Chef
In Memoriam
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Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread part 3:
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
I've been using this setup and it's great. It hits hard and gets really loud. The only thing I don't like about it is the size and weight of the Mesa 610. Tone wise, I don't have any dislikes with this combo.
If you already own the Powerhouse 6x10 and love it, the M6 Carbine will do it more justice than you can possibly imagine.
I tried the M6 Carbine with a Powerhouse 4x10 and did not care for it as much as with my Bergantino AE410, but that's a personal preference based on the cabinet, not the amp. If you love the 6x10, I can't imagine you would be less than thrilled. The Mesa M6/M9 Carbine amps are new classics as far as I'm concerned. KILLER Amplifiers that will garner love and respect for years to come. All IMO/IME.
Thanks guys for your experience and opinions. I do have a PH6x10 and currently have it paired with a Peavey Tour 450, but I am looking at upgrading it down the road for a bit more power and the M6 is one I have been looking at. I cannot afford anything too expensive right now, however if I see a deal come up then at least I know a little bit more about how it will pair and sound with my 6x10. I usually buy used anyways.
I just wanted to give a few observations on my first gig with the M6 last weekend. The signal chain was a Sadowsky WL4 -> Line6 M9 -> EB volume pedal -> Mesa M6 Fathom -> Berg AE410.
1. A couple of years ago when shopping for an amp, I compared some of the micros to the Mesa M9. The Mesa just had something more to it's sound so I ended up getting an M9. But over time, I got tired of lugging the M9 and ended up taking my micro everywhere. This led to selling the M9 and getting a more powerful micro. When an M6 came up for sale recently, I went for it.
Usually I can verbalize what I'm hearing but not this time. Maybe it's just a feel thing. The M6 Fathom had a sound and presence in the mix that's missing from my micros. It just felt good.
I'm not putting down micros. I have two now and will definitely be keeping one for smaller gigs and practices but there is a difference.
2. When I read the manual, it said the post DI was AFTER the master volume. I thought that must be wrong. I tried it out and it's not! Why in the world would you ever do this? It makes no sense and renders the post DI unusable.
3. Between sets I went up to the amp and heard a very faint, crackling type noise. It's tone changed when I changed the eq. And it went away when I unplugged the bass from the amp. It can't be heard when I'm playing and it doesn't affect my sound. I did the "contact cleaner on a plug in the jack" routine to clean it before I went out. Do I need to do a better job? Or could it be the tube starting to go?
4. Seeing it's a Fathom, it's one of the earlier M6's. And it's never had any work done to it. I was thinking of possibly sending it into Mesa to have any upgrades done to it more as a preventative measure.
All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase. I feel the Mesa M6 is an upgrade to my sound.
1. A couple of years ago when shopping for an amp, I compared some of the micros to the Mesa M9. The Mesa just had something more to it's sound so I ended up getting an M9. But over time, I got tired of lugging the M9 and ended up taking my micro everywhere. This led to selling the M9 and getting a more powerful micro. When an M6 came up for sale recently, I went for it.
Usually I can verbalize what I'm hearing but not this time. Maybe it's just a feel thing. The M6 Fathom had a sound and presence in the mix that's missing from my micros. It just felt good.
I'm not putting down micros. I have two now and will definitely be keeping one for smaller gigs and practices but there is a difference.
2. When I read the manual, it said the post DI was AFTER the master volume. I thought that must be wrong. I tried it out and it's not! Why in the world would you ever do this? It makes no sense and renders the post DI unusable.
3. Between sets I went up to the amp and heard a very faint, crackling type noise. It's tone changed when I changed the eq. And it went away when I unplugged the bass from the amp. It can't be heard when I'm playing and it doesn't affect my sound. I did the "contact cleaner on a plug in the jack" routine to clean it before I went out. Do I need to do a better job? Or could it be the tube starting to go?
4. Seeing it's a Fathom, it's one of the earlier M6's. And it's never had any work done to it. I was thinking of possibly sending it into Mesa to have any upgrades done to it more as a preventative measure.
All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase. I feel the Mesa M6 is an upgrade to my sound.
Great post. Thank you!
I can't see any reason why you wouldn't want to send your Fathom/M6 to Mesa for the update/upgrades. Make it current and get that extra cooling protection going on. ..and have them give it a good look!
I can't see any reason why you wouldn't want to send your Fathom/M6 to Mesa for the update/upgrades. Make it current and get that extra cooling protection going on. ..and have them give it a good look!
The M6 is on my short list, possibly, to use with my NV610. I have high confidence that I could work with its sound. But, I have to say that in scanning through all the threads about the M9 and M6, I have serious reservations about reliability issues. Don't know how else to say it. I'm just not interested in commuting to work in a F1 race car that will spend more time in the shop than gettin' me to work.
Sorry, prolly shouldn't even post this, since I'm sure many are real satisfied with the amp. Not intending to troll, just don't have confidence.
Sorry, prolly shouldn't even post this, since I'm sure many are real satisfied with the amp. Not intending to troll, just don't have confidence.
It is understandable to be apprehensive. There has certainly been problems. I can tell you I have had the M6 for 1 1/2 years or so and not had a single issue. It's a newer model with the updates. I can also tell you the M6 and NV610 is a very good combination.
It's totally understandable to be concerned based on some of the issues. However, I believe that Mesa has corrected the problem since the early runs and they have certainly made good on any that have been returned to them.
If you get a newer one or a used one that has been updated, I believe it would be as reliable as any other brand. IMO.
If you get a newer one or a used one that has been updated, I believe it would be as reliable as any other brand. IMO.
I have an M6 Carbine 2x12 combo purchased new in October 2009.
Though I've had occasion to play this rig at just 10 or so gigs since acquiring it 2nd-hand in March 2010, it's performed flawlessly for me.
Based on the apparent manufacture date, should I be concerned that the amp head should be updated? Second question: Is there a surefire way to eyeball it and tell?
I'll remove the head for inspection if the answer to number two is yes. Thanks for any help here.
--Joe in San Diego
Though I've had occasion to play this rig at just 10 or so gigs since acquiring it 2nd-hand in March 2010, it's performed flawlessly for me.
Based on the apparent manufacture date, should I be concerned that the amp head should be updated? Second question: Is there a surefire way to eyeball it and tell?
I'll remove the head for inspection if the answer to number two is yes. Thanks for any help here.
--Joe in San Diego
I feel the same way about reliability. Here's what helped me in my case.
1. I had a completely reliable M9 for a year. I'm figuring they got all the "first year" bugs out by the time the M9 came out.
2. If you get the receipt with the amp, you'll have the remainder of the 5 year warrantee.
3. And with the M6 I have now, it was one of the first (i.e. Fathom) so it'll be more likely to have teething pains. And I'm probably just being anal about what I'm hearing; if not, I'm sure Mesa will make it right.
Yeah, thanks guys; I wasn't intending to flame Mesa. I know for sure they are a great bunch of folks and stand behind their stuff. I just don't want to have to deal with it; as in, I just can't deal with amp failure at the gig.
Anyhow, kind of sittin' the fence. I could see experimenting with one, but would need to drag my micro around as a backup; which kind of defeats the purpose for me.
Anyhow, thanks again for the comments.
Only one gig in my entire bass playing career did an amp fail me. (and it wasn't a Mesa either) Over 30 years of gigging. That is not sufficient failure rate to warrant the need to carry a back up. I have spare fuses and cables. That's it.
.... and I only take one bass to my gigs too. I pack extra strings. But that's just me.
+1... the only amp failure I've ever had were with my Fathom (twice) and Mesa has been stellar in dealing with me and my Fathom and every major part in the amp has been either replace or repaired, so I feel pretty confident about it now.
So, I'd send it in for the upgrades.
My Fathom sounds so friggen good, I don't think I'll be selling it (unless maybe until Mesa comes out with their new all tube head).
Chef
In Memoriam
I had an early Fathom; it failed.
Mesa fixed it. It ran well from then on.
Some of the early M9 had a failure point as well.
When I moved to an M9, I made sure I got a late model, current spec unit.
I've flogged it mercilessly and it's been fine
Whatever bugs that line had, they've been worked out.
I'd totally sent your unit in for ungrade to current spec.
The only other amp I remember failing me on the job was a Thunderfunk...so I guess I've been lucky enough to only have top shelf, reliable brands fail on me.
Mesa fixed it. It ran well from then on.
Some of the early M9 had a failure point as well.
When I moved to an M9, I made sure I got a late model, current spec unit.
I've flogged it mercilessly and it's been fine
Whatever bugs that line had, they've been worked out.
I'd totally sent your unit in for ungrade to current spec.
The only other amp I remember failing me on the job was a Thunderfunk...so I guess I've been lucky enough to only have top shelf, reliable brands fail on me.
I had a Fathom that performed flawlessly for years before I upgraded to an M9, which failed the first time I took it out of the studio/basement... go figure. Mesa's customer service, however, was fantastic (amo was; I was impressed and pleased with their commitment to their products and my fixed M9 has been solid since it was returned to me. I'd bet money that Mesa will take good care of anyone with an issue.
I am gigging a brand new M6 weekly 2-3x a week. I've done about 20 shows so far. Flawless.
Chef
In Memoriam
