New Mesa All Tube Amps - Strategy and Prodigy (fresh start) - Page 5

Matt Dean · #81 08-20-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoBass

+1

I had that exact same experience with that amp. Very boring sounding.

-2... can't say I've had the same experience. my buster 200 sounds SO much better than my walkabout. just so much juicier.

pfschim · #82 08-20-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

-2... can't say I've had the same experience. my buster 200 sounds SO much better than my walkabout. just so much juicier.

well, I am a huge fan of the Walkabout and have used one as my primary rig for the past 6 years. I also had a Buster for about a year, so I have experience with both.

I did not think the Buster was "boring' so much as it did not sound like what I expect a tube amp to sound like (and I am an old tube amp user from waaaay back). I guess it was just too linear of a design to really give that tube warmth and compression that many tube amp user are seeking. My Buster was very punchy, just not very warm sounding. Oddly enough, the hybrid design Walkabout provides a much more of that warm "tube" influenced sound to my ears.

Engineering - Go figure.

In any event, I'm glad you like your Buster.

Still no insights into the long awaited Prodigy/Strategy line ?

anderbass · #83 08-21-2012, 08:07 AM

I owned a Buster 1x15 for several years and agree with pfschim and SactoBass.

I actually thought my Buster sounded awesome played solo, but I tried that combo with several different types of rock bands and just never got the feel I wanted in the mix. I even tried it powering my favorite cab (NV610) and with my favorite pedal (tech-21, VT-bass) .

Again, I dug my Busters tone, It was just that razor-sharp/fast-feel I couldn't get used too, I prefer the slight-sag feel/response I get from my Mesa D-180 and 400+ much better.

I ended up swapping my Buster to my amp tech (T/B member timv) for a mint Peavey Classic 400. That amp has an 8 x KT88 powertube section and I swear Its got way more of the power tube-sag feel that I dig than my Buster did. (bummer the classic is so dang heavy though)

My amp tech discovered Buster's have the same output transformer as the 400+ uses. (they actually have an extra/unused speaker tap that's capped-off inside) My tech said that over-spec'd tranny is most likely why Busters have such a tight/fast feel and response. Some bassist really seem to dig this feel/response & some of us just dont...

anderbass · #84 08-21-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

Still no insights into the long awaited Prodigy/Strategy line ?

I'm thinking those new Fender tube/bass models sounded so good that Mesa went back to the drawing board to further improve their new tube models...

Matt Dean · #85 08-21-2012, 08:19 AM

I like the quickness of the buster and how it sits in the mix... so does my band. Go figure and to each their own!

Anyway, I am looking forward to when the new mesa amps will actually hit the market. And I will likely try one out. I just wish they would release it. Any thoughts on why the delay?

pfschim · #86 08-21-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

I like the quickness of the buster and how it sits in the mix... so does my band. Go figure and to each their own!

Anyway, I am looking forward to when the new mesa amps will actually hit the market. And I will likely try one out. I just wish they would release it. Any thoughts on why the delay?

I may actually have some insight on these soon. I believe a beta version is soon to be released in very small numbers for trial and comment. There may have been some design and engineering changes made from the units that were shown at Musikmesse.

One potential change is a move from 6L6's to KT88's. But again, until anyone gets to see/play one in person, we will not know.

we shall see.

chief redcok · #87 08-27-2012, 12:28 AM

When will the waiting end, c'mon Mesa..

pfschim · #88 08-27-2012, 12:10 PM

I'm getting the impression that Randal and the team up in Petaluma decided to move the design of the power section from 6L6's (as in the prototypes that were shown at Musikmesse this past winter) to KT88's, which probably required an entire system reset as well as a change in production tooling.

so, we may just have to be patient a bit longer. For those who can't wait, there are certainly some nice all tube options out there already from Fender, Ampeg, Traynor and Peavey (and I'm sure I'm missing other).

Lex P. · #89 08-27-2012, 12:14 PM

Subscribed

metron · #90 08-27-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

I'm getting the impression that Randal and the team up in Petaluma decided to move the design of the power section from 6L6's (as in the prototypes that were shown at Musikmesse this past winter) to KT88's, which probably required an entire system reset as well as a change in production tooling.

so, we may just have to be patient a bit longer. For those who can't wait, there are certainly some nice all tube options out there already from Fender, Ampeg, Traynor and Peavey (and I'm sure I'm missing other).

KT88 designs would be interesting. Do you have some insider knowledge on that or is it pure rumor or speculation?

monsterthompson · #91 08-27-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfschim

For those who can't wait, there are certainly some nice all tube options out there already from Fender, Ampeg, Traynor and Peavey (and I'm sure I'm missing other).

majortoby · #92 08-27-2012, 01:24 PM

Calaverasgrande · #93 08-27-2012, 02:18 PM

I am dissapointed. I do not see any compelling reason to buy this Strategy tube Bass amp. It does not have a whole lot that it does that my Bass 400 doesn't do, aside from power output switching.
Which is nice, but then I would be doubling the amount of tubes I need to replace when I retube, for one feature of dubious merit.
I wish that they had done soemthing similar to the Peavey Classic 400, but as light as the VB3.
Instead it's just another very symetrical faceplate with the same old preamp that they have used for the last decade or so. In case they haven't noticed, gain is in for bassists. Heavy music is back in vogue.
These amps are for weekend warriors that want to be able to blow down doors, but will never crank up that loud in their basements.

I've got the disposable income, but I will probably go for a Reeves Verellen or Matamp before I go Mesa, if the features stay the same.

I also really don't get why bass manufacturers like Musicman and Mesa regurgitate pre-existing product names.
Mesa had a product already called the Strategy. There was the Strategy 400 and Strategy 500. Great power amps. I have even seen them used for PA. Though they more commonly were the basis of 80s-90s rack setups.
And of course Musicman with the Musicman Sterling, the Sterling by Musicman and then the Musicman SUB and Sterling by Musicman SUB.

pfschim · #94 08-27-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I've got the disposable income, but I will probably go for a Reeves Verellen or Matamp before I go Mesa, if the features stay the same.

well I'm sure that the folks in Petaluma will be losing sleep over this declaration .. for sure.

my only suggestion might be to, umm.... wait until there is an actual amp available to check out for yourself, and then decide if it might/might not work for your needs.

could very possibly be that, if you own/gig a 400/400+ as you claim, that neither of these amps will fit a need for you.

patience can be a virtue.

pfschim · #95 08-27-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

KT88 designs would be interesting. Do you have some insider knowledge on that or is it pure rumor or speculation?

yes

monsterthompson · #96 08-27-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I am dissapointed. I do not see any compelling reason to buy this Strategy tube Bass amp. It does not have a whole lot that it does that my Bass 400 doesn't do, aside from power output switching.

perhaps you are not their target demo. there is nothing else like it in their current product lineup. they probably aren't looking to get people to give up on existing, functioning products they already own.

Sartori · #97 08-27-2012, 11:16 PM

It does have a completely different preamp.

ChuckTrucks · #98 08-28-2012, 02:12 AM

The thing that concerns me is a 5 way voicing switch for the mids, things like this dont always end up working well or can be annoying to switch back and forth between sounds, on the other hand sometimes they can be set and forget. So who knows.

They look really cool.

monsterthompson · #99 08-28-2012, 08:57 AM

The Carbine execution is pretty good, regarding the mid voice control, so I'd expect it to work well here too.

Calaverasgrande · #**100** 08-28-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

It does have a completely different preamp.

well, different than the 400/400+ but the same as the M6/M9 right? I don't like the M6/M9 pre. It reminds me of an episode of Top Gear. They take out the latest Lambo for a spin and Jeremy Clarkson goes on about how the Lamborghini thing is to fight you around turns, accelerate recklessly and feel every bump in the road. The new car apparently is just too refined to really invoke the seat of your pants terror of the classic Lambo.
That's how I feel about the M6/M9 preamp. I might buy one someday for a plain old solid rock n roll amp. But they aren't the fire breathing monsters that the Bass 400 and 400+ are.
I guess it is my fault for expecting Mesa to top their previous creations. Randall Smith doesn't design the bass amps anymore. The guy who does is just really into symmetry of the faceplate.
If KT88's are a possibility for the power section that may also mean LESS power tubes. A sextet of KT88 can easily equal the 12 6L6 power section. I have never had a KT88 powered amp, but anything is better than 12 6L6! (though I do have to admit there is a certain Gee Whiz about having that many tubes)