Mesa Boogie's Next All Tube Head

Matt Dean · #1 03-19-2010, 12:49 PM

What do you think Mesa's next all tube head should be?

I've been thinking about trading my current head for a Mesa D-180, but the thing holding me back is it's sub 200 watt rating. So, I had a fantasy that Mesa's next head would be a reissue of sorts of the D-180... but call it a D-225. The new head would keep the very cool cascading circuits of the 180, but have a legit 225 watts.

What's your fantasy Mesa all tube head?

bassteban · #2 03-19-2010, 12:50 PM

What you said.

Krügmeister · #3 03-19-2010, 12:55 PM

Matt,
The 180 watt rating is a non issue really.
It will likely be a year or so before Mesa puts out another all tube, just in time for next years NAMM.
While the D-180 isn't as loud as my Titan or 400+ it is loud in it's own right.
Plus if you don't like it... call me

Matt Dean · #4 03-19-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krügmeister

Matt,
The 180 watt rating is a non issue really.
It will likely be a year or so before Mesa puts out another all tube, just in time for next years NAMM.
While the D-180 isn't as loud as my Titan or 400+ it is loud in it's own right.
Plus if you don't like it... call me

I like your persistence. I was having kind of a hard time dialing in my mp600 last night and thought long about that 180.

Now, back to the topic at hand... what would you like to see mesa do for their new all tube head?

goldenglory18 · #5 03-19-2010, 01:11 PM

Either a more vintage version of the 400+, or a an tube Walkabout clone.

()smoke() · #6 03-19-2010, 01:24 PM

maybe something similar to the 400 with the addition of semi-parametric eq...instead of the sliders

Joe Gress · #7 03-19-2010, 01:27 PM

Mesa Boogie 600+

Please? Please? Please?

YL_Bass · #8 03-19-2010, 01:37 PM

I want the 400+ back...

silky smoove · #9 03-19-2010, 01:37 PM

The difference from 180 watts to 225 watts wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Matt Dean · #10 03-19-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silky smoove

The difference from 180 watts to 225 watts wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Then maybe a 400+² that has the D-180's circuits?

Do any of our industry insiders have any inklings of what might be coming down the pipeline?

suraj · #11 03-19-2010, 03:14 PM

What smoke said..

suraj · #12 03-19-2010, 03:17 PM

I'd also actually love the 400 to run 8 x KT88's and give a legit "400" watts..!!
I quite like everything else..

Im surethe next thing mesa makes will put me into depression..!! GAS..!! ah it kills..!!

Jefenator · #13 03-19-2010, 03:30 PM

My old Bass 400 pretty much covers it. Light enough to tote in one hand, fills the room way up and offers dynamic response like nothing else I've ever tried.

It would sure be nice to see that available again, brand new. (Not holding my breath.)

I'd also love to see that available w/ just the power section. (M-180 reissue.)

JimiLL · #14 03-19-2010, 03:33 PM

Rackmountable 401+ 300 watts, 5 band eq, DI with post/pre ground lift and send level, fx loop, ADJUSTABLE INPUT PAD!!!!!!!!! And an on board "power brake" for that killer tone at reasonable levels

Come to think of it, if some of these brands would start making all tube heads with modern features.... there could be a whole new market scheme

JGR · #15 03-19-2010, 04:09 PM

I asked the guys at the Mesa Hollywood store about what as coming when I was out there last spring - it is obviously very hush, hush - all I could get out of him was "something with KT88's."

Matt Dean · #16 03-19-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGR

I asked the guys at the Mesa Hollywood store about what as coming when I was out there last spring - it is obviously very hush, hush - all I could get out of him was "something with KT88's."

jimmyjames77 · #17 03-19-2010, 04:38 PM

A 400+ with more midrange emphasis that stays clean when pushed. Pushing should introduce more harmonics but not Distortion.

derridiandrift · #18 03-19-2010, 04:39 PM

I liked the sound of the 400 better than the 400+ so my fantasy would be if they built a head using four or six 6550 tubes and a pair of 12AU7 drivers. The preamp would have to have cascading gain stage. Eq section would be low shelf, low mid, hi-med, hi shelf. No graphic eq. Nice transformer DI, slave in and out.

It would have to look like a classic head, not rackmount unit, and not a rack mount unit put into a tolex box either. It would have sexy looking tolex with colour options (which they already do on much of their line). Oh, and the tubes would have to be clearly visible through a wire mesh/cage type of construction on the front and back of the amp. I love that aspect of the Fender 300.

Calaverasgrande · #19 03-19-2010, 04:48 PM

I think the idea of a "modern" tube head is silly. If you want a modern tone you get a nice polite solidstate head with a graphic eq, enhancer and parametric eq. I remember my first SWR. I would spend HOURS fiddling with that bank of semi parmetric eq!
Tube heads are about rawness to me. If Mesa want to own the tube bass head market again they should come out with a higher powered D180/Bass 400+.
All the techs I talk with about the 400/400+ laugh at the watt ratings on those. Beyond what the tubes can do, the amps are constrained by the transformers. Power tranny only supplies so much to the tubes. Output tranny can only transfer so much to the cones!
I am hoping for something in the plus 400 watt club. Not peak watts, RMS.
6550 or KT88. Maybe 8 or 10 KT's, big output tranny, and some kind of toroid power supply that lightens it up a little.
I really hope they stay away from toy features like "enhancers" and fancy EQs. To me EQ is a last resort. And make it have some drive! Parallel drive with clean would be awesome (I already do that with the 400)

Calaverasgrande · #20 03-19-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyjames77

A 400+ with more midrange emphasis that stays clean when pushed. Pushing should introduce more harmonics but not Distortion.

More midrange? that thing is all midrange! i cant play it without my mid knob at 5 or lower.