Mesa Boogie Question

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:01 pm

I can pick up a MB .50 caliber+ for around $500.00.It's in mint condition.I haven't played it yet but I was wondering if it's even worth trying it out.I've read mostly good reviews on it but I trust SS opinions more than Joeblow off the street.Plzthnx,Tom

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:35 pm

I think some of the smaller mesa combos are pretty nice, but they have a bad rep due to tall of the Nu-Metal and shit that got famous playing them. SOme of the older ones have decent clean tones but some of the newer stuff (dual rectifiers, etc) don;t sound that good to me. I woudl say try it, and offer 450 if you like it.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:59 pm

pete townshend played a mesa boogie so there not thaat bad.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:14 pm

pete townzend is also a pedo!
pedo's play mesa, real men play bassman and twin!
and salty fucks play marshall.
honestly i was trying out mesa boogies for about 6 months.
there were a few in town, a few at GC, and i tried just about everything i could from them, i was always "on the fence" about the tone of them.
it pretty much comes down to this. no matter what model you seek.
the cleanest sound is slightly overdriven, and the dirtiest sound is DIRTY AS FUCK!
its good if you like to play with a slight- very agressive gain setting, but if you are like me, and want a completely clean sounding amp, then it just won't cut it for you.
even the cheaper models are very interactive tho, the knobs have alot of effect on the overall sound.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:02 pm

Why would you insult teh birdman like that?
He played mostly hiwatts though which are for rich people now cause there "handwired".
but mesa's i've heard a lot of good but these too are people who play insanely overdriven with a distortion pedal.
but for me i like fender and vox amps. (even though i'm stuck with a shit peavey)
for 500 you could pick up something way better.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:14 pm

I know there's plenty of Mesa haet on here (I think the word "Rectifier" is particularly frowned upon) but I like using them when given the chance. I recorded my band's EP with a mustang + nighthawk going thru a triple rectifier and I thought the dirt tone was great on both.

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:50 pm

I really didnt care for Mesa's either until i played through a Trem-o-Verb. Its has more of a bluesy sound, and not that 'sworm of bees' sound.

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:21 am

Thanks a bunch guys.I'll have to go try it out and see for myself.
As far as dependability it's mostly good reviews so we'll see.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:13 am

there 'sposed to be reliable but i don't like the tones.

SAVEStheDAY · Post by **SAVEStheDAY** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:16 pm

Just because some assclown in a crappy metal band uses a Mesa Single/Dual/Triple Rectifier doesn't mean you can't get some great tones out of it. All you can do is play it and decide for yourself.

I love my Triple Rectifier, but mostly just for high gain stuff. Considering it's a three channel amp I should really be able to get more than one or two great sounds out of it. I think my two channel Ampeg VL502 and VL1002 are actually more versatile.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:12 pm

SAVEStheDAY wrote:I think my two channel Ampeg VL502 and VL1002 are actually more versatile.

OMG!@
I also ahs a VL1002, i love it.

NEW FAVOURITE POSTER EVER.

SAVEStheDAY · Post by **SAVEStheDAY** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:25 am

Sloan wrote: OMG!@
I also ahs a VL1002, i love it.

NEW FAVOURITE POSTER EVER.

You're officially the only other person I know who owns one! They're such awesome amps, and I just don't understand how they've flown under the radar for so long. Where else can you get a modded JCM800 sound, built in power attenuator, light up logo, and an amp lock in one package??? It's almost too cool.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:42 am

There's a VL-503 three-channel combo that's like SUPER RARE. I've been wanting one so hard, but the two i've seen on ebay are going for $6-700. damn!

From what I can tell, Zakk Wylde used a VL-1002 for Ozzy's No More Tears album. He was using Lee Jackson's Metaltronix stuff for a while too. I just saw a Metaltronix go on ebay for maybe $500? That's insane considering the Metaltronix is USA handbuilt stuff!

The only problem with my VL is that other bandmembers won't let me crank it! I don't really dig the attenuator, it just doesn't work right. I've always wanted a THD Hotplate or similar to see if it sounds better.

If you want to make the VL clean channel a little more clean, use a 12AU7 in the V1 tube socket. It's way lower gain than a 12ax7 and let your clean preamp knob be useful!

pix!

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:16 am

SAVEStheDAY wrote:Just because some assclown in a crappy metal band uses a Mesa Single/Dual/Triple Rectifier doesn't mean you can't get some great tones out of it. All you can do is play it and decide for yourself.

I like this poster as well

SAVEStheDAY · Post by **SAVEStheDAY** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:52 am

Sloan wrote:If you want to make the VL clean channel a little more clean, use a 12AU7 in the V1 tube socket. It's way lower gain than a 12ax7 and let your clean preamp knob be useful!

Thanks dude, I'll have to try it out sometime. In fact, probably in the near future since it's about time to hit thetubestore.com. I dig the Epi goth twins you've got there.