Does the Mesa Big Block 750 have built in HPF?

[Thumpin6string]

Does anyone know if the BB750 has a built in HPF and if so, what frequency it is set at? I know that the class D Mesas do. Just trying to find out if I need to get an HPF pedal for this head.

 

[mazdah]

Since HPF is a pretty new silly fad and Big Block is a pretty old school hefty amp - i'd say no. And in my opinion you don't need HPF - build in or in a pedal - for this, or any other head.

 

[lowplaces]

 

[hamertek98]

Since HPF is a pretty new silly fad and Big Block is a pretty old school hefty amp - i'd say no. And in my opinion you don't need HPF - build in or in a pedal - for this, or any other head.

New silly fad?
Filters have been around for decades.

 

[Barticus]

Yep, this looks like a 10-pager… easy

 

[FunkHead]

We Mock what we don't understand.

 

[gtirard]

FWIW I'm neutral regarding HPF.

I never used one, I don't think I remember having problems with a boomy stage, but I'm intrigued.

For the moment, I've identified where to insert a variable HPF on the HX Stomp, so I will experiment live (for next gigs).

I'll see if it really helps (for me…)

 

[agedhorse]

The Big Block does have a HPF but it’s not nearly as effective as what we design into newer generation products.

HPFs have been around for decades in bass amps, I’ve been designing with them for about 30 years. 40 years if you include my pro audio designs.

 

[Barticus]

The Big Block does have a HPF but it’s not nearly as effective as what we design into newer generation products.

HPFs have been around for decades in bass amps, I’ve been designing with them for about 30 years. 40 years if you include my pro audio designs.

Ah, so it’s not a new fad??

 

[agedhorse]

Ah, so it’s not a new fad??

Nope, no matter what the AI internet experts say

 

[Silky Johnson]

Since HPF is a pretty new silly fad and Big Block is a pretty old school hefty amp - i'd say no. And in my opinion you don't need HPF - build in or in a pedal - for this, or any other head.

Have you ever used one?

 

[Slevage]

Since HPF is a pretty new silly fad and Big Block is a pretty old school hefty amp - i'd say no. And in my opinion you don't need HPF - build in or in a pedal - for this, or any other head.

I took some college level electronics courses over thirty years ago. The professors teaching the classes were in their 60’s and were quite familiar with HPF designs when they taught the subject.
It’s more about the speakers than the amplifier.

 

[SpiderBass1965]

I just brought my Big Block 750 out for a show last night. Great amp. I use a Helix HX Effects in front just for effects. Bergantino HD410 cab. Sounded great!

 

[logdrum]

HPF is probably as old as vintage microphones which have a low cut switch AKA HPF. I do not know when they started appearing on mixers, 50's 60's. In amplifiers, probably intrinsic to the circuits and has always been a limitation in soeakers/drivers which would have a natural roll off. But intentinal with user control, the first ones to add them are Acoustic Image amps, so quarter of a century. That's my guess anyway and probably builtin or user adjustable in PA amps. I am not sure if I've seen them in my old QSC amps.

 

[agedhorse]

I went back and looked at the Big Block curves because I didn't trust my memory... the HPF is ~20Hz on the Big Block and ~30Hz on the Carbine/Walkabout, all are roughly 6dB/octave sliding to 12dB/octave below 20Hz.

 

[burgerdj]

HPF are a fad for those who have better things to do than recone and replace speakers. I’ve never been so shamelessly “trendy” except when I got my first pair of Docs in the early 90s.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I took some college level electronics courses over thirty years ago. The professors teaching the classes were in their 60’s and were quite familiar with HPF designs when they taught the subject.
It’s more about the speakers than the amplifier.

I've been using variable high-pass filters for decades; first when running sound for bands, and eventually with my bass rig (two iterations of FDeck's hpf/pre, and one built into my AI Focus bass head).

They are the first amplifier control I typically adjust during backline check. Sometimes, however, after listening to my cab(s) on-stage, I will reposition my cab(s) before tweaking the hpf, e.g., elevating a cab, or moving it away from a corner.

Speaker placement and the adjustment of variable hpf are the first approach I use to tailor my rig to the unique acoustic characteristics of each venue.

Judicious adjustment of a variable hpf can make a conspicuous difference in the effect of eq adjustments, especially in the bass and low-mids. When playing double bass or fretless electric, adjusting hpf and eq can make it much easier to hear my intonation.

For apartment and condo dwellers, the judicious use of a variable hpf can be great for relationships with your fellow tenants.

 

[mazdah]

New silly fad?
Filters have been around for decades.

Well, looks like my amps and cabs are just older. Or designed by some incompetent guys like David Nordshow or Steve Rabe ;-)

We Mock what we don't understand.

Or what we find just quite silly as a "main feature".

I went back and looked at the Big Block curves because I didn't trust my memory... the HPF is ~20Hz on the Big Block and ~30Hz on the Carbine/Walkabout, all are roughly 6dB/octave sliding to 12dB/octave below 20Hz.

And actually this is the only answer that we all needed

 

[Thumpin6string]

Funny, they all came out of the woodwork for this one.

I've ran HPFs on most of my older amps. Besides making them more efficient, they helped save me from having to replace speakers. Thanks Andy. I guess I should have just PMed you rather than posting here.

 

[bottomzone]

Why is a HPF a silly fad???