Mesa owners!!! - I need some help here :)

Christopher Chen · #1 01-11-2001, 12:47 PM

Hello all!
I've been wanting to buy a Mesa Boogie amp for ages! And right now I'm trying to decide which one to get, I've played through my friend's triaxis and was extremely impressed with the tone and sheer versatility. But unfortunately I won't be purchasing a rack setup, instead I'm either getting a combo or a head/cab setup.

I would really appreciate it if any of you guys out there could give me some input or even better help me record some Mesa sound samples

Thanks!!!

Chris.

jay ratkowski · #2 01-11-2001, 04:49 PM

Argh... My views on Mesa and their rectifiers aside....

I would seriously look into the new 3-channel jobs. *They might be horribly expensive, but I haven't been able to find one around me, so I couldn't tell you. *Lots of flexability.

Seems the Boogie folks offer completely different lineups depending on if you want a head or a combo, so I think the best place to start would be to decide for sure if you want a head or a combo. *If price is an issue, keep in mind that boogie cabs are like $800 for a 4x12. *That alone would smack ME on the side of the head and scream "combo!" *

Christopher Chen · #3 01-11-2001, 05:15 PM

Yeah I've been through the Mesa catalog and realise that there are many configurations, but the amps I'm really interested in are the Tremoverb combo, Mark IV and the Dual Rectifier. Hope someone can post something....

tomizm · #4 01-11-2001, 08:55 PM

I had a Tremo-Verb I just dumped and I still have a Mark IV so here's my beans on either.
Tremo-Verb-Killer dual rec sound. *I really only used it for that. *Didnt really like the Tremolo sound, but liked the whole "Dual Rec Combo" thing. *Great clean sound, lotsa ballz and such. *Was just too much for me and impractical.
Mark IV-I have a rack head into a Legacy 2x12. *Real gorgeous lead sound and in between crunch sound and clean sound and and and and and ....you get the point.
So many variations with hi power, low power and other push/pull knobs and all kinda gadgets. *I found my sounds and left 'em. *I dont do tweaking after that. *Oh yeah, 5 band graphic EQ too! and reverb......
I could go on for days.
But a Mark IV combo might be out of your price range. *I would have to say go for maybe a single rectifier 50watt combo thingy. *Im sure you'll love it.

luther · #5 01-12-2001, 09:56 AM

My first Mesa was a DC-3. *I hated it. *I then looked at the Tremoverb, *and loved it the first time I played one. *Second session in the store it went up against a Marshall DSL 2000, *and I bought the Marshall.

Just last month, *I had a friend who was interested in getting a Rectoverb, *so I went with him to check it out. *I ended up buying one to compliment my Marshall rig! *I've only had it a few days, *but I dig it's sound, *simplicity, *and solo boost function.

My friend ended up getting a Mark IV for 800.00 used. *He's sweating bullets that it isn't going to be too complicated for him.....so many buttons/options, *makes it hard to just play your guitar.

I bought a used Mesa 2x12 to go with the combo, *and that gives me big sound when I need it, *and combo versatility for when I want to travel. *The price of those Mesa cabs new are too high for most of us, *as long as you can find used stuff around.

Luther

rbjammin · #6 01-13-2001, 08:46 PM

I've been pretty happy using a Mesa DC-5 head with a Mesa 2x12 cabinet for the past few years. *To me, it has great clean and distorted tones.

When searching for a new amp, be sure to try different speaker combinations. *When I first heard the DC-5 through a cabinet that was loaded with 70 watt speakers, I hated it! *Even Celestion Vintage 30 watt speakers didn't sound good to me! *But, once I heard Celestion 25 watt greenback speakers, I knew that's what I needed.

Last summer I played a Mesa Nomad 45 combo, and, if I was looking for a new amp, I would have bought it. *Great tones in one box.

oooo · #7 01-13-2001, 09:47 PM

check out the Rectoverb 50 watt. *I'm not a big boogie fan (just my personal taste... lets not get upset) but I must say I was impressed with a head version of this amp. *It was running into a 4x12 cab w/ vintage 30's. *I found the lower wattage really added to the tone. *I think it was 6l6's- anybody know? *Just my $0.02

lastsupper · #8 01-15-2001, 06:42 PM

I would look for a used MkIV, for a smaller combo they can't be beat in my opinion.

Dave

UVmanMike · #9 01-15-2001, 07:03 PM

I couldn't LIVE without my Nomad 45. There are three channels, clean-vintage od-and modern od, and all three have a two way toggle switch. Clean channel is clean and pushed, a slightly overdriven sound. Channel two has vintage and modern switch. Channel three has a vintage and modern switch, and they sound different than channel two's vintage and modern. It has reverb, solo boost, parallel effects loop, and a power amp switch on the back called "extreme". Much more versital than a rectifier, bettter tone than a Mark, and I picked up a 2x12 combo that owns all other amps. GREAT AMP

Christopher Chen · #10 01-15-2001, 11:56 PM

Wow! The Nomad sounds like a real killer amp, don't know why they gave it such a lousy review in Guitar Player... Well anyways how does the distortion tone of the Nomad compare to a Dual Rectifier? And how much do nomads go for?
THanks!

UVmanMike · #11 01-16-2001, 02:06 AM

In Guitar Player they reviewed a Nomad 55 with 6l6s. Nomad 45s have el34s. I tried a 55 and was not at all pleased. The 45 has a completely different "feel" to it. As far as distortion, I think the red channel *is quite similar to a Rectifier. Recto's higher wattage= more tubes=heavier distortion. I've tried a Single, Dual, and Triple rectifier and the Nomad is smoother with a little less gain (again, Recto has more tubes). Given the choice between the Single Rectifier and Nomad, no brainer Nomad. It depends on what you want in an amp given the choice between the Nomad and Dual/Triple Rectifier. With the Dual Rectifier head costing $1399 and the Triple costing $1499, $1275 for a Nomad 2x12 combo in tan leather doesn't seem that bad. I took the Nomad over Rectifier series because paying 1500 clams for just a head is a lot, and the Nomad is MUCH more versital. Plus, the tan leather is pimpin'. You can get a Nomad 45 1x12 for aroung $900 I believe, but try things out. I spent many afternoons A/B-ing and settled on the Mesa sound. Then I weighed the pros and cons of each model and I feel I came out on top. Used you may find a 4x10 combo for $1200, so going used will save you some money. Good Luck!!

**jemsite** · #12 01-16-2001, 11:21 AM

Note the Nomad 45 has EL84s. The 55 and 100 has EL34s with bias select switch to change to 6L6. I bought a used Nomad45 for sound, portability and price. Works gret with an extension cabinet. I personally can't see paying top dollar for a two-channel head but test drive all the gear in question... glen

big al · #13 01-17-2001, 01:55 PM

Christopher,
I have been comparing the Mesa Boogie amps and my choice is the Dual Rectifier or Recto-verb if you want a combo.
I played several Nomads and they were great but then I played a Rectoverb (combo) I fell in love with the rectifier sound. I could not get the "rectifier" sound out of the Nomads. Seems like most of the responses were not in favor of the rectifier amps but the dual rectifier is the amp that I'm getting. Try a rectifier and if the "sound" does not appeal to you, the Nomads are probably more in line.
Keep in mind, better to pay more and get what you want.

DEICIDEL · #14 01-17-2001, 10:40 PM

I too, am going to purchase a Mesa. I tried out the Nomad 45 combo and I was pleased w/ the result. I am waiting for the place I am buying it at to get a Single Recto in so I can try that too. Chances are I will go for the Recto 'cause I want the gain ( I play mostly metal).

BatmanNick · #15 02-03-2001, 10:18 AM

I'd go for the MarkIV.It has the most versatility and to me the best tone of the entire Boogie line.Plus it has the parametric EQ placed before the actual preamp distortion.You can get a much smoother sound with this and then get some really great low-end thanks to the graphic EQ.Also I personally believe the head with a cab is the way to go.The EVM loaded small-bodied combo is good but a little too bright while the wide-bodied combo has a Boogie made Celestion Custom 90 which is ok but nowhere near a Vintage 30 and it's very loose sounding.Almost...."sloppy'if you will.The Single Rectifier is a good choice as well.It sounds tighter and bouncier than the Dual and Triple Rectos.Or you could wait a little while and try the new Road King which basically is the cumulation of all things Recto.If you don't mind using pedals the Heartbreaker would probably be just the thing since it has fabulous tone but the gain is not for metal and could be tighter.But,my final suggestion would be for the Mark IV head and a cab of your liking.