• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Question about mesa heads

Visirale

Visirale

Mar 23, 2003
3,043
6
37
Orlando
#1
Is it just me or do all of them seem to get their claimed power at 2 ohms with a substantial drop off at 4 ohms and 8 ohms?

I really wouldn't mind getting a mesa head, but I really want the power they claim at 2 ohms at 4, and 4 ohms at 8. I can understand why some people would want a 2 ohm load, but when a lot of their big cabs are 4 ohm load (powerhouse 1000, 810, 412) it would seem to me they'd make a head capable of putting out a stronger output at 4 ohms (and smaller than the V12).

Am I missing something?
 
#2
The m-pulse 600 puts out as much power at 4 ohms as I would ever need, and I play in loud rock bands. Mesa are loud heads.

I just picked up a titan, but I got it for the OD and channel switching, not the power. In fact, if I end up digging it I'll have to change my cabs out to an 8 ohm 2x12 since the titan has so much juice. Titan front end with a m-pulse 600 power section would be plenty for me.
 
#3
pickles said:
The m-pulse 600 puts out as much power at 4 ohms as I would ever need, and I play in loud rock bands. Mesa are loud heads.

I just picked up a titan, but I got it for the OD and channel switching, not the power. In fact, if I end up digging it I'll have to change my cabs out to an 8 ohm 2x12 since the titan has so much juice. Titan front end with a m-pulse 600 power section would be plenty for me.
Click to expand...

Hmm, that helps. I've always wondered about the m-pulse. They call it their "value" head which made me a little wary, but I guess when your heads cost A WHOLE LOT, "value" is purely a term, haha. The M-pulse 600 looks to be about the wattage I'm looking for. Pretty much the same output as my LMII (a little more) but with some tone shaping apabilities.

I'm thinking of getting another powerhouse 212 so I'll end up with 4 12s and 4 ohms. Should make for a pretty killer rig.

Thanks for the info.
 
#4
I also play on a pretty loud stage -- heavy handed drummer, two guitars... you know. I've never had trouble punching through EASILY with either a 4 ohm 410 or an 8 ohm 410 and my M-Pulse, and I don't think I've ever had the master past 20% volume. I don't mean to discount your power question, you may be perfectly correct, but I've always felt Mesa's ratings were conservative.
 
#5
Visirale said:
Hmm, that helps. I've always wondered about the m-pulse. They call it their "value" head which made me a little wary, but I guess when your heads cost A WHOLE LOT, "value" is purely a term, haha. The M-pulse 600 looks to be about the wattage I'm looking for. Pretty much the same output as my LMII (a little more) but with some tone shaping apabilities.

I'm thinking of getting another powerhouse 212 so I'll end up with 4 12s and 4 ohms. Should make for a pretty killer rig.

Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

An M-Pulse 600 and two PH212's will bark beyond your wildest imagination.
 
#6
Mesa power ratings are typically very conservative. I spoke with them about the M-Pulse 360 several years ago. It's been discontinued, but I still use it from time to time. The published power rating at 4 ohms IIRC was 360watts. I was told it actually pushes closer to 425 watts.

The M-Pulse 600, BigBlock, and Titan will get plenty loud...as will the new M6-Carbine...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back