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Mesa/Boogie Titan V12 megathread!
- Thread starter Krügmeister
- Start date
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,987
- 5
- 220,780
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Series is what I’ve heard as well- but don’t quote me as I only use my fingers for effects!!
Peace, DAcat
Peace, DAcat
I don't have mine anymore unfortunately. I owned both the silver and black version.
@blong1 don't you face any overheating issues with this rack? I did face some with a similar rack.
@blong1 don't you face any overheating issues with this rack? I did face some with a similar rack.
I always had the impression you have to push your amps harder than most of us. I have played some of the big fest stages in Europe and the volume on stage was often massive. My approach was to reach back an turn the Master on my amp off and just run off the sidefills. I was running an SWR RedHead stacked on a BigBen at the time, and there is no way that I could have gotten my amp over he volume of the sidefills. When the amp was on, I just had sort of a perception that the amp was sucking sound out rather than making a useful contribution.
You could be very right. I have chosen the bass for the fantastic massive sound that instrument produces. Hearing myself is one thing but also feeling the sound is also important to me. Also, I tend to move a lot on stage so I don't stay in front of my cab all the time.
One other thing is I used to use very narrowed SKB rack, and those were probably the worst I could have chosen. Even with my Ampeg SVT 4 Pro I faced some overheating issues.
So it's probably those two things combined.
I did work my tone for years. It perfectly sits in the mix without messing with the rest. Most of the sound guys I have worked with might have asked to turn down a. little, but they also told me they almost didn't have to tweak anything to make the bass shine through the mix. Which was pretty unique to them.
Something I'm always glad to here I have to say
I am looking at the BB750 but now considering going all out and getting the Titan instead. I'm still a little hesitant because of all the stuff I've read about failures. I'm assuming that the particular one I'm looking at hasn't failed by now it's probably good to go, but I'm still a little apprehensive. I did give Mesa a call and they didn't have any service or repair history in their records. He did give me the low-down on the failures and what to look for. It may have been discussed already, but I didn't look through all 45 pages of this thread yet. If not here it is.
What I was told by their service dept. (I'm sorry I forgot the guy's name already) is that the extra cooling fan did not solve the failure issue. They brought in an outside engineer, who now works for them, and he diagnosed that the voltage on the output transformer was too high. If the transformer is marked with 65 VAC or 85 VAC then it's too high. If it's marked with 55 VAC that is the correct voltage needed.
On a tangent, I may not like the tone of everything they produce, but I am now a life long Mesa Boogie fan just on their customer service. I was expecting to have to fight through an automated menu before I got sent to a call center with hopes that I could get some basic info. Imagine my shock when an actual service engineer picked up on the 2nd ring. Even knowing I was only looking into buying a used, discontinued product he took the time to answer my questions and even gave me additional info I hadn't thought of. I really wish I wasn't so bad with names so I could give credit where it's due.
What I was told by their service dept. (I'm sorry I forgot the guy's name already) is that the extra cooling fan did not solve the failure issue. They brought in an outside engineer, who now works for them, and he diagnosed that the voltage on the output transformer was too high. If the transformer is marked with 65 VAC or 85 VAC then it's too high. If it's marked with 55 VAC that is the correct voltage needed.
On a tangent, I may not like the tone of everything they produce, but I am now a life long Mesa Boogie fan just on their customer service. I was expecting to have to fight through an automated menu before I got sent to a call center with hopes that I could get some basic info. Imagine my shock when an actual service engineer picked up on the 2nd ring. Even knowing I was only looking into buying a used, discontinued product he took the time to answer my questions and even gave me additional info I hadn't thought of. I really wish I wasn't so bad with names so I could give credit where it's due.
There were several modes of failure, the transformer is just one of them. I believe Mesa got a bad batch of FETs that went into some amps. I have read several posts about failures between the terminals where the FETs are connected to the heat sink. It's hard to discern whether the discussion attributed the failure to the FETS or the heat sink, or both.
I sent my Titan in for updates on my dime in 2019. They replaced the transformer, the power block, and a bunch of resistors, capacitors, etc. They did not install an extra fan or change out the top panel.
Including shipping to Mesa, the update cost me $596.84. My amp had not failed, but it was making some very subtle crackles on sustained notes that made me worry that the power section might fail. When the amp came back, it sounded noticeably better.
In comparison, when I sent my M9 for it's update I thought the amp had the exact same sound and feel when it was returned to me. Keep in mind the M9 update involved replacing the original 900W output section with the M6s 600W output section. I guess I don't play loud enough to notice any difference.
The Titan is a unique and incredible amp. My favorite descriptor is wrecking ball. Even at low volume levels the amp induces sympathetic vibrations in surrounding structures. Actually it might be hard to not be obnoxious with this amp, so keep that in mind. On the other hand, if you like getting on peoples last nerve, the Titan is pretty much the perfect amp for the toxic narcissist bass player.
I went ahead an pulled the trigger on a Titan. Except for a couple of pics I've ordered it sight unseen from GC. The sales guys there weren't going to open it up to look at the guts and confirm any updates so it's somewhat of a leap of faith. At least I have a good heads up on what to look for when I get it. I took into consideration additional costs if I end up having to send it to Mesa for updates. It may be on the higher end, but I feel it's still in the realm of being worth it. Worst case scenario, I can change my mind, return it and only be out a few bucks shipping.
If everything checks out (or I have Mesa update it if needed) the next step would be to get a new cab that can handle all that power. Right now I have a Hartke 4.5XL which I love, but it's rated for only 400 watts. The cab is 8 ohms so the Titan would be putting out what? about 600-650 watts. It should be okay in the very short term to get by playing at bedroom levels, but won't cut it long term.
I prefer 4x10 but wouldn't be opposed to other configurations or combinations. Anyone have suggestions on some cabs that would let the Titan live up to it's full potential?
If everything checks out (or I have Mesa update it if needed) the next step would be to get a new cab that can handle all that power. Right now I have a Hartke 4.5XL which I love, but it's rated for only 400 watts. The cab is 8 ohms so the Titan would be putting out what? about 600-650 watts. It should be okay in the very short term to get by playing at bedroom levels, but won't cut it long term.
I prefer 4x10 but wouldn't be opposed to other configurations or combinations. Anyone have suggestions on some cabs that would let the Titan live up to it's full potential?
