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Mesa Strategy and Prodigy discontinued. Also PH cabs.

#23
Unfortunately, I live in a (large) city with one Mesa dealer, which is a low level big box store, so it's nearly impossible to play anything in stores. I bought a lightweight 112 cabinet because everyone raved about how great it was. Had it for about a year before I bought an older Mesa 115 (just says "Mesa 115" on the back,) then quickly sold the 112. I don't like carrying this monster up and down my apartment stairs, but the tone is superior. Comparing said 112 to the same brand's predecessor which was heavier, the lightweight stuff didn't hold up. I have faith the technology is coming along well, but would really like to try the Subway stuff in person someday.
 
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#24
JES said:
here is my pitch:

It would be cool to do a hybrid tube pre/single power tube and class D set up—power tube sound, high power, light weight, and nobody is doing it right now. Sort of like the old SWR Interstellar Overdrive and a power amp but with Mesa sound and controls. You could run it as an 800 class D with fully tube front end, or a 5w tube amp. Or both.
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Absolutely + 1
 
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#25
ItsmeSantiago said:
Unfortunately, I live in a (large) city with one Mesa dealer, which is a low level big box store, so it's nearly impossible to play anything in stores. I bought a lightweight 112 cabinet because everyone raved about how great it was. Had it for about a year before I bought an older Mesa 115 (just says "Mesa 115" on the back,) then quickly sold the 112. I don't like carrying this monster up and down my apartment stairs, but the tone is superior. Comparing said 112 to the same brand's predecessor which was heavier, the lightweight stuff didn't hold up. I have faith the technology is coming along well, but would really like to try the Subway stuff in person someday.
Click to expand...
Did you compare to the Subway 115? That would be a MUCH more realistic comparison. Also the enclosure sizes and target low frequency tunings are more similar.
 
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#27
agedhorse said:
Did you compare to the Subway 115? That would be a MUCH more realistic comparison. Also the enclosure sizes and target low frequency tunings are more similar.
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I have to say that despite really wanting a 2x12 or 4x12 powerhouse setup I am also starting to get very interested in a Subway 115 x 2 rig for my Prodigy. Probably way easier to load in and out with as well :D
 
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#30
agedhorse said:
it's becoming more and more difficult to get consistent quality production KT-88 tubes that can handle the high voltages and currents that are necessary under the wide variety of real world conditions that these amps see in the wild
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Is this just about the KT-88, or the tube market in general like @Slpbass81 seems to describe?

agedhorse said:
As far as the Powerhouse cabinets, the days of players seeking out 100+ pound cabinets is coming to a close
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That's the only reason why I sold my PH410 pretty quickly. So we are all waiting fior a Subway 410!! ;)

agedhorse said:
Don't worry though, I am always working on new designs and listening closely to what Talkbass players are looking for, as you all seem to be ahead of the curve more than anywhere else. Now's your chance to speak up!
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At least a go news ;)
 
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#31
agedhorse said:
Just going to jump in here to say that both the Strategy and Prodigy are really hot rodded amps and it's becoming more and more difficult to get consistent quality production KT-88 tubes that can handle the high voltages and currents that are necessary under the wide variety of real world conditions that these amps see in the wild (and getting more and more difficult every day it seems) . They are an expensive tube (especially a set of 8), and when reliability suffers the costs of replacements can get pretty high awfully quickly. Since our warranty is both long and liberal (as many of you are aware of, and some of you have taken advantage of), it has just become impractical to continue with such a costly, almost custom build type amp. There are some still available throughout the dealer network, as well as showing up on the TB classifieds. The warranty is transferable, so if you want one just keep your eyes open.

As far as the Powerhouse cabinets, the days of players seeking out 100+ pound cabinets is coming to a close. Absolutely nothing wrong with the speaker, just that tastes have changed away from this to cabinets like the Subway and similar lighter weight more compact cabinets. There are plenty of new and used PH cabinets out there so there's certainly no shortage plus we continue to stock all the repair parts and warranty service should it be necessary.

Don't worry though, I am always working on new designs and listening closely to what Talkbass players are looking for, as you all seem to be ahead of the curve more than anywhere else. Now's your chance to speak up! ;)
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Damn, prices are going to go way up for used ones.

Will Mesa ever make another all tube bass amp?
 
#32
Slpbass81 said:
Honestly I have been running into this issue with my Ampeg SVT-CL and SVT-VR. I can't get any tubes to last longer than 3 months. My winged-c's lasted 6 years but they are no longer in production. JJ's, Tung-Sol, etc are not made like tubes used to be. I'm currently in the process of selling the SVT-VR, moving the SVT-CL to just the studio and picking up a subway amp. You can't replace the tone of a tube amp but for how much it cost it's just not worth it.

Kudos to Mesa holding up the warranty when I'm assuming 99% of the time a bad tube was the cause for any damage to the amp requiring repair. I would have purchased a Strategy or Prodigy but bought the Ampeg amps before they were created.
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I've driven the Sovteks in my head hard for years.
 
#33
agedhorse said:
Just going to jump in here to say that both the Strategy and Prodigy are really hot rodded amps and it's becoming more and more difficult to get consistent quality production KT-88 tubes that can handle the high voltages and currents that are necessary under the wide variety of real world conditions that these amps see in the wild (and getting more and more difficult every day it seems) .
Click to expand...

Wow! I didn't have any idea these amps were eating tubes. Maybe that explains why I have been seeing Strategies listed for $1,500. Very tempting at that price...IMHO the coolest feature is the weight/power ratio.

I have a bunch of KT88 based amps running around 690V on the plates and one running 750V.

I have experienced >80% failure rate with EHX KT88s and 6550s, and from what I have read, several of the New Sensor brands are supposed to have problems with high plate voltages. The Sextet of Sovtek KT88s I have are hanging in, but they are pretty drifty...current matching is a bit beyond 15% now, and I believe they have been discontinued. Almost no failures with JJ KT88s and they seem to hold their matching pretty well. I have about 40 JJ KT88s in service. I'll be buying more of these, but first I need a quad of the special run Shuguang/Ruby KT88V-STR.
 
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#35
Slpbass81 said:
Honestly I have been running into this issue with my Ampeg SVT-CL and SVT-VR. I can't get any tubes to last longer than 3 months. My winged-c's lasted 6 years but they are no longer in production. JJ's, Tung-Sol, etc are not made like tubes used to be. I'm currently in the process of selling the SVT-VR, moving the SVT-CL to just the studio and picking up a subway amp. You can't replace the tone of a tube amp but for how much it cost it's just not worth it.

Kudos to Mesa holding up the warranty when I'm assuming 99% of the time a bad tube was the cause for any damage to the amp requiring repair. I would have purchased a Strategy or Prodigy but bought the Ampeg amps before they were created.
Click to expand...

Are your SVTs running 22ohm or 220ohm screen resistors? If they are running the smaller value, see the attached service bulletin.
 

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#37
agedhorse said:
As far as the Powerhouse cabinets, the days of players seeking out 100+ pound cabinets is coming to a close. Absolutely nothing wrong with the speaker, just that tastes have changed away from this to cabinets like the Subway and similar lighter weight more compact cabinets. There are plenty of new and used PH cabinets out there so there's certainly no shortage plus we continue to stock all the repair parts and warranty service should it be necessary.
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Yep...I loved my Powerhouse 610 (older rear-ported, 4-caster model) that I got rid of 10 years ago when I moved overseas, but I wouldn't go back to it even if I had a car again. Lightweight options nowadays are just too good.

The PH610 made a great trolley though! Amp, bass, and accessory case on top = one trip load-in...unless I was unlucky enough to have to deal with stairs :laugh:
 
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#38
Wasnex said:
Wow! I didn't have any idea these amps were eating tubes. Maybe that explains why I have been seeing Strategies listed for $1,500. Very tempting at that price...IMHO the coolest feature is the weight/power ratio.

I have a bunch of KT88 based amps running around 690V on the plates and one running 750V.

I have experienced >80% failure rate with EHX KT88s and 6550s, and from what I have read, several of the New Sensor brands are supposed to have problems with high plate voltages. The Sextet of Sovtek KT88s I have are hanging in, but they are pretty drifty...current matching is a bit beyond 15% now, and I believe they have been discontinued. Almost no failures with JJ KT88s and they seem to hold their matching pretty well. I have about 40 JJ KT88s in service. I'll be buying more of these, but first I need a quad of the special run Shuguang/Ruby KT88V-STR.
Click to expand...

Those ruby str KT88s have been great in my amps, worth a try.
 
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#39
JES said:
The Prodigy sort of haunted my dreams for awhile. A glowing blue lightweight tube amp. Sorry to see it go. But I love my even more lightweight Orange head.

@agedhorse — here is my pitch:

It would be cool to do a hybrid tube pre/single power tube and class D set up—power tube sound, high power, light weight, and nobody is doing it right now. Sort of like the old SWR Interstellar Overdrive and a power amp but with Mesa sound and controls. You could run it as an 800 class D with fully tube front end, or a 5w tube amp. Or both.
Click to expand...
This was exactly my though after reading agedhorse's explanation. If anyone could make that sound awesome, Mesa could.
 
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#40
agedhorse said:
Don't worry though, I am always working on new designs and listening closely to what Talkbass players are looking for, as you all seem to be ahead of the curve more than anywhere else. Now's your chance to speak up! ;)
Click to expand...
Strategy and Prodigy with 6L6 or 6550 power section? drool
I'm in a loud band and the Bass 400 with 6x6550 is plenty crushing for anything I've done so far. (including complaints from " neighbours" 1/2 mile away @ Jaarbeurshal in Utrecht)
I also tried 6x6L6 in that amp and I'm pretty sure that would have rattled the neighbourhood also. :bassist:
 
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