Mesa/Boogie Titan V12 megathread!

[baxter_x]

The updated one I own is serial number 649.
However...... that little b* is starting to play on my nerves. I didn't really payed attention last gig but I played it at home today. And the amp simply had no power for like 10 minutes. And suddenly the amp jumped to my ears. I feel there is something wrong with this second updated Titan I bought after the first one (that's been serviced) fried at a gig last summer. I'm not a suspicious guy, but I'm really starting to feel.... suspicious about the Titan actually...

 

[paytojt]

The updated one I own is serial number 649.
However...... that little b* is starting to play on my nerves. I didn't really payed attention last gig but I played it at home today. And the amp simply had no power for like 10 minutes. And suddenly the amp jumped to my ears. I feel there is something wrong with this second updated Titan I bought after the first one (that's been serviced) fried at a gig last summer. I'm not a suspicious guy, but I'm really starting to feel.... suspicious about the Titan actually...

Hmmm. Sounds like I should skip the Titan after all the bad stories from this thread.

 

[Wasnex]

The updated one I own is serial number 649.
However...... that little b* is starting to play on my nerves. I didn't really payed attention last gig but I played it at home today. And the amp simply had no power for like 10 minutes. And suddenly the amp jumped to my ears. I feel there is something wrong with this second updated Titan I bought after the first one (that's been serviced) fried at a gig last summer. I'm not a suspicious guy, but I'm really starting to feel.... suspicious about the Titan actually...

If you don't need all of the Titan's power and preamp switching....have you considered the BB750? 550W at 4 ohms, 750W at 2 ohms. Same preamp, but I believe the smaller power amp feels a bit more tube like when pushed.

 

[baxter_x]

If you don't need all of the Titan's power and preamp switching....have you considered the BB750? 550W at 4 ohms, 750W at 2 ohms. Same preamp, but I believe the smaller power amp feels a bit more tube like when pushed.

Fine, but I would like to trust the amps I own, and trust Mesa at the same time. 'Cause it's starting to be a bit too much now

 

[baxter_x]

Hmmm. Sounds like I should skip the Titan after all the bad stories from this thread.

I used it since my last post here. Worked flawlessly. I know my SVT 4 pro was used to doing some strange things when I did wait long after switching it on. Did I hit the same issue with the Titan? I'll see within the next days.

 

[paytojt]

I used it since my last post here. Worked flawlessly. I know my SVT 4 pro was used to doing some strange things when I did wait long after switching it on. Did I hit the same issue with the Titan? I'll see within the next days.

Thanks. My Walkabout just isn't cutting it volume wise. Of course I'm gonna try more speakers first.

 

[baxter_x]

Keep us in touch. I'm curious to know how the WA sounds compared to the Titan. Even if, obviously, volume wise the Titan is a real monster.

 

[SlapHappyPappy]

2 things on the Mesa Titan
1. IMO It was thee best sounding head I've ever owned(Past tense)
2. Couldn't keep it cause it broke down/blew up with regualrity. (Mosfets would fry)
Took it to my amp guy and he recommended the Mesa 400 plus, I said why...He said he has a room stocked with broken down Titans floor to ceiling and hardly ever sees a 400 come on for anything but a new set of tubes.
The last straw was one the very last note of rehearsal the night before a gig, it fried again....thank God it did it then cause otherwise it would have happened onstage at a show.....at that moment I had to say goodbye my love!

 

[baxter_x]

He said he has a room stocked with broken down Titans floor to ceiling and hardly......

I think this vision is grossly over exaggerated! You can find many Titans for sell without any issues here. The real issue I had was a fried transistor. And I have to add it was under extreme conditions. Since I added that fan on the side of the rack, the amps runs super cool and no more issues. However, I faced this little weird thing I experienced with the upgraded one. But not anymore for the Las week....

 

[Dalmasn]

Do you think you could make a picture of your rack?

Hey man, sorry for not checking in for so long! This is how it looks like at the rear end of my rack. It's just a basic clip-on fan I got from Amazon. I've been running this setup for multiple gigs and for all rehearsals, no issues. I just keep the fan at low for the most and bump it to high for the really sweaty gigs. (and yeah I have a gk mb500 as backup in the top slot, never had to use it though =)

This is the #91 fully serviced silverface.

Cheers and rock on!

 

[blong1]

I do the same thing...doesn't get even remotely warm anymore.

 

[baxter_x]

Hey man, sorry for not checking in for so long! This is how it looks like at the rear end of my rack. It's just a basic clip-on fan I got from Amazon. I've been running this setup for multiple gigs and for all rehearsals, no issues. I just keep the fan at low for the most and bump it to high for the really sweaty gigs. (and yeah I have a gk mb500 as backup in the top slot, never had to use it though =)
View attachment 3008782
This is the #91 fully serviced silverface.

Cheers and rock on!

Thanks for this very valuable feedback!

I do the same thing...doesn't get even remotely warm anymore.

Is it also sitting in a 6U rack? Has yours been updated?

 

[blong1]

Got it in a 6 space rack with one unit open above the amp. Then a tuner and power conditioner. And yes, the amp got sent in for updates over a year ago. Got the fan just for reassurance.

 

[Dalmasn]

Got the fan just for reassurance.

Yep, me too, still runs lukewarm and smooth without it. Since I have the space and always have it connected it's nice to have the fan there as reassurance. It takes about 3 sec to clip the fan onto the side of the case when setting up so it's worth it =)

 

[DAcat]

I've just gotta chime in again...I've been playing and touring since 67...played all kinds of heads and cabs. I started using Mesa because next to sound quality, reliability is equally important. Its true that this powerful head generates some powerful heat as well...as warned in the manual where it states you should leave plenty of space between top of the Titan and your rack. Like many who complained here about the Titan, when I bought mine, I immediately stuck it into a skinny 4U Rack...and it immediately went into over heat shutdown. But it worked fine after I took it out of the rack and it cooled down. In the 5 or so years since then, I've had NO FURTHER PROBLEMS . I simply got a bigger rack so I'd have 2 spaces above and below the head ( plenty of "breathing room"-as suggested in the manual)...and no further overheating. I've read about others attaching fans which has seemed to work as well. I also own an all tube Mesa 400+, which is also very loud but not as versatile or clean, and 2 walkabouts, which aren't nearly as loud but they are tubey clean. The Mesa Titan is my favorite hybrid Bass Amplifier.... a massive amp capable of versatile tone and massive volume. It is also a complex hybrid amp that....because of its design and power... it creates such high output RMS WATTAGE, AND PEAK WATTAGE...IT ALSO CREATES PLENTY OF HEAT....WHICH NEEDS SPACE SO IT CAN DISSIPATE...SIMPLE FORMULA REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY.
PEACE
DAcat

 

[baxter_x]

Yes, it needs to breath. That's the reason why I might now turn to less powerful amps. Even if my SVT 4 Pro never had any heating issues sitting in the same very rack.
But Titan is fir sure a fantastic amp. That's the reason why I bought two

I'm considering adding a second fan myself in my non updated Titan, based on the updated one. Nothing too fancy or complicated.

 

[baxter_x]

I have a silly question: considering that I own two Titans, would it be worth it to trade one for an Ampeg all tube (SVT 2 Pro or CL)?
I'm asking as I never owned any all tube amps, and two Titans could be a bit overkill.

 

[Wasnex]

I have a silly question: considering that I own two Titans, would it be worth it to trade one for an Ampeg all tube (SVT 2 Pro or CL)?
I'm asking as I never owned any all tube amps, and two Titans could be a bit overkill.

I thought one Titan was intended as a spare due to the unresolved thermal issues.

IMHO an SVT is in the same tonal universe as the Titan, so it won't be a huge departure. The SVT, IMHO, does the grind thing much better, but the Titan is the better wrecking ball. Given the volume requirements you seem to require, I have to wonder if an SVT will be loud enough. I would recommend an SVT 8Pro, but they are rare and unfortunately I would be concerned with the reliability of that model as well.

 

[baxter_x]

I thought one Titan was intended as a spare due to the unresolved thermal issues.

I would have kept the upgraded one.
Anyway, the rest of your answer simply put me back on track. I keep both Titans.
I compared it a several months ago against an SVT from 68, and it's true the difference is minimal. Both seemed to be very rich tonewise.
Yes, I've heard too the SVT8 is a very unreliable amp. Ampeg rapidly stopped it.

Thanks again

 

[DAcat]

IF you are looking at a loud all tube bass head....have you ever considered the Mesa 400+....it goes down to 2 ohms and the gain and volume will really shake the walls and make your pants flap ...it may be as loud or louder than my Titan ...and IMHO...its louder and cuts thru the mix better than the all tube SVT Ampeg 300 watt heads.
Peace
DAcat