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09-13-2010, 12:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Guidance on Mesa hybrid amps...
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At the moment I am currently using a Bass 400 and a Boogie Buster head. Love 'em both (6550's in the 400, 6L6's in the Buster) to death but am thinking about acquiring a hybrid head to become part of the family, or to potentially replace the Buster.
Ideally, I'd like to find something that provides that tube feel and grind similar to the Bass 400 (I don't need all-out distortion, just the grind) in a lightweight package, and allows me to keep up with two guitards that regularly use full stack Marshalls. I play through a NV610 and use passive basses.
On my consideration list is:
Walkabout - concerned that it won't keep up without having to really push the amp and getting more break-up than desired.
Mpulse-600 - Universally reviewed as tubey and I suspect more than enough amp but can I get it to grind by pushing the gain or does it struggle to break up?
I've read all your reviews about the M6/M9 and come to the conclusion that these amps aren't the ideal direction as they are more SS sound-like.
I've also considered the SVT3-pro but it seems to be universally panned for not truly having all the headroom they advertise.
Thanks for the collectively, sage wisdom.  |
09-13-2010, 12:40 PM
|  | Brock Effin Samson | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pittsburgh | | I'd have to agree that the Walkabout isn't powerful enough and that the M6 and M9 might be to clear/punchy if you're looking for some grit (I had eye'd this up for awhile but in the end decided against it).
As far as the Mpulse goes, I don't have much experience, but would assume it would have a similar tone? You should probably just buy my SVT-3  |
09-13-2010, 12:50 PM
|  | passionate hack | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Malone, NY/ Montreal, Quebec | | | The Carbines will get a tad fuzzy if you lean on the gain, but you should hear one before deciding. If the band is very loud I'd avoid the Walkabout. Can't comment on the MPulse 600. The BB750 will grind and OD all you want or be clean, but it's pretty heavy for a SS 500 watts into 4 Oms IMO.
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09-13-2010, 12:55 PM
|  | Registered User | | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff62  Ideally, I'd like to find something that provides that tube feel and grind similar to the Bass 400 (I don't need all-out distortion, just the grind) in a lightweight package, and allows me to keep up with two guitards that regularly use full stack Marshalls. I play through a NV610 and use passive basses.
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Sounds like the BB750 would work, except it's not all that light... I have one, and am thinking that it *might* be just a bit more "grindy" than I'm wanting - and may look for a trade for an M-pulse 600, since I prefer cleaner tube tones...
- georgestrings |
09-13-2010, 12:59 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado | | I have the same questions. It doesn't seem like Mesa is making anything reasonably lightweight that also focuses on nasty tone. Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff62 I've also considered the SVT3-pro but it seems to be universally panned for not truly having all the headroom they advertise. | You'll get "that tone" and have the trendy Ampeg logo, but meh. |
09-13-2010, 02:14 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, CA | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by tekhedd I have the same questions. It doesn't seem like Mesa is making anything reasonably lightweight that also focuses on nasty tone. | The BB750 can certainly get nasty, its just heavier than it needs to be. |
09-13-2010, 03:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX | | | I don't know, a Walkabout through an NV610 will certainly be loud, but maybe not quite enough. For sure, it's the amp you want, tonally. Next up would be the big Block 750, but as ststed, it's not exactly light. Great amp though, (as are all of mesa's bass amps). Not sure I'd lose the Buster, either. I find it to be one of the most interesting all tube bass amps I've ever heard,...more punch than most solid state wonders from other makers. Love mine, almost as much as my Walkabout. Maybe you should check out the Titan, too. Now, there's a real monster of a bass head.
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09-13-2010, 03:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver | | | I've always heard the Buster's on the cleaner side of tube tone. So I'd opt towards the M-Pulse if the OP goes for a full-sized head. But honestly, I think WalkAbout would be the OP's sweetspot, and I don't think you'd need more volume than that. |
09-13-2010, 06:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex1984 I've always heard the Buster's on the cleaner side of tube tone. So I'd opt towards the M-Pulse if the OP goes for a full-sized head. But honestly, I think WalkAbout would be the OP's sweetspot, and I don't think you'd need more volume than that. | I'm hoping an Mpulse knowledgable person might be able to compare to the Bass 400. |
09-13-2010, 06:35 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by RickenBoogie I don't know, a Walkabout through an NV610 will certainly be loud, but maybe not quite enough. For sure, it's the amp you want, tonally. Next up would be the big Block 750, but as ststed, it's not exactly light. Great amp though, (as are all of mesa's bass amps). Not sure I'd lose the Buster, either. I find it to be one of the most interesting all tube bass amps I've ever heard,...more punch than most solid state wonders from other makers. Love mine, almost as much as my Walkabout. Maybe you should check out the Titan, too. Now, there's a real monster of a bass head. | I've played through the Titan -- it is a great amp. The weight kinda defeats the purpose for me though. You're right on about the Buster... really quick amp (like SS), but still great tube warmness and punch. It can get grindy too -- I often wonder why more folk don't realize how special the Buster is. |
09-13-2010, 06:57 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Louisville, KY | | | Mesa just may not have what you're looking for, my friend. Maybe you should check out some Markbass products or similar...... 'food for thought'?
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09-13-2010, 07:02 PM
| | Registered User
Mesa Australia | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Canberra ACT | | | Walkabout - I don't think this is going to be loud enough for you
Mpulse-600 -Doesn't 'grind' stays very clean
M6/M9 -I think this will do what you want. I really like the M6, really straight forward to use, really easy to pull a good tone, and gets real tube with the gain at 1 oclock and you dig in.
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09-14-2010, 11:58 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA | | | I own an M6 and a Walkabout. Love them both. Walkabout is more tubey sounding. The M6 while also somewhat tubey is a greal deal more aggressive sounding. I run mine flat most of the time or one click to left of center for more of an old schools sound. It has incredible amounts of headroom and will get very loud.
Sounds to me that you would probably like the m6 or m9. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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