Mesa Strategy and Prodigy discontinued. Also PH cabs.

[mournblade]

4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT
4 Ohm Cabinet into the 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT


Copied from the pdf

 

[Wasnex]

4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT
4 Ohm Cabinet into the 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT


Copied from the pdf

The manual says this is acceptable, not that it is 1:1 impedance matching. IHMO I don't think the wording is wrong, but it is confusing. I have spelled it our more clearly in my posts. Try the 1:1 impedance matching to see if you like the sound better. If you do, your tubes will thank you .

 

[Wasnex]

4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT
4 Ohm Cabinet into the 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT


Copied from the pdf

Also copied from the PDF::

When the STRATEGY is being used in the MULTI-WATT position of HALF or LOW POWER, the impedance of the SPEAKER OUTPUTS (as labeled on the rear panel) changes. Loosely, the SPEAKER OUTPUT impedances double—the 4 OHM jacks become 8 OHM each and the 8 OHM jack becomes a 16 OHM.

For example, if you have an 8 OHM cabinet, while in HALF or LOW POWER, try plugging it into one of the 4 OHM jacks for a proper impedance match. This will maximize the punch and output of the HALF POWER setting. However, if you leave the 8 OHM cabinet in the 8 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT in HALF or LOW POWER, a slight roll-off of top end frequencies occurs as well as softening of the attack and a general warmer sound overall, due to the mismatch.

Although the manual doesn't say it, the impedance of the outputs doubles again when you go from 1/2 power to low power.

 

[agedhorse]

From page 16:

MULTI-WATT™ and SPEAKER OUTPUT CHOICES

NOTE: When switching between LOW, HALF and FULL POWER of the STRATEGY’s MULTI-WATT™ options, the impedance changes slightly at the SPEAKER OUTPUT jacks. While you can’t really damage the amplifier with an impedance mismatch, the sound and feel of the amp can be either optimized or compromised (sometimes purposefully) by the intentional matching or mismatching of the Speaker Load.

When the STRATEGY is being used in the MULTI-WATT position of HALF or LOW POWER, the impedance of the SPEAKER OUTPUTS (as labeled on the rear panel) changes. Loosely, the SPEAKER OUTPUT impedances double—the 4 OHM jacks become 8 OHM each and the 8 OHM jack becomes a 16 OHM.

For example, if you have an 8 OHM cabinet, while in HALF or LOW POWER, try plugging it into one of the 4 OHM jacks for a proper impedance match. This will maximize the punch and output of the HALF POWER setting. However, if you leave the 8 OHM cabinet in the 8 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT in HALF or LOW POWER, a slight roll-off of top end frequencies occurs as well as softening of the attack and a general warmer sound overall, due to the mismatch.

From page 17 (where I think the confusion comes from):

FULL POWER—Follow the Guidelines above

HALF or LOW POWER - 8 Ohm Cabinet into one 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT
. 4 Ohm Cabinet into the 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT

This refers to using a mixed 8 and 4 ohm, but is not at all clear. I think the text below will be more clear for single cabinet applications:

HALF or LOW POWER - one 8 Ohm Cabinet into one 4 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT
. one 4 Ohm Cabinet into the 2 OHM SPEAKER OUTPUT

 

[mournblade]

Got it. 4 ohm cabinet in 2 ohm input. Made a BIG difference. Thanks.

 

[agedhorse]

Yup, it will make a big difference. Sorry about the confusing way it was stated in the manual.

 

[_Some Dude]

The Subway series was never intended to go after the same tone market as the Strategy/Prodigy, it's just a way different tone. There are plenty of players who do not care for the Stratigy/Prodigy, and who prefer the Subway, or the Walkabout, but the Strategy/Prodigy was never intended for that player to begin with. It's more like the Carbines, in your face, brash, knock you over your head with little politeness hard rock and metal amp.

A less polite D800 would be cool.

Some of us are still trying to crush skulls.

 

[jacko]

Just been on the mesa site to see what options we have. We now have two amp heads and three cabinets to choose from. WOW! Can't help feeling sorry for those poor guitarists with only twenty or so amp heads and twenty three cabinets to choose from (not to mention combos).
Seems to me Mesa have lost their way when they used to be so good at providing for we Bassists.

 

[pigpen1]

Just been on the mesa site to see what options we have. We now have two amp heads and three cabinets to choose from. WOW! Can't help feeling sorry for those poor guitarists with only twenty or so amp heads and twenty three cabinets to choose from (not to mention combos).
Seems to me Mesa have lost their way when they used to be so good at providing for we Bassists.

They had more and they weren't selling enough/producing enough profit for various reasons at the end of the day. It's a business not a charity. I'm guess guitar stuff out sells bass stuff 10 to for them.

 

[Stevorebob]

They had more and they weren't selling enough/producing enough profit for various reasons at the end of the day. It's a business not a charity. I'm guess guitar stuff out sells bass stuff 10 to for them.

I’d guess it’s more like 20 to 1 guitar gear to bass gear. Not just Mesa but industry wide.

While that’s challenging on the gear side, it reflects the scarcity of bass players that makes it easier for us to get gigs. (Now, if we could only do something about those guitarists who think they can play bass just because both instruments have strings and frets.)

 

[_Some Dude]

I love the Strategy, but my last retube cost me around $700, plus $175 to have the screen resistor replaced and some minor repairs after one of my old tubes failed and arced out.

I love tubes, but I can nearly buy an entire D800 for that price.

Playing a Strategy is like I’m standing in front of a series of small explosions with a wicked transient attack that feels like its unloading everything it has into the speakers every time I release a note. Notes themselves are events - there’s a start, middle and end to it, and I can affect how that note plays out over time with how I attack my string. With the Strategy the amplifier is the instrument, and the bass is the medium through which I play it.

There’s a reason I’ll continue to fork over money to maintain this amp, but if someone were to find a way to create this level of player/bass/amplifier interaction in a more economical package I’ll be lining up to give them my money.

 

[_Some Dude]

I’d guess it’s more like 20 to 1 guitar gear to bass gear. Not just Mesa but industry wide.

While that’s challenging on the gear side, it reflects the scarcity of bass players that makes it easier for us to get gigs. (Now, if we could only do something about those guitarists who think they can play bass just because both instruments have strings and frets.)

And the increasing number of bass players that are content to DI in and rely on the monitors for their sound.

 

[Leo was right]

Just been on the mesa site to see what options we have. We now have two amp heads and three cabinets to choose from. WOW! Can't help feeling sorry for those poor guitarists with only twenty or so amp heads and twenty three cabinets to choose from (not to mention combos).
Seems to me Mesa have lost their way when they used to be so good at providing for we Bassists.

Sure we do not have this problem (bass player) but something tell me that in a future we can see interesting stuff, Agedhorse have to justify his paycheck....

 

[Leo was right]

I love the Strategy, but my last retube cost me around $700, plus $175 to have the screen resistor replaced and some minor repairs after one of my old tubes failed and arced out.

I love tubes, but I can nearly buy an entire D800 for that price.

Playing a Strategy is like I’m standing in front of a series of small explosions with a wicked transient attack that feels like its unloading everything it has into the speakers every time I release a note. Notes themselves are events - there’s a start, middle and end to it, and I can affect how that note plays out over time with how I attack my string. With the Strategy the amplifier is the instrument, and the bass is the medium through which I play it.

There’s a reason I’ll continue to fork over money to maintain this amp, but if someone were to find a way to create this level of player/bass/amplifier interaction in a more economical package I’ll be lining up to give them my money.

KT88 is expensive, the 400+ with 6l6 is more lean on maintenance bill I think.

 

[pigpen1]

And the increasing number of bass players that are content to DI in and rely on the monitors for their sound.

I've never heard a standard wedge that didn't make bass sound like crap. Side fills with subs, is little better.

 

[Razman]

Playing a Strategy is like I’m standing in front of a series of small explosions with a wicked transient attack that feels like its unloading everything it has into the speakers every time I release a note. Notes themselves are events - there’s a start, middle and end to it, and I can affect how that note plays out over time with how I attack my string. With the Strategy the amplifier is the instrument, and the bass is the medium through which I play it.

So I get on TB to take a mental break and some dude out there posts the best explanation of an amp that I've ever heard. However, I still reference back to @JGR's description of why we like the way tube amps function with a reactive load (a speaker) as it's like chocolate and peanut butter, which is practically a tie.

Although I haven't experienced a Strategy, I've found the 400 I use to be very satisfying. It is definitely another part of the instrument as a whole. I've found that GK RB series heads perform in similar fashion; I haven't experienced a class D head that behaves in this way. They feel compressed to me (which can be a good thing to leverage in the right situation).

This is the first time I've seen this thread; I understand the business reasons behind their decision, but appreciate their commitment to continued support - that to me is priceless. @agedhorse's participation in this forum is invaluable.

Raz

 

[Leo was right]

I've never heard a standard wedge that didn't make bass sound like crap. Side fills with subs, is little better.

Amps are other half of Rock'n roll.

 

[Indiedog]

Just been on the mesa site to see what options we have. We now have two amp heads and three cabinets to choose from. WOW! Can't help feeling sorry for those poor guitarists with only twenty or so amp heads and twenty three cabinets to choose from (not to mention combos).
Seems to me Mesa have lost their way when they used to be so good at providing for we Bassists.

I understand what you are saying but a player doesn't need 20 amps. If I find the one perfect amp for me, it doesn't matter to me whether the company has 20 different styles or just that one. For me, that amp will be a 800+.

 

[faivy]

I understand what you are saying but a player doesn't need 20 amps. If I find the one perfect amp for me, it doesn't matter to me whether the company has 20 different styles or just that one. For me, that amp will be a 800+.

For me it is the Prodigy....and I don't play aggressive Rock ...mostly Roots music with either 1 or 2 Aguilar GS112's or a a PH 410. I'm thrilled with the amp

 

[agedhorse]

Just been on the mesa site to see what options we have. We now have two amp heads and three cabinets to choose from. WOW! Can't help feeling sorry for those poor guitarists with only twenty or so amp heads and twenty three cabinets to choose from (not to mention combos).
Seems to me Mesa have lost their way when they used to be so good at providing for we Bassists.

Perhaps you are missing the breadth of the guitar line, going from fairly clean amps to heavy overdrive amps to amps that offer multiple channel switching and unique features that only make sense to offer in a MUCH larger market like the guitar market.

We have had plenty of different models of bass amp over the years, with our products they tend to remain viable in the used world for decades so if you want a different model they ARE available used. There are also still new Prodigy and Strategy amps at dealers, plus a smaller number of Carbines and Walkabouts.