Mesa Boogie M9, anyone tried it?

edgaroviz · #1 08-31-2011, 12:02 AM

I looked around the forums, couldn't find anything about it.

Anyone tried the amp and has any thoughts about it?
Now I'm waiting for the dealer to get it's next shipment with the M9 to try it.

I tried the orange bass terror, it's kind of limited tone wise... but I had only 10 mins with the amp.
Now i'm thinking of the M9, and 7Pro.

babebambi · #2 08-31-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgaroviz

I looked around the forums, couldn't find anything about it.

Anyone tried the amp and has any thoughts about it?
Now I'm waiting for the dealer to get it's next shipment with the M9 to try it.

I tried the orange bass terror, it's kind of limited tone wise... but I had only 10 mins with the amp.
Now i'm thinking of the M9, and 7Pro.

Where exactly did you look!?!?
Must be in an alternate universe.
Koz there is a mega thread about the very same amp you asked about, right here.

chaosMK · #3 08-31-2011, 12:13 AM

Search function will work you wonders man.

It's a nice head if you can afford it and prefer solid state power over the quirky coolness of a tube amp. It's a premium piece of equipment and will probably make comparable Ampeg amps sound "dark" and "round." The loudness of it is ridiculous and it has the best gain functionality (for leading edge rock/metal music) I've found in recent equipment.

KsPiNeSh · #4 08-31-2011, 04:35 AM

Have it, greatly enjoy it.

Mesa M9 mega thread

rockstarbassist · #5 08-31-2011, 08:50 AM

I understand his pain-
"M9" is too short to search for standalone on TB... if you search nazi's have ever used the search function, you'd know this...

But yes there's a mega thread and plenty of others out there. I'd recommend searching for "Mesa", "Carbine" and see if that helps narrow it down. You'll pick up some M6 and M3 threads but the M9 ones should show up.

It's a great, great amp. One of Mesa's all time best, easily and I've owned everything they've put out sans the D-180.

Jim Carr · #6 08-31-2011, 10:18 AM

Mega threads are still, well, mega. So in the spirit of a short response—a tough chore for me—here goes a non-review/opinion.

Despite having a Crest CA6 (classic 2 ohm capable lead sled with 2 channels of 600 watts into 8 ohms racked with an ART tube pre/tube compressor and a BBE pre (over 70 lbs)), and a GB Shuttle 6.0 (great sounding, tiny, light, but sassy), and despite sending the amp for service and retrofit for better cooling—it has a serial number in the 30's, and EVEN despite the M9's weight in a 3-space Gator rack bag (yes with cooling screen), I prefer the M9 to every other amp I have used (quite a few).

As far as it being brighter or less dark than an SVT, no not really, IMHO. In fact, I can get such big lovely clear-pitched bottom-end with the M9 (and my Epifani UL1410), it makes me rethink the lowest end of my tone.

Not that I am Dr. Dub, but it handles my Reggae, Reggaton, Rhumba, and Urban R&B stuff, and works great as a pre when recording. For loud Rock or Country, I am deliriously happy with it. It is a full range capable all-purpose personal dragon. I call it my suitcase nuke. Gobs of power into 8, 4, or 2 ohms. I drive 210, 2x210, 410 or 610 with it. I can't actually think of an improvement, and find new sounds out of it all the time with a simple passive 2008 Fender Jazz.

It works well with my more sophisticated instruments, and with the vintage tools, too. Get one. Be sure you have good cabinets, too.

stflbn · #7 08-31-2011, 10:20 AM

Search Button at top... Search Forums with Google. Two Letter Searches work then.

lomo · #8 08-31-2011, 10:35 AM

Overall, my M9 just may be the most satisfying piece of amp gear I have used. Loooooove it!

Jim Carr · #9 08-31-2011, 10:47 AM

If you want to hear something I recorded using the M9 carbine direct just to test a signal chain with Garageband, check this: http://www.jamescarr.net/reggae/Reggae_Bass_Study.2.mp3

It is a Jazz bass into an M9, with post pre direct inject into an H4 Zoom->via usb to a Mac laptop running Garageband. No effects.

The M9 is set on V4 with only the mid knob changed (3 o'clock). The graphical EQ is engaged with pretty much everything cut above 900hz, and a slight roll off of 33hz and 150 hz bands. Deep switch is NOT pulled, bass and treble knobs at noon. Compressor is active with threshold at 9 o'clock and ratio at 3 o'clock.

The instrument is a 2008 Fender MIM Road Worn Jazz with DR round wound low-riders. All the passive bass knobs are "dime'd."

The tracks are just stock Garageband stuff, but they give a context to the tone, which is obviously mixed way up front. Hey, it was a test.

LiamPodmore · #10 08-31-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

I understand his pain-
"M9" is too short to search for standalone on TB... if you search nazi's have ever used the search function, you'd know this...

"Mesa Boogie M9" ....

Liam

rockstarbassist · #11 08-31-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiamPodmore

"Mesa Boogie M9" ....

Liam

doesn't seem to matter sometimes
i still get the search pushing back on that every now and then saying "your characters entered are too short", etc..
happened last time i tried to search for the mega-thread... so... yep

edgaroviz · #12 08-31-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiamPodmore

"Mesa Boogie M9" ....

Liam

Tried it, didn't find the mega thread, or maybe I just missed it.

Thanks for the opinions, the only dealer in israel that sells Mesa stuff will get his M9 shipment in the next month, god knows when... I guess I'll have to drool, and wait.

babebambi · #13 08-31-2011, 04:39 PM

as I said, alternate universe

ishouldbeking · #14 08-31-2011, 06:08 PM

For what it's worth, I'd try before you buy if at all possible. I've only got experience with the M6, which doesn't have the full feature set (no graphic EQ) and has a little less power... though I can't imagine anyone ever needing more power than the M6 has on tap. These amps are just stupid loud. Which, admittedly, is pretty fun. My issue is with the voicing. I've played the M6 a couple times now, to demo basses at the Mesa store in Hollywood, and also as backline for a couple club gigs. Great amp, just not for me in any way shape or form. You've got a huge bottom end available, literally massive / fat / booming low end that will swallow you whole if you set it that way, and also that standard baked-in aggressive upper-mid thing that a lot of Mesa gear seems to have. I love my Walkabout, and it has the upper mid thing to some degree, but with the Carbine I just couldn't dial it out. I play with a pick, and like some brightness... on the M6 it was just pure gank. I had to roll my tone way down and wasn't able to get the simultaneous low-mid whomp and top-end clang that I prefer (and can easily get from my Walkabout). Also, its got a whole heckuva lot of attack, which could be good if you're into that. Personally, I like a little more note bloom, but that should say something about my tastes.

KsPiNeSh · #15 08-31-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

Have it, greatly enjoy it.

Mesa M9 mega thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgaroviz

Tried it, didn't find the mega thread, or maybe I just missed it.

Thanks for the opinions, the only dealer in israel that sells Mesa stuff will get his M9 shipment in the next month, god knows when... I guess I'll have to drool, and wait.

Mega Thread linked in my post above

Crabby · #16 09-01-2011, 11:31 PM

Single best sounding amp I have ever played through. I lost pretty much all amp GAS by owning my M9 and Walkabout. The M9 is very reasonable to carry in a lightweight rack case, you will never run out of power, and the tonal options are great. The built in compressor is very very good and it comes with a foot switch to mute for tuning and to switch in and out the graphic eq. I just adore mine.

Whitbass · #17 09-02-2011, 07:02 AM

Clean and loud. Not tubey sounding. More open and airy overall. Nice highs. Big open lows. Less mid, low-mid character vs many amps. If you like clean, open, airy, its a great amp. Its not lacking, just different character than others amps I've A/B'd. For me, I prefer an amp with more focus in the mid to low range, but that's just my taste. You should directly compare to other amps as much as possible. Good luck!

Lowlife · #18 09-02-2011, 12:45 PM

Have one, love it. Wouldn't trade it for anything at this point.

jacojbass · #19 09-02-2011, 12:51 PM

They are amazing....never played anything better. ymmv

rockstarbassist · #20 09-02-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishouldbeking

For what it's worth, I'd try before you buy if at all possible. I've only got experience with the M6, which doesn't have the full feature set (no graphic EQ) and has a little less power... though I can't imagine anyone ever needing more power than the M6 has on tap. These amps are just stupid loud. Which, admittedly, is pretty fun. My issue is with the voicing. I've played the M6 a couple times now, to demo basses at the Mesa store in Hollywood, and also as backline for a couple club gigs. Great amp, just not for me in any way shape or form. You've got a huge bottom end available, literally massive / fat / booming low end that will swallow you whole if you set it that way, and also that standard baked-in aggressive upper-mid thing that a lot of Mesa gear seems to have. I love my Walkabout, and it has the upper mid thing to some degree, but with the Carbine I just couldn't dial it out. I play with a pick, and like some brightness... on the M6 it was just pure gank. I had to roll my tone way down and wasn't able to get the simultaneous low-mid whomp and top-end clang that I prefer (and can easily get from my Walkabout). Also, its got a whole heckuva lot of attack, which could be good if you're into that. Personally, I like a little more note bloom, but that should say something about my tastes.

A lot of what you said is why a lot of us LOVE this amp!

But I get what you mean. If you like more "note bloom" definitely look at the M-Pulse 600. That thing rules for the more "Walkabout" kinda style.

However I play with a pick too and don't get any "gack" at all... But when I use a pick I have my GEQ set to a certain way, and with fingerstyle I use the "2" Voicing. I just figured out you can footswitch the GEQ off/on and bypass the Voicing when doing so. Very cool.