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Question for Mesa head users....

F

fearlessdane

Aug 29, 2005
75
1
Portland, OR. Los Angeles, CA.
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Ampeg, Fender, Ernie Ball
#1
My band is soon to start on a full U.S. tour and I need a back up head. I primarily use an Ampeg SVT 5-Pro, but the band is fully sponsored by Mesa, so I need to pick a head from the Mesa line. My problem is that I have absolutely NO experience with Mesa heads, so I was wondering which of their bass heads is the absolute meanest and most powerful? The cost is obviously not an issue. (The closest one that can compare to an Amped SVT 5 Pro)
 
#7
In the Mesa shock rack, you won't have any issues with the 400+ unless you're guys are just heaving it from the truck onto the concrete. If you're really worried, they sell a complete compliment of tubes as a spares kit for reasonable.
I've schlepped many tube amps up and down the road for decades, and never had a tube break, tho YMMV, I guess.

Nice amp. I've not tried thier other offerings.
 
#9
Thanks guys. I've tried most amps and have ended up staying with Ampeg the longest. The SVT 5 pro is insane. But Im sure Mesa makes some great stuff as well. I figure that I will rarely end up using the back up, but it never hurts to have an amp just as powerful just in case.

I will be running through an Ampeg 810E cab with MusicMan Stingrays. (Gotta love the free amps and guitars)

You can check out the music at Link Removed

Dane
 
#17
I just listen to your mp3 and like it !

Mesa do great stuffs, i do agree to the mates here to say taht the 400+ is pure power tone ! BUT ! I wouldn't go full tube for touring, hybrid must be the best choice to do, check out the M Pluse 600 or even better if you can have a Mesa Basis M2000 it has 2 channels 2 compressors overdrive.. This amp was made for the stage.
 
#18
fearlessdane said:
But Im sure Mesa makes some great stuff as well.
Dane
Click to expand...

Man lucky you to be sponsored by Mesa, but using an ampeg? Thats like being sponsored by Ferrari and driving a Ford! The Bass 400+ is the most reliable tube amp on the planet. I have had mine for over ten years now and would only reliquish it for the Phil Jones tube monster that goes for $10,000.
OTOH, the Boogie tone controls can be a little difficult to suss at first. I have known guys that had no idea that the bass, treble and gain knobs all pull out to change the tone. I mostly run mine flat with teh bass and gain knobs pulled out. Sounds very close to an SVT!
Oh while you are at it, check out their cabs! The make some of the best rock-n-roll bass cabs in the business. Like the Powerhouse etc. Very sturdy and very deep. And hats off to your management for acing such choice endorsments.
 
#20
The M-Pulse 600 is the closest to your Ampeg SVT 5PRO. It's a hybrid w/ 2 channels controllable with a footswitch. 600 watts @ 4ohms. Lots of Eq, including a passive mid control, which is great for getting that Ampeg-like vintage tone. I have a Walkabout, which is a smaller version of the 600 but same architecture. The tone is very flexible between modern & vintage sounding, but leans toward grit and girth. Great clarity and great control over your tone.

Since you're getting an endorsement, I'm sure the rep will allow you to try out a couple of different configurations before you commit.

Congrats and best of luck.
 

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