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These amps are 2 entirely different beasts. The Mesa sounds, well, like a Mesa. Sort of a 'bull in a china shop' sound, to me. Ballsy, for sure, but not as good for more subtle passages, especially upper register soloing.
The Reidmar sounds very modern, but not as pristine as the old SWR amps. Even though it has a Character button that scoops the mids, it is still a rather detailed tone, in my opinion. I think it is a great mix of 20% vintage tone and 80% modern tone. I have both the Reidmar and the Reidmar 750, and they sound very similar through SWR Goliath, Goliath Sr, Triad, and Markbass 104HF cabs, albeit the 750 has much better headroom. The 750 added a Drive control, which can give it a burly grind sound, but the overall tone is the same detailed character as the original Reidmar.
For the record, I play Warwick, Tobias, Lakland, and Sadowsky basses, all 5 strings. I don't play passive, traditional basses so that may also be affecting my view of these amps. Jimmy Haslip and Tal Wilkenfeld are my tone-models, so that should give you an idea of what I am looking for in an amp. I also mic my cabinet in live settings for the majority of my FOH tone, which makes the amp tone very important to me. I also send a DI signal to the board for a little cleaner high end.
Feature-wise, the Reidmar 750 has over the Mesa are;
Variable frequency mid control
Bypassable EQ section ('Filter' switch)
Compressor
Effect loop
Line Out in addition to the XLR DI out
Footswitchable Character, Drive, Filter, and Mute functions (footswitch is extra, but standard footswitches can be used per the manual)
I liked the 4 band EQ idea on the Subway but, like the Markbass gear, you have to like the pre-set frequency centers, which I didn't. If I could have a 'custom' Reidmar, it would have low-mid and high-mid stacked knobs for freq/level. No additional knobs needed but an extra sweep mid (hint, hint, EBS ... if you are listening!) ;-) The voicing control on the Subway sounded to me like the Markbass Variable Pre-shape Filter (VPF) control, which seems a lot like the 'Character' switch on the EBS, but variable. I liked it on the MarkBass Tube 800, but I like the single setting button approach of the EBS especially because you can footswitch it in or out.
I guess bottom line is they are both really great amps. I happen to like the tone and features of the EBS better ... actually shelved my SWR SM900, Grand Prix/Stereo 800 amp/preamp rig, and sold my MarkBass Tube 800 and SWR Headlite when I got the original Reidmar!
I hope this helps, and good luck!
The Reidmar sounds very modern, but not as pristine as the old SWR amps. Even though it has a Character button that scoops the mids, it is still a rather detailed tone, in my opinion. I think it is a great mix of 20% vintage tone and 80% modern tone. I have both the Reidmar and the Reidmar 750, and they sound very similar through SWR Goliath, Goliath Sr, Triad, and Markbass 104HF cabs, albeit the 750 has much better headroom. The 750 added a Drive control, which can give it a burly grind sound, but the overall tone is the same detailed character as the original Reidmar.
For the record, I play Warwick, Tobias, Lakland, and Sadowsky basses, all 5 strings. I don't play passive, traditional basses so that may also be affecting my view of these amps. Jimmy Haslip and Tal Wilkenfeld are my tone-models, so that should give you an idea of what I am looking for in an amp. I also mic my cabinet in live settings for the majority of my FOH tone, which makes the amp tone very important to me. I also send a DI signal to the board for a little cleaner high end.
Feature-wise, the Reidmar 750 has over the Mesa are;
Variable frequency mid control
Bypassable EQ section ('Filter' switch)
Compressor
Effect loop
Line Out in addition to the XLR DI out
Footswitchable Character, Drive, Filter, and Mute functions (footswitch is extra, but standard footswitches can be used per the manual)
I liked the 4 band EQ idea on the Subway but, like the Markbass gear, you have to like the pre-set frequency centers, which I didn't. If I could have a 'custom' Reidmar, it would have low-mid and high-mid stacked knobs for freq/level. No additional knobs needed but an extra sweep mid (hint, hint, EBS ... if you are listening!) ;-) The voicing control on the Subway sounded to me like the Markbass Variable Pre-shape Filter (VPF) control, which seems a lot like the 'Character' switch on the EBS, but variable. I liked it on the MarkBass Tube 800, but I like the single setting button approach of the EBS especially because you can footswitch it in or out.
I guess bottom line is they are both really great amps. I happen to like the tone and features of the EBS better ... actually shelved my SWR SM900, Grand Prix/Stereo 800 amp/preamp rig, and sold my MarkBass Tube 800 and SWR Headlite when I got the original Reidmar!
I hope this helps, and good luck!
Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I'm definitely on the same page regarding Tal Wilkenfeld tone. I actually received the Reidmar 750 today and the detail is incredible. Very defined. In a very diferrent league to the fender rumble which as of now is the home practice amp. The Reidmar demands good playing and is very revealing and magnifying.
I purchased an Aguilar TH500 last year (and I honestly love it) but if these two amps had been out at the time I would've had a difficult choice. I demo'd a Reidmar 250 a while back paired up with a Bergantino HD410 and my bass and it just killed. So the additional power of the Reidmar 750, the ability to switch the character, drive and filter would probably make this the most versatile option. Variable mid EQ is also a really useful feature. The Mesa does have the ability to load down to 2 ohms, a feature missing from the Reimar and TH500.
I'm curious how the grit and distortion of each amps' drive control compares. That's the type of thing that's so subjective and variable due to EQ, type of bass, playing style and personal preference. I love my Aguilar's drive sound, but it's not switchable so while it's been useful for recording I'm not sure I'll use it much live.
@gazbass - how are you getting on with your Reidmar after a few weeks of playing with it?
I'm curious how the grit and distortion of each amps' drive control compares. That's the type of thing that's so subjective and variable due to EQ, type of bass, playing style and personal preference. I love my Aguilar's drive sound, but it's not switchable so while it's been useful for recording I'm not sure I'll use it much live.
@gazbass - how are you getting on with your Reidmar after a few weeks of playing with it?
Hi thanks for the feedback. The Reidmar 750 is extremely articulate, if that's the right word, and demands precise playing. I like the gain feature which gives a visible indication of the signal to noise so this can be set to optimal levels. I'm using everything flat with the bass at 1 o'clock. The rehearsal process is effortless with the amps huge power. So far not much past one eighth volume. The drive feature livens up the sound while still somehow remaining clean. Definitely not one of those shabby distortion effects which are so common. This all through a v3 fender rumble 410 cab and naturally I'm curious how this head would sound through other cabs. I prefer the cab at head height, so rather than mix cabs another rumble 410 is on its way. Mixed feelings about the cab, but i guess this is why we end up with so much gear.....but back to the head which I would describe as very precise and responsive. Previous 'dull' notes have sprung to life and the notes speak quickly in the bottom end which is what I was hoping for.
Gaz, by chance do you have experience with any of the Gallien Krueger MB series micro-amps? If so, how would you say the Reidmar 750 compares with the MB800 - especially in terms of voicing and tone, but also in terms of sheer power and headroom?
MM
I´ve hade three Tonehammers that I really tried to like...and two original Reidmars. The Reidmars 250 loose the juice when you wanted to play louder.
Right now I have Reidmar 750, Streamliner 600 and TC Bh 800. I´m gonna sell the BH800 because theres is not enough upper register or glassy highs, likewise with the Subway and Tonehammer and most other amps. Maybe I take a look at the new Magellan 800 or buy another Reidmar 750. It´s fast, can go hi tech, can go rock and soul with the drive option. I had hopes regarding the Subway, but as soon as I heard the vids I realized it was not for me.
Right now I have Reidmar 750, Streamliner 600 and TC Bh 800. I´m gonna sell the BH800 because theres is not enough upper register or glassy highs, likewise with the Subway and Tonehammer and most other amps. Maybe I take a look at the new Magellan 800 or buy another Reidmar 750. It´s fast, can go hi tech, can go rock and soul with the drive option. I had hopes regarding the Subway, but as soon as I heard the vids I realized it was not for me.
@ursus I get what you're saying. And I'm pretty much of the same persuasion: I dig the "beef". But not at the expense of clarity. It's the reason why I can't get my head around Ampeg. I've heard the Tonehammer, though never played one. It just didn't sound like anything special to me. I dig the high-tech TC Electronic features and functions - a lot. I just wish they hadn't made the choice to voice their gear for such an old-school vibe. As for the Mesa Subway, I'm getting the impression that it may not be my kind of thing either.
GK does it for me. And EBS. And SWR - though SWR closed down before the micro-amp rage ever began.
MM
GK does it for me. And EBS. And SWR - though SWR closed down before the micro-amp rage ever began.
MM
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Haven't tried the Mesa yet, but I did check out the Reidmar at NAMM and was very impressed by the tone and features. It was really good, but definitely leans towards hi-fi type tone with a ton of clarity if that's what you are into.
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How about with the drive engaged? Did you test it out? If so how would you characterize the sound?
The official Mesa videos? Those don't really represent the amp that well imho. I made a bunch of recordings with the amp, comparing it to a Puma and Monique setup, and I've got a bunch of live recordings from recent gigs. Doesn't sound anything like the videos.
I owned a Streamliner for awhile but it was way too thick in the low mids for my taste. Also had Tonehammers multiple times but got rid of them too as they just wouldn't clean up the way I wanted them too and they lacked articulation. I've also gigged TC, GK, and most everything else. For me the Subway is close to the Puma 500/900, and sits in-between Tonehammer (more vintage, a bit "blurry") and GK (sizzly highs, a bit too much edge).
It isn't for everyone, but don't judge the amp based on the Mesa videos. Recordings here Invalid Link Removed
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I only spent a few minutes with it, in a NAMM environment and didn't get a chance to mess with the drive much, but from what I heard it was pretty good. I'm admittedly a tube guy, so probably not the best judge of solid a state drive tones.
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Oh, yeah. I love rich, detailed hi-fi tone! Especially playing live. Almost nobody expects that quality of sound to come from the bass. It turns heads...in a good way, and really helps to set me apart. And it challenges me to play my best, because I know my sound is going to be right in the audience's ears - so it had better be good!
MM
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The Reidmar 750 really shines with my new (since a couple of days) Sire Marcus Miller V7 Ash/Maple 5-string. Also sounds good with my Fodera TKS with the drive at noon.
Hi MM, no I don't I'm afraid in spite of having come very close to buying one. The MB was on my short list.
@FunkyPaul @ursus @gazbass How would you say the Reidmar amps compare to Markbass, especially LMII/LMIII? I have seen and tried the Reidmar in shops, but I have no idea how it works on a loud gig.
I had the Markbass 2x10 combo and the 102p cab about 10 years ago, and could´t stand it for more than 6 months. The Reidmar 750 and my new Neoline 4x10 cab is to me the perfect match IMHO.
I also own one Aggie SL112 and one DB112 and one Unicorn xs2104 and a Streamliner 600 but the Reidmar/Neoline combo is the best match...no surprise
I also own one Aggie SL112 and one DB112 and one Unicorn xs2104 and a Streamliner 600 but the Reidmar/Neoline combo is the best match...no surprise
