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Carbine M6 vs. M9. Anyone Compare Them?

Crabby

Crabby

Dec 22, 2004
4,404
410
#1
I realize the M9 is only about $200 more then the M6 and am aware of the extra features and extra power. I am wondering if there is any tonal difference between the two. I have heard that the M9 is obscenely loud and that it may be overkill more most situations.

I quite like the simplicity of the M6 and am trying to convince myself that I don't need the graphic eq, compressor and extra power of the M9. But it almost seems silly to buy the M6 when the M9 comes with the extra features and a footswitch.

Anyone actually compared the two models?
 
#3
i was in the mesa store in hollywood about 2 weeks ago and played thru both. other than when the graphic eq was activated, i noticed no significant differences in tone (unlike comparing the two to an M Pulse 600). the overall voicing is identical according to mesa literature and the tech who assisted me in setting up various heads. (a cool, knowledgeable guy and a bass player himself.) after playing thru both i walked out with the M6 combo. i prefer it's relative simplicity and ease of use to the M9. i'm not a great fan of infinite tone controls, graphic eq's, compression, etc. i just like a few dials and that's it.

so, yes, i a/b'ed the two models and feel i lost nothing in buying the M6, plenty of power and tone shaping possibilites in a very user friendly package. anymore options would give me a headache. :D
 
#4
Very valid points indeed. I really don't desire a graphic eq and may or may not use the on board compressor so its a bit of a tough call. having a footswitch to mute the signal is nice to have but I do run a Korg pedal tuner as a mute switch for my other amps. I'm sure either one be be a great choice but I tend to over think these things.

What is surprising to me is that the local music store chain has the M9 in stock at almost every location across Canada but no M6's anywhere! hmmmmmm
 
#6
Not trying to sway you one way or another but here's two points about the M9.

1. The compressor on the M9 is very good. It's not a cheap add on. Now if they'd only make it footswitchable, it'd be perfect.

2. With the graphic eq, it's not just a graphic / preset situation. While you can set it up to have the graphic replace whatever preset you have selected, you can also have the graphic eq be added to the selected preset.

This was you can be using a preset then footswitch the graphic in to tweak the preset, not replace it.

LeonD
 
#16
RickenBoogie said:
Oh, I'm not saying you can't run a Mesa amp at 2 ohms, just that, according to Mesa, the Walkabout, MPulse 600, etc, are rated to 4 ohms, where the Carbines are rated for 2. I've run my Walkabout at 2 ohms plenty, Mesa makes solid gear.
Click to expand...

Actually... they don't say "rated"... they say "suggested". Semantics maybe but IMHO seems like a clear indication they were designed to run at 2 just fine. :bassist:
 
#17
Well everyone. I appreciate the opinions. I'm happy to say I just came home with a brand new M9! I found a new one in stock about an hour's drive away so made the trip out this afternoon. The amp was perfectly new but the store had already tossed the box. There was a tiny scratch on the top of the casing and the salesman took $100 off which I thought was pretty outstanding.

I picked up a three space shallow Gator rack as well and she fits perfectly. very reasonable to carry in one hand and i think the Gator cases are great for the money. I will try to get some pics up and initial impressions soon. I have wanted this amp since the day I tried one out and started on this crazy Mesa gear buying frenzy.
 
#19
Useful input, thanks. And greetings, NT guy. My wife is NT..

My daughter's bassist (Aroarah) is shopping around for a new rig before their next tour. She is interested in the M9 specifically. I saw the 2 ohm mention in the literature, but am always leery about running a solid state power section that low, so I figure 4 ohms is the limit.

I'm curious about the 5 position voice switching, and the tone controls in general. On thought is using the graphic EQ is to balance the overall system response, then leave it alone so the tone controls can be used to taste.

She needs the absolute loudest speaker package in the smallest pack space. I'm mulling over a 2x15 3015LF and 4x10 Delta10B package all running at 4 ohms and crossed at 250 Hz.
 

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