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Newby question re Mesa Boogie

W

Wbat

Apr 27, 2011
11
0
#1
Howdy, Just getting rigged up with my first bass setup and like with my guitars try to start out getting something good so there is no immediate need to update replace etc.

I have just purchased a Spector euro lx4(?) second hand but in fantastic condition.

Now I am on amp and cabinet.

Because of my association with electric guitar I know of Mesa boogie and have my heart set on a carbine 6 and either a 4 x10inch cabinet.
Firstly Mesa in bass, how do they stand?

Any other suggestions on other brands. I want something good.

Thanks in advance

Tony
 
#2
/sigh here we go again....


I would recommend you find one cab that you like the sound of with which ever head you have your heart set upon. If that single cab isnt loud enough for your needs, then you should get a second identical cab. There are a lot of reasons that mixing cabs is not a predictable or optimal set up, I dont have it in me to go into the science behind it all right now but its there. There are about 200 threads in this forum about why mixing isnt a great idea.

That said, what kind of tone are you going for? what is your budget? Personally I tried out the M9 and it wasnt my cuppa tea. Ended up with a PF-500 for portability reasons as a back up head.
 
#5
Yes to Mesa. They make superb bass equipment, but there are MANY other flavors in bass. If you get an M6 and PH410 you are correct that this rig will be enough for almost anything, but as you taste other bass amp flavors, you might end up wanting something else. I personally love Mesa`s heads, but not the PH cabs so much, simply because they are much heavier than a lot of the alternatives.
 
#6
DigitalMan said:
I missed the part in the OP that started this....
Click to expand...

Please note that the first post has been edited.


To the OP, Mesa gets a lot of love and makes great gear. It will come down to the tone you hear in your head and which amp gets you closest. Go out and try as many as you can. You may think you want a Mesa, but end up loving a Mark Bass or Ampeg after hearing one.
 
#8
Mesa makes good gear, great track record. I prefer the Ampeg tone, but Mesa still sounds great too. IMO, they have the most comprehensive line of hybrid bass heads out there, although I'd favour the Big Block line a bit more for their aggressiveness.
 
#9
RCCollins said:
Mesa has an excellent record of bass amps and cabs. The Carbine and a Powerhouse 4x10 should make you very happy.
Click to expand...

Yup.

I'm running a Mesa M-Pulse 360 into a PH412 and PH610 with my Spector Euro 5LX and it's tone heaven. I play lots of aggressive sounding rock and some punk, always like a bit of grit and balls in my tone, and the combination of Mesa and Spector gives you just that. I haven't played the M6 or M9 but I know they have tons of power, and I'm very happy with my PH series cabs.

Keep in mind that the cabs are NOT lightweight, so if you're looking for lightweight cabs I would suggest looking somewhere else.

The tone, however is worth the weight, IMO, and my big cabs aren't very difficult to move around

fullrigatjamspace.jpg
 
#10
Mesa makes great bass gear, but it's not everyone's favorite. Also, they make a few different amps, with very different flavors. The carbines are quick, fast, loud, punchy machines, while the MPulse series and Big Blocks are tubey, fat, and can get grindy.
 
#11
Mesa does make great bass gear, but it my experience it is very much a one trick pony. If your playing rock/hard rock/metal, your going to find some fantastic tones, if you want a clean jazz tone, or nice slap tone I just couldn't find one. I am sure some people will call me crazy but I just couldn't see it outside of rock/metal and have yet to see one in use by somebody not playing rock/metal.
 
#12
DiabolusInMusic said:
Mesa does make great bass gear, but it my experience it is very much a one trick pony. If your playing rock/hard rock/metal, your going to find some fantastic tones, if you want a clean jazz tone, or nice slap tone I just couldn't find one. I am sure some people will call me crazy but I just couldn't see it outside of rock/metal and have yet to see one in use by somebody not playing rock/metal.
Click to expand...

Rhonda Smith plays BB750 and MPulse 600 with Jeff Beck :-) and used the same rig with Prince. The Carbine series are super clean with fast attack-perfect for funk etc.
 
#15
reading your post, it seems that perhaps you are not in the U.S.

Mesa does make great bass gear. I gig a Walkabout 12 and a Scout 1x12, and am a big fan. But, if you are in Europe (just a guess), you may have some price and availability challenges getting the Mesa gear you want. For your first serious bass rig, you might want to consider gear that is easier to get (and get serviced) in Europe (if that's where you are located).

just sayin'

good luck
 
#16
pfschim said:
reading your post, it seems that perhaps you are not in the U.S.

Mesa does make great bass gear. I gig a Walkabout 12 and a Scout 1x12, and am a big fan. But, if you are in Europe (just a guess), you may have some price and availability challenges getting the Mesa gear you want. For your first serious bass rig, you might want to consider gear that is easier to get (and get serviced) in Europe (if that's where you are located).

just sayin'

good luck
Click to expand...

+1
But I assume the OP IS in the USA. European bassists never ask about Mesa gear. Hard to find and expensive, but great tones!
 
#17
Ha ha, well picked. I'm in Australia, Margaret River to be exact.

Thanks for all the excellent replies, fantastic information.

A couple of questions. Several crew mentioned that there are choices on cabinets which are lighter. Any suggestions on anything that is good quality.

Also tone wise. Something I found with my guitar is that the knowledge of tone and it's appropriateness is an acquired one. I have a les paul and a Ulbrick guitar amp and make them work for my situation. Probably same with bass rigs I assume.

i see alot of Mark Bass in the shops around town. I have never seen it before but am told it is good gear. Any comments.

Peavey has also been suggested by a long time bass player.

Interesting on the mixing cabs debate that on the mesa sample video they have their session guy play on a mixed setup.

Thanks again and keep it coming.

Loving it!

ps if you care the surf is absolutely pumping today.
 
#18
Wbat said:
ps if you care the surf is absolutely pumping today.
Click to expand...

I am having trouble caring as there was an inch of snow on my windshield this am in Montreal:p

Markbass is good. Peavey is good. Mesa is just a lot better:cool::D:hiding::bassist:;)

As far as alternative cabs, I'm not into Markbass, but like GK Neos (much cheaper and quite a bit lighter than Mesa, but not as rugged), and Genz Benz Neox and Uber series (haven't tried the cheaper Focus stuff).
 
#20
+1 to all that said Mesa makes great gear. –1 to the idea that Mesa is a one trick pony. I have a M6 Carbine and between the 5 voice selector switch and the deep bass pull switch, the Carbine is insanely versatile. I play rock, dub, reggae, and funk with it. That being said, I'm currently in love with my Buster 200 which I am also finding quite versatile.

Regarding cabs, I'd recommend 1-2 Powerhouse 212s.
 

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