Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
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- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Do tell all. I want a new head to possibly replace my lead CA6 sled.
It must do 2 ohms.
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Carbine M6 vs. M9. Anyone Compare Them?
- Thread starter Crabby
- Start date
Do tell all. I want a new head to possibly replace my lead CA6 sled.
It must do 2 ohms.
Good for you, and BIG congrats. I believe the M9 will probably be my next upgrade. Do I need ALL that power? Probably not......but, it's sure nice to have it on tap for that rare occasion when I might/do
Thanks mang. I am still in the initial honeymoon stage with the M9 but it is beyond belief powerful and loud. I did some comparing with my Mesa Big Block 750 and was downright shocked at the tonal differences. Using my Mesa Powerhouse 412 cab, a Stingray5 and switching back and forth between the two amps I noticed that the Big Block has nowhere near the available volume and headroom that the M9 has.
Although the M9 puts out 900watts against the Big Block's 540watts at 4 ohms, the difference in power seemed like 10 times that. I never realized how thick and colored the Big Block is which is not a bad thing at all but is so different when compared to the M9's crisp and clear tone.
The M9 is so deep and clear but I discovered that pumping up the input gain adds lots of thick tubey warmth. The mid select options are nice but the amp just sounds so "true" when set relatively flat that it just isn't necessary to use any radical eq.
I cant see myself ever actually needing the graphic but it was fun to mess with and works nicely. The compressor is very sweet but ever since discovering Mesa amps, I have lost my desire for compression. The Mesa pre amps have such a nice natural tube compression from the pre amp stage that using a compressor just doesn't seem necessary.
The M9 is so good sounding and so different from the Big Block but it doesn't make me like the Big Block any less. I just can't see me needing the Big Block with the M9 and my Walkabout in the stable.
Although the M9 puts out 900watts against the Big Block's 540watts at 4 ohms, the difference in power seemed like 10 times that. I never realized how thick and colored the Big Block is which is not a bad thing at all but is so different when compared to the M9's crisp and clear tone.
The M9 is so deep and clear but I discovered that pumping up the input gain adds lots of thick tubey warmth. The mid select options are nice but the amp just sounds so "true" when set relatively flat that it just isn't necessary to use any radical eq.
I cant see myself ever actually needing the graphic but it was fun to mess with and works nicely. The compressor is very sweet but ever since discovering Mesa amps, I have lost my desire for compression. The Mesa pre amps have such a nice natural tube compression from the pre amp stage that using a compressor just doesn't seem necessary.
The M9 is so good sounding and so different from the Big Block but it doesn't make me like the Big Block any less. I just can't see me needing the Big Block with the M9 and my Walkabout in the stable.
I'll be following in your footsteps, Crabby, and trying out an M9 Tuesday. The BB didn't add any readily appreciable headroom over my Walkabout so the M9 was the next level. I will certainly use the compressor (albeit very sparingly) which will allow me to sell my outboard unit and rationaize the difference in price from M6 to M9. I am really trying to lighten up my plucking hand touch most of the time and yearning for more headroom. The Walkabout gets me there, barely, dimed.
Yeah, the BB really doesn't start to crank until you get it to 2ohms. A bit of a strange spec on that one. The M6 will be like having three Walkabouts volume-wise (although you will lose that warm, tubey tone of the Walkabout). The M9... can't even imagine! I would think the graphic EQ would be a nice 'upgrade' to the M6 though, since I find it just a touch wide down low and a touch 'loose' in the upper bass/low mid 'punch' area with some cabs.. nice to have a bit more control down there.
I was never really that impressed with the Mesa compressor (I assume the M9 has the same one that the MPulse600 uses). Not bad, but it is one of those 'single band' type units that tends to compress the low end too much and not compress the higher strings, notes enough. Just IMO there, and I rarely use compression anyway (I'm no expert)
Chef
In Memoriam
I regularly run mine at 2 ohms. The switch on the back to select 2 ohms limits power to keep heat down.
Mesa are excellent with warranty support, so if you had issues, I'm certain they would have stood behind the head. I had an early production Fathom that did have issues unrelated to ohm performance, and Mesa stood steadfastly behind their product, and me as a customer.
What, specifically was your experience at 2 ohms?
Merely saying "don't do it, I had a bad experience" is neither informative nor helpful.
Mesa are excellent with warranty support, so if you had issues, I'm certain they would have stood behind the head. I had an early production Fathom that did have issues unrelated to ohm performance, and Mesa stood steadfastly behind their product, and me as a customer.
What, specifically was your experience at 2 ohms?
Merely saying "don't do it, I had a bad experience" is neither informative nor helpful.
Having an on board compressor is a nice feature and so far the M9's comp seems quite usable. I had settled on a Diamond compressor after years of trying various rack and pedal units. Don't know if I 'll need it all with this amp.
I can't imagine needing to ever run the M9 at 2 ohms but its nice to have the capability. The M9 is only 25 pounds so having it in a lightweight rack is actually a pretty easy carry in one hand.
I was surprised that the amp fit in a Gator shallow rack. It works just great. Doesn't look as cool as the Mesa headcase but it saves about 15 pounds in wood!
I can't imagine needing to ever run the M9 at 2 ohms but its nice to have the capability. The M9 is only 25 pounds so having it in a lightweight rack is actually a pretty easy carry in one hand.
I was surprised that the amp fit in a Gator shallow rack. It works just great. Doesn't look as cool as the Mesa headcase but it saves about 15 pounds in wood!
Chef
In Memoriam
I've had my M6 in both the 2 space SKB (really small and light) and the three space Gator bag (room for a tuner).
It was fine in either, even at 2 ohms.
It was fine in either, even at 2 ohms.
I went with the three space and added a vented plate on the front. I may invest in a rack tuner but I have a Pitchblack on my pedal board so i don't really need one.
The M9 certainly does put out some heat. I was surprised how warm the inside of the Gator case was after an hour or so of use. Nothing extreme but the Walkabout runs totally cool.
The M9 certainly does put out some heat. I was surprised how warm the inside of the Gator case was after an hour or so of use. Nothing extreme but the Walkabout runs totally cool.
So Crabby, which cab combination sounds best with the M9? I see you have several to choose from, whats your favorite so far?
Here's some updated shots from the Man-Cave!
Wow, I bet your wife or significant other has a lot of shoes! Gotta show pics of her shoe closet so we can see who wins
Crabby, you stole my rig! Outstanding! 
Regarding the EQ, I rarely use it. I've got the tone controls flat, the voicing control on 4. I've got the compressor engaged, but just barely. I could do without it.
Two band Stingray with Chromes running through this rig = LOVE.
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Regarding the EQ, I rarely use it. I've got the tone controls flat, the voicing control on 4. I've got the compressor engaged, but just barely. I could do without it.
Two band Stingray with Chromes running through this rig = LOVE.
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Seeing all these Mesa cabs makes me wonder how they compare with Bergantino, Epifani, and Aguilar cabs. I didn't think anything else existed outside of Bergs and Epifani's.....Hmmm....? I'll have to try one with my Mesa head when I get the opportunity.
What happened? Did you remember to switch the impedance switch to 2ohms in the back?
Chef
In Memoriam
Mesa cabs are high quality stick if they have the voice you want!
Not surprisingly, they pair quite well with Mesa heads
Not surprisingly, they pair quite well with Mesa heads
Mesa cabs are high quality stick if they have the voice you want!
Not surprisingly, they pair quite well with Mesa heads
Those cabs look like they're built like little tanks! They look heavy.
