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Mesa Strategy and Prodigy discontinued. Also PH cabs.
- Thread starter mikeswals
- Start date
I am running a bunch of JJ KT88s in my collection of amps, but I have only bought one quad from Eurotubes so far. The matching was perfect and there has been very little drift. After a couple of weeks I checked the bias again and the matching was still almost perfect.
Since then I bought a quad of Ruby KT88V-STR. The initial matching was not very tight and the bias drifted significantly for the first couple of weeks. When I first put the tubes in the amp they had to be in a particular order and the matching was barely within 15%. Two weeks later I had to reorder the tubes because the previous order no longer worked. The tube that was supposed to be the coldest, was pulling about 20mA more than the other three tubes.
The KT88V-STR has also been sold as the Penta KT88SC, Preferred Series KT88, and Shuguang GEKT88. This tube is supposed to have the highest plate dissipation rating of any KT88 currently available, 50W. I bought KT88V-STR because the amp I retubed is extremely hard on tubes, even JJs. The Rubys appear to be stable now, but unless they last an unusually long time, I'll get a quad of JJs from Eurotubes next time I service the amp.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,047
- 5
- 221,002
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,047
- 5
- 221,002
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
@agedhorse -
While I can understand Mesa's reasoning for the heads, the decision to cancel the PH cabs is a bummer. I have bought three of them new, and while they are available used, getting one in a colored tolex ( I have one in British Slate Grey) is almost impossible. I really wish Mesa was offering enclosures for those of us who still believe that bigger is better!
While I can understand Mesa's reasoning for the heads, the decision to cancel the PH cabs is a bummer. I have bought three of them new, and while they are available used, getting one in a colored tolex ( I have one in British Slate Grey) is almost impossible. I really wish Mesa was offering enclosures for those of us who still believe that bigger is better!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,047
- 5
- 221,002
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
If you want a PH in a custom color, you might give customer service a call and see what they can do. I don't know anything about the status of parts or what the custom shop may be able to do, but if you are really interested give them a call.
We understand that some players might want a bigger cabinet, we never said that we wouldn't replace them with something else down the road...
We understand that some players might want a bigger cabinet, we never said that we wouldn't replace them with something else down the road...
You might argue this is off topic but is their a Register for the Mesa Strategy Heads? I've just bought Ser No. BS-000198. When was it built?
I've got it to work with my Barefaced Cabs . Lots of options, I have a BT2 at 4ohm. 2 x BB2 at 8ohms each and a LF1400 powered sub . Funny thing is the amp weighs more than any cab!
I've got it to work with my Barefaced Cabs . Lots of options, I have a BT2 at 4ohm. 2 x BB2 at 8ohms each and a LF1400 powered sub . Funny thing is the amp weighs more than any cab!
@mournblade I can see you're a lucky man. You own both a Titan and a Strategy.
Which why you like best? Are they really different?
Which why you like best? Are they really different?
I am all ears (and credit cards!)
Me too! If they bring out a new 212, I'm buying a pair.
Your date should be written in silver pen right next to the serial number. Mesa has been writing it on there since 2010 as far as I can tell...every late model Boogie I had (black face specifically) had a date.
I've had two Strategys now, both were from early 2014. You can see it on the pic.
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Yeah they are actually quite different, yet both are awesome in their own right. The Titan has gobs of power, and I love the on board distortion. Crank the gain, crank the distortion and real easy to get a Cliff Burton type of tone, even without the EHX pedal. The Strategy can get really dirty as well with the gain, and I never worry about being out-volumed, but it's natural characteristic (flat eq, moderate gain) is very hi-fi (IMO). Of the two, I prefer the strategy, it is just everything I wanted in a head (well except for the day I have to re-tube it ).
).
- May 20, 2000
- 3,200
- 1,917
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Spector, Dingwall, Tech 21 NYC, Darkglass
That's what I'm hoping for, Mesa to still do large cabs that are lighter than the PH series. I'll forever love the Powerhouse 215, it'd be great to get a new Mesa 215 cab that weighs less. My M9 sounds killer with my Barefaced 610 cab, but it sure would be nice to have a Mesa cab of similar size and weight to run it with.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,047
- 5
- 221,002
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I have seen much more negativity towards heavier cabinets from those actually looking at cabinets to buy than those why are offering their opinions about the subject.
I think this relates to market reality versus market opinion, those who vote with their feet tend to drive innovation more than those who vote with their mouths.
I think this relates to market reality versus market opinion, those who vote with their feet tend to drive innovation more than those who vote with their mouths.
IMO, it makes no sense to have the cabs weigh any more than they absolutely need to. Heavy for the sake of being heavy when there’s no design advantage to it is pointless and wasteful.
Well, GENERALLY, heavy means BIG. Big can have its advantages. Small cabs all seem to have tradeoffs, for obvious reasons. It Doesnt mean they dont sound good, but the same driver in a bigger cab CAN sound better. Of course ymwv
Cant you build an amp with 6 6550's? I have no idea if there is a proprietary connection or some other legal reason. Just asking.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!
Thanks
