new mesa all tube amp ?????

[JimiLL]

so are Ferraris and Lambos
but poor people who can't afford them i guess still have the 'right' to gripe about that, it just makes them look dumb/silly. kinda like you.

Oh I can afford one, im just sayin pound for pound... I believe there are better deals to be had. Not sayin its bad equipment or anything of the like...well i guess in the case of the design flaws that could be perceived as bad...

 

[KwinS]

If I recall, it was almost like a little rope light strand in there. I'm sure you could, or maybe just disconnect.

I like it, so not too worried about it.

Yes. It's a strand of lights. My understanding after today, is that you will be able to buy aftermarket strands of red or blue to change them out, if you want. You can *probably* unplug them completely, if you want, too. I should know for sure after the coming weekend.

 

[KwinS]

The aftermarket lights are about $20 for the new Mini Rectifier, and TA's. I am assuming they are the same lights in the new bass heads. You know what happens when you assume!

 

[KwinS]

I saw a prototype of the Strategy head today. It looks really nice in real person. The bass player for Andy Timmons has been using it a while, and it was really, really good tone. They are still trying to nail down what is going to be on the front, vs the back. The gain knob for the DI is on the front for right now, but is likely to be moved to the rear, to make room for a limiter knob on the front. The M9-type EQ on the front sounds very useful. Probably more EQ than I would need.

I'm not on the market for the Strategy, because I have a Titan head, and 2 PH4x12's for my rock/metal stuff, and a Walkabout Scout 12" combo, and matching 12" Scout extension cab for my Americana/Folk/Bluesy Jazz stuff.

I think the 120 Prodigy with 4 6l6's would be perfect.

 

[Korladis]

Why a limiter on a tube amp?

 

[KwinS]

Why a limiter on a tube amp?

Funny, I asked the same thing!

 

[KwinS]

I got nuthin'. No idea.

 

[sunbeast]

Are you sure it's not a Compressor control, as on the M9? I've never seen a limiter on any Mesa amp (nor a limiter "knob" on any amp I can think of- usually just a switch), though compression would still be useful on a tube amp...

 

[calebbarton]

For those wanting a picture.

On the left is the traditional 4x10. Right is the tri port 1x12.

 

[dukeisdog]

For those wanting a picture.

On the left is the traditional 4x10. Right is the tri port 1x12.

Nice, although I love the look of the vintage powerhouse cabs they put out now, I'm really happy with my black grill Mesa cabs. Not a fan of the new vintage looking cabs, but to each their own.

 

[oinkbanana]

sexy.

so what's the deal with this strategy monster?
how about a re-cap of the facts?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

They are still trying to nail down what is going to be on the front, vs the back. The gain knob for the DI is on the front for right now, but is likely to be moved to the rear, to make room for a limiter knob on the front. The M9-type EQ on the front sounds very useful. Probably more EQ than I would need.

If there is a limiter or compressor on that I head I am definetly not buying one.
This convinces me that the guy running the bass head division at Mesa is an idiot.
D180=epic
Bass 400=colossal
bass amps since the new guy took over=ok

Tube amps should simply not have graphic EQs, dynamics processors or exciters. Tubes are about gain and tone. They should only have gain stages, and eq. If someone wants a compressor, they make really nice pedals for that.
If someone (ME) does not want a compressor in the circuit, I will have to desolder that sucker. Most dynamics are VCAs and VCAs are usually not "switched out" when you turn them off, they just arent riding gain anymore. I dont want a VCA in my amp.
good luck with this Edsel Mesa.
I was hoping they would come roaring back into the tube bass head field. Instead we get a whimper.

 

[Korladis]

Er, both the D-180 and the Bass 400 have graphic EQ's. As did the 400+ and the Buster. So, every Mesa tube bass amp has had a graphic EQ...

I see little need for a limiter or a compressor on a tube amp. Maybe a compressor for volumes too low for a tube amp's natural compression to kick in.

Graphic EQ, to me, is totally necessary on my D-180, but that's only because its EQ section is a bit limited (for my purposes). That's why I was excited when they said the new heads would have an EQ section like the M6 and M9. On those, I can get the sound that's close to what I want for my metal stuff with just the regular EQ section... but the feel isn't right, if that makes any sense, because they're not as, well, tubey as the D-180, owing to lack of power tubes.

But what is this limiter crap? Why even have one on a tube amp? Limiters are to keep solid state output sections from clipping. On a tube amp, who gives a damn if you clip a bit? It sounds fine when it does that.

 

[sunbeast]

I highly doubt there is a "limiter" (they've NEVER had one before, and the amp the pre is taken from uses a compressor NOT a Limiter), but whats this big rag on a compressor? I've happily played through my D-180, 400+, Fender Bassman, a handful of SVTs, and an assortment of other tube amps while using a compressor on my pedal board. The natural compression from a tube amplifier is only capable of a limited effect of compression and only based on how hard you push it. Plenty of big name SVT players have used compressors in their live rigs over the years to even out their dynamics- it's not heresy! Just because you have never personally found a use for one doesn't make it pointless by a long shot. And the idea that its gonna destroy your tone just being in the circuit is based on what? I've never noticed an effect of that in any of the Mesa amps I've demoed with compressors. If it does have any effect on tone, I would venture its less than the always on buffer circuitry of a Boss or Moog effects pedal.

And I would be far more disappointed in a new tube amp from Mesa that DIDN'T push any boundaries. Why re-release a dozen different flavors of SVT or more souped-up Fender Bassman/Showman circuits? The reason Mesa's bass stuff is on my map at all is because of their different approach to tube amps- the Graphic EQ and odd tonal options of the 400+ ended up being just what I was looking for tonally, whether or not a handul of other people found it overly complicated.

I personally can't wait to ACTUALLY TRY one of these amps before ragging on how ridiculous it is.

 

[Korladis]

My main confusion is about this "limiter" rumor.

A compressor I probably just wouldn't use, or would only use if I was at too low a volume for natural compression to kick in.

Reason I remain interested is for the EQ options with these.

One thing I wonder, is why Mesa never reused the D-180's cool master/volume setup that allowed such a wide variety of dirty tones, as well as being able to take the master control pretty much out of the equation?

 

[KwinS]

I only typed in what I heard. I just sent a message, asking for clarification. Hopefully, I'll hear back soon. I'll see if I can post his whole response.

Man...tough crowd...

Don't shoot the messenger!

 

[Korladis]

Still very intrigued, just to be clear.

 

[KwinS]

Just got an email from my friend at Mesa. Limiter is correct. I didn't ask him why, or anything. I'm not going to post the email, because it contains personal stuff.

I'm going to just sit back and wait for my turn to try it out.

 

[Jazzbass2010]

It sounds like a nice amp . I think the reason for the limiter is the pre amp is not all tube design meaning the eq stages and the 5 way voice switch . With the preamp signal hitting the all tube power section there might be some distortion problems ?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Er, both the D-180 and the Bass 400 have graphic EQ's. As did the 400+ and the Buster. So, every Mesa tube bass amp has had a graphic EQ...

The costs as much as this bass head would go for That was a later addition to the amp.

I personally would prefer an amp that has a good sounding preamp with simple eq. Along with a few global tonal modiers (bright, deep, mid shift etc). Graphic EQ on mesa bass amps has had this thing of sprouting another band every decade or so. Either way it is a regrettable "feature".
As far as a compressor/limiter/dynamics. This belies a design philosophy of avoiding distortion/gainy sounds. I will withold judgement until I play through one, but I am highly skeptical that this amp will have the goods for bas players that like grind in their tone.
In which case I wonder, what is the point of playng with tube amps if you don't want some distortion?
I also have to admit, not a fan of the steam punk aesthetic on these and the transatlantic.

I don't think the amp needs a limiter becuase the preamp is "too hot" due to inclusion of non-tube elements. That would be an easy gain tweak.
But that is my argument for excluding graphic EQ and dynamics from the amp. If I pay well north of a grand for an all tube amp, I want an ALL TUBE AMP, not a tube amp with some transistors for the hard parts like graphic eq and dynamics control. I am sure you can make a tube based graphic and I know you can make a tube based limiter, I own one or two. But I doubt Mesa would give us tube limiting when it costs so much to implement in outboard that a tube limiter/compressor D180 did not originally come with a graphic EQ..

Like I said before, looks like Verellen or Reeves for me, if not an Electric.