Lone Star Special for me?

[Iceman 420]

Well, I am thinking of saving up for the 1x12 Lone Star Special. I am thinking about changing the tubes to 6l6's for good ol' American voicing and I have a few questions.

I'm pretty sure it can do blues pretty well from what I've heard. I play stuff like SRV, Santana, and other stuff like that. What do you all think?

As for the tubes, will it be simply a matter of replacing the tubes and flipping the bias switch? And what brand of tubes would be a good switch?

And what is a good price for it used? No customs, just a straight out of the factory model?

I'll be playing an Esquire (and maybe a Strat) through it if that's a factor.

Thanks.

 

[eweise]

You must be thinking of the regular lonestar not the lonestar special since the lonestar special uses el84 tubes and cannot be switched to 6l6.

 

[Iceman 420]

Man, that's kinda a buzz kill...

Okay, new question. How loud can the Lone Star Classic get on the 10 watt setting fully cranked?

 

[ja22y]

Man, that's kinda a buzz kill...

Okay, new question. How loud can the Lone Star Classic get on the 10 watt setting fully cranked?

Why would that be buzz kill?
LSC and LSS (for short) are different and each can do the tone you're after.
There is no bias switch on Mesa amps.
Get to know the amp before making mods or swap tube. In this way hopefully you have an idea of what you do or don't like, so it helps you in defining what you're going for.
There are 3 power levels, each suites a certain situation. You have to decide if 10w is loud or not. Loud enough for small gigs, not loud enough for Shea Stadium. You get the idea ...
There are tons of info on this just do a search and enjoy the informative readings.

 

[Iceman 420]

Why would that be buzz kill?
LSC and LSS (for short) are different and each can do the tone you're after.
There is no bias switch on Mesa amps.
Get to know the amp before making mods or swap tube. In this way hopefully you have an idea of what you do or don't like, so it helps you in defining what you're going for.
There are 3 power levels, each suites a certain situation. You have to decide if 10w is loud or not. Loud enough for small gigs, not loud enough for Shea Stadium. You get the idea ...
There are tons of info on this just do a search and enjoy the informative readings.

By bias switch, I mean that little switch that lets the Lone Star run either tube. And as for being a buzz kill, I was hoping for an American-voiced amp, and to my knowledge, the tubes are a factor on the voicing. I may be wrong, I'm not exactly the most informed on amps, especially Mesas.

And for 10 watts fully cranked, I'm looking for playing with a blues/blues-rock band/small gigs.

 

[enigma]

To each his own, but why would you want to replace the tubes (not that it can be done)? LSS is by far one of the best sounding amps Mesa has ever made - you can get all the types of tones you refer to, and then some!!! Just an awesome amp!

By the way, if you want an "American Voiced" amp then get the Lonestar w/ 6L6 tubes - I had one, but switched to Lonestar Special.

 

[GeoBull]

And for 10 watts fully cranked, I'm looking for playing with a blues/blues-rock band/small gigs.

I think the 10 watt setting will easily be loud enough for the gigs you describe. It will not be clean at that volume but that may be what you're looking for.

The LSC has A LOT of versatility. I regularly switch the power settings on stage. That way I can easily go from a driven sound (10w) to slightly driven (50w) to as much clean headroom as I need (100w). I also have an LSS and do the same thing with it although it doesn't have the massive clean headroom of the LSC, even at 30w.