new mesa all tube amp ?????

[LeonD]

You don't have to use Mesa tubes. Just tubes rated at near the mid point (if I remember correctly from my guitar days).

If you let any decent tube store know you're putting the tubes in a Mesa amp, they should be able to give you the correct rated tubes of almost any brand.

 

[reasonbass]

I used to use JJ's on my 400+ just fine. No need to buy Mesa's tubes.

 

[Korladis]

You don't have to buy Mesa tubes, as already stated.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm thinking this amp is going to sound a lot like the 400+ but switchable down to a low wattage. But why do they have to use all the marketing talk? "300 Tube watts (sounds like 600!!!)" Really? Mesa stuff sounds good enough to where they could knock off the crap and still sell amps. I can understand a little hype, but they sling BS a little farther than most. They never step over the line of lying, but they get right up to it.

 

[JimWasHere]

I'm thinking this amp is going to sound a lot like the 400+ but switchable down to a low wattage. But why do they have to use all the marketing talk? "300 Tube watts (sounds like 600!!!)" Really? Mesa stuff sounds good enough to where they could knock off the crap and still sell amps. I can understand a little hype, but they sling BS a little farther than most. They never step over the line of lying, but they get right up to it.

They see Line 6 doing it, and how much crap they sell?

Next question... Anyone have any experience with this Multiwatt stuff from the guitar amps? Any changes in tone at the lower volumes?

 

[Korladis]

I'm thinking this amp is going to sound a lot like the 400+ but switchable down to a low wattage. But why do they have to use all the marketing talk? "300 Tube watts (sounds like 600!!!)" Really? Mesa stuff sounds good enough to where they could knock off the crap and still sell amps. I can understand a little hype, but they sling BS a little farther than most. They never step over the line of lying, but they get right up to it.

Yeah, that does bug me a bit.

I dunno how much it'll sound like the 400+, as the preamp is very different.

 

[()smoke()]

They see Line 6 doing it, and how much crap they sell?

Next question... Anyone have any experience with this Multiwatt stuff from the guitar amps? Any changes in tone at the lower volumes?

regarding the mutli-watt guitar amps, yes, pretty big change in sound between the different power settings if it's a big power difference--using the low watt setting on a mark IV gets power section overdrive much sooner than the full power setting...less drastic power settings differences sound different too, but not as drastic, ime

not sure what the settings are on this bass amp, but if it's a wide spread, could be similar effect

 

[JimmyM]

Yeah, that does bug me a bit.

I dunno how much it'll sound like the 400+, as the preamp is very different.

Ya, so are all the different SVT preamps

 

[Korladis]

Yes, but I think they're MUCH more similar to each other than the preamp of the D-180/400/400+ is to that of the M6/M9.

 

[JimWasHere]

regarding the mutli-watt guitar amps, yes, pretty big change in sound between the different power settings if it's a big power difference--using the low watt setting on a mark IV gets power section overdrive much sooner than the full power setting...less drastic power settings differences sound different too, but not as drastic, ime

not sure what the settings are on this bass amp, but if it's a wide spread, could be similar effect

What I have to compare it to is the Simulclass guitar stuff... It's a combination of 6l6s and EL34s, and flipping the switches jsut turns the 6l6s off, which changes tone a bit. So I guess what I'm asking, other than the obvious volume and overdrive point, is there a tonal change? Might not be answerable till we get to play one though.

 

[levis76]

I had one of the rep stories, so I will reply. The rep for my region lives more than 3 hours from where I do. We talk by phone and email mostly. All I had initially, was his word about the product that was coming. It wasn't in his hands yet, either. He's a great guy, so I don't have a problem with believing him. I don't care to make the drive anyway. The Greater Southwest Guitar Show is in town next month, and he's bringing one of each to the show.

There's a picture of the Bass Prodigy floating around now on TB somewhere. If that doesn't work, you can always come to Dallas and take your own pictures of them, or you can be patient for the release date, whenever that is...like the rest of us.

Yeah, that's a long way for either of us to drive. I'll just wait, but thanks to the others for posting pics/vids. The musikmesse vid was OK, even though I can't understand a word of what that dude is saying. Suffice to say, it's real and it's coming.

Can't wait.

 

[anderbass]

What I have to compare it to is the Simulclass guitar stuff... It's a combination of 6l6s and EL34s, and flipping the switches jsut turns the 6l6s off, which changes tone a bit. So I guess what I'm asking, other than the obvious volume and overdrive point, is there a tonal change? Might not be answerable till we get to play one though.

I did a switchable Cathode-lift mod on my 400+ to run as few as 1 pair of powertubes at 38 watt.
Lots more info here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/switchable-max-output-mod-300-w-tube-amp-238662/

My basic tone remained the same, It just reduced volume and headroom.

I'll be very interested to learn if this new Mesa uses a cathode-lift system similar to my mod,
and if they've devised a method to compensate for the speaker Impedance mis-match it causes.

 

[JimWasHere]

Ooh, that's kinda neat

 

[Tim1]

Gee Anderbass, that takes me back a few years. I think I did quite a common swap on mine when I took out the first 12AX7 (or was it the driver tube?) and swapped it for a 12AU7. Gave it more clean headroom IIRC.

 

[anderbass]

Yeah It was the driver tube swap. I did that and also did an adjustable bias mod on mine.

 

[Jazzbass2010]

These new amps have 6l6 power sections . Are the pre amps all tube or is there some solid state circuitry be sides the graphic eq ? I noticed 3 X 12 A X 7 Preamp tubes . The mesa boogie 400 plus had 4x 12a x7 and the bass treble and mids where all pasive eq . Just asking i checked my ampeg vr today at practice and noticed 4x12AU7 and 4x12AX7 tubes plus the 6 - 6550 power tubes .

 

[Korladis]

The SVT-VR also has two channels.

 

[pfschim]

I'm thinking this amp is going to sound a lot like the 400+ but switchable down to a low wattage. But why do they have to use all the marketing talk? "300 Tube watts (sounds like 600!!!)" Really? Mesa stuff sounds good enough to where they could knock off the crap and still sell amps. I can understand a little hype, but they sling BS a little farther than most. They never step over the line of lying, but they get right up to it.

I love my own Mesa gear, and have a very positive view of Mesa as a MI company in general, but I totally agree that their marketing department has the oddest way with words when it comes to the marketing speak they use to describe their amps and cabs. It sometimes feels as if they are trying to be weirdly poetic or something.

Just don't understand it given how good their gear is, and how many loyal users they have (bass and guitar).

oh well.

Still interested in hearing this amp in action.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I'll check one out to be sure. but most likely I'm getting another brand's all tube head.
The blue light had better be just a musik messe thing. That is goofy if it is on the production amp.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I'll check one out to be sure. but most likely I'm getting another brand's all tube head.
The blue light had better be just a musik messe thing. That is goofy if it is on the production amp.

My guitarist has one of the Mesa "lunchbox" guitar heads (forget what it is called). It has the blue LED's, so I assume this does too.