Older chrome mesa 20/20 - Okay?

synth002 · #1 12-29-2007, 06:53 AM

Hey all, Ive come across a mesa 20/20 for sale at an okay price near me (lucky!) there are two possible problem though

..

1).Its an older mesa 20/20 with the chrome front, does anyone know if there are any differences between this one and the newer black units currently being sold new that would be a downer?? it seems to have all the same features, but I don't know if there are any known downers about the older chrome faced versions.

2).Its a U.S. Voltage, but, it does come with an inline converter/transformer. So I won't be able to power the unit from the IEC outlets on my samson PB10 power conditioner.. actually I have been wondering if all the mesa 20/20's need to be powered from main's cus I havn't noticed an IEC inlet on the rear of the unit..

I was thinking about getting a new unit, but, if this one was okay it would save me a few hundered y'know! then I could get my Triaxis sooner!

..Btw the asking price is 470, its ment to be pretty much mint cond. you reckon its worth it?

I would appreciate your opinions and views on this very much, cheers!

chris.

Pablo · #2 12-29-2007, 07:52 AM

I'd say it's cooler in chrome. and way over priced for a 20 watt power amp. there's always the Marshall EL84 20:20 which is £369 new from GAK

I would however, stay away from American voltage stuff. There is gonna be a day when you ask someone to plug it in and they don't know any better and blow the a$$ out of it.

Personally I'd buy the Marshall, I think Boogie stuff is too over priced now.

synth002 · #3 12-29-2007, 08:05 AM

Thanks dude, yeh Im really not liking the whole U.S. Voltage thang y'know!

I have actually looked at the el84 20/20 but Im unsure it would have the grunt of the mesa 20/20, also I have read a few times about overheating issues. Although cheaper gear would be nice, I pretty much spend ALL my time playing guitar so I figure I shouldn't let money be an issue when its going on the thing im most passionate about.

chris

Eggy · #4 12-29-2007, 08:06 AM

^ I agree.

There are a lot of better options out there than this 20w one and if you plan on gigging it the US power will become an issue at some point down the line.

synth002 · #5 12-29-2007, 08:18 AM

Your prob right, just seemed like a possible quick deal. I will be doing a lot of gigging with the rig so maybe I should just get a new unit with no catches..

voodoo_child · #6 12-29-2007, 09:02 AM

The Mesa 20/20 is a much higher quality unit than the Marshall 20/20.

I can't tell you which you'd prefer the sound of, but there's no question that the Mesa is the higher-quality unit. Some people care about things like that; calling a high-quality amp 'overpriced' because it's more expensive than a lower-quality unit is daft.

1) There's no major difference between the chrome and black 20/20 (apart from age). The chrome unit was intended to match the chrome V-twin preamp, and was later changed to black to fit in better with the rest of the range. Obviously, you'll want to pay less for a older unit than you will for something more recent.

2) There's no issue with running a US voltage unit from 220v, once your stepdown transformer is capable of handling the 20/20. I've run US amps for years, and personally know dozens of gigging guitarists who do the same, some for decades (it's always been cheaper in this market).

Like I said, the only caveat is to make sure you're step-down is rated high enough (preferably over-rated) for the amp you're using.

The Boogie 20/20 is an awesome unit FWIW, and a great match for a triaxis.

lemongrass · #7 12-29-2007, 09:34 AM

Sounds a little expensive to me - but if it's great condition and you know the history then it might be worth considering.
Are you set on the 20/20? I've seen 50/50 and 2:90 amps going for less than that recently
(including the one I'm thinking of selling now I've got my triple rec)

The us voltage shouldn't be an issue but it put me off buying a cheap triaxis recently - no logical reason aside from it's one extra thing that could go wrong at a critical moment (unlikely but why risk it was my thinking).

Cheers
John

synth002 · #8 12-29-2007, 10:18 AM

thanks guys, im pretty set on a mesa 20/20, I may make an offer on the unit in question but the whole U.S. voltage thing, i dunno lol. Thanks for your help tho!, just mainly wanted to know if there was a huge diff between the older and newer versions.

I actually came across a forum snipet (via google) saying it was possible to mod the 20/20 to take europian Voltage, with a little mod.. just need to find a local electrician who could make the mod!!

EDIT: Has anyone here made the mod mentioned above/had it done??

voodoo_child · #9 12-29-2007, 10:34 AM

Yes, the 20/20 is one of very few recent Mesa amps that are 'multi-voltage' internally. The input transformer has taps for 117, 230, 240v - you need to move a few links to configure to work off a different voltage. You also need a few nominal parts - varistor, input fuse, European plug-end.

It's not difficult, but you do need to be comfortable with modding/repairing amps. I have schematics and instructions if you need them. A decent amp tech should be able to do it.

Personally, like I said, there's nothing to worry about running a US amp in the UK via a step-down. Electricity is electricity - you've already got transformers inside (or outside) pretty much every bit of gear you're using.

Eggy · #10 12-29-2007, 10:46 AM

The worry I would have is that sound guys and stage crew vary so much from club to club throughout the country. The good ones are great but also a rare breed. The others are either so stoned or drunk that trust becomes an issue.
I would say getting the mod done would probably be the easiest and most sensible option before you take it out on the road.

synth002 · #11 12-29-2007, 10:55 AM

Voodoo Child - That would be most exellent dude, I would really appreciate the schematics and instructions and a parts list (if possible!) thanks! One of the main reasons I want the mod is to keep the rack as simple as possible so being able to connect via iec would be great.

Eggy - Thats what Im thinking, It could take me a little while to get a good triaxis (off ****, gotta wait for a decent one y'know) so during that time I could have the mod made and everything would be cool.

Cheers guys.

Lefty Robb · #12 12-29-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemongrass

Sounds a little expensive to me - but if it's great condition and you know the history then it might be worth considering.
Are you set on the 20/20? I've seen 50/50 and 2:90 amps going for less than that recently
(including the one I'm thinking of selling now I've got my triple rec)

Cheers
John

You have to understand the 20/20 it a different beast all together, its the only Mesa EL84 powered power amp, and they have a different tone all together than the 50/50, 2:90 and 2:95. Everything else is 6L6's. Also because of there wattage they tend to saturate at much lower volumes than its big brothers, and its light and only 1 space..all these features can make it meet or exceed the price of the 50/50 and 2:90...

synth002 · #13 12-29-2007, 11:08 AM

Well ive offered 400 for it, you guys reckon thats a good price?

voodoo_child · #14 12-29-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eggy

The worry I would have is that sound guys and stage crew vary so much from club to club throughout the country. The good ones are great but also a rare breed. The others are either so stoned or drunk that trust becomes an issue.
I would say getting the mod done would probably be the easiest and most sensible option before you take it out on the road.

A US plug physically won't fit in a UK socket.