Mesa M9 mega thread

[Chef]

Many of us use the skb two space.
Small, light, breathes well.

Do you guys think it will be ok in that bag, or should I put it in my 4 space gator rack?

 

[cabrego]

I ended up at around two on the input and eight oclock on the master. Nine oclock was just ridiculous. I probably won't plug in the bottom cab at smaller gigs. I like using two cause I can hear myself easier without having to turn up very loud and drown out the PA.(2 JBL MRX525's)

 

[cabrego]

Is your skb rack a hard case or soft case?

 

[Chef]

Hard case.

 

[cabrego]

The rack bag it came in reminds me of the pizza carriers delivery guys use. I think I will go ahead and use my four space rack just to be safe. I would hate for it to overheat.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Yeah i run my Gain about 10:00 and my Master about 9 and I can level building with both those cabs.

 

[nervous]

The rack bag it came in reminds me of the pizza carriers delivery guys use.

Hmm. And I now have mine in a Calzone case. Mama Mia!

 

[John D Harris]

Here it is. My new to me complete Mesa Rig.

Super sweet!

 

[nervous]

OK, I got a few minutes tonight (after spending all afternoon fighting to keep the cellar from flooding) to try the M9 and the Berg HS410. I'll start by asking just how much fan noise is normal? Perhaps it's the rack I have it in but it seems kinda loud for what I expected. Also, there's a pretty noticeable hiss, especially on preset 2. Those two things combined make for a far noisier amp at idle than I am used to. When muted it's just the whirring of the fan(s) that stands out. That aside I will have to work some to tame some high end (while maintaining some sizzle) it seems. But outside the fan and treble hiss it's sounds good for a first encounter.

Link Removed

 

[Chef]

~15" covers off, ~20" covers on.

 

[nervous]

~15" covers off, ~20" covers on.

Thanks. That's the standard, older style SKB rack and not an "X-Rack" correct?

 

[Chef]

Yessir.
Handles on the outside (versus recessed for x-rack) mean more room for airflow.
I keep two speaker cords, power cord, and a small power strip in the rear cover.

 

[Crabby]

I really like my Gator three space shallow rack for my M9. The shallow depth is perfect for this head and the extra space up top ensures great ventilation. Easy one handed carry. I don't think the two space version is available in the shallow depth.

 

[VolkmarWeber]

hi there

love to play the m9 but have to sometime its pain in the ass

actual it's my 4th m9 - the 3 before all broken

the first two m9 had a lot of dropouts with because of the automatic heat shutdown

the third one was more solid and stable but the di out signal level some day was 10-15db up and down within seconds

a play nearly 80 shows in a year with my band and as much i love the m9 sound, i never felt more unsecure while playing as you always doubt if the amp will fullfill its mission.

play usually with a passive fender jazzbase and a powerhouse 410.

heared about some major upgrade in m9 design, second fan for thermal control and fixed issues.

any others here with that massive m9 probs?

cheerz
volkmar

 

[Crabby]

There is a known issue with the first generation M9's overheating. I sent mine back for the upgrade and it was covered under warranty and the dealer paid for the shipping. My amp ended up being replaced by the dealer as the original came back with some shipping damage. My new one runs cooler and has had no issues. Granted I don't play out as much as you do.

 

[Chef]

Crabby:
my experience mirrors yours; more or less.
Faulty first run M9. Sent for repairs. Fails again.
Replaced with a fresh current spec unit; which has never given me an issue.

Current run units have a different thermal relay, and second fan, among other things.

I don't use my M9 for everything, but, I have 100+ dates a year.

 

[andrew]

hi there

love to play the m9 but have to sometime its pain in the ass

actual it's my 4th m9 - the 3 before all broken

Similar experience, I went through 2 M9's that failed and gave up on it. Killer sounding amp, and I will own another someday (just 'cause), but for now I'm M9-less.

 

[Mykk]

I just played a M9 through a Mesa 8x10 powerhouse at the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood. I fell in love with it, the M9 is now on my GAS list.

 

[lomo]

I don't gig much, but am on my 2nd M9 (sold the 1st one in a fit of temporary insanity) and never had an issue with either one.

 

[Bassflute]

I just played a M9 through a Mesa 8x10 powerhouse at the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood. I fell in love with it, the M9 is now on my GAS list.

the Mesa 4x10..nah, too boxy, need to eq the crap out of it to get anywhere...the Mesa 1x15; kind of hollow sounding, like there was a big frequency hole between the woofer and the tweeter (probably is)...and then, I tried it through the...







Mesa Powerhouse 1200!!!!!






















and suddenly it's the

greatest bass amp ever built.

Absolutely SICK! Loud, deep, punchy, crispy, bright, absolutely NUTS! So loud it could seriously cause injury, not JUST to your ears, but to your body as well. 4x10's and 1x15" and a tweeter...pure bliss...the world's stupidest cabinet...why DOES this thing sound so damn good? It's just plain WRONG...I want two so I can run stereo.

Full review (from 2007) here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/random-amp-cab-reviews-cranky-old-bugger-341920/

Cheers,
Cameron