Mesa Simul Class 295 for bass?

hotsnake · #1 03-04-2011, 07:43 PM

Have the option to buy a Mesa Simul Class 295 power amp this weekend for a good price.

Any thoughts about using this for a bass amp setup?

I want to run my two Sunn heads (Coliseum and Concert) through the stereo channels on the Mesa to get that "tube sound" out of the Sunn's solid-state preamps.

I guess I need to try it out to know, but will this be enough power to keep up with a LOUD LOUD LOUD LOUD LOUD LOUD LOUD drummer and a Guitarist with 120 tube watts running through 2 4x12s?

Currently have the two sunn heads through an ampeg fridge 8x10 (concert) and an ampeg v2 4x12 (Coliseum) fridge but this is *barely* cutting it.

I have the option of going stereo or mono bridged with the mesa power amp. thinking i might bridge it for use with the concert into the 8x10, as my biggest weakness right now is lack of low end boom. The coliseum/v2 setup cuts through much better.

any thoughts?

Gar Bear · #2 03-04-2011, 08:19 PM

Hi HS,

I had this amp for a while and put it into bass service when my Carvin R1000/Cyclops developed a failure as a temp fix.. I connected each channel to a MB 1x18 and MB 4x10 respectively from a pre-amp that I can't remember; maybe my Tech-21 Bass Driver DI. I didn't like how it sounded in rehearsal with my Pop 5-piece.

I like a clean and deep sound with a little edge and the 2:95 was kinda stressed sounding. I think the power capacity was inadequate for my taste/needs. I like headroom and lots of it, so...

hotsnake · #3 03-05-2011, 04:00 PM

very good, thanks for the response. the lack of headroom you mention is likely going to be the make-it-or-break-it factor. like i said before, my drummer is insanely loud and guitarist as well. i'm thinking the only way i'll be able to compete is bridging the two channels for about 200 watts mono. did you try this or was it always run in stereo?

Gar Bear · #4 03-07-2011, 02:03 PM

Sorry for the delay.
Never ran it bridged. It don't think it would've made a difference because the output transformer will deliver all the power available at the various load impedances. Unlike SS power amps.