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Q: What has three 12s, four 8s, and twenty-two tubes?

Benjamin Strange

Benjamin Strange

Commercial User
Dec 25, 2002
9,737
310
49
New Orleans, LA
www.ufodeathcult.com
Disclosures
Owner / Tech: Strange Guitarworks
#1
A: This:

Link Removed

It's a rare moment that I get to have both of my amps in one place at the same time, so I thought I'd snap a picture for your edification and entertainment. What we have here is:

Medium-ish rig:
- prototype Mesa/Boogie BassTriaxis
- Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 (with 8 6L6s and 4 6550s in the power section)
- Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse Jr. RR cab (which took me 10 years to find!)

Small-ish rig:
- Mesa/Boogie Walkabout
- Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 112 (replacements for my previously stolen cabs... Grr!)

I have owned almost every single Mesa bass product ever made, but I've cut down to just these two. The medium rig is a bruiser (the cab weighs about 150 pounds!), but sounds amazing, and the Walkabout sounds damn good for being so small (and not all tube).

I just thought I'd share. Feel free to ogle, rant, flame, question, or point/waggle fingers.
 
#8
I seem to recall seeing a 12/8 combo Mesa cab in the classifieds recently, either here on TB or on my local Craigs'. How does it sound compared to the two Powerhouse 112 cabs? And how do the two Mesa 112 cabs sound compared to two Mesa 115 cabs? What kind of drivers are in your cabs? Eminence?

How do you like the 500? I loved the mids & highs on my Mesa Strategy 400 amp but I thought the bottom was too bloomy.
 
#9
koobie said:
I seem to recall seeing a 12/8 combo Mesa cab in the classifieds recently, either here on TB or on my local Craigs'. How does it sound compared to the two Powerhouse 112 cabs? And how do the two Mesa 112 cabs sound compared to two Mesa 115 cabs? What kind of drivers are in your cabs? Eminence?

How do you like the 500? I loved the mids & highs on my Mesa Strategy 400 amp but I thought the bottom was too bloomy.
Click to expand...

- It's brighter and tighter than the 112s - but also over 100 pounds heavier! When a fuzz is engaged it allows the trebly fizz to come out thick, rather than that tinny sound a horn will put out. The Powerhouses are a bit more smooth in the mids.

- The 112 Powerhouses are a completely different animal than my old Diesel 115s. A bit more polite and cultured - almost too much so. I generally prefer the older cabs, but I gig A LOT, and the weight and space issue is important to consider when loading in.

- I really, really love the Strategy 400, but the 500 is a tad bit tighter sounding, one less rack space, and has more switchable, useful options (half drive, deep extend, etc.)


- If I remember correctly, the Powerhouse Jr. is loaded with EVs. I've not popped it open to look, but the cones are consistent with all the other EV loaded Mesa cabs I've owned.
 
#12
Benjamin Strange said:
A: This:

Link Removed

It's a rare moment that I get to have both of my amps in one place at the same time, so I thought I'd snap a picture for your edification and entertainment. What we have here is:

Medium-ish rig:
- prototype Mesa/Boogie BassTriaxis
- Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 (with 8 6L6s and 4 6550s in the power section)
- Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse Jr. RR cab (which took me 10 years to find!)

Small-ish rig:
- Mesa/Boogie Walkabout
- Mesa/Boogie Powerhouse 112 (replacements for my previously stolen cabs... Grr!)

I have owned almost every single Mesa bass product ever made, but I've cut down to just these two. The medium rig is a bruiser (the cab weighs about 150 pounds!), but sounds amazing, and the Walkabout sounds damn good for being so small (and not all tube).

I just thought I'd share. Feel free to ogle, rant, flame, question, or point/waggle fingers.
Click to expand...
ooer has your strategy been modded? your either gonna be cooking your 6l6s or running those 6550s really cold with that set up.
 
#14
Amokoma said:
Is that BassTriaxis very different from the normal one? Or, what exactly have they/you done with it? Does it comprise all their bassamps in one, or "just" three? Tell me, tell me.
Click to expand...

About 12 years ago, Mesa was considering putting a BassTriaxis into production. During their market research, they called me and asked me what I thought - I thought it was a great idea. Needless to say, they decided to can the idea, but not before they made one for me.

I'm not sure what they did to it - I know they changed a bunch of EQs and various other stuff internally, but I don't think they set about emulating a bunch of their bass amps. It's got 8 modes, which I guess are still based somewhat on the original guitar amp modes. It sounds damn good (especially on Rhythm Green and Lead 1 Red), and I will go to my grave with this thing.

MAMMOTHvolume said:
ooer has your strategy been modded? your either gonna be cooking your 6l6s or running those 6550s really cold with that set up.
Click to expand...

It hasn't been modded at all. The Strat 500 was designed to take either 6550s or 6L6s in the middle four positions.
 
#17
Death Metal Jim said:
could we get some pics and info on this
Click to expand...

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Rackmount-Preamps/TriAxis/triaxis.html

a_TriAxis-close.gif


Now, imagine all that designed for bass. Viola!
 

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