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

[nukes_da_bass]

Any update on these amps? The only reference to them on the Mesa site is in the weight spec PDF and simply states "TBA".

[MSUsousaphone]

It's about time someone put a TuBA emulator in one of these things.

[nukes_da_bass]

Originally Posted by MSUsousaphone

It's about time someone put a TuBA emulator in one of these things.

Pull my finger...

[map34157]

Lol

[jbird]

Jimbo says, like the rest of us......they're still in the dark....no word as to an ETA.

[Jazzbass2010]

Namn 2013 ??? Keeping fingers crossed

[Calaverasgrande]

this is starting to seem like vaporware.
It's been 3 years I have been hearing about them.
Yet to see one.

[nukes_da_bass]

I have to think this is because the folks at Mesa take QC to the highest level. I have owned two Mesa amps and there were never QC issues.

Perhaps they screwed the pooch by talking up these amps too early???

The only thing that could get me to sell my 400+ would be a 35 lb 400+!

[lomo]

Originally Posted by nukes_da_bass

I have to think this is because the folks at Mesa take QC to the highest level. I have owned two Mesa amps and there were never QC issues.

Perhaps they screwed the pooch by talking up these amps too early???

The only thing that could get me to sell my 400+ would be a 35 lb 400+!

Although the 400 and mPulse series are rock solid, they sure didn't get the QC right before the release of the Carbines (although IMHO they hit the tone and performance off the right field wall for a triple) . I wonder if, given all the issues with the M6 and 9, they decided to subject the new tube designs to a longer test period and discovered significant issues requiring considerable design changes?

[nukes_da_bass]

Originally Posted by lomo

Although the 400 and mPulse series are rock solid, they sure didn't get the QC right before the release of the Carbines (although IMHO they hit the tone and performance off the right field wall for a triple) . I wonder if, given all the issues with the M6 and 9, they decided to subject the new tube designs to a longer test period and discovered significant issues requiring considerable design changes?

I was not aware of the QC issues of the latest hybrid series. I have only ever owned 400+ and Buster! Amps.
I'm all for intrepid QC because I truly envision owning one of the new tube models, and lord knows they are gonna be pricey!

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by lomo

Although the 400 and mPulse series are rock solid, they sure didn't get the QC right before the release of the Carbines (although IMHO they hit the tone and performance off the right field wall for a triple) . I wonder if, given all the issues with the M6 and 9, they decided to subject the new tube designs to a longer test period and discovered significant issues requiring considerable design changes?

Maybe getting burned recently is a factor, as you say. They might want to be absolutely sure that there won't be issues with these.

It's not a huge concern for me, though, as I don't have the cash for one right now.

[Jim C]

I'm still confused as to the marketing philosophy to release news of a new amp and then let 7 months go by without any more info.
Can only be an unusual marketing plan or an unexpected problem in production or reliability.
Here's to hoping they get it sorted quickly.
The older I get, the more I want to avoid any company who makes claims this far into the future.

[sunbeast]

I rarely see any amps these days that aren't announced pretty far before release, and for such a high price item that makes alot of sense as no-one can afford to have them just sitting around on a shelf waiting for a sale after release. There is also the whole NAMM-release thing, wherein most companies are trying to capitalize on NAMM shows for the publicity of having a big release, even if it really isn't near ready for the public (seems most smaller manufacturers are guilty of that). It worked- look how much anticipation has grown for them on here since they were first unveiled at some industry shows. Can't beat that kinda free advertising...

[pfschim]

I keep getting glimpses/hints of the status, but have not seen one in the wild.

They went over big in a Nashville private review with some session cats there back in the fall.

McCartney has apparently seen them recently in a late prototype stage and ordered a set for his touring rig.
Speaking of the man, did anyone catch Sir Paul's rig on the 12-12-12 concert ? Looked pretty much like 2 Strategy500's, one driving a Diesel 2x15, the other driving a Diesel 1516. Of course his sound is all FOH at these size gigs, but its still cool to see that killer Mesa gear being used.

So, they do exist, at least in a limited prototype stage, and I expect they will be out in the wild soon. OTOH, given the nature of these amps, I would not expect them to be made in the 1000's of unit runs though. I would think they would be more like the Ampeg heritage series, limited runs for people who will shell out that kind of dough for them.

Stay tuned

[FC Bass]

Originally Posted by pfschim

did anyone catch Sir Paul's rig on the 12-12-12 concert ? Looked pretty much like 2 Strategy500's, one driving a Diesel 2x15, the other driving a Diesel 1516. Of course his sound is all FOH at these size gigs, but its still cool to see that killer Mesa gear being used.

Bass 400 and Bass 400+
One 15 inch speaker (from the 1516) is miked, so foh is getting some of the Boogie sound

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by FC Bass

Bass 400 and Bass 400+
One 15 inch speaker (from the 1516) is miked, so foh is getting some of the Boogie sound

ahh, thanks for the clarification. From my vantage point (and allowing for my ageing eyesight) I thought those amps looked like Strategy's.

Don't know how long Macca has been using the Mesa gear, but it's cool to see him do so. I think I saw the same rig on another televised show in the past year or so.

[Downunderwonder]

Far better to disappoint by not providing than make the customers into test guinea pigs. The fans can rely on the vintage amps for as long as it takes to sort the new ones.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Far better to disappoint by not providing than make the customers into test guinea pigs. The fans can rely on the vintage amps for as long as it takes to sort the new ones.

+1000

Talk about it for as long as you like, Mesa, but PLEEEEAASE do not sell it until you have it right!!!

[Green Lantern]

Paul McCartney has been using Mesa Boogie 400+ and Boogie cabs for a long time. I recently saw him use a Ashdown amp and was thinking now with the 400+ being discontinued for a while maybe has has gone to them. Though I still love the sound of my prior Boogie 400+, today's Class D amps seem to offer any sound you want at the fraction of the cost, a fraction of the weight, and a fraction of any maintenance.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by GregC

FWIW, I just looked back at my subscribed threads: Fender first posted a pic of its new tube Bassman gear online in May 2011, but it wasn't available until January 2012. And six months after that, I still have yet to see the amps or cabs in any Chicago stores.

Mesa first posted word of their new tube amps in February of this year. So I'm cutting them some slack.

I posted the above five months ago. For me, it was 14 months from the first pictures of the Fender Bassman amps to seeing them in stores.

Mesa's now at the 10-month mark by my reckoning. Given that these amps still aren't officially on the Boogie site, they're almost certainly going to surpass the wait for the Bassman amps.

On the other hand, I probably won't have the scratch for one of these amps until at least late next summer.