mesa 20:20 bass response and mono questions

[coppa]

Hi everyone.

Can anyone that owns a mesa 20:20 give me some insight about the sound of this power amp?.
How much bass can it do?. Is it tight?. Idealy Id like to be able to use a 7 string guitar through it without having any flabiness in the lower notes.
Im planning on using this amp with a randall modular pre.

Can you bridge the two channels and run both sides mono?. mabe use a y cable and run both 4 ohm outputs into an 8ohm cab?. Did I get something mixed up?. Two speaker cabs or a stereo cab is not an option for me. I read the mesa manual about running it in mono but it kinda seems like an unsafe solution to be using the one side without a load.

I think that not including sepparate power switches for the left and right is a serious design flaw with this amp.

this is kinda off topic but does anybody make a single channel power amp?. I just dont need stereo.

 

[PRS-Ian]

I can't help you with your first question re the 7 string, but the second I can.
You cannot bridge the two channels of the 20/20, you run the amp either in stereo using both channels or mono using a single channel. Follow the recommendation in the manual to have the volume all the way down and the pressance all the way up for the unused channel. I've used it like this with no problems.
Ian

 

[CoG]

The 20/20 doesn't have flabby bass, but that's because it really doesn't have that much bass. That's just how EL84s go.

The 20/20 is great for pretty much anything *except* modern metal rhythm. It's awesome for leads, but if you are looking for chunk, not gonna do it.

 

[disassembled]

With a seven string trying to compete with a drummer you are probably going to be upset if you are covering Korn tunes. Maybe a 50/50, 2/90, or 2/100 would be the better answer for you.

If your cab has 2 or more speakers then you can have it changed to be "stereo" therefore utilizing both channels of the power amp.



Greg

 

[CoG]

Sorry, kinda butting in again. It's not that the 20/20 isn't loud enough, because 20 watts is still insanely loud through a proper cab, but the bass response won't be there no matter how loud you go because the 20/20 just isn't voiced for it. You could play Iron Maiden or Van Halen all day with a 20/20, but I'm guessing you're looking for a more modern thing if you're using a 7-string.

 

[coppa]

Yes you are right I love the EVH tone, but I want it be able to get into NUmetal territiory and get stoopid with it.

I should clear up that Im building a direct recording rig. I have the Spl transducer for my speaker load and cab sim but it can only take the output from one power amp. I just don't need stereo from a tube power amp as I can go stereo any number of other ways.

Im not so much concerned about wattage ether becasue after the speaker sim no matter that wattage it all comes out line level so all it realy need to do is deliver the goods in the bass department. The only thing competing with the drummer will likely be the PA system.

Can you guys suggest any tube power amps that are mono or can be bridged to mono?.

 

[sixtonoize]

The Carvin TS100 can do bridged Mono, and switch between EL34 and 6L6 tubes.

 

[sicktght311]

Wattage with tube amps isnt a question of volume, its a question of breakup. I had a 20/20, and the thing was just as loud as my Mark IV. It just broke up earlier.

As for bass, like others said, it employs EL84s which lack a lot of bass response. They're in no way like 6L6's which have that low end thud, no matter how loose or tight the sound can get. The 20/20 will get you a very midranged focused biting tone. Its the opposite of a smooth rounded tone. Its best suited for marshall style preamps, or the Studio pre, which has a very aggressive tone. You can dial in some extra bass with an outboard eq but it wont have the huge boomy low end nu metal chug like a 6l6 powered amp will have. Like was said earlier, its a better beast for soloing.