Similar to Mesa Big Block 750?

[cjac9]

Hey All-
What's similar to a Mesa BB 750? I've tried one out and really dug it but want to try out other heads in it's class if they're out there.

Going for a classic rock tone w/o the all-tube rig. Totally love the voicing knob so I can switch to a more scooped R&B tone quickly. Or push them when I need to step out a little.

Thanks!

[Crabby]

There is nothing that will compare for what this amp specifically does. I sold mine this year simply because I usually ran it clean and my Walkabout head was almost as loud, just as fat and actually has a nicer tube breakup when using the clean channel on the BB750. The BB750 is a monster of an amp and my band mates still think it was the best tone I ever had. If the switchable overdrive is something you need, there are so many simple overdrive pedals that work well with bass that I would concentrate on finding an amp that gives you the primary tone that you are looking for and just use a pedal to add some grit.

Otherwise the GK 2001RB has a switchable overdrive channel but its a very different sounding (but good) amp. Its a lot heavier but might be something that interests you.

As a card carrying Mesa fanboy, I would also highly recommend something else from the Mesa if the BB750 isn't quite your thing.

[cjac9]

Don't need the OD channel. Just really dig the sound of pushing the preamp tubes in this amp.

[Crabby]

Ahh then the Walkabout is likely exactly what you want as long as you don't need to be stupid loud. The Walkabout is simply glorious as you can run super clean to full on overdrive just by tweaking the input gain. The magic is finding the sweet spot where your tone is filled with tube harmonics but not quite breaking up yet. The BB750 breaks up too but not as sweetly as the Walkabout. I don't think there is anything else quite like the Walkabout on the market. Its so tubey and sweet and the loudest 300 watts I have ever heard.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Crabby

Ahh then the Walkabout is likely exactly what you want as long as you don't need to be stupid loud. The Walkabout is simply glorious as you can run super clean to full on overdrive just by tweaking the input gain. The magic is finding the sweet spot where your tone is filled with tube harmonics but not quite breaking up yet. The BB750 breaks up too but not as sweetly as the Walkabout. I don't think there is anything else quite like the Walkabout on the market. Its so tubey and sweet and the loudest 300 watts I have ever heard.

+1 Unique heads. And, at 8ohm or 4ohms, the Walkabout easily keeps up with the BB750 (the '750' is only achieved at 2ohms).

As I've posted recently, Genz Benz is coming out with a new hybrid head with three 12ax7's in the preamp section, and a 600 or 900 watt class D/SMPS power section (about 8 pounds or so). No one has heard them yet, but the design goals of that amp seem to line up with the Walkabout class of amp tonally. Might be worth it for the OP to wait another 4 weeks until the Genz Benz Streamliner starts shipping and some clips and reviews are posted.

That being said, if you are looking for 'that tone' and don't need massive power, it is almost impossible to beat the Walkabout for that 'clean but super warm/tubey' tone. Nothing else like it on the market as of 12/24/10.

The TC Electronics RH450 is another head that the OP might look at... darker and chewier than the Walkabout... louder, but a different sort of 'warm tube tone' that is a bit more 'Ampeg-like' to my ear.

[georgestrings]

I actually traded my BB750 and some cash for a new M-pulse 600, and am very happy with the move... I don't use heavy OD, but can still get plenty of tube preamp OD sound with the M-Pulse... Although I really liked the sound of the BB750 *by itself*, it had a tendancy to disappear in a band mix... I can definitely hear myself better with the same basses and cabs with the M-pulse 600 than I ever could with the BB750... Also, although the BB750 was always plenty loud enough, it should be noted that the M-pulse 600 will get even louder...


- georgestrings

[cjac9]

Where does the M9 fit into all of this?

[lomo]

Originally Posted by cjac9

Where does the M9 fit into all of this?

Carbines occupy an entirely different tonal universe from the "simul-state" heads. Cleanish, warm, deeper, wider and shinier on top. Much less grind. More modern/fast and less old school.

[cjac9]

Cool. Thanks everyone! I'll be sure to check out the walkabouts too.

[cjac9]

Found a killer deal on Craig's for a BB750 so I jumped on it. Any ideas how to clean the dust out of the vinyl case??

Sounds great through my 112. Can't wait to try out the 810 tomorrow.