Which Mesa head

klejst · #1 08-18-2011, 07:53 PM

I have narrowed it down to some choices I would want to get for a new bass head. Below are my choices. Please if you have owned, do own, or have experience with any or all please tell me pros and cons and/or which one would you choose and why?

1. Mesa/Boogie Bass Buster 200w (All tube)
2. Mesa/Boogie Walkabout 300w (Hybrid)
3. Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ (All tube)
4. Mesa M3/6/or 9 Carbine

I play in a original rock band, we do play loud, and I use a Mesa PH610 as my cab.

beatsbears · #2 08-18-2011, 07:55 PM

No love for the titan v-12 or big block 750?

klejst · #3 08-18-2011, 08:03 PM

I had heard and see those, but not considered them. However sure I suppose those could be added to the list. However was mainly curious about the ones on my list though.

georgestrings · #4 08-18-2011, 10:14 PM

I really like my M-pulse 600 - 'til I got my PH810, it was paired up with a PH610, and did just fine... I had a BB750 before that, and for *my* tastes, it didn't have enough clean volume - I play in a loud 2 guitar band, and like warm and mostly clean tone, with just a little grit/growl, lots of lows, clear highs, and enough mids to hear myself well... The BB750 would be good for someone who wants alot of grit, and it has a killer OD - one of the best I've ever heard... Also, IMO the M-pulse 600 is a louder amp than the BB750, and definitely more versatile...

Your 1st 2 choices don't provide enough clean volume for *my* needs, and neither will get as loud as the BB750 or M-p 600 - YMMV...

The M6/M9 are very good amps, but I wanted a little more tube-like warmth than I could get out of them, since I already had a 700rb-II for killer SS sound - so, I actually preferred the M-pulse 600 over the Carbines...

If I were looking for an all-tube amp, my short list would include the 400/400+, and Ampeg's SVT - hard to go wrong with either, if that's what you're looking for... although then you're dealing with significantly more weight, more size, and the quirks of an all tube amp...

As a direct comparison, the M-pulse 600 is a bit more powerful than my 700rb-II, but both have way more than I'll ever need... Where the Mesa shines over the G-K is that it can cop the clean SS sound of the G-K, or can get some really nice warm tube tone, and can be pushed into a nice OD sound - it's just more versatile...

I don't know if this helps, but I gave it a shot - here's mt racked M-P 600 on top of the PH610 I used to have:

I kept the PH810, and have a PH215 on order - although the PH610 did great for me for several years - it's a killer cab...

- georgestrings

sickest beast · #5 08-18-2011, 11:27 PM

I currently own and play a Buster Bass 200 head. I really like it, but since it's the only all tube bass head I've ever owned, I have a hard time comparing it to anything.

Ask me any specific questions about the amp and I'll do my best to give you a good answer.

ps; i play it through a 2x15 at 4ohms.

dmwynn · #6 08-18-2011, 11:31 PM

I own a Walkabout 12" combo and have toured relentlessly with it (averages to about 3 weeks per month) and recorded with it with success. I'm not averse to buying new but if you can find a good deal on one of these, it's pretty well worth it considering the portability and space-saving capabilities for the rest of the band. Even more so running it 2 cabs at 2 ohms. Sounds warm, not too boomy, just great all-around.

Sartori · #7 08-19-2011, 04:49 AM

I currently play a Mesa D-180, precursor to the 400/400+. Not especially heavy for a tube amp, as well as ridiculously loud through a big cab.

rodl2005 · #8 08-19-2011, 04:58 AM

Depending on your volume needs & amount of cabs you have/wanna use, ya can't beat the Walkabout.
It'll do 500+ watts @ 2 ohms, but, if you're like me, that means 2 x 115"s- 4 ohms & either 1x4 ohm 4x10, or 2x 8 ohm 410"s.
But it does get damn loud, & sound unlike ANY other light weight amp.

Peg_legs · #9 08-19-2011, 05:02 AM

I currently have the PH610 with a BB750. I like the mpulse 600, walkabout and the buster and big blocks. Here's the twist though... I like the walkabouts the best but as a combo with extension cab, the all tube amps with Bergantino NV sealed cabs, and the hybrids (mpulse and big blocks) with the powerhouse cabs.

rodl2005 · #10 08-19-2011, 05:04 AM

Just to add to that......
The Walkabout sounds superb thru the NV cabs, especially the NV215.

anderbass · #11 08-19-2011, 07:35 AM

klejst, I've owned a Buster and a 400+ for a long time. Looking at your profile (influences) info you seem to be more of a rocker like me, so just between these 2 amps I've got a feeling you'd prefer a 400+.

My Buster sounds good and all, but its a super clean tone with an ultra fast/punchy attack. If I played in a Jazz band or something I'd probably prefer my Buster, but I've tried it with several of my rock bands and always end up preferring the warmer, cushy-er tone and feel of my 400+.

chaosMK · #12 08-19-2011, 08:04 AM

All those heads are great. Maybe you can describe what type of sound or functionality you are looking for.

I've never played the Buster, but you'll find the 400/400+ to be very "direct" sounding and somewhat hifi & transparent for a tube head. The M-Pulse (available relatively inexpensively these days) is way warmer and less hard, capable of a lot of pretty sounds that I've never found on the 400/400+, with great features like an excellent Gain functionality and very useable compression.

M9 is truly a beast and earthquake machine but I felt it lacked some of the liveliness that a tube head has.

Din Of Win · #13 08-19-2011, 08:05 AM

The Buster Bass is the ONLY Mesa head i've ever liked on bass.

chaosMK · #14 08-19-2011, 09:56 AM

You guys are getting me very curious about the Buster, never considered it before. If it's like a bolder 400+, that's saying a lot. How is the OD on it?

HertzWhenIPlay · #15 08-19-2011, 10:17 AM

i LOVE my m-pulse 360.
i run an swr 4x10 and 1x15 stack from it.

when i first got the head i was having a hard time keeping up with a pair of 100w tube guitar stacks in a loud band. (this was with 1 cab at 8 ohms)
with the amp at 4 ohms and some eq experimenting, i have never looked back.

i Love my rig!

sickest beast · #16 08-19-2011, 11:37 AM

the Buster is 200 watts, so its possible to get some gain out of it, but like others have said, it sounds really nice clean. very warm, punchy. it's got a very tight attack. it has lots of features which some may like, such as a blendable effects loop, direct out, switchable graphic EQ, all of which i don't really use.

the mesa boogie buster bass 200 user manual is downloadable as a PDF, if I remember correctly the manual actually offers lots of good information on this amp.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/Bu...Bass%20200.pdf

Something tells me Mesa didn't make a ton of these amps (especially the head version) so I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. I would like to pick up a combo version, 1x15 would be great.

MarkusBass · #17 08-19-2011, 12:58 PM

Lots-o-walkabout love on TB! I'm one of them love it on top of my two walkabout combo cabs.

klejst · #18 08-19-2011, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I might just hold off right now. I guess it was just GAS for something new in a spur of the moment. My Peavey does good for me as it is right now.

Tajue17 · #19 08-19-2011, 04:20 PM

400+ --> I just haff tah..

Alex1984 · #20 08-19-2011, 04:42 PM

400+, you'll get clean headroom and nasty grit in spades.