can get a good sound from a mesa boogie big block

solitario · #1 10-13-2011, 05:32 PM

hello, I'm using a mesa big block 750 with ampeg 6x10 hlf. after trying this amp with diferent cabs I realiced that I cant find a good tone from it.

valves are fine, my basses are a fender custom classic and a stingray 4 and both have the batery ok.

the problem I have is that this amp is a hell to eq. the parametric active mids can change the sound from bad to worst. overal sound is very dry, it has tons of power and an in your face kind of sound but it is to dry, no musical tone at all.

also mids are anoying, add some (little) mids and it wil sound clonk clonk clonk and yopul have a headache after 20 minutes playing, remove them and it dies and dont cut the mix.

being such a good and expensive amp I think that the problem is me because I cant belive this amp sounds this way. I have try and svt3 and sounds like heaven compared to the big block, 2pro much better and recently I have try a gallien krueger and it sound really nice with a very musical tone no like my mesa boogie hammer.

so please. Before selling it I would like to read some opinions from mesa big block users ( wich cab and wich bass they use) and some eqs.

magazines sais this big block is a holly grail but to me is a holly crap and the problem is that I'm sure there must be a good tone inside this expensive mesa, you know what I mean?

Please HELP!

Thank you

bass10bfb · #2 10-13-2011, 06:22 PM

I owned the BB 750 and 8 different Mesa cabs. It sounded good with any of the cabs I had. I do remember that it took a while to EQ in the sound I wanted at first, but once I got it, it was awesome!!! I used several different Warwick basses and also a 5 string Ernie Ball MM Stingray. They all sounded good. I don't remember my EQ settings; I sold the amp quite a while back after getting a Mesa 400+.
I do remember that the harder I pushed it, the better it sounded. For example, it would sound o.k. if I used an 8 ohm 600 watt cabinet by itself; but if I hooked up two of the Powerhouse cabs (4 ohm cabs at 1000 watts each; 2 ohms total load), that head would be unbelievable sounding (not to mention monstrously loud)!!! Hope I have helped some!!

Crabby · #3 10-13-2011, 08:31 PM

I loved mine. Only sold it because I liked the Carbine a bit better. I am pretty picky and could not get a bad sound of the BB750. It was warm and the deceptively simple eq section took a minute or two to figure out but the amp was a dream in so many ways. You may have something wrong with yours if its that bad.

Gearhead17 · #4 10-13-2011, 10:37 PM

I never liked the BB750 and I prefer the thicker Ampeg tone any day. I found it was difficult to get any thickness in the low mids out of that head. It had an aggressive tone for sure and I never found it musical for my ears.

There might be an issue with the 4 tubes in there - might want to open it up and make sure they are all lit. If they are all black, well, replace them! It's easy to do too.

If the amp is running well, trade it for something you like more.

Limeman · #5 10-13-2011, 10:49 PM

The lower the speaker resistance, the better the BB750 sounds. It MUST be pushed to deliver the goods. My guess is that part of the issue (other than possibly not quite understanding the EQ section) is that you're running it at 8 ohms. This amp sounds absolutely killer at 2 ohms with Ampeg 810s, Aguilar GS412s, or whatever you can throw at it at that resistance. It really is a big stage amp. For smaller venues/stages, I rely on my trusty Walkabout head to leave me grinning.

JimmyM · #6 10-13-2011, 11:20 PM

Lime, the 610hlf is a 4 ohm cab.

solitario · #7 10-14-2011, 05:47 AM

thank you.
Im using a 4 ohm 6x10 cab theres no way I can use it in 2 ohm because I dont want to carry 2 fridges with me. the main problem is what gearhead said, thers no musical tone in it. it does the job when you have to fight one or two mesa dual rectifiers, I think It was done for that. mesa sais is a rock amp but I think it is just a metal amp, not for finger picking.

I wonder if a 21 band eq thru the effects loop will do the trick. I dont know wich freq controls the eq in this amp but they are weird. If I twist bass knob it is becuase I want to boost bass not to change all the sound and then start again.

the eq in this amp makes me think I'm trying to open a safebox in a banc trying to find the right numbers but when you find one (bass) then you go next and move trebble just a bit and you have to correct bass again, then mids, the treb it is a hell!!!!

is it possible to change the "tone" of this amp and try to make it more musical and less "dry in your face"???

I dont want to sell it because I will loose a lot of money and what can I buy now? a korean ampeg? and chinese gallien krueger? no way

bassnj · #8 10-14-2011, 06:03 AM

Never liked the BB's myself. Always thought thery were all hat and no cattle. Carbine's are far more to my liking. Those are really great amps.

WingKL · #9 10-14-2011, 06:30 AM

Get your amp checked out by a knowledgable and thorough tech. If something is oscillating at high frequencies, it will kill your tone.

Gearhead17 · #10 10-14-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitario

I think It was done for that. mesa sais is a rock amp but I think it is just a metal amp, not for finger picking.

I wonder if a 21 band eq thru the effects loop will do the trick. I dont know wich freq controls the eq in this amp but they are weird. If I twist bass knob it is becuase I want to boost bass not to change all the sound and then start again.

the eq in this amp makes me think I'm trying to open a safebox in a banc trying to find the right numbers but when you find one (bass) then you go next and move trebble just a bit and you have to correct bass again, then mids, the treb it is a hell!!!!

is it possible to change the "tone" of this amp and try to make it more musical and less "dry in your face"???

I dont want to sell it because I will loose a lot of money and what can I buy now? a korean ampeg? and chinese gallien krueger? no way

Several Mesa heads have strong built-in EQ shifts and one turn of a knob can really be a drastic change. I found the BB750 to not have a nice finger style tone either.

Do not go the route of a 21 band graphic EQ, you will cause yourself more headaches than you can imagine.

Pop open the lid and see if the tubes are lit up, then go from there.

KJung · #11 10-14-2011, 08:34 AM

I had a BB750 for a short while and found that it 'does what it does' very well.... super midrange oriented, grindy tone. I always called thought of this as Mesa's attempt at a more Ampeg like tone.. i.e., emulating an SVT in full out grind mode into a sealed 10" enclosure.

As others have said, it also is at best a moderately powered head into 4ohms.

If you want a more traditional, fat, smooth, tubey tone from Mesa, the MPulse600 is great. If you want a very modern, bright, solid state 'punch you in the guy' clean tone, the M6 or M9 is great.

However, if you don't like the in your face midrange growl and grind, I never was able to really dial that out of the BB750.

rockstarbassist · #12 10-14-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabby

I loved mine. Only sold it because I liked the Carbine a bit better. I am pretty picky and could not get a bad sound of the BB750. It was warm and the deceptively simple eq section took a minute or two to figure out but the amp was a dream in so many ways. You may have something wrong with yours if its that bad.

Big time this. It's a great amp. I had mine with a Bergantino NV610 and it absolutely crushed.

What are your EQ settings? I'll admit the two Mid controls + Mid Frequency thing is easy to screw up. I've been playing Mesa stuff and are used to their controls and EQ points and it even took me a little bit to dial it in exactly right. Are you already over-EQin'g the active EQ controls on your basses? You should be starting at "flat" with your instrument before EQ'ing your amp but hopefully you know that already...

Have you checked the Mesa/Boogie website and looked up the manual for the BB750 and checked some sample settings? For any amp that's usually the best place to start... I usually have already read thru the manual at least a few times of any amp I buy before it even hits my doorstep. Most people who say "my amp sucks" haven't bothered to see what the manufacturers suggest trying out or have it EQ'd to hell and back already...

Here's the link just in case you don't wanna look for it...

http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/Big%20Block%20750.pdf

However Stingray + Mesa is rock heaven. It's in a totally different league than the 3Pro, of which I've had 3 different ones...

KJung · #13 10-14-2011, 08:42 AM

Per the above post, +1... if you like the SVT 3Pro, IMO you would LOVE the BB750. But again, quite different from the other Mesa voicings.

rockstarbassist · #14 10-14-2011, 09:10 AM

And there's been a few threads on the whole "all controls at Noon = flat" thing, and I know for certain that this particular Mesa is not that way, so if you have both Active and Passive Mids at Noon on the BB750, I can definitely see it sounding pretty terrible!

georgestrings · #15 10-14-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I had a BB750 for a short while and found that it 'does what it does' very well.... super midrange oriented, grindy tone. I always called thought of this as Mesa's attempt at a more Ampeg like tone.. i.e., emulating an SVT in full out grind mode into a sealed 10" enclosure.

As others have said, it also is at best a moderately powered head into 4ohms.

If you want a more traditional, fat, smooth, tubey tone from Mesa, the MPulse600 is great. If you want a very modern, bright, solid state 'punch you in the guy' clean tone, the M6 or M9 is great.

However, if you don't like the in your face midrange growl and grind, I never was able to really dial that out of the BB750.

Agree 100% with all of the above - I gigged the BB750 for awhile, then traded it towards a new M-pulse 600, and have been happy with that ever since... The BB750 just wasn't clean enough for *my* tastes - but definitely did the rock OD sound very well...

- georgestrings

solitario · #16 10-14-2011, 11:13 AM

after reading this I see it is not just me, maybe I bought the wrong amp. I can tell you that an svt3 is a grand piano and the bigblock is a jackhammer.

rockstarbassist u're right, midrange at noon and it sounds like a spoon hitting a pan.

I have checked the manual and I dont know wich cab and bass they used for the settings but with a stingray and an ampeg 6x10 hlf those settings sucks, with the custom classic jazz bass they are a bit better but they suck too. the only way it sounds almost good is with passive mids at 10 and removing the 1k freq with the active mids but this way it dosent cut on the mix.

I will have to try those carbine but I think mesa are dead and buried for me.

talking to a friend I asked him about changin the big block for an ampeg svt classic and he said I'm crazy, well maybe.

I have been playing with a gallien krueger rb 700 and being 3 times cheapper it sounds 4 times better (IMO) so maybe I will have to check my ears or my mind.

for those who have a big block. have you got any recording you can share to see if it is mine or the amp is this way?

thank you

Alex1984 · #17 10-14-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitario

I will have to try those carbine but I think mesa are dead and buried for me.

talking to a friend I asked him about changin the big block for an ampeg svt classic and he said I'm crazy, well maybe.

I have been playing with a gallien krueger rb 700 and being 3 times cheapper it sounds 4 times better (IMO) so maybe I will have to check my ears or my mind.

I wouldn't rule out Mesa yet, have you tried the head with a different cab? I recall a number of people who didn't like the 610HLF.

Changing to an SVT-CL is definitely a viable option, I wouldn't say it's crazy. Nothing wrong with the Made in Asia heads, it was only in the initial stages that they had problem with QC.

Also, though I don't like GK, their RB series are a good value and one of the industry standards for a good reason, so there's certainly nothing wrong with liking that head.

gustobassman · #18 10-14-2011, 12:51 PM

I have the same cab and use a GK 800RB. Gets a nice fat tone and you can find used 800RB's for very cheap. They are solidly built for the long run. In 10 years i've only had to replace a power switch and have some loose things tightened up from lots of use. You mentioned you liked the 700, the 800RB is as simple as you can get tone-control wise. If you can find one to try out with your cab, do it.

lomo · #19 10-14-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitario

talking to a friend I asked him about changin the big block for an ampeg svt classic and he said I'm crazy, well maybe.

Change it for an M6 or 9. Problem solved

danhosh · #20 10-14-2011, 02:34 PM

I know exactly how you feel with the Mesa thing. I owned an M-Pulse 600 for six months, and no matter what cab I used with it or what bass I plugged in, I could not get it to sound the way I wanted.

Meticulously went through the manual, tried recommended settings, etc.

Hate to say it, but maybe it's not the right amp for you. The amp probably just doesn't compliment your playing style (not a slag against you or the amp, I'm sure you're a great player and so many people LOVE bb750's)

If you don't like the amp now, there will be no magic EQ setting that can change that.

IMHO, of course.