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Is there anything "lite" that can replace my M9?

banjo5

banjo5

Dec 8, 2009
145
4
Cincinnati
#1
I really love the sound of my M9 through my new Schroder 21012L cab. I got the Schroder to replace my Berg HT322, so I;ve dropped 40 pounds. If I could replace the M9, I could probably lose another 25 pounds. Any suggestions? I'm thinking Shuttle 9.2? I need about 800 watts or better. Anything else fit the bill? My main bass is a AM Jazz 5. We do mostly classic rock and new country.
 
#2
banjo5 said:
I really love the sound of my M9 through my new Schroder 21012L cab. I got the Schroder to replace my Berg HT322, so I;ve dropped 40 pounds. If I could replace the M9, I could probably lose another 25 pounds. Any suggestions? I'm thinking Shuttle 9.2? I need about 800 watts or better. Anything else fit the bill? My main bass is a AM Jazz 5. We do mostly classic rock and new country.
Click to expand...

The M9 with HT322 is a massive sounding rig. I wouldn't expect to have the same sound out of a Schroder with any amp.

That said, I'd go for a Streamliner 900 to put some booty back into the Schroder.
 
#3
The closest thing I could think that would come close would be a brick of C4 duct taped to a puma but that's a bit awkward at gigs.

Do you need that much power? For what it is I don't find the weight to be unreasonable for the power and bombproofiosity it brings. Based on what I've experienced I really like the GK1001RB II or 700RB . The 700RB will give you that awesome GK growl at lower volumes, the 1001RB needs to be pushed a little harder.

The Mesa M9 is a bit fuller sounding while the GKs tend to be a bit cleaner and punchier. I prefer my M9 a bit more because of its flexibility and more ass but still really like my GK.
 
#5
Well, I've only played the Shroeder out on one gig, but I like what i've heard so far. It is definately not as "growly" as the Berg; it's smoother and softer sounding, and I think I like that.
As fas as how much power I "need", I play with 2 guys who run 30 watt matchless rigs and they like to hear them. Inside, I normally run the gain at about noon, and the master at about 9-10:00. Outside, I run the master at about noon. I'm afraid if I had less than the 900 watts of the M9, i'd lose some of the head room.

Make sense?
 
#6
I use an M9 and a GB shuttle with my Epifani 4 ohm 410. The Shuttle can be EQ'd to do a lot of the stuff I like on the M9, and it has almost as much SLAM...well actually, practically nothing has the same SLAM in my book, but my M9 is in the shop, and I can either us the Shuttle or a CA6 Crest power amp and an ART tube pre.

My Shuttle 6.0 can do the classic Jazz bass tones I need for a lot of my gigs. Perhaps you can find a used Shuttle 9.0? Try one out with your bass and cab at a shop, and A/B it with your M9. BTW, the EQ on the Shuttle needs a little explanation, so check that out first.

I actually get about the same amount of approval for the M9 and the Shuttle from band mates using the same bass and cab. My conclusion is that it is the player, the strings, the bass, the pre, the cab, and the power section in order of contribution to tonal shaping. :cool:
 
#7
Being an M9 owner, I think you would be hard pressed to find something with the same quality of sound and obscene volume and punch, but you may find that a smaller head gives you what you need anyway. There is no way you are using all that the M9 has to offer with a single cabinet and would probably find that you can push your Schroeder as hard as needed with many of the micro amps on the market today.

I have owned a Shuttle 6, LMIII and now have a GK MB500 and all three of them have been more then up to the task of hanging with a loud band. I really like the GK for many reasons as its really punchy and loud for its tiny size. I use it primarily with a Schroeder 1212BMF and its a killer loud and portable rig.

The tone is not as sweet as my M9 powering a 412 but which rig would you rather carry around! The Schroeder cabs are super efficient and loud and as long as your cab is a 4 ohm version, a 500 watt micro amp should be ripping your face off!
 
#8
banjo5 said:
Well, I've only played the Shroeder out on one gig, but I like what i've heard so far. It is definately not as "growly" as the Berg; it's smoother and softer sounding, and I think I like that.
As fas as how much power I "need", I play with 2 guys who run 30 watt matchless rigs and they like to hear them. Inside, I normally run the gain at about noon, and the master at about 9-10:00. Outside, I run the master at about noon. I'm afraid if I had less than the 900 watts of the M9, i'd lose some of the head room.

Make sense?
Click to expand...

I've found the closest voicing in a small head to the M9 (i.e., big low end, gritty, growly upper mids, and lots of upper treble extension) is the GK MB500. I assume the soon to be released MB800 would give the M9 a run for its money.
 
#10
I would look closely at the Genz Benz Streamliners (600 and 900 watts). Lots of power, light-weight, great 3-tube preamp stage. There is a Streamliner thread on this forum, more information than you probably want but lots of people loving them. Warm, deep sound and able to crank in grit with the gain on the front end.
 
#11
bherman said:
I would look closely at the Genz Benz Streamliners (600 and 900 watts). Lots of power, light-weight, great 3-tube preamp stage. There is a Streamliner thread on this forum, more information than you probably want but lots of people loving them. Warm, deep sound and able to crank in grit with the gain on the front end.
Click to expand...

Fabulous head, but a TOTALLY different voicing versus the M9. It does give the M9 a run for its money in abolute volume and full, deep low end, but the mid and treble response is totally different.... more organic, more tubey, less aggressive and grindy.

However, the Streamliner would be a GREAT lightweight replacement head for the MPulse600, which is closer to the fat, warm, all tube voicing of the Streamliner.

IMO and IME there, The M6/9 are IMO, the most 'aggressive solid state' sounding heads that Mesa has produced to date. The Streamliner is, IMO one of the most organic, tubiest micros on the market.
 
#13
JGR said:
Good lord man, the M9 isn't that heavy - it's like 25 lbs.
Click to expand...

Add even a lightweight rack, and you are well over 30, and also quite large. If that doesn't matter (and it doesn't to many), +1 to your point. If, on the other hand, you can get similar tone out of something the size of a paperback book and 4 pounds that doesn't need a rack, sounds like a pretty good plan to me, especially if you gig a lot and/or travel with the head.
 
#14
JGR said:
Good lord man, the M9 isn't that heavy - it's like 25 lbs.
Click to expand...

Srsly, this... It isn't an SVT or 400+ or anything here.

Go buy 1 25lb dumbbell from Academy and do some reps during the week... :o I hope even at 70 I could still do that much weight.

Hell both of my basses together w/ their HSC's are probably around that weight, if not more.
 
#15
Close but not quite is definitely the key phrase! I find if you listen to a micro on its own its sounds fine and its only in an immediate a/b test you notice the difference. I think the SL900 and the db750 are in close tone universes for example as are the GK micro heads and the M9. But when you slap on the SL900 you're like "thats fine" and then you slap on the db750 and its like being punched in the chest. The transient response just seems different and more immediate. That being said, theres no way I haul the db750 to songwriting sessions or jam sessions. Id rather tuck a micro away and bring the smallest cab Ive got.
 
#16
chris lykins said:
Close but not quite is definitely the key phrase! I find if you listen to a micro on its own its sounds fine and its only in an immediate a/b test you notice the difference. I think the SL900 and the db750 are in close tone universes for example as are the GK micro heads and the M9. But when you slap on the SL900 you're like "thats fine" and then you slap on the db750 and its like being punched in the chest. The transient response just seems different and more immediate. That being said, theres no way I haul the db750 to songwriting sessions or jam sessions. Id rather tuck a micro away and bring the smallest cab Ive got.
Click to expand...

As one who gigged a Glock HeartRock for a while, and has spent time with the DB750, I would have agreed with you totally two years ago. Now, not so much.
 
#17
I have A/Bd my M9 with SMax 9.2, STL 900 and others, and none of them hit with as much authority in the mids and lows through LDS 15-6 8 Ohm cab as the M9. The difference was large and, to me, significant. Each sounded great on its' own, until I compared it directly to the M9. Right now I'm toying with a VT Dlxe>>>Crown XLS 1500 hoping all those extra electrons will make up the difference and that I can knob tweak enough to mimick the M9 with all the controls at noon. Preliminary testing is very favorable, but the critical band context test rive will have to wait a bit longer.
 
#18
lomo said:
I have A/Bd my M9 with SMax 9.2, STL 900 and others, and none of them hit with as much authority in the mids and lows through LDS 15-6 8 Ohm cab as the M9. The difference was large and, to me, significant. Each sounded great on its' own, until I compared it directly to the M9. Right now I'm toying with a VT Dlxe>>>Crown XLS 1500 hoping all those extra electrons will make up the difference and that I can knob tweak enough to mimick the M9 with all the controls at noon. Preliminary testing is very favorable, but the critical band context test rive will have to wait a bit longer.
Click to expand...

Very different voicing, and I agree, the M9 with that cab would be a thing of beauty.
 
#19
I use a Fender TB1200 as a kick-ass amp together with a Tecamp L 410. Best combination I have ever had. I also have a Markbass F500 amp. Happy with both amps and won't think of replacing one with another. I bet the MB800 or Streamliner 900 are great amps too, but I am fine.

Maybe you are fine with your M9 too. If so, just keep it. If it really isn't light enough, go with one of the tips you got by now. But replacing an M9, dude, it's like replacing your right foot!
 

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