Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread part 3:

[Jerry J]

Well... I continue to experience Fathom/M6 weirdness: last night at rehearsal, I hooked everything up, tuned up and then hit the mute pedal (mesa EQ control, plugged into the mute jack in the back), only to find that it did not work. So, tonight before I head out to a gig, I take the pedal apart to check the soldering... which looked ok. Then went to check the other voice control options to see if they worked. What I discovered is that the mute/EQ control pedal only works when I'm touching the front aluminum rim of the SKB two space case my Fathom lives in. It's only the front rim... I touch the back rim and nothing. Touch the front, mute works.

Now, if you ask me, that's weird!

The mute and the voicing setup, when used with a pedal, depends on the ground. It sounds like they have the ground messed up. But I would think that it wouldn't matter if you touched anywhere on the case. Now that's strange.

 

[Matt Dean]

Do you think hitting ground lift would effect it?

 

[Freddy-G.]

Tonight at band practice, for the first time I tried out my new M6 with my new Accugroove Whappo Jr.. Let me just say that this is a very special rig. Ground-shaking lows, smooth mids and highs. We were all very impressed!

 

[wimpy]

Well... I continue to experience Fathom/M6 weirdness: last night at rehearsal, I hooked everything up, tuned up and then hit the mute pedal (mesa EQ control, plugged into the mute jack in the back), only to find that it did not work. So, tonight before I head out to a gig, I take the pedal apart to check the soldering... which looked ok. Then went to check the other voice control options to see if they worked. What I discovered is that the mute/EQ control pedal only works when I'm touching the front aluminum rim of the SKB two space case my Fathom lives in. It's only the front rim... I touch the back rim and nothing. Touch the front, mute works.

Now, if you ask me, that's weird!

UFO?

 

[wimpy]

I left my Fathom in service last night becouse no answers from MESA for one week! (two email addresses)...will see

 

[Chef]

matt:
clearly a ground issue, but, where, I wouldn't begin to know.

 

[John D Harris]

Tonight at band practice, for the first time I tried out my new M6 with my new Accugroove Whappo Jr.. Let me just say that this is a very special rig. Ground-shaking lows, smooth mids and highs. We were all very impressed!

Yeah, I would bet that is an amazing combination!

 

[Jim C]

Guys,
I am hesitent to post but I really have searched many pages in all 3 sections of the M6 thread but can't find an answer:

I am looking for a lighter alternative to my SVT for a 3- dimensional clean tone / wide soundstage/ warm, rich harmonic content / studio like fullness and clarity. Also important is the ability for subtle finger nuances and techniques to also be heard clearly (like an SVT).

Of course I will test localy but thought I'd check in here with my fellow brethern in bass.
Gear is typically a Stingray with Berg HT322 or EV TL606
Gigs are R&B, rock, and blues for the most part
TIA

 

[Jerry J]

Do you think hitting ground lift would effect it?

Does your pull mute work ok?

It would be interesting to plug your mute pedal plug into one of the voices jacks to see it will switch that voice on and off.

 

[Mike]

Hey,

For those of you using the rack mountable version, are you using 2, 3, or 4 spave racks. I was considering a 2 space for economy of size but am worried about ventilation issues in such a small space. Any thoughts, anyone?

 

[Matt Dean]

Does your pull mute work ok?

It would be interesting to plug your mute pedal plug into one of the voices jacks to see it will switch that voice on and off.

Pull mute works. I guess I'll be calling my old pal Kris at Mesa Monday.

Hey, For those of you using the rack mountable version, are you using 2, 3, or 4 spave racks. I was considering a 2 space for economy of size but am worried about ventilation issues in such a small space. Any thoughts, anyone?

My two rack space SKB works well with the M6 and IMO has sufficient ventilation to keep things cool.

 

[Jerry J]

Guys,
I am hesitent to post but I really have searched many pages in all 3 sections of the M6 thread but can't find an answer:

I am looking for a lighter alternative to my SVT for a 3- dimensional clean tone / wide soundstage/ warm, rich harmonic content / studio like fullness and clarity. Also important is the ability for subtle finger nuances and techniques to also be heard clearly (like an SVT).

Of course I will test localy but thought I'd check in here with my fellow brethern in bass.
Gear is typically a Stingray with Berg HT322 or EV TL606
Gigs are R&B, rock, and blues for the most part
TIA

Dr. Jim, the Mesa M6 is a really great sounding amp, no doubt about it. But comparing it to an SVT is not going to be close. For one the M6 is going to be a lot cleaner sounding. Probably much more articulate with lots of fullness and clarity. You really have to try one out to see if it would satisfy the needs you are looking for. I find that my M6 is a beast all it's own and doesn't have any similarity to any other amp I have heard and certainly not an SVT.

All-in-all I believe it works great for the genres you would use it for....and mine sounds spectacular with my Stingrays through a Berg AE410.

 

[Vic]

Guys,
I am hesitent to post but I really have searched many pages in all 3 sections of the M6 thread but can't find an answer:

I am looking for a lighter alternative to my SVT for a 3- dimensional clean tone / wide soundstage/ warm, rich harmonic content / studio like fullness and clarity. Also important is the ability for subtle finger nuances and techniques to also be heard clearly (like an SVT).

Of course I will test localy but thought I'd check in here with my fellow brethern in bass.
Gear is typically a Stingray with Berg HT322 or EV TL606
Gigs are R&B, rock, and blues for the most part
TIA

Jim, your post puzzles me.

I agree with Jerry J's assessment of the M6/M9, as well as it matching your description of what you're looking for... but... then you say something that is a complete disconnect from my personal experiences...

Also important is the ability for subtle finger nuances and techniques to also be heard clearly (like an SVT).

Strong IMHO/IME disclaimer here, but I've never felt like an SVT was particularly good with this. They've always seemed VERY old school to me... big and boomy, clacky up high, and kinda' slow on the response. Fantastic harmonic overdriven sound, tho, awesome genuine tube sound, perfect for old school rock especially with a P bass, but not even close to comparable to something with the advancements of today's designs in terms of clarity, dynamics, and response.

Anyway, FWIW.

 

[Jim C]

Vic,
I agree that many push an SVT to an overdriven, compressed situation; in fact maybe most players buy them for just that reason.

I've been a tube guy in home stereo as well as studio outboard gear and go for a very clean, warm, and slightly sluggish signal response. Kind of like an older transformer balanced Neve console: super clean yet warm, rich, and 3-D. At the same time not fast, edgy, or super bright like say an MCI or Sony desk.

If you get a chance, you might try an SVT head (not cranked up super high) into a Berg or other full range cabinet; it can get pretty hi-fi IMO.

Could be my misfortune but have not been able to get that sound with SS amps in the past (SWR, Trace, GK, Acoustic); either not clear enough or not a very deep soundstage, and often times strident

Fair to say that the Mesa, is clean, clear, and warm but considerably faster in its' response? If so, think an outbaord compressor can make it more like what I'm accoustomed?

Thanks for the input on this difficult to discuss topic as well as slight derail.

 

[Vic]

I've been a tube guy in home stereo...

OH NO! You're one of THOSE people! GAH! (just kidding!)

If you get a chance, you might try an SVT head (not cranked up super high) into a Berg or other full range cabinet; it can get pretty hi-fi IMO.

I actually agree with this for the most part. If you mean Hi-Fi in the less literal sense (big wide clean), as opposed to the literal sense (extremely faithful tonal reproduction with little or no coloration -- High Fidelity in the truest sense), anyway.

I have done this in the past, but my "problem" with it is, by the time you get the "most" from that head, you're into the drive, and really, I think that's what at least most folks go for in it. Otherwise, for the total clean tone, I think a lot of heads out there do just as well at a small fraction of its weight. My gosh... 96 pound bass amp head... never again... ever.

Could be my misfortune but have not been able to get that sound with SS amps in the past (SWR, Trace, GK, Acoustic); either not clear enough or not a very deep soundstage, and often times strident

...but not really too surprising... even if you don't go into "drive", there's DEFINITELY a tubey tone that adds harmonic content and what most folks refer to as a "roundness" to the tone. I think that's VERY hard to get from a pure SS amp, which is why there's so many hybrids out there trying to get a lot closer to that "clean tube" sound, yet at the same time, preserve the nimble dynamics of an SS head.

Fair to say that the Mesa, is clean, clear, and warm but considerably faster in its' response? If so, think an outbaord compressor can make it more like what I'm accoustomed?

Thanks for the input on this difficult to discuss topic as well as slight derail.

Personally, I'd suggest you just play one without a compressor. At least IME, most of the compression that happens in a tube head is when you're "at its edge", not really so much when it's got plenty of clean headroom left.

I guess I'd just say, if I were to throw out your last comment about "just like an SVT" and focus on the kind of tone and dynamics you described in general, I'd say that matched the M6/M9 really well.

 

[Jim C]

I actually agree with this for the most part. If you mean Hi-Fi in the less literal sense (big wide clean), as opposed to the literal sense (extremely faithful tonal reproduction with little or no coloration -- High Fidelity in the truest sense), anyway.

I have done this in the past, but my "problem" with it is, by the time you get the "most" from that head, you're into the drive, and really, I think that's what at least most folks go for in it. Otherwise, for the total clean tone, I think a lot of heads out there do just as well at a small fraction of its weight.

Yes, hi-fi in the sense of big, wide, clean, or in my words, clear, full range, and deep soundstage.

Having re-thought all of the above, perhaps I am confusing clear and clean with some power tube coloration.
I could never get the exact SVT sound with an SVP pre and a power amp or with my LMII.

Wish I could trust my decisions in a music store with unfamiliar cabinets, tons of distractions, and no muscial context. Also don't want to waste some guys time at GC if I'm really thinking used.

Must be some amp the M6 reminds you of just a little bit, no?

 

[Vic]

Yes, hi-fi in the sense of big, wide, clean, or in my words, clear, full range, and deep soundstage.

Having re-thought all of the above, perhaps I am confusing clear and clean with some power tube coloration.
I could never get the exact SVT sound with an SVP pre and a power amp or with my LMII.

Wish I could trust my decisions in a music store with unfamiliar cabinets, tons of distractions, and no muscial context. Also don't want to waste some guys time at GC if I'm really thinking used.

Must be some amp the M6 reminds you of just a little bit, no?

Ok, then I think I totally get where you're coming from now, and I'd say if there's any company's products that will get you as close to a "all tube type of sound" with an SS power section, Mesa's would be the ones. They've really made it focal to try and go that direction with a lot of their stuff, and at least IMHO, the new M line has about as much of that particular kind of harmonic character in a clean sound as any other amp.

I really hope you get a chance to try one and report back... even better if it turns out to be a great solution for you. I LOVE my M9.

 

[Jerry J]

Not know what your power requirements are...you might also want to look into a Mesa Walkabout. Or if you do need tons of power and volume you might want to check out an M-pulse 600. These supposedly have a stronger tubey type tone.

I went to a GC to try out a used Walkabout and decided that I should compare it to an M6 it was no comparison for me. And I come from a lineage of B15N -> V4B -> Eden -> Aguilar db750/db680 plus a bunch of various tube preamps.

 

[Saluki]

Fair to say that the Mesa, is clean, clear, and warm but considerably faster in its' response? If so, think an outbaord compressor can make it more like what I'm accoustomed?

Couple of things. I agree with Vic, try one without the compressor first. I have had the Mpulse 600, BB750, Walkabout and the M6 is the keeper for me. Huge, quick, clear and not sterile sounding at all.

One of the quirks of the M6. The master volume affects the level to effects send/return so at least IMO you need to run a compressor before the amp and not in the effects loop as the more you crank your volume the more squash your sound with you compressor. If you need the compressor for compression and not tonal reasons then go with the M9 with the built in compressor. My 2 cents anyway.

 

[Chef]

I have to say, I've never been a fan of compressors, but I do like the one on the M9, and leave it on, set pretty minimally.
It helps even out the low end, keeping the big notes more or less the same size as the rest of the fingerboard.