My Mesa d180... - Page 6

Bassmec · #**101** 11-09-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Confirms my suspicions that Mesa have somehow jigged the EQ to cut out the sub bass. I have found my DB doesn't feed back as easily using the D180. Makes sense as the Diesel cabs are known to be loud but the speakers in them don't have a lot of xmax.

There is a preamp diagram I linked up the thead somewhere. All the preamp tube info is there.

Quite right it's the minimal 3.3 mm X Max that makes the speaker sound so good
And let's face it 180 tube watts rms is not going to need that much X Max if shared between two EV 15L's, I would much rather have the lower QTS figure and have some real efficiency and very usable midrange tone, than have a dedicated sub bass cab with no midrange response or efficiency to speak of.

This is the worlds worst bass guitar speaker, but it has utterly enormous X Max.

Calexia13 · #**102** 03-11-2013, 07:30 PM

Guys,

My D-180 is from 1982, I don't think it's ever been recapped, should this be done after a certain point, or should it be done when it starts affecting the sound? I have thought that my amp is not as loud as the 200 watt rating. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Downunderwonder · #**103** 03-11-2013, 07:47 PM

I asked NZ Mesa rep's tech, he said play it until it starts acting up. Mine seems a little on the quiet side for 200w too, but my main point of reference is my overachieving Trace.

Sartori · #**104** 03-11-2013, 07:49 PM

Is it supposed to be 200 watts, really? I thought it was rated at 180, hence the name.

Downunderwonder · #**105** 03-11-2013, 07:59 PM

200 is easier to type, alright, one hundred and eighty tube watts, not as massive as 250 ss ones here, contrary to all conventional TB wisdom.

Sartori · #**106** 03-12-2013, 01:56 AM

Depends on how clean you want it, I think. The D-180 isn't especially 'massive,' sounding without the right cab, I think. There are definitely louder, beefier amps out there. But paired with the right cab... man, it kicks.

Just got back from using mine with one of the two doom metal bands I'm in.

Downunderwonder · #**107** 03-12-2013, 02:06 AM

I haven't tried pushing the preamp hard with my EQ pedal while leaving the master on 10, might get more out of it I suppose. It's not like I need the volume anyway, I'm always playing with a big PA when I use it.

Sartori · #**108** 03-12-2013, 02:12 AM

I almost never have the master on 10, because then I have to turn Volume 2 up to about 7-8 to get it as nasty as I want it. And that's almost always way too loud.

Downunderwonder · #**109** 03-12-2013, 03:45 AM

Way too loud in a metal band, what the ????

It's not like my cabs are low on sensitivity. I'm always holding well back with the Trace but I use most of the output on the Mesa to get clean tones.

Maybe I should retube.

Sartori · #**110** 03-12-2013, 04:06 AM

Ah, see, that's where our approach differs. I never play it clean. Ever. Not even in my folk/rock band. Like I said, if I kept the master on 10, I'd have to turn up to at least 7 or 8 on Volume 2 to get the overdrive I want (for the metal stuff). That's just too damn loud as far as most soundpeople are concerned, especially through a 2x15.

When I play metal I also use the graphic EQ to boost the bejezuz out of 250hz and 625hz, which also results in more overdrive. I don't use the graphic EQ with the folk/rock band.

mpdd · #**111** 03-12-2013, 09:55 AM

volume 2 at 2.5 and master at 10 is loud enough for my purposes with 2 orange 115s, any louder and i think you could be in danger of drowning out some drummers

chaosMK · #**112** 03-12-2013, 10:32 AM

I dont know how many watts it really is... it's a loud little motha! Loud enough. I have yet to try it through a full stack, but it booms through my PH 410. It keeps up with my 6550-loaded Bass 400 in terms of volume. Might sound a dash better, IMO... a little more focused in the mids.

I've wanted to run it simultaneously with my Bass 400... using a gritted up Channel 1 on the D180. That would be some mean and nasty midrange punch. Unfortunately I don't play in a Doom band right now...

I'll actually try this experiment today. It will bug the neighbors.

map34157 · #**113** 03-12-2013, 05:44 PM

Played my recently purchased D180 again at practice last night. I gotta say, I'm REALLY enjoying it. I'm really enjoying the grindy/ growly tone I'm getting from it (although I'm sure some of the grind is coming from the bridge pup of my RIC). Still...loving the tone