Mesa amp users?

[Hounddog409]

Was wondering if any of you guys who use Mesa amps could give me some info? Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get. Playing through it with a fender jazz passive, Ibanez active EQ with EMG’s. Most recently, bought the Duff McKagan model PJ, just so you have an idea what bass’s are being played.

I bought the Aguilar tone hammer preamp about two months ago. I’ve played around with the settings and have searched TB and come across a lot of info on it. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t know how to operate it or maybe it’s just not made for me. I’ve got a good tone for the fender, I can’t get good tones for my other bass guitars I mentioned no matter what what I do. Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off. Don’t think that’s too good of an idea because it would probably get buried in a mix.

Started looking at other preamp pedals and just said, this is getting ridiculous. Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410? Like to play rock music, classic rock maybe some alternative, not much else. I like a good thick, heavy tone but also clear if that makes sense? I’ve considered the Mesa amp before but just never jumped on it. I think I had it narrowed down to the D 800 plus. But I’m open to any models depending on what info you all can give me here. Would that be the best throughout to go considering the info I’ve given?

Mesa's are awesome amps.
But then again, so is Aguilar amd GK.

I would remove everything except the amp. Then see if you can get tone you want.

 

[NYgiant]

Food for thought...

The tone you get while playing alone in your bedroom is just one data point. Have you tried the same settings in a live mix? Because that's a separate data point, and worth having before you decide something.

The reason I bring this up is that I, like you, did not find some of the GK sounds particularly pleasing during practice (always sounds a bit harsh) in my bedroom, but it does VERY well in a live, full band setting. The P bass sound (honky, middy, quacky, whatever you wanna call it...) sounds horrible until you're in a band setting, then it sounds completely different.

Yeah, that’s definitely a great point. Really crazy how much the sound changes to the year depending on what setting you are in. However, I still think I am going to ditch the GK and the tone hammer preamp. With the three bases I mentioned in my original post, I can only get a tone I like for the fender jazz the others. I just can’t find one tar I like. Again, maybe it’s Me being too particular or me really not being educated enough on the tone hammer. Although, I have tried very diligently to figure it out while combing
through posts on TB.

 

[NYgiant]

Mesa's are awesome amps.
But then again, so is Aguilar amd GK.

I would remove everything except the amp. Then see if you can get tone you want.

Yes, I did plug directly into the GK amp and not the paddleboard with the preamp. It was a little bit better, but still nothing great. And to be honest, I think the GK is the main issue in the tone hammer was a little bit of a Band-Aid, but I’m really didn’t do too much for me overall except for the fender jazz based tone. Complained about my tone for a while on here. I just feel like I’m trying to hit a target blind folded. That’s kind of why I posted here and am considering just getting a whole new amplifier. I’m sure a big part of it is me just being overly picky too.

 

[amper]

Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get.

Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410?

This may seem like a dumb question, but how can you tell if you are happy with the Subway 410, if you are unhappy with the GK head? Do you have other cabs and heads to compare different combinations?

TBPH, I've never played anything from G-K, other than maybe as a music store demo, because their amps just never appealed to me, despite the fact that Flea heavily endorsed/endorses them. In my career, I've played Ampeg tube, Trace Elliot solid-state, SWR hybrid, Trace Elliot tube, and Mesa/Boogie hybrid. My next bass head will almost certainly be a Mesa/Boogie Subway series head.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

What exactly does that voice knob

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/of...y-series-club.1181245/page-1662#post-26286282

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/contour-and-enhance-knobs-on-amps.1306908/page-3#post-20492849
VOICING CONTROL: This active eq control modifies the amplifier’s response from a more flat like curve (in the counter-clockwise position) to a more vintage curve (in the clockwise position) by modifying and shifting the frequency response in all regions with a simple turn of the knob. As the control is rotated clockwise, the low end and the high end increase while the midrange decreases and shifts upward. Common uses for the more vintage positions are the old school funk and slap tones, and rock tones where a rounder bottom and a little bite are needed. Experimentation is an important part of discovering the potential of this powerful tool. Unlike many simple “mid scoop” knobs, this control has more going on in the circuit to keep things musical and useful in terms of not losing key mids that help define the bass in a mix.

 

[Pelagic]

Hi! I just sold a GK MB212-ii. While it was exceptionally clean and LOUD, I never got a vintage feel out of it. It DID reproduce my bass perfectly, though.

I just picked up a D800+ and a Subway 115. That combination is superb, and while I am relatively new to the world of Mesa (I had been use a Genzler Magellan 800 and my old 350 is for sale currently) it seems to do really well with just a little bit of EQing and some minor tweaking of the voicing control. As other have said, it is a bit dark out of the box, but there's soooo much room for adjustment you can easily find what you're looking for in there.

I will tell you that I'd recommend checking out @sushibox effects (or the preamp flavor of your choice) and their tube preamps. I can get a really nice fuzz out of my Underground Accelerator (any of the AX7 designs would be great, though) and the Mesa just comes to life!

 

[shoot-r]

Food for thought...

The tone you get while playing alone in your bedroom is just one data point. Have you tried the same settings in a live mix? Because that's a separate data point, and worth having before you decide something.

The reason I bring this up is that I, like you, did not find some of the GK sounds particularly pleasing during practice (always sounds a bit harsh) in my bedroom, but it does VERY well in a live, full band setting. The P bass sound (honky, middy, quacky, whatever you wanna call it...) sounds horrible until you're in a band setting, then it sounds completely different.

OP, This ^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!

As we discussed in other threads and in more than several PM's, the GK MB-500's voicing is for setting-in/cutting through a live band mix, (it'll sound harsh to most players outside a live band.)

As we discussed, you can round it's natural voicing for home use by using a external pre in front of the MB500, (I use a SansAmp BDDI V2).
I like what the SansAmp adds enough that I use it at all jobs in front of whatever amp I'm working with, evening in front of the Mesa 800+.

I'd suggest your next trying a Subway 800+, (to my ears), it has a more polite and not in your face voicing. It'll not be as plug and play as the MB, it'll take some dialing in. It's a great sounding head.

 

[Ulf Buck]

I have tried all of the subways and they are great. I have been using a D800+ for a couple years so over 200 shows in all temperatures an it is keeps chugging away. Plenty loud with a subway 410, with 2 410s you better give yourself some space. Turn up the gain stage so the light flickers and you get a great modern grind.

 

[dbase]

 

[agedhorse]

What exactly does that voice knob do?.

The first thing I would suggest is to spend a little time reading through the owner’s manual, there’s a lot of useful information there to help you get up to speed.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I play classic rock with passive p and j basses. "... a good thick, heavy tone but also clear" is how I would describe the TT800. It has two channels. The Boogie channel has the heft and punch of a tube amp. It's pretty amazing. Deep and articulate. The Subway channel is also tube-driven, but has a more modern tone to it. I could live with either one, but the Boogie channel is on another level.

^^^ This is almost exactly what I would have written with the addition of also using an active PJ, and an active Ibanez 5er with Bartolinis. I usually use my TT on a pair of MarkBass Traveler 2x10's in a vertical stack, but I also own a Traveler 1x15 and an Elf 1x10.

I can get anything from a pillowy Beatles sound to 70's SVT-ish to 80's "Cultish" to y2k indie sounds from one channel or the other with my usual pair of 2x10's. If it were stolen today, I'd order another TT tomorrow.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Another option besides Mesa is the Genzler MG800. It can be clean with a ton of tonal options, or you can use the Drive channel to get a nice GK growl or a little dirt. Just thought it was worth a mention.

 

[BGroovy]

I played GK for 20 years until I moved to a WD800 last year.

You mentioned simple so might want to check out the D800 to start.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I have bought and parted with many bass heads. The D800 is one I would never get rid of. I would sell of my Walkabout possibly, but the D800 is such a great amp. I imagine the plus is also great.

 

[FirewalZ]

Was wondering if any of you guys who use Mesa amps could give me some info? Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get. Playing through it with a fender jazz passive, Ibanez active EQ with EMG’s. Most recently, bought the Duff McKagan model PJ, just so you have an idea what bass’s are being played.

I bought the Aguilar tone hammer preamp about two months ago. I’ve played around with the settings and have searched TB and come across a lot of info on it. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t know how to operate it or maybe it’s just not made for me. I’ve got a good tone for the fender, I can’t get good tones for my other bass guitars I mentioned no matter what what I do. Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off. Don’t think that’s too good of an idea because it would probably get buried in a mix.

Started looking at other preamp pedals and just said, this is getting ridiculous. Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410? Like to play rock music, classic rock maybe some alternative, not much else. I like a good thick, heavy tone but also clear if that makes sense? I’ve considered the Mesa amp before but just never jumped on it. I think I had it narrowed down to the D 800 plus. But I’m open to any models depending on what info you all can give me here. Would that be the best throughout to go considering the info I’ve given?

I have a GK MB212 combo, Aguilar TH, Subway D800 and Cabs, so have gone down the same road as you. I played exclusively with the GK for several years and yes it sounds fine, but like you said it still lacked something. After doing a ton of research and saving up I went all in on Mesa without the benefit of trying it out, I went with a D800, SW 212 quickly followed by a 115. IMO YES the Mesa gear lived up to the expectations, big full sound, tight lows, punchy mids and i love the simplicity of the D800.
On a side note, my MB212 combo actually benefitted a lot from a hp/lp filter pedal I got, eliminated the "boxy-ness" and really brings out the mids, however, the Mesa doesn't need it.

 

[75Ric]

I can get anything from a pillowy Beatles sound to 70's SVT-ish to 80's "Cultish" to y2k indie sounds from one channel or the other with my usual pair of 2x10's. If it were stolen today, I'd order another TT tomorrow.

Ditto

 

[SJan3]

very interesting… You had the same amp I have now and also a tone hammer which I have the preamp version of.

Sam had said try to play as many Mesa amps as possible before buying but that’s virtually impossible. Really, only a guitar Center around here and they don’t have anything but Mark Bass on display and maybe something else, but not mesa. That’s a great idea about trying to find and buy a used one at Guitar Center and then returning.

I’ll be honest, I think I’m looking for simple operation as far as features. Mesa has a lot to choose from. I guess it’s a matter of really becoming educated on how the EQ works on some of the models that have more features than others.

If you want simple, go with the D-800.
Everything you need, nothing you don't.
I also prefer simple. That's why I bought the D350, the little brother to the D800. I'm sure I quoted somewhere in my review, "Mesa finally made an amp for me".
It was it's simplicity coupled with its reputation that attracted me and I didn't need 800 watts. I bought it sight unseen and am tickled with it.

 

[NYgiant]

This may seem like a dumb question, but how can you tell if you are happy with the Subway 410, if you are unhappy with the GK head? Do you have other cabs and heads to compare different combinations?


TBPH, I've never played anything from G-K, other than maybe as a music store demo, because their amps just never appealed to me, despite the fact that Flea heavily endorsed/endorses them. In my career, I've played Ampeg tube, Trace Elliot solid-state, SWR hybrid, Trace Elliot tube, and Mesa/Boogie hybrid. My next bass head will almost certainly be a Mesa/Boogie Subway series head.

Yup, I originally had a brand new GK 212 Neo IV with the MB 500. I still have it because it was up for sale in multiple places for a month at a decent price but no hits. I always had a 410 before I took a long break and just couldn’t get used to the 212. Ended up with the subway 410 and it brings the thump I was looking for.

Big change overall but the “fine sound” aka tone, still isn’t where I want it. Awesome with the jazz bass and tone hammer preamp but not the Ibanez active or the new Duff Mckagan PJ. Kind of the straw that broke the camels back and I did give it an effort to adjust the preamp.

Oh, I also played the MB500 through ttd GK 212 and my SWR 15 snd it was decent but I didn’t like having totally different speaker types and a low wattage rating on the 15.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Got the D800+ and love it. Very versatile. The owners manual has a very useful suggestion on starting point for dialing in a good tone. The amp is so tweak able in the EQ, HPF, and voicing control, that you would be hard pressed NOT to find a good tone that you want out of it!

I also have the Genzler MG800, another excellent head that is very easily enables you to dial in tone’s quickly.

As mentioned a cab is a big part of the total tone package. Mine fits MY needs perfectly. Deep tight punchy with clear mids and highs that are not harsh.

 

[backin82]

Yeah, that’s definitely a great point. Really crazy how much the sound changes to the year depending on what setting you are in. However, I still think I am going to ditch the GK and the tone hammer preamp. With the three bases I mentioned in my original post, I can only get a tone I like for the fender jazz the others. I just can’t find one tar I like. Again, maybe it’s Me being too particular or me really not being educated enough on the tone hammer. Although, I have tried very diligently to figure it out while combing
through posts on TB.

I had a TH500, and could never get a sound I liked out of it. I understand the struggle.