Mesa M6 Carbine Mega-Thread Pt Deux

[MG Bass]

Hey Vic,

Do you still use a stack of Berg AE210s with this amp?

If so how do feel it would fair up to a single AE410?

I feel, you loose some depth and fullness with the stack compared to the single 410 box.
I also feel that the sound doesn't punch out into the room with some authority with the 210 stack compared to the 410 box.

Love to hear your views or anyone else whose had some experience comparing these setups.

 

[Chef]

Saluki could speak to that as well.

 

[ahbassman]

I played one today at the local GC.... wasnt too impressed.

 

[Vic]

Hey Vic,

Do you still use a stack of Berg AE210s with this amp?

If so how do feel it would fair up to a single AE410?

I feel, you loose some depth and fullness with the stack compared to the single 410 box.
I also feel that the sound doesn't punch out into the room with some authority with the 210 stack compared to the 410 box.

Love to hear your views or anyone else whose had some experience comparing these setups.

So you compared the 210 stack to the 410?

I ask because I haven't, so I can't really draw a comparison, BUT...

I can tell you there's definitely no lack of punch at all with the AE210 stack... holy cow. In fact, the AE210 stack is what I bring in particular if I feel the room I'm going to play in is on the boomy side and I need a more mid forward and mix cutting punch on stage. Keep in mind the amount of cabinet volume (in cubic inches) per speaker is pretty much identical between the two, so while I would expect there to be some difference between them, I'd really doubt it'd be significant. Plus, I really like the fact that the top 10's are higher, which helps me on smaller stages.

That said, the dual 210 config is a lot more expensive than the 410, so as a general rule, I'd typically recommend the 410 over a pair of 210's, BUT, if modularity is important enough (it was for me at the time), it's a really nice setup.

 

[Vic]

I played one today at the local GC.... wasnt too impressed.

Through what cab(s) and with what kinda' bass?

 

[MG Bass]

So you compared the 210 stack to the 410?

Yes I did in a showroom. As per my comments above,

"I feel, you loose some depth and fullness with the stack compared to the single 410 box." and so that's why I feel in a room the sound wouldn't punch out into the room with some authority with the 210 stack compared to the 410 box.

Dunno, that's why I'd love to hear if others feel the same or have experienced this.

 

[Saluki]

Hey Vic,

Do you still use a stack of Berg AE210s with this amp?

If so how do feel it would fair up to a single AE410?

I feel, you loose some depth and fullness with the stack compared to the single 410 box.
I also feel that the sound doesn't punch out into the room with some authority with the 210 stack compared to the 410 box.

Love to hear your views or anyone else whose had some experience comparing these setups.

Well Now that I have a AE410 and Vic has his stack we can probably compare sometime, but probably not in mix environment. I used to stack my HS210s vertically and I really liked having the 10's closer to my ear. I didn't a notice a lack of punch with that setup and I agree with Vic that the 210X2 wouldn't lack any oomph and also has the benefit of stacking vertical and lighter schelping than the single 410. I really like the M6/AE410 combo. I think is the perfect balance for me. It is clear, punchy, and still full sounding. If you need a little more low end you can pull the boost or go to setting 2 for a little scoop sound. The only thing I could ask for is a base/stand so I can get it up closer to my ear, so if I could have gone with 210x2 I would have, or maybe I will just add a 210 to the top

 

[Vic]

Yes I did in a showroom. As per my comments above,

"I feel, you loose some depth and fullness with the stack compared to the single 410 box." and so that's why I feel in a room the sound wouldn't punch out into the room with some authority with the 210 stack compared to the 410 box.

Dunno, that's why I'd love to hear if others feel the same or have experienced this.

Yeah, if that's really true, again, I can't imagine it being significant, and I really can't imagine it cutting punch... maybe some of the bigness at the low end, but on a gig, that might not be a bad thing.

Saluki, let's do the A/B. I've actually been wanting to do that for a while anyway.

 

[Chef]

The thing I like about the two 210's is as Saluki noted: the ability to stack tall-wise.
I do that with my LDS 2x8's and it's great.

 

[4Mal]

Have any of you guys paired an M6 with a fEarful type cab ? Particularly a 12/6 ?

 

[Chef]

I had an lds 15/6 for a bit.
While I loove the M6, the 15/6 was one case where it felt a little power shy to me:>o!
The wt800b, bridged, worked better with that cab; it really wanted a looot of power.

Also, and this is probably just me and my perference set; to let the M6 really speak; I'd want a cab with a horn to let it's shimmery top end do it's thing.

Having said that, I used it my my lds 2x12+2x6 tonight, and it worked really well with that. It's a 4 ohm cab though.

 

[ptidwell]

Got the Fathom m6 yesterday, I had a little time today to get it racked.
Played it through the LoPHAT 112 3 way. 2 setting was PHAT, but the 4 setting had some serious bark with the Nordy vJ5. Spent about an hour plus with it, when I put the Nordy back on the stand all I could say was WOW! Much different voice than the TFB550B, and from my power amp/preamp setup. Tomorrow I will try it with the 410, 210, & 212 3 way, oh and the 210 4 ohm over the 112 3 way 8 ohm should be interesting with a 2.67 ohm load. Should be fun.

 

[Chef]

My SKB 2 space is going to be out of commission for a bit.
The only other rack I have anymore is a Gator 3 space soft bag.

Anyone got their M6 in one of those?

 

[svtb15]

I had my Thunderfunk amp in one of those Gators.. The one with the zipper back panel.. never had an issue but the amp did get real hot... My M6 is in a SKB and it gets pretty warm anyway.... But at leasst in the SKB i feel like i am separating the input air for the output..

 

[goldenglory18]

I just played a M6 and a M9 yesterday. Both were through MESA 1x15 and 4x10 with a MIA P-bass.

'EFFING AWESOME!!!!!

These are definitely on my radar now. I hope santa brings me about $1,100 this x-mas....

 

[Chef]

The TFB "runs warm" anyway, as it's designed ot use the chassis as a heat sink. I had my TFB in that same gator three space, and it did indeed get warm.
My wt800B has lived in it for years, and doesn't get warm.

I reckon I can try it at home and beat on it for an hour or so before introducing it to a clubland style whipping.

I had my Thunderfunk amp in one of those Gators.. The one with the zipper back panel.. never had an issue but the amp did get real hot... My M6 is in a SKB and it gets pretty warm anyway.... But at leasst in the SKB i feel like i am separating the input air for the output..

 

[svtb15]

The neighbors may call Homeland security on you if you keep that up. That amp is one loud bugger!!

I reckon I can try it at home and beat on it for an hour or so before introducing it to a clubland style whipping.

 

[Chef]

It's all about headroom man! Keeps it cuh-lean!

 

[motorhall]

I will admit that I haven't read through all 748 pages of postings in this megathread, or whatever it is, but here are my thoughts:

Tried an M6 at GC a couple of months ago and thought, "Here's the amp that I've been waiting for Mesa to make." Reason being that I love their cabs but didn't like the sound of the M-Pulse line and didn't have a roadie to carry around a 90 pound 400+ head for me. I've always liked the G-K sound but not their endless list of useless features. I had purchased a Genz-Benz GBE750 thinking that would be the answer to life, the universe, and everything, but it wasn't. So I finally picked up a used M6 a couple of days ago.

Observations, playing through a Powerhouse 1x15 and 2x10: This thing gets powerful and boomy really fast. Playing with the gain and bass knobs can fry speakers in no time flat.

Yes, the "passive mid" control that "boosts only" makes no sense at all. If a control is passive, it can only cut, as on all of our beloved passive instruments that we play. If it boosts, that means it is active.

Having a mute switch incorporated into the master volume knob is beyond idiotic.

Having multiple footswitch jacks for mid-voicing presets is equally preposterous, especially if you are using typical switching jacks that have no LED's to let you know what setting you're on.

Criticisms aside, this amp sounds f*cking great. Lot's of presence and power to spare, so I want to thank Mesa for making this amp, even if they had some dumbass in their marketing group make them add features or alter the design that made no sense.

 

[Crabby]

Its funny some of the features or lack of that Mesa puts forward. My Big Block 750 is the earliest one with no controls at all to switch to the overdrive channel or mute the signal on the amp. You must have the footswitch which is included or else there is no way to access the overdrive channel or use the mute. This was soon addressed with the updated version but having a pull mute switch on the master volume control is really awkward.

I really like the Big Block but cannot get a Carbine out of my head. Turns out at this point, the largest music store chain in Canada has no M6's in stock at any of their 42 locations and have had them on back order since June 2009!!! M9's are available as the odd store demo unit but no new stock anywhere.

I wonder if Mesa is having a hard time keeping up with orders or if there is some problem with supply. I am right on the edge of trading in my Big Block for an M6 or M9 but I may not even be able to locate one.