Scared of M9

MEKer · #1 10-28-2011, 08:49 AM

Always had the lust for a MB M9, but reading of all the broke-down/had-to-send-it-in stories has me too paranoid to pull the trigger when my moolah is piled up for it. DAMMIT!
Guess I oughta go with the highest wattage Ampeg, TC Electronic, GK or a Crown. Sheesh...........

rockstarbassist · #2 10-28-2011, 08:55 AM

Mine IIRC is a 2010 model with the updated heat-sink mod done. It's seen pretty heavy gigging at high levels the last 10 months. 0 issues yet and we're pretty tough on gear.

Darth Handsome · #3 10-28-2011, 09:10 AM

No issues here either.

Jim Carr · #4 10-28-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

Mine IIRC is a 2010 model with the updated heat-sink mod done. It's seen pretty heavy gigging at high levels the last 10 months. 0 issues yet and we're pretty tough on gear.

+1
As the sad owner of ser. #34, (two trips to Petaluma, and one to the local authorized tech), you definately don't want an older one.

rockstarbassist · #5 10-28-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

+1
As the sad owner of ser. #34, (two trips to Petaluma, and one to the local authorized tech), you definately don't want an older one.

I've been keeping up with your events.

Brojo sent man, that does indeed blow. This is one major amp and I hate you gotta go through all that.

One of the drivers in one of my PH212's is already blown or about to blow, so I'm about to have a run-in with Mesa's warranty and CS myself here soon. It's what I get for buying off the GC floor, even if it was a good "deal". :facepalm:

**Chef** · #6 10-28-2011, 09:49 AM

I had a Fathom. It had issues.
I had an early M6.
It had issues.
When Mesa finally sorted them, I had a great M6.

My first M9 had issues.
My second one has been rock solid.

Bummer that they've had early run issues with these.

jfitz451 · #7 10-28-2011, 10:33 AM

Yes, I've had similar thoughts to the OP. I have had great results with their guitar amps (big Mesa guitar amp fan). I also have concerns with the way the master volume reportedly works (a nudge sends it from loud to earthquake). I asked in the mega Carbine 6 thread why would Mesa make the volume that way and why don't they fix it to perform like any other bass amp you would buy? I asked if anyone with access to Mesa asked about the volume issue. I know that you can adjust the pre-amp but Mesa says in the manual that the best results are setting the gain from 12:00 to 2:20.

I am encouraged by Chef's comments and I live in San Francisco, so taking the unit to Mesa is not a problem. Buying Mesa helps out the local economy.

Good luck to you Dr. Jim, I'm sure when you get to the right people Mesa will make it right for you, too bad it's a hassle getting to right people. Maybe someone who knows the company can refer you to someone who will take care of you.

**Chef** · #8 10-28-2011, 10:35 AM

I don't have an issue with the input/master volumes.
Yeah, it'd be nice if it were different, but it's totally manageable, by me anyway.

rockstarbassist · #9 10-28-2011, 11:02 AM

I don't have an issue either with the input/gain staging at all. The settings are just suggestions. I like headroom and like a pretty clean sound from my amp (I add dirt/OD at the pedalboard level) so my Gain is usually at about 10-11:00, max. Anything past 12 just makes me have to re-EQ all my settings.

rpsands · #10 10-28-2011, 11:19 AM

5 year warranty dude. And solid support. I'd never hesitate to buy a new Mesa amp on worries about reliability.

MEKer · #11 10-28-2011, 12:14 PM

great input-----thx

**Chef** · #12 10-28-2011, 12:39 PM

5 year transferable warranty, so, if you get the receipt with a used one, you're still good for the remaining time

chris lykins · #13 10-28-2011, 12:44 PM

Yup I have a titan and a m9 both with zero issues! I love my Mesa gear.

Crabby · #14 10-28-2011, 01:19 PM

My first M9 didn't actually have any issues but Mesa agreed to upgrade it as a preventive measure. All went well until I got the amp back from the factory with a bent rack ear and scuffs on the front face. I didn't have to follow up with Mesa as my dealer was fantastic and provided me with a new updated M9 right away and it has been flawless so far.

I think Mesa would save a lot of people being frustrated if they would go the extra mile and offer either exchanged units to owners of earlier issue Carbines or cover the shipping to have them retrofitted. There was obviously a problem with the earlier ones overheating and it appears that this issue has been solved through the upgrade package. Its just that my experience and what appears to be the experience of others is that Mesa customer service reps are defensive about the issue and not particularly forthcoming with assistance and information.

Strange behavior from a "boutique" amp company that offers such a long warranty makes solid products.

lomo · #15 10-28-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

5 year transferable warranty, so, if you get the receipt with a used one, you're still good for the remaining time

FWIW I once had a Walkabout fixed under warranty, even though I bought it used and had no receipt. On another note, My M9 is in for repairs but is a very recent one (2010). Yeah, the carbines seem to have reliability issues, but MAN OH MAN the tone and power and flexibility are the shiznit!

Hizzoner · #16 10-28-2011, 02:09 PM

I found Mesa CS to be helpful, fairly slow(I think they only have hours m-th), but thorough..maybe a little passive aggressive. Their CS is not on a level of Genz Benz IMO, but still...not bad

My newer(2010) m9 is on its way back after minor repair/upgrades

I get the sense they are continually approving the design..

lomo · #17 10-28-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hizzoner

I get the sense they are continually approving the design..

This is actually a plus IMO. The models don't change frequently, but rather are tweaked continuously. This also keeps used values higher.

Hizzoner · #18 10-28-2011, 04:02 PM

meant improve not approve..duh