Marshall or Mesa? - Page 3

**Ayrton** · #31 06-23-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

When guys talk about the "Marshall sound," it's not a JCM2000 they have in mind.

Excellent point.

Metal Tiger · #32 06-23-2007, 04:46 AM

I just saw a video (damage control) from G3, and Petrucci plays rectifiers...

Metal Tiger · #33 06-23-2007, 02:27 PM

What about a 83' JCM 800 2204 head for 900E? With original Drake transformers...?
I dont know nothing about this head but i think is rare or something,
enlight me...
Thanx

Andy43 · #34 06-23-2007, 03:33 PM

Both!

Marshall and Mesa are just as well made, and they both can do something the other can't. But it's like comparing apples and oranges, and you have to decide which you like better. I personally own a Mesa, but I'm planning on buying a Marshall soon (probably a JMP) so I can get the best of both worlds.

This thread made me realize how great jemsite is, as people can write such diverse opinions and there are still no flame attacks going off.

AirGuitar · #35 06-23-2007, 04:32 PM

JP is back to using Mesa Mark IV's at the moment, both in the studio and in the live rig. Systematic Chaos did have some Mark IIC+ on it too, but no rectos were used on the album.

He did use the Roadking exclusively on both Octavarium and Train of Thought though. The recto is great for heavy rhythms, but i prefer the tightness of the Mark amps, the lead sound is far less buzzy on the Marks too.

Metal Tiger · #36 06-23-2007, 06:06 PM

What about the JCM 800 i told you above?

Ki swordsman · #37 06-23-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerx2k

I personally wouldn't pick either one, as I didn't care for the tone of either. The Mesa Rectos I've tried have all sounded buzzy and lacked something, and the TSL I DID check out was kinda muddled-sounding. I'd be more apt to go with a DSL than a TSL. Now a Mesa Mark IV wold be a different story, entirely.
You like Petrucci, but did Petrucci ever play Rectos? Just not sure. I didn't think his "tones" ever came from Rectos.

me too, i'd wouldn't take either one!! marshall TSL i tried was crap, DSL is a bit better but still not an amazing shred amp. Mesa can be buzzy or have EQ problems up loud, some are great but not all and i've never heard anyone reccomend a recto.

the question was go with the marshall or mesa? i say, look for an ENGL (screamer or something like that) or a used Egnator, or the rocktron stuff designed by Bruce Egnator, there are many nicer amps like that that can actually be had for the same prices. don't just go for the biggest names, there's far better and equal stuff out there for a shredder

Metal Tiger · #38 06-23-2007, 08:41 PM

Yeah you are right about the Egnator etc, but i am in Greece, here i know only 2 or 3 persons have egnator, elmwood, about 15 have Diezels, and the prices starts on 2300E+ (out of my budget), Am not sure what to do, maybe i will go with the 83' jcm800 (its kinda vintage

)
I saw the ****ing recto on photos and has some holes on the front, this will be my first tube amp and i want it in perfect contition, the jcm is perfect as i can see from the pictures...

Ki swordsman · #39 06-24-2007, 12:28 AM

still, used stuff comes up all the time, you could hang out a bit longer and try some other things that might pop up on the market. i'm in love with my new Engl at the moment

rickcard71 · #40 06-24-2007, 02:13 AM

Mesa.

bdk · #41 06-24-2007, 04:35 AM

Marshall's dominate Mesas. I never understood the facination with Mesas. But for shred, and if that's all your doing, the Mesa will accomplish that better than a Marshall.

AirGuitar · #42 06-24-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdk

Marshall's dominate Mesas. I never understood the facination with Mesas. But for shred, and if that's all your doing, the Mesa will accomplish that better than a Marshall.

With the Mesa Mark series or TriAxis you can get a huge array of tones. Theyre certainly not just shred amps.

screamndemon69 · #43 06-24-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemaholic

I much prefer Marshalls over Mesa products. Marshalls don't sound like a beehive.

Beehive?

How about a reasonable clean sound from a Marshall?

IMHO there is NO contest - MESA.

I know I'm opening a can of worms here but here I go anyway......

You have more variety of tones on a MESA than you will EVER get out of a Marshall.

I have heard alot of Rectifiers that have a nasty "edge" (I guess this is what you mean by "beehive") to the sound but that is user error 99.9% of the time. I played thru 5 different Mesa models in the store this past week alone (5:50, F-50, Roadster, Dual Rec, Lonestar, Triple Rec) and with a little time dialing in settings, they all eat Marshalls for lunch in tone and the wide variety of tones they are capable of. I personally prefer the 6L6 sound over EL34's and grew up liking Fender cleans over Marshalls which is the original starting place for Mesa Boogie tone. If an amp can't get a good clean it's useless to me.

Aside from just having a more preferred tone for me, the fact that they are handmade in the USA with better engineering than ANYTHING Marshall (or Fender for that matter) have EVER made is a great selling point.

Mesa, for the price, is one of the most versatile and best engineered amps on the market. My personal opinion on the tones aside the engineering is just a fact.

Can you easily switch frm EL34's to 6L6's on a Marshall - nope.
Are the controls connected directly to the circuit board or harnessed for easy replacement if broke? Mesa has a wire harness attatched to the controls and the circuit board mounted to the chasis so a hit to one of the knobs doesn't snap the circuit board and become a costly repair.

I am very biased for Mesa and against Marshall for many reasons but in my personal experience I have never played ANY Marshall that I would even consider buying for a main amp onstage.

I stopped reading about or trying out Marshalls anymore so if I'm not current on Marshalls latest stuff, my apologies. Are Marshalls even made in England anymore?

I don't think Marshalls suck but for the same money spent I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Mesa over a Marshall - any model.

No offense to anyone - rant mode off

screamndemon69 · #44 06-24-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdk

Marshall's dominate Mesas. I never understood the facination with Mesas. But for shred, and if that's all your doing, the Mesa will accomplish that better than a Marshall.

What???

You obviously haven't played any/many Mesa's.

Statements like this are why I post "rants" like the one above

Racerx2k · #45 06-24-2007, 07:36 PM

I don't believe the "shred: go for Mesa" comment, as many who play Mesa these days seem to steer clear of solos, in general, mainly (and this is purely MY opinion) because they CAN'T. It's the Old Guard, such as myself, who say "F@#* you, I'm gonna tear it up" who solo AND swear by the Marshall sound (or in MY case the Laney AOR sound, which is pretty much the same thing. hehe)