Rhonda Smith's Rig!!!!!

[main_sale]

Sorry, but I've never been able to get past here to see what she plays. She is HOT and Talanted!

 

[Benjamin Strange]

The 600 struggles at powering the 2x10 + 1x15? Really? Is this common for this amp? I've been reading on here that this amp can put out like crazy! Surprisingly so because of the supposedly conservative rating. And isn't it a bit weird that homegirl can power her 2 - 2x15s with one 600, and all their low end power hunger (on stage nonetheless!), but it can't make a 2x10 + 1x15 loud enough? Or have I got it backwards? Does it take more effort to power the latter setup?

Some cabs are more power hungry than others. Bergantino is known for eating power amps for breakfast. However, the MPulse can handle most cabs with ease, and crazy loud at that. I'm not sure what kind of cabs Rockstarbassist is using, so I can't comment on that (perhaps they were higher ohms?). Trust me, through most rigs, the MPulse 600 can make you go deaf pretty quickly.

And what's with the M-pulse's "2000 watts peak"? Does that have something to do with the fact that their 600 watt rating far outdoes other similar wattage amps that have a slightly higher peak? How is it peaked so high? I've never seen such a drastic continous/peak difference.

A watt is a watt is a watt. However, how watts are measured is up to debate. We tend to rate them fairly conservatively, so that's why our 600 watts can sound louder than other 600 watt amps. Yes, they do peak that high, but I doubt you will ever get it to that point in a normal playing situation.

Sorry for all the questions. I'm considering an amp for a future pair of Schroeder 1210 cabs. The 600 is 4 ohms, so I'd run one on it in the meantime but maybe figure out a future solution. Maybe a future run at a Big Block 750 since it can handle 2 ohms? What do people think of the 750 now that it's been out for a little bit?

extremely curious...

-T

We're discovering that the Big Block is a great amp, but like any amp, it seems to have certain preferences for cabs. The Big Block likes big cabs, and doesn't seem to sound as good with smaller cabs. It does have a more open sound than the MPulse 600, which some people dig and some people don't. I would suggest trying before you buy if at all possible - tone is a subjective thing, and I would hesitate recommending buying an amp on specs alone.

Those Schroeder cabs are pretty cool. They seemed a bit bright, and perhaps a bit too tight sounding for my own personal tastes, but that could have been the amp I was using at the time too. They are really a brilliant design though, and I'd love to sit down with one (with my amp), and put them through some paces. Perhaps next time I'm in LA I'll haul the old BassTriaxis down there with me.

 

[Transverz]

Some cabs are more power hungry than others. Bergantino is known for eating power amps for breakfast. However, the MPulse can handle most cabs with ease, and crazy loud at that. I'm not sure what kind of cabs Rockstarbassist is using, so I can't comment on that (perhaps they were higher ohms?). Trust me, through most rigs, the MPulse 600 can make you go deaf pretty quickly.

I believe, through looking at Rockstarbassist's past classified ads that he had the Powerhouse 2x10 and 1x15. Was an awesome setup. Does this support or baffle the fact that Rhonda can use a 600 for 2 - 2x15 cabs?

The Big Block likes big cabs, and doesn't seem to sound as good with smaller cabs. It does have a more open sound than the MPulse 600, which some people dig and some people don't. I would suggest trying before you buy if at all possible - tone is a subjective thing, and I would hesitate recommending buying an amp on specs alone.

Any chance the Mesa Boogie outlet store on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood has the Big Block 750? And what's up with that place? Better prices than Guitar Center? Better selection? Some "previously cared for items"?!

They are really a brilliant design though, and I'd love to sit down with one (with my amp), and put them through some paces. Perhaps next time I'm in LA I'll haul the old BassTriaxis down there with me.

If you are ever in L.A., you and your BassTriaxis can play through my (soon to come) Schroeder ANY TIME I'd love to hear you put it through it's paces too! And if you can sneak one into your backpocket, a demo Big Block 750 would be cool to try out as well! Just a thought...

And the semi-hijacked thread has been given back... apologies

-T

 

[slugworth]

She actually slaves a 600 into ANOTHER 600. So, 1 amp drives each pair of 2x15's. Actually (and I just found this out) Mesa switched the 2x15's into 8 ohm cabs, instead of the old Diesel 4 ohm versions. But yeah, I used to have one of the 2x15's. It's a pretty amazing experience to plug one of those in and stand in front of it. Especially if you later add a 2x10, a la Flea, circa a few years ago. Great stuff.

>>> I hope she pays her roadies good, because they're
lugging around a lot of crap that she probably doesn't
need. With sound reinforcement being what it is
today and in-ear monitors and stuff, nobody needs to
be that loud on stage anymore. Who does she think
she is? Geezer Butler!!!!

Slug

 

[alexclaber]

I believe, through looking at Rockstarbassist's past classified ads that he had the Powerhouse 2x10 and 1x15. Was an awesome setup. Does this support or baffle the fact that Rhonda can use a 600 for 2 - 2x15 cabs?

It supports it. Get enough speakers and assuming the combined impedance doesn't drop too low for the amp to handle, you'll be able to get huge bass with as little as 50 watts due to the increased low frequency efficiency that coupling will provide.

Alex

 

[kobass]

the MPulse can handle most cabs with ease, and crazy loud at that. Trust me, through most rigs, the MPulse 600 can make you go deaf pretty quickly. /QUOTE]

True, dat!

 

[Transverz]

Thanks for the info guys...

And yeah, I find it funny and sad at the same time that I thought since they called it the "750", that it would have 750 watts @ 4 ohms, since the Mpulse 600 is 600 @ 4ohms. Instead...575? Weird.

And can that Big Block 750 handle a 2 ohm load without quickly decreasing it's lifespan? I know some amps that claim a 2 ohm load but faint at the sight of 2 - 4ohm cabs. The M-pulse 600 manual says that the 600 can handle 2 ohm loads (let me guess, @ "750" watts? ) but "doesn't recommend it". Anyone have experience with running their 600 at 2 ohms for a couple hours? Is it really ready to throw in the towel and just shut down?

And speaking of manuals, I love MB stuff and all, but why is it that all the MB manuals I've read never sum up it's ratings and specs in the end like all other manuals do? I mean, sure, being different is fine and dandy, but must I really search through the entire manual to find the one little spec I am looking for? And what about the detailed, in-depth specs that some of us would like to know?

I'll still buy it though. (what a sucka :scowl: )

-T

 

[Benjamin Strange]

I believe, through looking at Rockstarbassist's past classified ads that he had the Powerhouse 2x10 and 1x15. Was an awesome setup. Does this support or baffle the fact that Rhonda can use a 600 for 2 - 2x15 cabs?

I think it supports the fact that Rockstarbassist may be going deaf! The 2x10 + 1x15 combination is my current rig of choice, and it's crazy loud with my rig. I don't know why he felt he wasn't getting enough volume out of a MPulse 600 and two Mesa cabs.

Any chance the Mesa Boogie outlet store on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood has the Big Block 750? And what's up with that place? Better prices than Guitar Center? Better selection? Some "previously cared for items"?!

I'd say there was a good chance, but as always, selection varies. It is a retail outlet after all. Typically they will have stuff that GC doesn't carry, but prices will be exactly the same. Mesa's everywhere are the same price, because we want people to buy them based on tone and service, not on price. Oftentimes they will have some used and reconditioned gear there, but that varies as well. They are really cool dudes down there; hit them up.

If you are ever in L.A., you and your BassTriaxis can play through my (soon to come) Schroeder ANY TIME I'd love to hear you put it through it's paces too! And if you can sneak one into your backpocket, a demo Big Block 750 would be cool to try out as well! Just a thought...

And the semi-hijacked thread has been given back... apologies

-T

I'll let you know.

 

[Benjamin Strange]

Thanks for the info guys...

And yeah, I find it funny and sad at the same time that I thought since they called it the "750", that it would have 750 watts @ 4 ohms, since the Mpulse 600 is 600 @ 4ohms. Instead...575? Weird.

I thought it was a little weird at first too, but the Big Block is more about a different tone rather than more power. I'd personally love to see it be more powerful, but considering how loud it is anyway, I can't see that it would make much of a difference to most people.

And can that Big Block 750 handle a 2 ohm load without quickly decreasing it's lifespan? I know some amps that claim a 2 ohm load but faint at the sight of 2 - 4ohm cabs. The M-pulse 600 manual says that the 600 can handle 2 ohm loads (let me guess, @ "750" watts? ) but "doesn't recommend it". Anyone have experience with running their 600 at 2 ohms for a couple hours? Is it really ready to throw in the towel and just shut down?

The Big Block can handle a 2 ohm load with ease, with no wear and tear over it's lifespan. The MPulse series (even including the Walkabout) can handle 2 ohm loads as long as it's not a prolonged experience that happens too often. The Walkabout seems to be the most resilient of them all at 2 ohms, but the others do ok too.

And speaking of manuals, I love MB stuff and all, but why is it that all the MB manuals I've read never sum up it's ratings and specs in the end like all other manuals do? I mean, sure, being different is fine and dandy, but must I really search through the entire manual to find the one little spec I am looking for? And what about the detailed, in-depth specs that some of us would like to know?

We don't mention much specs in the manual for precisely the reasons SMASH mentioned: they can be misleading, and generally don't mean anything in regards to tone or volume. For instance, having a bass cab that can handle frequencies as low as 7 Hz isn't very helpful in the world of music - no one can hear that low, and having too much low end can muddy up a signal big time. It also doesn't show how fast the transient response of the cab is either - it may have great low end, but it's very slow and mushy. We prefer people to buy with their ears, not with their eyes.

 

[Brad Johnson]

hmmmm....she gets roadies too....remember that

Exactly.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I don't know if it was because the new 2x10's require 600 watts or what, but I just was definitely underpowering that setup. A lot of times I have to support ALL of my bass with my rig, and the medium sized clubs we are doing, and now starting to do more outdoor gigs, the 2x10+1x15 just honestly wasn't cutting it! I'd have to have the 600 at least to 2:00, most of the time 3:00 just to compete on stage with the drummer and my guitarists Mesa Single Rec half stack. It just wasn't sounding good. I just felt it was pushing WAY too hard for what I was getting out of it, but maybe I just need some more speaker area. My M-Pulse is having a hard time selling, so I should have it to take to a gig with my new 6x10, but that thing takes 900 watts @ 4 ohms, so I don't see how the 600 of the M-Pulse is going to really drive it that much. Hence the reason I'm prolly going to the pre/power amp setup. I can just get more juice to my cabs.

 

[rekesbass]

the 600 will handle a 2 ohm load with ease.I know from experience,I used a 4ohm 2x15(rr)w\ a modified 4ohm 2x10(rr)...too much gear to lug around,so I got a rr ph1000..then when the bb750 came out I traded my 600 for it..the bb750 is just as loud at 4ohms as the 600,but has a different voice than the 600. the 750 has more of a 400+ like sound,I think it is because there are more pre-amp tubes in the 750...I also really like the stripped down tone control section of the 750..with the 600 I never used the para-e.q.,the comperssor or the boost function..the 3 band was more than enough for me..the 750 is just awsome,it really is a different animal than the 600. now about the small cab issue,the 750 is a perfect match for the ph1000 as you would guess,but is works very well with the 15" scout cab as well.it was so good that I sold my ph1000 and bought a 4ohm 15 scout.( my big HEAVY cab days are over)the punch and clarity of these little cabs is just amazing,and they weigh almost nothing..so a second scout is on order,which will be a 4ohm version so the 750 can give me more of that wonderful tone..yes the 750 will handle a 2ohm load..before I sold my ph1000 I played a gig with the ph1000 and a swr 8ohm1x15(son of bertha) and a swr 8ohm 4x10(goliath3)...it was mind blowing experience,but the 750 never broke a sweat..which is more that I can say for myself,because the tone and volume was scary...BTW I recently got a phone call from Micheal Wolfe from Mesa, to let me know that they received my warranty reg. card and checkin in to see if I like my 750(mail in those warranty cards people)...in my 25+ years of being a working bassist I never had a company call ME to ask if everything is o.k...kudos to Mesa...I will be a Mesa user for life..maybe Ben Strange can give Mr.Wolfe a big kiss for me.

 

[BenderR]

As long as you match impedances you can run as many speakers as you want with any wattage. A Fender Champ could drive two Marshall 4x12 cabinets just fine.

Speakers don't eat up electrical power, they convert it into physical motion of the speaker cone. Obviously there is some inherent loss but real-world, you'll run out of money to buy addtional cabinets long before your amp will even break a sweat, provided that you are matching impedences. Sensitivity and efficiency are the name of the game.

As regards Rhonda: I'm older than most of you guys and a lot more devious. Chicks dig that!

 

[franvarin]

She actually slaves a 600 into ANOTHER 600. So, 1 amp drives each pair of 2x15's. Actually (and I just found this out) Mesa switched the 2x15's into 8 ohm cabs, instead of the old Diesel 4 ohm versions. But yeah, I used to have one of the 2x15's. It's a pretty amazing experience to plug one of those in and stand in front of it. Especially if you later add a 2x10, a la Flea, circa a few years ago. Great stuff.

On the money! I had a 2x15 with 400 watt EVMs and a Boogie 400+. Absolutely smokin!

 

[nashvillebill]

Wow, 11 year old zombie thread!!!!