Fender Bassman 300 or Mesa M9

silvertripper · #1 04-12-2011, 07:38 PM

I played a M9 today and I must say is a box of goodness! Punch, clarity, quick, responsive, a real tone whore of a head. Mesa is really on to something here.

But as much as I like the M9 and I still might buy it, Im really after something a tad warmer, a little "tubier". Ive thought of a SVT CL but the last I played a Classic I couldnt dial in a nice clean tone without it sounding Ampeg'ish. Ive heard the Bassman 300 can sound clean as a whistle but with the warmth of tubes. I see a TON of good reviews on the Bassman 300.

Can the bassman sound close to the M9? Visa Versa?

Take the Tube Comparison out of the picture.... how do these two heads compare?

My music styles are Rock to Jazz, Funk to Blues. I dig it all.

I dont mind playing with controls to dial in my tone. I also dont mind hauling around a 80 lb head if I need to. I dont gig much these days anyway, but I play a TON and also record alot too.

Help me decide! This is driving me crazy! Im losing sleep over this!

scotch · #2 04-12-2011, 07:51 PM

I'll say this as a 300pro user and devotee - I've played the M9 & I love it! If I needed a 'backup' solid state head, I'd likely pick up an M9. They are actually surprisingly similar tonally when set 'flat' (the clean channel of the 300, that is). Kinda strange considering the very different eq sections.

Comparing the 2, pros/cons style:
-with the 300pro: great crunchy 2nd channel; nice subtle dual band compressor; true 'clean tone' from a tube amp. Drawbacks, it's VERY heavy & will need tubes someday (mine are still going strong after 10 years)...

-the M9: very warm for a ss amp and similar to a tube power section in terms of "feel/response". Only possible drawback: only one channel.

dmusic148 · #3 04-12-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

-the M9: very warm for a ss amp and similar to a tube power section in terms of "feel/response".

Bizarre.
With respect, you're probably the only person on earth to say this. Every review I've read says otherwise. And I agree with them, as a former M6 owner. Very quick, loud, and deep is more like it.

scotch · #4 04-12-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Bizarre.
With respect, you're probably the only person on earth to say this. Every review I've read says otherwise. And I agree with them, as a former M6 owner. Very quick, loud, and deep is more like it.

Its cool, no disrespect implied! :-)

Other than the "quick" adjective, how am I off? Are tube amps not loud & deep? I stand by the M9 sounding warmer set flat, though. Especially compared to other common ss heads like GK, AI, Hartke, etc...

silvertripper · #5 04-12-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

I'll say this as a 300pro user and devotee - I've played the M9 & I love it! If I needed a 'backup' solid state head, I'd likely pick up an M9. They are actually surprisingly similar tonally when set 'flat' (the clean channel of the 300, that is). Kinda strange considering the very different eq sections.

Comparing the 2, pros/cons style:
-with the 300pro: great crunchy 2nd channel; nice subtle dual band compressor; true 'clean tone' from a tube amp. Drawbacks, it's VERY heavy & will need tubes someday (mine are still going strong after 10 years)...

-the M9: very warm for a ss amp and similar to a tube power section in terms of "feel/response". Only possible drawback: only one channel.

I know all this is subjective... but....

In your opinion, is the Bassman punchy like the M9? I know you said tonaly they are similar, how about punch or quickness?

dmusic148 · #6 04-12-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Its cool, no disrespect implied! :-)

Other than the "quick" adjective, how am I off? Are tube amps not loud & deep? I stand by the M9 sounding warmer set flat, though. Especially compared to other common ss heads like GK, AI, Hartke, etc...

The M6/M9 go really, really deep compared to most tube amps, or most amps in general, really, because they have the power to do so without straining. Too much for some folks, in fact. Many complain that they are hard to control on the low end.
Also tube amps are generally described as 'fat,' 'warm,' etc....this would be a good description of the M-Pulse line of amps, but a far, far cry from M6/M9.

scotch · #7 04-12-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvertripper

I know all this is subjective... but....

In your opinion, is the Bassman punchy like the M9? I know you said tonaly they are similar, how about punch or quickness?

A lot depends on the cabinet you use! I'll say this, though: the 300pro can definitely punch! It's also plenty 'quick' on channel 1. How hard you 'push' the input seems to come into play.

There'a a lot of myth regarding tube amps & quickness. Damping rates can be different from amp to amp & the output tranny' comes into play here!