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Mesa Boogie M9 Megathread: Pt II
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
I haven't moved from setting 4 in ages. I have been using setting 4 with flat bass and treble and a slight cut in the mids. I have my GEQ section set with a boost in the mids and use this for something different from time to time via the footswitch.
It is absolutely my new BFF amp (said that before though!)
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Need to hear about it with TB153!!!!
Is the TB153 4 or 8 ohm? 3015LF, right? Which x-over.....
Need to hear about it with TB153!!!!
Is the TB153 4 or 8 ohm? 3015LF, right? Which x-over.....
I used this pairing for a while and IME/IMO the TB153 sounded virtually the same as my LDS 15/6 (18nSound mid, Ralph P xover at 800 Hz) and the rig killed. I prefer the LDS because it weighs about 12 lbs less and was narrower/easier to haul. However, for the price, I believe the TB153 is the best single biggish cab out there, by a wide margin.
Yeah I agree with the above. The M9 with the TB153 is the big bully of the band. I rarely tame mids but I have to be very careful with those two together....that and the big bottom that both the 153 and the M9 have. Like others have mentioned, that's where I love having the GEQ to cut a tad on 33 hz and 80 hz. That really tightens up the bottom end.
Jim, I have the 4 ohm version, 3015LF with the upgraded Eminence xover at 800 hz.
Jim, I have the 4 ohm version, 3015LF with the upgraded Eminence xover at 800 hz.
Has anyone found cabs that don't work well with the M9 or is the amp a pretty good match with most?
I have read the amp has lots of top end. Can that be dialed out with eq? I'm not the biggest fan of crispy clear modern tone but I do use it sometimes. I am wondering if the amp has a bright zingy voice that is always there or do all the eq options make it truly versatile for different playing styles? I need to have something that can easily do old school type sounds as well.
My walkabout does everything I need it to for now except be super loud. I am looking at the M9 as a possible replacement for my big amp, the GK 1001RB-II. The GK is a good amp, I just want something different.
I have read the amp has lots of top end. Can that be dialed out with eq? I'm not the biggest fan of crispy clear modern tone but I do use it sometimes. I am wondering if the amp has a bright zingy voice that is always there or do all the eq options make it truly versatile for different playing styles? I need to have something that can easily do old school type sounds as well.
My walkabout does everything I need it to for now except be super loud. I am looking at the M9 as a possible replacement for my big amp, the GK 1001RB-II. The GK is a good amp, I just want something different.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
The M9 is Mesa's answer for that more modern, clear/clean, punchy sound. It probably will sound closer to your GK than the W-A.
It does have top-end that can be dialed out, but if you are a Walkabout fanboi and just want something bigger, I'd more look at the M-Pulse 600 than the M9.
It's a totally different front-end preamp and voicing than the "M-Pulse" line (Walkabout, 600, BB750, V12) and based on what you said, it probably isn't what you're looking for.
M9: very fast, modern amp, with biiiig low ned and extended treble, and, 2 ohm ready
1001: pretty similar, but, not as fat down low, which can actually be a good thing.
Biamp ready for GK cabs, not 2 ohm ready.
Voicing is really more similar than different with those two amps.
I have both, I like both.
I especially like the GK head with GK cabs; the biamp feature in kewl; sending a little grit to the paper woofers and keep the horn signal clean.
Both heads seem to play well with many cabs though.
1001: pretty similar, but, not as fat down low, which can actually be a good thing.
Biamp ready for GK cabs, not 2 ohm ready.
Voicing is really more similar than different with those two amps.
I have both, I like both.
I especially like the GK head with GK cabs; the biamp feature in kewl; sending a little grit to the paper woofers and keep the horn signal clean.
Both heads seem to play well with many cabs though.
Interesting thanks guys! The GK thing is cool. I guess I am looking for an upgrade that I don't need. 
It's nice to have amps with different voices for more options though. The walkabout tone works great at walkabout volumes but ime when you get into really high spl, clarity is your friend. I might get out and try the M9 anyway. As long as it has versatile eq and not a "baked in" voice that can never be dialed out, it could work for me.
It's nice to have amps with different voices for more options though. The walkabout tone works great at walkabout volumes but ime when you get into really high spl, clarity is your friend. I might get out and try the M9 anyway. As long as it has versatile eq and not a "baked in" voice that can never be dialed out, it could work for me.
I own a Walkabout and an M9 and the WB is perfect for pretty much anything that isn't stupid loud. The Carbine is insanely powerful and clear where the WB becomes an aggressive snarling beast at higher volumes.
In a recent loud jam, I compared my M9 to the WB using my Mesa PH412 cab. The WB was wide open and snarly as hell while the master on the Carbine never had to go past about 3 on the dial. Funny thing is, the WB was loud enough and everyone preferred its tone as it just had so much personality when cranked. I love them both for what they offer!
In a recent loud jam, I compared my M9 to the WB using my Mesa PH412 cab. The WB was wide open and snarly as hell while the master on the Carbine never had to go past about 3 on the dial. Funny thing is, the WB was loud enough and everyone preferred its tone as it just had so much personality when cranked. I love them both for what they offer!
Hey guys,
Had a replacement M9 turn up the other day, but its a rack mounted version and I have a MESA wooden case I wanna put it in, sadly the handles up front prevent this.
Anyone know how to take them off? the seem pretty stubborn and I was just wondering if it can be done before I bust out the power tools.
Had a replacement M9 turn up the other day, but its a rack mounted version and I have a MESA wooden case I wanna put it in, sadly the handles up front prevent this.
Anyone know how to take them off? the seem pretty stubborn and I was just wondering if it can be done before I bust out the power tools.
Turns out if you use a bit of muscle they come out, I guess they are tight due to the fact they are handles right?
Just noticed that on this new model there isn't a pop out circuit breaker like my old amp. Is this normal now?
Just noticed that on this new model there isn't a pop out circuit breaker like my old amp. Is this normal now?
Newest ones have more top venting and a different fuseholder, which was a frequent failure point.
Sounds like the MB800 might be the poor mans M9
Other than brute power, can anyone comment on the differences in the inherent voicing as well as tonal adjustability?
Having trouble justifying a $1,500 amp that will be gigged occasionaly in lousy bar band gig if a close second is about 1/3rd the cost. (unless the M9 is really THAT good)
Other than brute power, can anyone comment on the differences in the inherent voicing as well as tonal adjustability?
Having trouble justifying a $1,500 amp that will be gigged occasionaly in lousy bar band gig if a close second is about 1/3rd the cost. (unless the M9 is really THAT good)
FWIW, IME, the closest micro to the M9 is the GK MB800 at <1/2 the cost. Whether the differences are worth the extra sheckels is a subjective, personal decision.
IMO the GK MB800 isn't as vast on the bottom and the tube can (if you like, and I do) smooth out the tone a bit. They are both inherently strong in the upper mids around 1K-12Hz to my ear. Although YMMV, my (unfortunately repeated) experience is that the M9 and my LDS 15/6 is as close to gigging bliss as it gets-sweet tone, massive lows without mud, and virtually unlimited volume. Then, after being spoiled for a while, I convince myself I can sub another head for cheaper that'll be lighter and after all, nobody really cares as much as I do.....so I sell the M9.......and then, like the Talking heads sing, "I ask myself: What have I done?".....and buy another used M9......like I did today
So, for me, the GK MB800 is the perfect runner-up/backup to the M9. Whether it's worth another 800 bucks and another 23 pounds is up to you
edit:I should add that I am a hack hobbyist. If I actually made a living at bass/music, then I would say the difference is definitely justified.
So, for me, the GK MB800 is the perfect runner-up/backup to the M9. Whether it's worth another 800 bucks and another 23 pounds is up to you
edit:I should add that I am a hack hobbyist. If I actually made a living at bass/music, then I would say the difference is definitely justified.
