Gitfiddler Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 Mesa's Randall Smith and guitarist, Carlos Santana have come up with a new combo. And it looks super bad ass on paper! I'm afraid to ask the price. http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=50832273d0adab6bd7cb54447&id=c601debffe&e=8bda909758
tulk1 Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 I want to be the first to guess a Gazillion dollars.
Genericmusic Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 $2500 retail from Sweetwater. Won't be in stock until late February. Already have two sold.
GuitArtMan Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 Looks like a Super 60 (Mark I) minus the EQ, pull bright switch and pull gain boost. I played a Mark I from 1977 (or was it '78?) until I sold it in '92. I haven't looked back. Unless you can play the amp LOUD enough to where the output tubes start to breathe it it really doesn't boogie. And the clean tones, well let's just say I perfer Fender cleans. And it's comprpomise with the cascaded gain stages - optimize for your clean tone and your dirty tone will suffer, Optimize for your dirty tone and your clean tone will suffer. If you're looking for the Santana lead tone (or early Carlton) it's probably in there, but you're going to have to play LOUD to get it. LOUD as in get you kicked out of the club LOUD. LOUD as getting the cops called on you LOUD. LOUD as your band members telling you to turn down LOUD. Pass.
Yooper Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 I'm still happy with my DC-5. It sounds great at all volumes.
peterbright Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 You might need to put soundproofing around it but it has 100, 60 and 10 watt settings
davesultra Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 I just picked up the 25w Dual Rectifier combo. It has the same speaker as this "Mac Daddy" model listed above. Mine sounds pretty good at low volumes too.
Gitfiddler Posted December 10, 2013 Author Posted December 10, 2013 Looks like a Super 60 (Mark I) minus the EQ, pull bright switch and pull gain boost. I played a Mark I from 1977 (or was it '78?) until I sold it in '92. I haven't looked back. Unless you can play the amp LOUD enough to where the output tubes start to breathe it it really doesn't boogie. And the clean tones, well let's just say I perfer Fender cleans. And it's comprpomise with the cascaded gain stages - optimize for your clean tone and your dirty tone will suffer, Optimize for your dirty tone and your clean tone will suffer. If you're looking for the Santana lead tone (or early Carlton) it's probably in there, but you're going to have to play LOUD to get it. LOUD as in get you kicked out of the club LOUD. LOUD as getting the cops called on you LOUD. LOUD as your band members telling you to turn down LOUD. Pass. +1! That's why I'm holding onto my trusty old black Mark IV wide body combo. 3 channels with Pentode/Triode switching and up to 85 watts into a single 12" Black Shadow. Yea, baby! Hey, maybe I can have it covered in Snake skin and get Carlos to sign it?
GuitArtMan Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 I just picked up the 25w Dual Rectifier combo. It has the same speaker as this "Mac Daddy" model listed above. Mine sounds pretty good at low volumes too. I'm looking at those right now - like i need another amp! I have the mini-recto which is a killer little amp, but I like the idea that the knobs on the new one are full size - plus I amost alwasy grab a combo these days.
Steiner Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 King Snake... Sometimes marketing gets in the way of good electronics.
cobrafast1 Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 I'll probably never sell my Mesa Express Plus 5:25. I just love it and it's such a perfect amp for my use. Such warm sounds and can really get into the grunge and dirty sound too. To me, it's the perfect amp. I've always favored the head amps rather than the combos. I have several speaker cabs with assorted speakers and it provides such a great variety in sound. JMHO. Just my humble opinion.
davesultra Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 King Snake... Sometimes marketing gets in the way of good electronics. Kind of like Marshalls' "Jubilee" series. Always though that was a bit goofy.
bolero Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 who the heck needs a 100w 1x12 combo amp??? 35w is plenty enough IMO, you can get into the sweet range without blowing out the windows
JeffB Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 I have one 100w mesa. Cant see the problem with having two. Dont think I could live with the gaudy looking snake skin though. Also I dont really like Mesa combo's. Think Im safe. Kind of like Marshalls' "Jubilee" series. Always though that was a bit goofy. Marshall Jube!! Had one. Great amp. Jubilee: 1. a special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of a reign or activity. The 25th Anniversary is commonly called Silver anniversary. The 50th Anniversary is commonly called Golden anniversary. Put it all together: A landmark year for Jim Marshall was 1987. It marked 25 years in the amplifier business and 50 years in music. This was celebrated with the release of the Silver Jubilee series of amps. The Silver Jubilee series consisted of the 2555 (100 watt head), 2550 (50 watt head) along with other 255x model numbers denominating various combos and even a "short head". The Jubilee amps were heavily based on the JCM800s of the time, featuring a very similar output section along with a new preamp. Their most publicised feature was the half-power switching, which is activated by a third rocker switch next to the standard "power" and "standby" switches. On the 50 watt model this was reflected in the numbering – 2550 is switchable from 25 to 50 watts – and also reflected Marshall amps' 25th anniversary and Jim Marshall's 50 years in music. The amps were trimmed in silver covering, and had a bright silver-coloured faceplate, along with a commemorative plaque. Series name seems appropriate.
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 I am on the lookout for a used Mesa. What type of music are they best suited for, and are there certain models to covet and certain models to avoid?
JeffB Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 I am on the lookout for a used Mesa. What type of music are they best suited for, and are there certain models to covet and certain models to avoid? Their models cover a wide range. Theres a model for everything. You have to decide if you like the Mesa voice though. I have a Lone Star. Its pretty good. I like it. Its no fender or marshall. Ive traded it back and forwards twice in the last 6months. I figure its mine now. Sound guys seem to like it. I dont know why. Most of the times I have had compliments from sound guys about my sound was when I used the Mesa. Ive never been sure what to do with those compliments. They came from sound guys. The Lone Star reminds me of a controllable and useable MK1. Or a neutered version of one. Either way its a good sounding amp. Not sure I totally like the Mesa sound but I do keep gassing for the now discontinued Mesa Electradyne and feel like Im selling myself short by not having a Mark V. The Mark V is a pretty cool amp. I could use one. Id like one. I should get one.
tulk1 Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 I have a Lonestar "Classic". Serial #450. Makes it fairly early in the series. T'was my favorite amp until the weight (both it's and mine!) got to be too much. It's supposed to do a "Texas" sound, whatever that is. But it has a lot less gain on tap that say a Recto. Which, btw, has some great non-high gain tones onboard, as well. The Push and Vintage on the recto's is darned cool. I had a Mesa F50 that I couldn't live with. Absolutely horrid to the ears, fatigue-wise. Had a very early Mesa Maverick prototype. Bought that because I'd played an even earlier MM prototype that I loved. Did not love the one I bought. Then, traded a Dr Z Carmen Ghia straight off for a nearly new Mesa Trans Atlantic 15 w/wide body 112 cab. And ... yeah baby!! That amp rocks! Or country's. Or shreds (if you want). Extremely versatile amp. And all these amps have run from 15w to 100w. I've used them on all settings. 100w doesn't necessarily mean loud. It has potential to be extremely loud. But doesn't mean you will be. Oh, had a production Marshall Jube, too. Used that for a couple of years. Sold it to a guy that makes guitars up in Maryland.
Gitfiddler Posted December 11, 2013 Author Posted December 11, 2013 I am on the lookout for a used Mesa. What type of music are they best suited for, and are there certain models to covet and certain models to avoid? Will, on the used market some, Mesas I'd recommend are the Lone Star Special, Express 5:50 and my personal favorite (again) Mark IV. The latter is heavy, but all are available as head only. Check Ebay. http://www.mesaboogie.com
Yooper Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 I am on the lookout for a used Mesa Will, A '90's Mesa Dual Caliber DC-5 is a very affordable (Seen for around $500) under-the-radar model with 50 watts of power and an incredible range. Folks here like it. Its two channels plus assignable EQ is like having three channels on the foot switch. Some complain that dialing in sounds can be frustrating, but it's fun and worth the effort to tweak around. It has a wide range of gain, nice cleans, It sings and sustains like a Boogie should, and has wonderful warm crunch and bite. If you have a Fender, then this is the other half of the sound spectrum for guitar.
greatmutah Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 Their models cover a wide range. Theres a model for everything. You have to decide if you like the Mesa voice though. I have a Lone Star. Its pretty good. I like it. Its no fender or marshall. Ive traded it back and forwards twice in the last 6months. I figure its mine now. Sound guys seem to like it. I dont know why. Most of the times I have had compliments from sound guys about my sound was when I used the Mesa. Ive never been sure what to do with those compliments. They came from sound guys. The Lone Star reminds me of a controllable and useable MK1. Or a neutered version of one. Either way its a good sounding amp. Not sure I totally like the Mesa sound but I do keep gassing for the now discontinued Mesa Electradyne and feel like Im selling myself short by not having a Mark V. The Mark V is a pretty cool amp. I could use one. Id like one. I should get one. The Mark V is very nice. I had one for a while. Will probably get another one someday. The clean and mid gain options are excellent. Although to be fair I preferred the lead channel of the IV I had over the V. The V was great don't get me wrong. There was just something about the IV though. Plus the IV could do EL34s and 6L6s simultaneously. And for those on the lookout check out the various models. They're all pretty versatile and cover a lot of ground but some fit certain styles better than others. DC series amps get a lot of love, of course the Mark series amps and I love the Rectifiers (Tremoverb in particular). But again there's a ton of options to choose from.
davesultra Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Sorry, "Jubilee" still sounds goofy to me. Great amps though.
tbonesullivan Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Looks nice, but definitely not for me. I already have my DC-5, and that thing kills, AND has two channels and a graphic EQ.
JeffB Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Sorry, "Jubilee" still sounds goofy to me. Great amps though. Its a lovely word. Warm, promising and playful with a touch of splendor. We will cal it 255X series Marshall from now on. Sheesh.
gpuma Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Will, I have a single rectifier 50 W combo that is a killer. You can ask fellow hoc-ers. in the used market you could get one for less than a grand
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