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guitar amp ok for bass?

#2
"OK" is subjective. Sure, it will work with no problems. It might not get loud enough, though, and the EQ might not be suitable for getting the tonez you want (this applies to all guitar amps with bass, I haven't tried a triple recto). What amp do you have right now? Is the deal you're getting on the Mesa good enough that you could lose no money (or even gain some) by buying it and flipping it in a few weeks if it just doesn't work out?
 
#3
cdawzrd said:
"OK" is subjective. Sure, it will work with no problems. It might not get loud enough, though, and the EQ might not be suitable for getting the tonez you want (this applies to all guitar amps with bass, I haven't tried a triple recto). What amp do you have right now? Is the deal you're getting on the Mesa good enough that you could lose no money (or even gain some) by buying it and flipping it in a few weeks if it just doesn't work out?
Click to expand...

I'd say $190 plus the cost of replacing at least one power tube is almost free. could probably flip it for at least $600 No?
 
#5
rich18rich said:
playing thru a GK backline 600. sounds ok
Click to expand...

My GK 700RB-II gets great punk tones if I want it to (especially bi-amped). I don't think the Backline heads are in the same ballpark. Especially if you have GK cabs that can be bi-amped, why don't you try the Mesa, and then if you don't like it, pick up a used 700RB (mine was ~$400) and have some extra cash for other gear?
 
#10
i was told by the seller that the power tubes are "blown".
I take it to mean that if it's not blowing fuses(especially if only one tube is showing hot)that it just needs a tube (or six) replaced. It being a triple rectifier, can't i just switch it to solid state and see if it's blowing fuse that way and if it it , then no sale? I'd hate to get in a situation where a pricet fix is required. anybody know the whole ins and outs of these heads? How can I be sure I'm not buying a real bunk piece of equipment?
 
#11
rich18rich said:
i was told by the seller that the power tubes are "blown".
I take it to mean that if it's not blowing fuses(especially if only one tube is showing hot)that it just needs a tube (or six) replaced. It being a triple rectifier, can't i just switch it to solid state and see if it's blowing fuse that way and if it it , then no sale? I'd hate to get in a situation where a pricet fix is required. anybody know the whole ins and outs of these heads? How can I be sure I'm not buying a real bunk piece of equipment?
Click to expand...
Triple rectifier doesn't operate in "solid state" in the way that you're thinking. You can set the rectifier to solid state, but the rest of the amp is still using tubes.

I would ask the seller exactly what he means by "blown". The tubes might just be old and need replacing. If the amp is blowing through perfectly good tubes however, that is a whole other story.
 
#15
It is worth getting even if the seller does comes back saying the tubes keep blowing. You should be able to make some profit even if it has to be serviced.

If you get the amp, make sure to put the correct tubes in it. Triple Rectifiers (among other Mesa guitar amps) do not need to be biased, they have a non-adjustable/hardwired fixed bias (swap tubes -> turn on -> play). You can use 6L6 tubes or EL-34. Put a matching set for the setting selected.
(pic of rear panel http://tinyurl.com/6xxe25 )
 
#16
CertifiedLurker said:
It is worth getting even if the seller does comes back saying the tubes keep blowing. You should be able to make some profit even if it has to be serviced.

If you get the amp, make sure to put the correct tubes in it. Triple Rectifiers (among other Mesa guitar amps) do not need to be biased, they have a non-adjustable/hardwired fixed bias (swap tubes -> turn on -> play). You can use 6L6 tubes or EL-34. Put a matching set for the setting selected.
(pic of rear panel http://tinyurl.com/6xxe25 )
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, I was wondering when someone was going to mention Mesa's ripoff tube-selling scam. Fixed bias, only use the correctly graded Mesa tubes, replace once a year...never mind that if you could bias it, the tubes could last decades. Those kind of games are what turns me off of Mesa products, no matter how good they are.
 
#19
rich18rich said:
I've got a chance to get a mesa boogie triple rectifier head really cheap. I'd play it through my stack. a 4x10 and a 2x15.
Is this ok for a punk/metal/r 'n r sound?
I'd love to hear your opinions.
Click to expand...

I'd say OK with reservations -- far from perfect as bass heads use tone stacks that better accentuate bass frequencies and are generally higher powered. If that head costs more than $250, I'd say buy a new Acoustic B200H for $250.
NOW, the speakers, which you have list as bass cabs, is the place were you can't compromise; you'll probably make out OK, but a bass head is preferable.
I once did a month residency in LA with borrowed amps (a real hat-in-hand poverty tour) -- and the best the promoter could come up with for me was a 100-watt Marshall guitar top and guitar 4x12 cab. That was the most sonically-frustrating month I ever spent -- for bass, that cab sounded like a shoebox.
 

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