Mesa Boogie Basis M2000! Good buy?

Jyyzor · #1 10-10-2011, 06:28 PM

Hi all! This is my first post on talkbass! I hope to start using the forum a lot more since getting the iPhone app

Anyway I have a question, I currently use a Peavey TNT 115 combo and am in need of an upgrade, I have the oppurtunity to purchase a Mesa Boogie Basis M2000 for the great price of $1000 (I think it's a great price at least :s), which is what I want to ask, am I getting a great deal and will I be impressed with this amp? My research is telling me yes but a seccond oppinion would be great, as all my musician friends only play guitar haha.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mesa Boogie Basis M2000 bass amplifier

mpdd · #2 10-10-2011, 06:59 PM

not sure about australia, but that would be high for one in the usa

Low Class · #3 10-10-2011, 07:12 PM

That's a high price for an unreliable amp.

JimiLL · #4 10-10-2011, 07:22 PM

Whats unreliable about it?

Im looking to get one too, but not for $1000. Australia I dont know about.

What does a gallon fuel go for there anyway?

Edward G. · #5 10-10-2011, 07:23 PM

It's a great performer. LOTS of features and lots of balls. Try to get it for less. Make sure the foot pedal is included. Had one that I paid $1700 USD for new in the late '90s. So I know the thing well.

Is it a good amp? YES! Was it overpriced? TOTALLY!

Seems like that's a lot for a used amp that was never wildly popular and has been out of production for a number of years. If it's cheap enough, though, it can be a steal on the used market.

Jyyzor · #6 10-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Fuel is around $1.30-1.40 per litre.

The features are what caught my eye, I have been shopping around for a new bass amp for a while, and everything brand new is $1800 + for a decent brand and that is only including a pre-amp in some cases -_-
That sad thing is, I think I would be able to pick one up in America for a lot cheaper, but living here makes it a bit difficult.
The person I may be buying it off bought it without a pedal, said they never mentioned one so If i were to get it I would eventually like to track one down, just to make the most of the features.

I'm a person who is very picky when it comes to sound, this seems to offer a large range and variation of sounds. But I dont want to buy it then have people laugh at me for paying that amount, I dont know what to do.

Jyyzor · #7 10-10-2011, 07:55 PM

If it helps at all, I have seen people asking for $3,000 for theirs, also claming they had paid 5k retail for it.. Hmmm

paganjack · #8 10-10-2011, 08:04 PM

I dunno, they usually go for US$ 600-700 (usually including the footswitch). The footswitch alone is going to be tough to find. Those go for like $200 here too if you can even find them, which is rare.

It's a really cool amp, there are a lot of good tones in there, but I could never quite find "THE" tone in there .

Jyyzor · #9 10-10-2011, 08:35 PM

Ah I see, that may be problem then.
I sent him a msg asking him to drop it a few hundred so just a case of waiting to see what he says.
Because it seems like such an impressive amp, and for the price I really dont think I will be disapointed!
If only a larger majority of gear was that cheap here haha.
Also! Silly question but I am a technical noob, would I be able to run the M2000 through a Peavey TNT 115 until I get a new cab/cabs? Maybe not the best sound or anything but as long as it doesn't fry it haha.

Standalone · #10 10-10-2011, 08:42 PM

Get the Mesa if you want, but keep the TNT! I have since sold off my M2000, but still have my TNT 130.

jowens004 · #11 10-10-2011, 09:50 PM

I think you would be better off getting a M6 Carbine Head New or used. They should be found used for the same money, and new for a little more. I think the M6 sounds better than the M2000.

I also say Keep the TNT. Its a good small venue amp. Good practice amp.

vin*tone · #12 10-10-2011, 10:36 PM

That's an awesome deal for a Mesa in Australia. Buy it - if yuou don't like it sell it for the same money.

Munjibunga · #13 10-10-2011, 11:24 PM

I like a lot of controls, and that amp sure has 'em. So I fiddled around with a new one for about an hour in a guitar shop once. I thought, "Wow! With all this EQ and two preamps, there's not going to be a tone in the world I can't get." Well, for the life of me, I couldn't get "my tone" or any others that sounded good to me.

If it had lived up to my expectations, I would have bought it. Man, all those knobs, switches and faders really turned me on. The tone did not. YMMV.

georgestrings · #14 10-11-2011, 07:02 AM

My experiences with the M-2000 are similar to Munji's - it's actually my least favorite Mesa head... Also, it *seems* like there's alot of possibilities for unreliability, although I don't know of it having a back track record...

In short - overly complicated, and so-so tone, IME/IMO... I very much prefer the M-pulse 600, Big Block 750, or the Carbines...

- georgestrings