returning to Mesa?

[rabies]

Ok peeps. I'm known for being a Mesa/Marshall/anything basher on this forum (but I help out a lot as well).

Anyways, we're moving into a larger house soon and I get a jam room (finally!)

I'm going to sell off some equipment that I don't need anymore like Marshall EL34 dual monobloc (aka "The Gravedigger") and maybe my Rivera S120 and Marshal JMP1 preamp as well as Ibanez RG1570

So I'm considering some new or used Marshall and Mesa amps.

1) Mark V
2) Marshall Haze 6V6 or EL34, not sure yet (I wish that came in a 40 watt head!)
3) Mark IV
4) Marshall 2205 (one of my fav Marshalls!)
5) Mesa Stiletto

in no particular order. I will be playing mostly at home. I need an amp that can go down to 50 watts at least. My S120 goes from max 120 watts stereo to min 8 watts mono. Sick bass like a Dual Recto.

Pentode Triode
Model High Low High Low
S120 60 15 30 8

source: http://www.rivera.com/manuals_html/ms-manual.html

I'm not as serious anymore (play 1-2 times per week, yeah I know, weak daddy boy) so I really only need one head or one combo.

I prefer EL34's heavily. I play rhythm and lead (so Rectos are no good for me). That's one reason I prefer Marshalls.

Styles: jazz/funk (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John Scofield, RHCP) to 90's metal/grunge (RATM, Soundgarden, FNM, Tool, LOG, Metallica, Pantera, etc.)
and classic rock like Michael Jackson (RIP), Floyd, Doors, Led Zep, etc.

I guess in a "perfect world" I'd like to have one Marshall and one Mesa. If that happens (or say I keep my Rivera as the Marshall b/c it's 4xEL34) then I don't get a Deuce which is my favorite Mesa so far (before I returned it as defective).

Or should I just wait for an Indian or Chinese built Mesa Boogie amp? Marshall and Bogner are doing it. Will Mesa follow suit to compete in a bad economy???

Peace.

btw, crank the **** out of the Michael Jackson music, that stuff is pure genius....

 

[#2121313]

Mesa will NEVER make "chineese/indian" made etc...will always be built in Peneluma - IMO

I would have to support the option of getting a Mark V, for several reasons, but two main reasons:

1) If you are going down to one amp, you will not find one as versatile as the Mark V, meaning several amp modes-IMO
2) It sounds AMAZING at lower volumes, I've had Mark III, IIC+ & a IV even a .50 Caliber+ and all needed to be cranked to get into the sweet spot of tones, now, my .50 Cal+ was able to get a some good tones at lower volumes, but , my V sounds amazing at all levels. Yes of course it still has it's sweet spot at higher volumes but also sounds good at lower volumes-IMO

I love my Mark V - tone is perfect - IMO

 

[Nermel]

Here, here to the Mark V

that should be your amp

 

[nicoroy123]

Mesa will NEVER make "chineese/indian" made etc...will always be built in Peneluma - IMO

I would have to support the option of getting a Mark V, for several reasons, but two main reasons:

1) If you are going down to one amp, you will not find one as versatile as the Mark V, meaning several amp modes-IMO
2) It sounds AMAZING at lower volumes, I've had Mark III, IIC+ & a IV even a .50 Caliber+ and all needed to be cranked to get into the sweet spot of tones, now, my .50 Cal+ was able to get a some good tones at lower volumes, but , my V sounds amazing at all levels. Yes of course it still has it's sweet spot at higher volumes but also sounds good at lower volumes-IMO

I love my Mark V - tone is perfect - IMO

I totally agree with that. Variac Power, 10Watts, it sounds as juicy as cranked to higher volume. So nice to have that sound at bedroom levels.
And for versatility, 9 channels and almost all of them sound fantastic.

This is the best gear I bought since a very long time...

 

[GIG4FUN]

you've been missed!

Get a MV and ***** constantly :wink:

 

[Nermel]

Get a MV and ***** constantly :wink:

haha that's great!

 

[rabies]

well I ***** always no matter what gear, so it's almost like don't waste cash on a new amp...

 

[rabies]

you've been missed!

Get a MV and ***** constantly :wink:

hey i noticed the TSL half stack in your sig. I used that when I was in the hard rock band. Not bad huh for $800/head used? that rig roars, esp. with EMGs!

 

[GIG4FUN]

you've been missed!

Get a MV and ***** constantly :wink:

hey i noticed the TSL half stack in your sig. I used that when I was in the hard rock band. Not bad huh for $800/head used? that rig roars, esp. with EMGs!

I agree.... I bought it new and have a full stack in use on a few outdoor gigs. It impresses some. My only complaint is that it is pretty noisy with higher gain, I should look in to getting quiter tubes in it or something...

 

[Shang Chi 66]

Rabies, the vaccination that you need is the Boogie Mark 5!

I was just able to pick up mine today (YAY!). I,ve only been able to skim over it so far, but I like what little I,ve heard. I,ll report more tomorrow.

The variety of styles that you enjoy, and play are similar to the ones that I have to cover in my bands, and I don,t see a probelm with the Mark 5 handling all of them nicely.

Not sure if I,d classify MJ as "classic rock", but he definately deserved the title of "King Of Pop." Undisputed!

And you,re absolutely right, what a terrible & sad loss for music. Regardless of what anyone thought of his personal life, what a phenomenal entertainer he was, who had a tremendous catalog of great music (I,ve been listening to Human Nature & Smooth Criminal all week)

...I will miss him greatly. I hope & pray he is truly at rest now.

 

[rabies]

you've been missed!

Get a MV and ***** constantly :wink:

hey i noticed the TSL half stack in your sig. I used that when I was in the hard rock band. Not bad huh for $800/head used? that rig roars, esp. with EMGs!

I agree.... I bought it new and have a full stack in use on a few outdoor gigs. It impresses some. My only complaint is that it is pretty noisy with higher gain, I should look in to getting quiter tubes in it or something...

I didn't use a noise gate and did have problems with excess noise. But my settings were extreme: volume past noon and gain past noon on OD1/OD2 and volume max'd with gain past noon on clean (with EMGs!) Be very careful with extreme settings as a tech I brought another Marshall to was telling me the OT's fry on the TSL's all the time. Although I only had problems with the footswitch. I didn't care for the responsiveness of the rig either but that may have been due partially to the sterile/brutal EMGs.

I used 4xJJE34L's, nice tight bottom end with grind/mid crunch! The bandmates loved the sound for hard rock/stoner rock tunes.

 

[MarkIVwidebody]

**** M.J. The pedophile escaped justice just like O.J. did....IMO. Plus I only dig metal and hardcore gangsta rap

 

[jdurso]

rabies have you considered the Diamond Decada, Diamond Spitfire II, Splawn Nitro or maybe even a Laney VH100R or even a Bad Cat Wild Cat.

All of those amps could fit what your looking for, especially the Diamond stuff. not sure what type of budget your on but those are definitely worth the look. The VH100R can actually be found used from about $600 and i think they sound pretty awesome.

 

[rabies]

rabies have you considered the Diamond Decada, Diamond Spitfire II, Splawn Nitro or maybe even a Laney VH100R or even a Bad Cat Wild Cat.

All of those amps could fit what your looking for, especially the Diamond stuff. not sure what type of budget your on but those are definitely worth the look. The VH100R can actually be found used from about $600 and i think they sound pretty awesome.

never heard of Diamond amp brand. VH100R I think Opeth uses/used? that lead singer had amazing lead guitar tone when I saw them live...

http://www.wildwestguitars.com/diamond.htm

those diamond amps/cabs look sick. but they're 100 watt only.

but my Rivera goes from 8 watts to 120 watts stereo, that's tough to beat...

 

[jdurso]

rabies have you considered the Diamond Decada, Diamond Spitfire II, Splawn Nitro or maybe even a Laney VH100R or even a Bad Cat Wild Cat.

All of those amps could fit what your looking for, especially the Diamond stuff. not sure what type of budget your on but those are definitely worth the look. The VH100R can actually be found used from about $600 and i think they sound pretty awesome.

never heard of Diamond amp brand. VH100R I think Opeth uses/used? that lead singer had amazing lead guitar tone when I saw them live...

http://www.wildwestguitars.com/diamond.htm

those diamond amps/cabs look sick. but they're 100 watt only.

but my Rivera goes from 8 watts to 120 watts stereo, that's tough to beat...

I actually demo'd the whole Diamond line at Wild West a couple weeks ago and those amps can do just about anything and if need be they can breathe fire. Also both the Diamond and Plawn amps have half power switches similar to the Roadster so you can knock them down to 50 Watts. Just thought I'd mention those amps because people tend to not keep them in mind but man they're awesome... i'm not on the british flavor high gain but the Splawns and the Diamonds are outstanding both in quality and sound.

BTW, Michael from opeth does use the VH100R among some other amps.

 

[rabies]

So one thing I really liked about my ex-RK1 was running the recto tubes with triode. I liked the loose/delayed feel from recto tube and squish/harmonics from triode (good for jazz/fusion leads).

I'm adding that as a requirement (the recto tube at least). So what are the non-rectifier amps that Mesa offers that include recto tubes?

AFAIK it's Mark V and Stiletto. Any others?

And what other brands currently offer recto tubes (as an option as well as SS rectification, I need both)?

 

[jaquetapus]

Lonestars have the choice of the recto tube/silicon diodes. But judging from the previously mentioned amps, the Lonestar's probably not your cup of tea.

-dave