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Looking at getting a used Mesa/Boogie buster bass 200
- Thread starter Deedubs
- Start date
Is it just the head or the combo? I've consistently seen heads go for $900+ in the last year... combos tend to be cheaper ($750 prob good for a combo).
When you try it, bring a boost or overdrive pedal. Hit that input with a hot signal - it makes a big difference.
I don't have experience with the Buster (only the 400+), but I'm interested in getting one sometime in the near future, so let us know what your thoughts are. I've heard nothing but praise for the Buster heads on TB. Still, it's always nice to hear some new opinions.
The Buster 200 is (IMO) one of the most underrated amplifier on TB. If you can get one for $750, jump on it. You won't be disappointed.
Agree that the Buster is kind of a hidden gem as far as bass tube amps. 200watts - IMO - seems to be the sweet spot as far as power and headroom go. I love 100 watters, but having that just little extra is nice when you need it. Once you get up to 300, you see guys talking about having to put pedals in front to get dirt because they have too much clean headroom. Folks talk about the Buster being a clean amp,, but you can get some dirt out of it.
It is really flexible in the tone department. I could see the Buster shining in everything from Motown - finger style - classic rock - gospel - pop&slap - modern R&B ---
The Buster seems to be making a little Renaissance right now, and I see prices on the upswing. That price seems about right. The Buster will also probably be in better shape than a tube amp from the 60s / 70s and probably take less money on the back end to get it going. $720 seem right in the ballpark, esp if the amp is clean.
I will recommend reading the manual -- at least the part about the tone stack. It can be very helpful in understanding how to get sounds. The treble control is really a high pass filter, etc...
Great amp.
Great amp, with really nice features (8 / 4 ohm, speaker kill switch, DI out, graphic eq in and out).
It is really flexible in the tone department. I could see the Buster shining in everything from Motown - finger style - classic rock - gospel - pop&slap - modern R&B ---
The Buster seems to be making a little Renaissance right now, and I see prices on the upswing. That price seems about right. The Buster will also probably be in better shape than a tube amp from the 60s / 70s and probably take less money on the back end to get it going. $720 seem right in the ballpark, esp if the amp is clean.
I will recommend reading the manual -- at least the part about the tone stack. It can be very helpful in understanding how to get sounds. The treble control is really a high pass filter, etc...
Great amp.
Great amp, with really nice features (8 / 4 ohm, speaker kill switch, DI out, graphic eq in and out).
here it is...
http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/Buster Bass 200.pdf
Page 3, 4, and 5 are very helpful - IMO.
http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/Buster Bass 200.pdf
Page 3, 4, and 5 are very helpful - IMO.
Well it was there! I brought in my old rack head system that I haven't used in years (pre-fender USA swr bass750, korg rack tuner, and furman power conditioner/light. All in a road rack case with padded interior) just to see what they would offer. Well needless to say I didn't take their offer on my old rig, but I dropped a down payment on the buster, and now have 60 days to pay the balance. Btw, the pawn shop ended up selling it to me for $695. Not too shabby! So I just need to start sellin some stuff on CL, and get this puppy home!
UPDATE: Only $180 left to pay! Can't wait to get this home! I've been on a mission to find a cab to go with this. My Boggie 215 RR cab is just too much for me in the "pain in the ass to move around" department these days. I'm really hoping this will end up to be my "end all" rig.
Chef
In Memoriam
And yet, I've seen them sit for weeks priced at $600
Go figure.
Neat head, either way.
Go figure.
Neat head, either way.
Got it love it! I also got a new mesa boogie Traditional ph410 to pair with it! I took the "Mesa engineering" logo off the cab, and put the "Mesa/Boogie" logo form the buster on it (looks sooo much better/more traditional). I have a mark v "boogie" logo badge on it's way from boogie to go on the buster. It will look sweet, and I'll post pics when I get the new logo badge on the buster.
You will NOT regret getting that bad boy! IMHO Buster is possibly the best bass head I have heard yet.. and I have played a LOT.
200 watts is a very sweet spot and if you push it the tubes really start to sing.
I really want to see pictures of your rig when it's finished.
200 watts is a very sweet spot and if you push it the tubes really start to sing.
I really want to see pictures of your rig when it's finished.
