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Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread part 3:

#201
That was such an oddball choice.
There appears to be room for a mini-baseballbat switch (like the 2 ohm selector on the back of the M9) or a mini push to mute (like on a thunderfunk)...
That gripes me much more than the volume taper...
I find the pull to mute deal so weird I just spin the master volume shut and ignore the pull to mute.


Vic said:
Yeah, I'm also not really a fan of the pull mute, but it's also not really been much a problem for me, either.
Click to expand...
 
#202
I actually agree that the volume knob really isn't that much of a problem I use the mesa EQ pedal as a controller for the mute and in even my quieter rehearsal, I don't have a problem the volume being too loud (and I set my gain at 1:00).

I just saw this and thought of the M6. But, I'm not going to get one (or a volume pedal).
 
#203
I have a technical question for all amp freaks like myself around here :

How can you have the same wattage at 2 ohms and 4 ohms with the little switch on the back of the amp ?

I think in 2 ohms mode, the amp's chips/transistors are driven less harder, thus producing the same wattage at 2 ohms and 4 ohms.

Anyone else has ever wonder how it could accomplish such magic?
 
#205
Chef said:
I don't know the technical of how, but, Mesa limits power at 2 ohms to limit heat...
Click to expand...

+1 I belive Genz does the same thing. This is the best way to make an amp both safe and to keep it within decent distortion, etc. parameters when operating at the very low impedance based on the stuff I've read about this.

Not sure of the technical way they do this... something about reducing the windings that are 'active' on the power transformer, hence reducing power and heat to compensate for the lower resistance.

Most would never plan to run at 2ohms day in and day out. This allows you to do it on occasion when you run into strange cab pairings, or need to add a second or third cab that will take your impedance below 4ohms.

Nice execution on that.
 
#206
Well ,based on all multiple postings and many pages later...I just pulled the trigger on a M6 2x12 combo yesterday...I have played it for a solid day...unbelievable!...Loud/clear/linear..articulate, I can pull off anything from Upright jazz tones to great rock and roll tones. The definition of amp can make you sound incredible or just eat you up and make you look like an ass.. very precise. this amp will make me a better player.
Thanks again
 
#209
INTHEPOCKET69 said:
Has anyone paired the Epi NYC 310 cab with the M6? I know some of you really like the UL410 paired with it. I have an opportunity to score one of the 310's and would appreciate any wisdom on this pairing....love the M6 ..just a great head;)
Click to expand...

I used my M6 with an Epi UL310 early Series II and it was fabulous. Trying to score another one. Plenty for everything I do. Great combination, IMO.
 
#210
INTHEPOCKET69 said:
Has anyone paired the Epi NYC 310 cab with the M6? I know some of you really like the UL410 paired with it. I have an opportunity to score one of the 310's and would appreciate any wisdom on this pairing....love the M6 ..just a great head;)
Click to expand...
I have. In my case, the Series 1 UL310, and it was AMAZING. That cab is kind of an oddball because of its impedance. Unless you have a 2 ohm safe head, you can't pair it with anything, so it really matters how punchy the amp is that you plug into it. I'd typically driven mine with the 500W class heads before, and actually been really happy with it.

However...

When I plugged the M6 into it, oh my gosh, it totally opened up. It was like a whole different cab. I couldn't believe how much better it sounded to me.

I'd say if you have the opps to get one at a great price, so that even if it didn't work out for some reason you could flip with little or no loss, do it! The UL2-410 remains my favorite Epifani cab, but the UL310 is a LOT easier to move around, and paired with the M6, should have plenty of output for pretty much anyone... especially with full PA support when needed.

One tip... get the removable casters on there. You can pop the back casters off and get about a 15 degree kickback for smaller stages, which is really great.

IMHO/IME :)
 
#212
Randyt said:
Well ,based on all multiple postings and many pages later...I just pulled the trigger on a M6 2x12 combo yesterday...I have played it for a solid day...unbelievable!...Loud/clear/linear..articulate, I can pull off anything from Upright jazz tones to great rock and roll tones. The definition of amp can make you sound incredible or just eat you up and make you look like an ass.. very precise. this amp will make me a better player.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

I got the same rig in August - and I love it - mainly based on the positive comments on this great Bass forum. It is actually a good price for what you get although a tad heavy - good job i have a walkout basment ( where I practice) and can back my vehicle right to the door for easy loading :)
 
#213
Mapleleaf said:
I got the same rig in August - and I love it - mainly based on the positive comments on this great Bass forum. It is actually a good price for what you get although a tad heavy - good job i have a walkout basment ( where I practice) and can back my vehicle right to the door for easy loading :)
Click to expand...

I have the same kind of music room/basement type of setup. It really helps when I've taken my Berg NV215 out.
 
#214
Well, it happened to me: last night, during the fourth song of the first set of a real bumpen gig, my Fathom just cut out. Power was still on... I did all the idiot check things, but to no avail. I finished the gig using the FOS system, but... embarrassing.

Anyway, the room wasn't hot and the amp was cool. I just checked the amp again (24 hours later) and is still not producing any audio.

I know Fathoms have some history with this kind of thing, but this one is two years old and as far as I know has been problem free.

I guess I'll be making a trip to Mesa tomorrow.
 
#215
welp - my m6 just dropped output and then completely cut out 3 songs into my set saturday.... no sound......and had to go to my Backup head. Anyone else have this issue? It already has the cooling mods done to it and the vents in the top. Is this just an amp that is prone to issues? I love the sound, but can't deal w/ it if it can do this kinda' thing on me.
 
#216
so i assume that when they changed the name - the guts stayed the same?


Matt Dean said:
Well, it happened to me: last night, during the fourth song of the first set of a real bumped gig, my Fathom just cut out. Power was still on... I did all the idiot check things, but to no avail. I finished the gig using the FOS system.

Anyway, the room wasn't hot and the amp was cool. I just checked the amp again and is still not producing any volume.

I know Fathoms have some history, but this one as far as I know has been problem free. I guess I'll be making a trip to Mesa tomorrow.
Click to expand...
 
#218
Matt Dean said:
Yes, the Fathom and the M6 Carbine are the same except for the name on the front. Mesa changed the name rather than get into a squabble with another company with a product with the same name.
Click to expand...

I have read that the case was changed to eliminate some cooling issues when Mesa went to the Carbine name.

I've not had any issues with my Carbine and have a buddy that's been playing through an M9 with no issues at all. I need to go back through this thread and see if anyone has had this type of issue with the later Carbine version of this amp.

Matt and shaboda, if you would let us all know what the findings are with your amps it would be greatly appreciated.

Shaboda so your model IS the Fathom converted to the Carbine specs? Were you running the amp at 2 ohms? Was your amp in some kind of case or rack?

I am really enamored with my M6. It's just been a great little amp for me.
 
#219
I had both a Fathom and a Carbine fail on me.
I believe the updates include a second fan, new chassis top with more vents, new thermal switching relay, and perhaps a new fuse holder too.
Maybe some other stuff I've forgotten.

My second M6 ran perfect, thru much 2 ohm use.
My M9 has been faultless so far.

You guys need to contact Mesa, direct, with this.
They do want to fix this, and knowing what's going on with specific units and specific serial numbers helps them with future service that might need to be done.
 
#220
I was running the amp at 4ohms... I don't know if this was a thermal issue as the amp failed within 20 min of being turned on. Also, it never came back on (I thought that with thermal issues, they would work after cooling down).

I live near Mesa, so I'll be paying them a visit later this morning... I'll keep this thread posted on outcomes.
 

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