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Mesa Boogie M9 Megathread: Pt II

#562
Smeet: the master/mute never bothered me, ever.
If it's really that hard to set your volume to the same place again, put a white out dot there?

If it's really totally unworkable for you, have the master replaced with a regular pot, in a taper you like, and put a mini baseball bat switch for mute on the front faceplate. I'm reasonably sure I recall there being enough space for one there.

If I recall correctly, DI level is controlled independently of input/master volumes via a DI level control on the rear of the amp
 
#563
Sadly, both the master and the DI output affect the DI out (in post mode anyway), just like the Walkabout...
Just wondering if there's a way around it?

I have read that you can do a mod to the Walkabout but it will take out the Simulstate effect to the DI so it won't really be the same...
 
#564
That never bothered me either on the Walkabout or the M9.
I set volumes at sound check, and leave them alone during the show, making all my dynamic adjustments via right hand technique.
Maybe I'm a minority in that approach...

If you do have to change things on the fly, it shouldn't be a problem for a competent sound guy who is paying attention.
 
#565
Chef said:
Smeet: the master/mute never bothered me, ever.
Click to expand...
I know, you mentioned that. Hard for me to grasp, but we all work differently.

Maybe your cabinets are less efficient than mine, or maybe you are able to play stages with much higher stage volume, or maybe you are OK with running the gain control very low, so your master is higher. My problem is that the sound I like results in the master knob being in the sub-9:00 area, where minuscule knob changes result in huge output changes. This by the way is part of the definition of a chaotic system, which is a bit hard to work with.

Chef said:
If it's really that hard to set your volume to the same place again, put a white out dot there?
Click to expand...
I don't always want it in the same place, I want to set it by ear, so that it is appropriate to each playing situation. The point is that if I move the master volume an almost invisible amount (smaller than any dot I would make), the resulting volume change is significant.


Chef said:
If it's really totally unworkable for you, have the master replaced with a regular pot, in a taper you like, and put a mini baseball bat switch for mute on the front faceplate. I'm reasonably sure I recall there being enough space for one there.
Click to expand...
Yes, it's close to unworkable, although it sounds so good I could probably live with it. As I mentioned, I'm looking into doing exactly what you suggest, unless the price quote comes back ridiculously high.


Chef said:
If I recall correctly, DI level is controlled independently of input/master volumes via a DI level control on the rear of the amp
Click to expand...
with the post-eq DI level according to the manual "the entire preamp and all the controls affect the sound", which would include the gain control. But the master should be basically just in front of the power amp, so hopefully that's not included.

I haven't been able to find any schematics or block diagrams of the amp. Maybe a call to Mesa can clear up the DI/master issue.
 
#569
OK, I'm going to update as I get info, in case it might help others.

Mesa will not do the change of the master taper or the addition of a mute switch. They are OK with an authorized repair shop doing it though (it won't void the warranty). So I'm going to have ARS do that.

As has been noted, in post-eq mode, the master volume DOES affect the DI signal. But, Mesa *will* do the mod to move the master volume after the DI.

Depending on cost/difficulty, I might have ARS do it all just so I don't have to mail the amp out to Mesa, but that's where it all stands now. It seems the amp can be modified to act exactly the way I want it to, without voiding the warranty.

Pretty cool, and I have to say Mesa's support has been a pleasure to work with. All I've done so far is get information, but they (meaning Garey) actually gets back to you in a timely manner, and like, knows stuff. Dang.
 
#570
Update - I got a call back from ARS. They are going to do all the work:
1) Change the master volume to use an audio taper pot (it's currently linear taper! :confused:).
2) Add the mute switch.
3) Move the master volume so it's after the DI in post-eq mode.

They have been in communication with Mesa, so I take that as a good sign.
 
#572
elamenopee said:
Quick question.
Does a M9 have a resistor inside that I can use the DI for silent recording?
Basically playing through it without having a speaker-cab hooked up.
Or is this a terrible terrible idea?
Click to expand...
You can do this on pretty much any solid-state amplifier without causing any harm. It is a tube output section that can be harmed by not having a load attached.
 
#573
Hy everybody!
I had a M6 some time ago but had to sell it due to finance problems. Now i’ve got my hands on a used M9 and it is a BEAST!
Such a good sound, and so much power....i will keep if forever BUT i need to repair it first :(
After two hours in our rehearsal room i had fireworks in my amp! 5 of 5 mosfets burned! Opened it, looks like it has been modified (serial number 209) before and has 10 mosfets inside. The question is what replacement to use?
On ebay i can easily find the buz901/906 to247 at a funny price, but is there a chance anyone can tell what manufacturer Mesa uses? I wreally would like to keep it in best possible shape so i am not so sure about the cheap stuff. Sorry for my bad english.
Tnx tnx tnx!
 

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#577
Serial 1507. Used, on sale for 1100€. The seller never experience any issues, of course...meh. Don't know.

Also, Mesa M6, used, as perfect, on sale for 990€.

What should I go for? I'm scared to death by the issues I've read. I don't want to waste money.

There is also a MB TTE 800 going for 550€. Don't know. I really don't know. Especially about the sound. Does the TTE800 really lacks bottom end as I've read? Coming from a SD1200 weak lows would kill me...
 
#578
Just bought an M9. It's #917 so I think it has some updates over the early models, but not the big updates. It's a mint one-owner model that functions fine. The seller deducted the price to have the upgrades done from the sale price. Mesa now wants $450 to upgrade models no longer under warranty. I rolled the dice a little. The amp functions fine and may continue to do so, but if not I got it for a price that will allow me to get it updated and not feel like I overpaid. So very excited.

I tried an M6 last weekend and loved it. I thought the added eq and comp on the M9 would be nice features over the M6.
 
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#580
donahue said:
Anybody still rocking an M9 on a regular basis? Even with all the newer Mesa offerings?
Click to expand...

Played mine at a rehearsal just last night! Also have a D800 and will be adding a DW800 very soon. Disclosure; I’m a Mesa endorser. I happen to love their amps as well :)
 
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