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Mesa M9 mega thread

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#421
Keep in mind the M6 does not come with a foot switch but the M9 does which is great for muting as well as switching in and out the eq if desired. The M6 has a ton of switch jacks on the back so you can switch between the 5 tone presets but you need some kind of multi switch or a bunch of individual foot switches.

The M9 has a toggle on the back that allows you to defeat any of the presets when activating the graphic eq, or leave it so that the graphic is added to the preset sound when kicked in. Very cool feature! I currently have mine set to preset number 2 which has a bit of a mid scoop for a modern deep tone and then can foot switch to number 3 which is flat and the graphic tweaked for a bit of a mid hump which works wonders with fretless tones.

I thought the M6 looked meaner with the big knobs and simple layout but the M9 is the way to go for several reasons.
 
#422
I agree, I'd probably find the voice I like best for 80-90% of my playing, and set the graphic eq for those special occasions I want to do something different. I have separate pedals in mind for other effects.

So:
Set up tone 1 with a 'Voice' setting for 'normal' finger style
Set up tone 2 with an 'eq/no-Voice' setting for tapping/slapping (need a bass boost and treble drop for my Thumb when doing this anyway, so...)

The 5 foot-switch option for the M6 is the only thing I (barely) lament missing on the M9, but I can totally live without it. Two foot-switchable tone should be just fine, I can always walk over to my amp and turn the knob for any others. ;)
 
#424
How is the overdrive on the M9? I play a few different styles of metal (black/thrash/doom) and alternative, and I need a good clean punchy tone as well as thrashy, dirgy, doomy ones. It's time for a new head - looking for the right one and an M9 Carbine has caught my eye, but wanted to see how those of you who own one feel about it for heavier music. I don't want anything that is "pingy".

I'm currently playing an LTD through a solid state Ampeg (which is totally meh and needs to go in the trash), an Ampeg 410 and 115. I sometimes use a Boss MetalZone pedal and am probably getting a Sansamp pedal soon.

Thoughts? Thanks!
 
#426
The M9 is quick, clean, and immediate. Best terms I can think of to use. Basically no (onboard/natural) OD at all. However that's how I like it- I Just throw any number of my 2-4 distortion/OD pedals in front of it and I'm there. I like a clean palette to build my tone upon and not have it "dirty" or over-saturated from the onset that you can't ever clean up.
But it definitely is not "pingy" at all. Also if you know how to use them properly to advantage, the graphic EQ and onboard compressors are a godsend. I use 'em both and leave em on at all times, altho sometimes switch off the G-EQ to use Voicing 2 for slower, fingerpicked stuff.

And we play butt/poon rock in drop C and my amp crushes with my Spectors. Definitely works well in heavier/harder music as it retains clarity at very high volumes and you'll have to turn way down before you come close to maxing it out. :bassist:
 
#427
Hey, I appreciate it! This forum has been a really great resource to me for so many years – and this is the first time I've ever needed an opinion I have not found, so, again, thank you.

I am playing as low as standard C tuning with one band so it is nice to hear it doesn't get muddy. I am looking at the M9 as a long-term career investment so the clarity may end up being a good thing, as I dabble in so many genres. I think I'll go take that baby for a spin! (And I won't buy it if it has a low serial number. Ha!)
 
#429
rockstarbassist said:
Mesa amps really sound best with their cabs...
Click to expand...
I pretty much totally disagree with this, FWIW. :)

I've actually never been a huge fan of their cabs, tho, so that makes sense... for me. I mean, they're great, don't get me wrong, but I do like other stuff better, and if there's one thing I feel strongly about especially with the Carbine line, is how great they sound literally with ANY cabinets.

IMHO/IME tho.
 
#430
Vic said:
I pretty much totally disagree with this, FWIW. :)

I've actually never been a huge fan of their cabs, tho, so that makes sense... for me. I mean, they're great, don't get me wrong, but I do like other stuff better, and if there's one thing I feel strongly about especially with the Carbine line, is how great they sound literally with ANY cabinets.

IMHO/IME tho.
Click to expand...

A lot of that is b/c I play 12's. Not many other people make 'em, and definitely don't make 'em nearly as good as Mesa's offerings! ;)
So yeah- I'm biased. :o :D If we were talking 10's, yeah I'd prolly be more inclined to agree!
 
#433
I'm playing through an Ampeg 410 and a Backline 115 (til I get an Ampeg 115). I have been very happy with their cabs but, as I said, the head is mediocre at best and it seems like Ampeg reviews just keep getting worse and worse since they stopped manufacturing them in the States. Not sure I want to drop $1000+ into another one.
 
#434
rockstarbassist said:
Not any that are nearly as good... :o I always wanted to try the NV412 but are practically impossible to find. They're the only other guys for me that come close.
Click to expand...
Oh, ok, just back to the personal pref thing... that makes sense... just your wording threw me. Gotcha.
 
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