MESA BIG BLOCK 750------> CONFUSION!

[BSL]

Guys.. I am little confused with 750 Watts @ 2 Ohms (550 @ 4, 280 @ 8), is that only one side or each side (stereo)? There are 2 outputs... they haven't mentioned in their manual book....

Thanks

[KsPiNeSh]

The outputs are parallel and there is only one power transformer, so the amp is mono - those ratings are strictly based on the resistance.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by BSL

Guys.. I am little confused with 750 Watts @ 2 Ohms (550 @ 4, 280 @ 8), is that only one side or each side (stereo)? There are 2 outputs... they haven't mentioned in their manual book....

Thanks

nope....little wimpy block...quoting power output at 2 ohms = shady and misleading.



Mesa's built some great stuff over the years, but this is not one of them, imho.

Carbine 9, now THERE'S a bass amp!



Cheers,
Cameron

[BSL]

Some ppl say this one is good for playing metal... and it is very loud. I have seen LOG, including many metal bands are using this amp.
what about if i use----> 200W 1x15 (8) ohms + 400W 4x10 (8) ohms cabs into left and right outputs.... i guess it's going to be 600W (4)ohms. Am i right?

[lomo]

Originally Posted by BSL

Some ppl say this one is good for playing metal... and it is very loud. I have seen LOG, including many metal bands are using this amp.
what about if i use----> 200W 1x15 (8) ohms + 400W 4x10 (8) ohms cabs into left and right outputs.... i guess it's going to be 600W (4)ohms. Am i right?

It's a superb head, just a tad heavy! The combination of 8 Ohm 15 and 8 Ohm 410 may be popular, but it's a poor idea. A pair of identical cabs (either 2-15s or 2-410s) makes a lot more sense. The fact that the head is stable down to 2 Ohms means you can run either a pair of 4-Ohm cabs or up to 4 8-Ohm cabs. The more speaker area you feed, the louder you'll be able to get. I'd go with a pair of 410s. I'd be shocked if you needed anything more.

[babebambi]

Originally Posted by BSL

what about if i use----> 200W 1x15 (8) ohms + 400W 4x10 (8) ohms cabs into left and right outputs.... i guess it's going to be 600W (4)ohms. Am i right?

you will be displacement limited by around 200w in the low frequency, thermal limit will be 400w.

I suggest getting the 410 in 4ohm, if you are dead set on that 115
otherwise just get 2x 8ohm 410

btw, the left and right output on the back of the amp, all links to the same power module; there is only one power module on the BB750, it's a mono block amp

[BSL]

I am going to get it tomorrow but very hard to find 4x10 messa cab in my place. Currently I have 200W 1x15 (8) ohms + 400W 4x10 (8) ohms SWR cabs. Let me try it.... Thank you so much for suggestions....

[rockstarbassist]

If you got the 2x410 setup, 600W from that amp is very loud and crushing. I had one a while and it was very nice.
And yes it's a "mono power" amp. Not stereo.

[Caca de Kick]

You'll be fine running the SWR 1x15 and 4x10 cabs. You may still want to keep an eye out for some Mesa cabs (you can order them in). I find the sound differences quite extreme between Mesa cabs and SWR cabs.

[BSL]

there is one extra SWR working pro 4x10 400W 8 Ohms but it has only 2 drivers inside... rest 2 are gone. don't know how to get those things.... any idea?

[Caca de Kick]

I'd say call up SWR about replacement speakers....

[BSL]

@Caca de Kick ..... I really would like to order them but dealer in Hong Kong ...sucks
even they can't describe what they are selling out... and if i order with them myself... i can't take my breath looking at their price. This BB750 I am going to get on sale... original price 17500 HK$ they are asking me 13300 HK$ (1 USD = 7.8 HKD).

[BSL]

They never display all items together.... if tomorrow i buy this BB 750 ...may be next day they will put M9 Carbine on showcase.... lol.... Actually 2 weeks ago i have bought SWR Working pro 400 with 1x15 and 4x10 cabs ...now this afternoon i saw this BB750. now i really hate this Tom Lee Music shop but got no choice they are the heavyweight in the city.......

[chaosMK]

I've heard the Big Blocks have an awesomely gritty gain stage but 750w at 2 ohms... that's disappointing.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

I've heard the Big Blocks have an awesomely gritty gain stage but 750w at 2 ohms... that's disappointing.

If you have a good stack it's more than loud enough to rupture eardrums and spleens.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 the Big Block 750 is an awesome amp, no matter how "low" one might think the wattage is @ 2 ohms. fact is, that amp will crush/kill with a pair of good cabs.

[BSL]

Well... what is the best pair for BB750? 4x10 cabs 400W 8ohms or 4x10 cabs 600W 4ohms or any kind of mesa powerhouse.....

[fu22ba55]

What cabs? Whatever equals 2 Ohms.

two 810s
four 8 Ohm 410s
two 2x15s
four 1x15s

There is no "best", only what YOU like best.

NOTE: My BB750 was NOT 2 OHM STABLE. Kept switching into protection mode. Mesa in CA replaced entire output stage (all new mosfets). STILL WASN'T 2 OHM STABLE. Sent it back to Cali a second time, and the Mesa techs called me and we had a talk.

Mesa service and support think rating that amp at 750 @ 2 Ohms is marketing smoke and mirrors.

They modded mine so it will be STABLE at 2 Ohms, BUT doesn't output 750 at 2 Ohms. (more like 625-650ish... it's hard to tell exactly how much).

SO... Caveat Emptor.

Your BB750 might need a trip to Cali to be truly 2-Ohm-stable.

(And FWIW, my wimpy 300 watt SVT can still kick that Mesa in the biscuits at 2 Ohms. The Mesa smells like burning plastic and sadness running at 2 Ohms trying to keep up with what my SVT can do for hours on end.)

[BSL]

OMG! you gave me very critical information.... about using 2 ohms... i can't afford that if it happens cause i live in hong kong..... can't imagine shipping charges....lol
i need to find out weather they have M9 carbine or not....

[Alex1984]

M9 and BB are very different amps, if you were considering the BB, I doubt the M9'd be for you. Maybe the M-Pulse 600 if you wanna stick with Mesa.

Mesa actually used PAS speakers (same OEM as SWR), I wonder how those'd compare.