Mesa Boogie M9 Megathread: Pt II

[nervous]

Ps. This head with my Sadowsky SA410 cab sounded amazing. Big bar, no FOH support and volume was less than 2 (with gain at 12:00).

That's a 4 ohm cab, right? The last job I did with mine was with the Bergantino version of that cab around the same gain setting and the master somewhere near 10:00-11:00 and the head was not hot at all. We read a lot about thermal shutdown but where you were playing was barely pushing things, no? Was the cab really hot when it failed?

 

[babebambi]

old M9 head + $200 -----> for a new M9 rack ...
that depends on how much of the warranty is left on the old M9 ...

 

[Chef]

Also: there *is no difference* between the M9 in a head case version and the "regular M9," other than the headcase.
Exact same amp.

 

[Baird6869]

That's a 4 ohm cab, right? The last job I did with mine was with the Bergantino version of that cab around the same gain setting and the master somewhere near 10:00-11:00 and the head was not hot at all. We read a lot about thermal shutdown but where you were playing was barely pushing things, no? Was the cab really hot when it failed?

The cab was fine. It is a beast that I have had for years. I have ran it with SVTs, Genz, GK, etc. It is a 4ohm.

 

[babebambi]

Also: there *is no difference* between the M9 in a head case version and the "regular M9," other than the headcase.
Exact same amp.

just that one cost more ...

 

[Chef]

Well, you get the headcase.
Which I think retails for more than $200.

 

[Baird6869]

Absolutely. The case alone weighs approx 20-25lbs also. Rock solid but heavy.

In any case, I returned the used head today (warranty expires in June 2014) and ordered a new M9. (no case ). There was lots of stock at L&M, but after last night's disaster, I thought it best to order a brand spankin' new one directly from Mesa vs. chancing getting a "new" head that has been sitting on a shelf.

L&M lent me a new GK Fusion 550 to play with until my new M9 arrives.

Great customer service from the L&M Oshawa staff as usual.

Also: there *is no difference* between the M9 in a head case version and the "regular M9," other than the headcase.
Exact same amp.

 

[Chef]

Get an skb two space for your new M9; and thanks me later.
Nice, light, breathes well, and has room for all your cables in the back cover.

 

[Baird6869]

Get an skb two space for your new M9; and thanks me later.
Nice, light, breathes well, and has room for all your cables in the back cover.

Done. On order.

Thx.

 

[sunbeast]

L&M lent me a new GK Fusion 550 to play with until my new M9 arrives.

Great customer service from the L&M Oshawa staff as usual.

I wish my local shops were so accomodating to customers. The local Mesa dealer here pretty much just washed their hands of my M6 after I bought it from them new and it started shutting down after one day- they just told me to call Mesa about it unless I wanted a refund or exchange (they didn't have any other M6s in stock)!

 

[nervous]

The cab was fine. It is a beast that I have had for years. I have ran it with SVTs, Genz, GK, etc. It is a 4ohm.

What I meant was with that cab at the volumes you were running it really shouldn't have stressed the amp all that much. Did you notice how hot the amp actually was?

 

[Baird6869]

What I meant was with that cab at the volumes you were running it really shouldn't have stressed the amp all that much. Did you notice how hot the amp actually was?

Thx for the clarification.

The amp top was a bit hot but not overly. I don't really know if it was unusually hot as I have owned the amp for less than a week.

I was playing pretty damned loud as it was a big bar, but there was no way I was stressing the Sadowsky/Berg cab. It has taken big SVT-CL, GBE1200 and Traynor YBA-200 amps in the past at MUCH higher volumes and always performed great.

I had the gain at 12:00 which is high for me, but even heavy clipping shouldn't have killed the head. Strange the M9 doesn't have a Clip indicator.... Or am I missing something?

 

[Baird6869]

I wish my local shops were so accomodating to customers. The local Mesa dealer here pretty much just washed their hands of my M6 after I bought it from them new and it started shutting down after one day- they just told me to call Mesa about it unless I wanted a refund or exchange (they didn't have any other M6s in stock)!

I buy a lot (a really, really, really lot!) of gear from this retailer, but they seem to accommodate most returns/issues in a similar manner.

The way it should be.

I stand behind what I sell in business, why shouldn't music instrument retailers?

 

[lomo]

What I meant was with that cab at the volumes you were running it really shouldn't have stressed the amp all that much. Did you notice how hot the amp actually was?

I think there is a good chance it had nothing to do with heat, but rather the fuse holder. They seem to replace that no matter what the head is sent in for, suggesting it is a weak link. In my case they said a bad tube was "most of the problem". They replaced the tube and the fuse holder on my M9. Then my Walkabout also started cutting out, and I was told over the phone that it "may be the fuse holder". The WA went in last week.

 

[Baird6869]

I think there is a good chance it had nothing to do with heat, but rather the fuse holder. They seem to replace that no matter what the head is sent in for, suggesting it is a weak link. In my case they said a bad tube was "most of the problem". They replaced the tube and the fuse holder on my M9. Then my Walkabout also started cutting out, and I was told over the phone that it "may be the fuse holder". The WA went in last week.

Could be. It seemed to start working again the odd time if I jiggled the cord at the input jack hard, flicked it on and off quickly or slapped the top of the amp.

Thankfully it is gone and being replaced!

In any case, I am counting the days until my new M9 arrives.... The GK Fusion 550 i was lent is cool, but pales in comparison tone wise to the M9.

 

[Doufuss]

I reckon they're busy down at Mesa. I have not heard back from them, I called monday morning.

In the meantime I expect it to 'just work' the way it always has. The kid is playing this weekend so we'll see.

Well everything was just fine. The amp performed flawlessly as usual.

But, I have not yet heard from Mesa. I called them on the 22nd. I've never used Mesa's customer service before, and from what I've read it's pretty good, so I guess patience is in order.

 

[Baird6869]

But, I have not yet heard from Mesa. I called them on the 22nd. I've never used Mesa's customer service before, and from what I've read it's pretty good, so I guess patience is in order.

I would call back. They seem to be run like an old school '70's manufacturing organization. Likely the pink paper message slip from your Nov 22nd phone call didn't make it to the intended recipient.

I called last week, left a message and got a call back 2 hours later....

 

[sunbeast]

I would call back. They seem to be run like an old school '70's manufacturing organization. Likely the pink paper message slip from your Nov 22nd phone call didn't make it to the intended recipient.

I called last week, left a message and got a call back 2 hours later....

+1. I've had good experiences getting ahold of them for the most part, but I think if you haven't heard from them by now they probably just overlooked or misplaced your info.

 

[Baird6869]

So, today (after waiting two and a half weeks for a factory fresh M9.... Not too bad a wait as I live in Canada and Mesa is in Cali) my NEW M9 Serial # 1007 shows up.

I have been playing a loaner GK Fusion 550 while waiting for my new M9.... And I had actually become quite fond of the GK. Really nice sounding head!

In any case, once I plugged the new M9 in, I realized what I have been missing since my original M9 crapped out! Love it, love it, love it!

I can't say enough about the tone and crazy headroom this amp has. I doubt I will own another head for a very long time..... Unless this head dies.... Then I will be done with Mesa!

Of course, if a M12 comes out.....

So I gigged my "new to me" M9 tonight.....

ABSOLUTE DISASTER.

Pure and simple. What a $hit show. Absolutely embarrassing.

I bought the amp from a large retailer, so no concerns with repair, but this amp destroyed my gig.

First set.... Perfect.
Second set.... Almost perfect. One little cut out, but thought it was a cable.
Third set..... Cut out completely on at least 10 occasions. Turned the amp on and off and jiggled cables every 2 min or so. Completely unacceptable. 15 songs in the last set? I might have got through 3.... With a full dance floor!

Can't say enough how pissed I am..... I have owned garbage amps that crapped out less.

In 25+ years of doing gigs this is the worst, by far that an amp was so buggered.

Shame on Mesa for releasing such poor quality products

In any case, the M9 is the best sounding bass amp I have ever heard. It is unreal. My bandmates were blown away at the tone. I have owned lots of amps, but this Mesa s just amazing.

Love the product..... Love the customer service..... Hope this amp can be fixed and last!

 

[Chef]

"M12"
OMG! I can't imagine ever using that much power!