably be the best fit. If you ever get a chance or if you find both amps for sale, try them both out. I have seen more used Mesa boogie amps for sale though Sam Ash than I have at GC, it is hit or miss unless you find a dealer.

 

[deeman]

Thank you Elvis. I didn't know that. The last time I went in their downtown store I remembered seeing a lot of them. How do they get them if they aren't a dealer. Thank you for the link to legit dealers.

Sam

As of like a year ago they are not dealers any more.