About to shell out for a Mesa. Need advice!

Thared33 · #1 06-27-2008, 08:25 PM

Alright folks. It was between either Engl and Mesa, and I've decided on Mesa because of the lead tone (I'm a lead player). I don't think anything can beat a Boogie for lead tone =)

Now, the problem is that there are so many options that I have no friggin' clue as to what to get. My options are definitely not limited to just a few things, and there are a bunch of routes to take.

Another problem is that I don't know the damned difference between a lot of them and I'm thinking most are very similar... but let's see what's available.

There's a lone star, dual rec (and other versions of it), stiletto, mark, etc. On top of that, preamps like the studio pre, quad, triaxis, rec recording pre, etc... and on top of THAT even, power amps for the pres like the 20/20, 50/50, 2/90, etc.

There are so many options, so this has lead me into a hole.

My setup will be for home recording and practing, definitely no performing, so this kind of made me want to maybe try some rack gear (preamp, power amp, cab, etc)... but then again, I'm happy with a halfstack as well since I plan to mic my amp for the most part (but it'd be nice to have a pre/power amp as well for recording direct).

Every mesa amp that I've heard I've just about loved, so that adds to it. And... yet ANOTHER thing that adds to it is that I don't know what kind/which cab I should get to go along with it.

I'm also not opposed to maybe buying a combo amp as long as the electronics are the same as a regular head, because then I could just buy a separate, bigger cab to use along with it.

If you were me, and you wanted to get amazing lead tone (those cleans wont hurt either!), and only use this stuff for home recording, what would you do in my situation? Get a normal halfstack kind of thing, or go with rack gear (pre/power/etc), and what would you get?

I'm going to try and keep this under $3000 now for all of it. $3000 is my absolute 100% LIMIT on this, and I didn't want to spend that much at first, but you only live once you know...

Let's see what you guys think.

**elcid** · #2 06-27-2008, 08:45 PM

Home recording and practicing, get a combo. A half stack is over kill. Even a 50 watt 1X12 combo will even be too loud for practical at home playing.

voodoo_child · #3 06-27-2008, 08:58 PM

MKIV has awesome lead tone (but is discontinued so you will have to buy 2nd hand or find one still in a store). The MKIV is my favourite of all the Mesa's ive owned, by far. You say you'll be using for home recording, and the amp really sounds fantastic at even home volumes....just a great sounding amp. MKV expected soon but no details yet.

Lonestar has awesome lead tone, its an amp with lower gain than MKIV, but awesome leads.

Rectifier series have poor lead tones in general (in my opinion, ive owned a few)..thats not really what they're about. The Rectifiers are so popular that loads of guys here will have them, and im sure they'll all chime in and tell me how wrong I am....but TS, thats my opinion.

Stiletto...well, I had one for a while and the leads were pretty good imo. It excelled at cleans and rhythms, but leads were...like I say, 'pretty good'. Mine was a Stage I, and I gather the leads were improved a lot in the Stage II, so definitely try one out and see what you think.

The Studio and Quad pre are both AWESOME. Match them to a good 6L6 poweramp and you've got Mark tones nailed...fantastic lead tones on tap.

If you have the budget, the MKIV is what i'd buy. Either that, or wait (if you can) and see what the MKV is like. Theres been no official announcement, so its anyones guess how long you'll be waiting.

waylay00 · #4 06-27-2008, 09:06 PM

If I were you and I wanted a Mesa, I'd get a MKIV head and a 2x12.

And I never really buy into the whole "Rectifiers" have poor lead tones...Some players with great lead tones have used Dual Rectifiers, like Holdsworth, Vinnie Moore, Jerry Cantrell, etc...

The Stiletto isn't a bad amp, but for what it's trying to do, there are far better options out there, IMO.

Thared33 · #5 06-27-2008, 09:42 PM

I was actually leaning toward maybe getting a mark iv... but I'm not sure what price I should be paying for them.

On the bay, look up 130233406986

This is the rackmount version, but I'm not quite sure what price this should be going for. I'd be happy to have this rackmount head. I'm thinking that getting this rackmount version of a mark iv would eliminate my need for a poweramp, right? I'm actually kind of new to the whole preamp/poweramp/etc deal, but this mark iv looks like something I may want to get. I think the only other thing I'd need along with a mark iv is a cab.

And by the way, as far as a cab... I was thinking that getting a 4X12 cab would be suitable for recording. It isn't because I want something extremely loud, but I was thinking that a 4X12 cab would sound much better when recording.

But hey, I'm definitely not opposed to getting a 2X12 cab either. I just want things to sound really nice when recording =)

If I do so happen to go with a mark iv and a cab, I'm thinking it'd turn out much cheaper than getting a preamp, a power amp, and a cab.

If I went with a pre, I'm thinking I miiiight just go with a quad pre... The studio pre (as far as I know) is older than Jesus and the versatility isn't that great. I'm really only after an amazing lead tone for the most part, but I'd need a good clean and a good tight and crunchy rhythm tone for metal as well. The studio pre has shared channels for EQ, so it'd be a bit more tough to work with, so I'm thinking a quad pre would be the way to go. The power amp for it is another story.

So far, I'm thinking it's going to be between a mark iv, and a quad pre with a power amp. I'm not opposed to anything else either, but this is where I'm going with it. That lead tone specifically, along with a good clean and a tight metal rhythm tone is what I'm after. If I had those 3 things, I'd be 100% satisfied. No special and fancy FX for me here.

voodoo_child · #6 06-27-2008, 10:02 PM

A Mark IV rackmount is just a standard short-size Mark IV chassis in a rackmount kit. Its the same chassis that you'll find in a Mark IV short-head or compact combo. You can actually swap them around if you have the hardware, I change mine between a head and a rackmount depending on use.... So you could buy the rackmount now, and buy a headshell off someone on **** on a later date if you really wanted.

Thared33 · #7 06-27-2008, 10:05 PM

How much are the mark iv heads going for in general now?

I'm thinking that a quad pre would be nice as well, but I'd have to get a poweramp to go along with it... Not sure what those things go for either.

voodoo_child · #8 06-27-2008, 10:15 PM

It depends on the age and condition obviously. Ive seen plenty of guys pick them up for under $1000, but you could probably pay near-list for a 2008 one now that theyve been discontinued (list was $1900 for a head, $2000 for combo).

Average is maybe about $1300-1400, but I havent been watching **** in a long while so don't quote me on that. Rackmounts go for less. Its an 18 year old amp, so obviously very old ones will go for less than more recent ones.

Thared33 · #9 06-27-2008, 10:29 PM

One more quick question...

Would the overall better deal be a quad pre+power amp, or a mark iv head?

I'm using this mainly for recording and practicing, so I'm thinking that the Quad would be great for my recording rig. On the other hand, the Mark IV would be a cheaper deal cash wise, but not as many options...

Not sure what to do here.

Lefty Robb · #10 06-27-2008, 10:42 PM

Best thing is a Triaxis + Poweramp, the Quad tends to be a one trick pony as far as tone.

voodoo_child · #11 06-27-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Would the overall better deal be a quad pre+power amp, or a mark iv head?

The Quad is basically modelled after a IIC+ preamp and Mark III preamp. With the twin channels, and twin modes per channel, and twin GEQs and the various shifts, its ANYTHING BUT a one-trick pony. Theres a lot of tones in there, cleans, rhythms and leads.

Its an awesome preamp, one of the best pieces of gear Mesa have put out IMO, and ive owned quite a few different Boogies. The price of used ones goes up a little every couple of years as guys realise what a gem it is.

Thared33 · #12 06-27-2008, 11:24 PM

Yep. It's going to be between a Quad and a Mark IV, I'm sure of it.

For home recording though, would a Quad or a Mark IV be more suitable? It'd be nice to have the bells and whistles of the Quad for recording, but the Mark IV seems like a great deal as well, especially since it'd be a bit cheaper I imagine. I'd have to get a power amp to go along with it as well...

So, I'm looking at a Quad+power amp, or a Mark IV, and whatever I go with, I'd have to decide on a 2X12 or 4X12 cab.

I've almost got this narrowed down to what I'm going to get, so much thanks for your help.

By the way. If a Quad+power amp isn't THAT much more than a Mark IV, I'm thinking I may go with it because it'd be more useful for recording stuff.

Almost there guys, let's see what you have to say!

gu1tar · #13 06-27-2008, 11:30 PM

The Dual Rectifier Road King II will give you the sound of most of the Mesa amps out there and you can even mix and match 6L6 and EL34 tubes and control wattage to as low as 30Watts. The best Mesa by far IMO. And under $3K.

Lefty Robb · #14 06-27-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo_child

The Quad is basically modelled after a IIC+ preamp and Mark III preamp. With the twin channels, and twin modes per channel, and twin GEQs and the various shifts, its ANYTHING BUT a one-trick pony. Theres a lot of tones in there, cleans, rhythms and leads.

Its an awesome preamp, one of the best pieces of gear Mesa have put out IMO, and ive owned quite a few different Boogies. The price of used ones goes up a little every couple of years as guys realise what a gem it is.

Sorry, long day, I was actually thinking of the Studio, which is not that great. Quad is better.

waylay00 · #15 06-27-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thared33

I was actually leaning toward maybe getting a mark iv... but I'm not sure what price I should be paying for them.

On the bay, look up 130233406986

This is the rackmount version, but I'm not quite sure what price this should be going for. I'd be happy to have this rackmount head. I'm thinking that getting this rackmount version of a mark iv would eliminate my need for a poweramp, right? I'm actually kind of new to the whole preamp/poweramp/etc deal, but this mark iv looks like something I may want to get. I think the only other thing I'd need along with a mark iv is a cab.

And by the way, as far as a cab... I was thinking that getting a 4X12 cab would be suitable for recording. It isn't because I want something extremely loud, but I was thinking that a 4X12 cab would sound much better when recording.

But hey, I'm definitely not opposed to getting a 2X12 cab either. I just want things to sound really nice when recording =)

If I do so happen to go with a mark iv and a cab, I'm thinking it'd turn out much cheaper than getting a preamp, a power amp, and a cab.

If I went with a pre, I'm thinking I miiiight just go with a quad pre... The studio pre (as far as I know) is older than Jesus and the versatility isn't that great. I'm really only after an amazing lead tone for the most part, but I'd need a good clean and a good tight and crunchy rhythm tone for metal as well. The studio pre has shared channels for EQ, so it'd be a bit more tough to work with, so I'm thinking a quad pre would be the way to go. The power amp for it is another story.

So far, I'm thinking it's going to be between a mark iv, and a quad pre with a power amp. I'm not opposed to anything else either, but this is where I'm going with it. That lead tone specifically, along with a good clean and a tight metal rhythm tone is what I'm after. If I had those 3 things, I'd be 100% satisfied. No special and fancy FX for me here.

2x12's sound great for recording. Andy Timmons actually prefers the sound of 2x12s.