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What's the classic Mesa Boogie sound? Gibbons? Santana? who represents/records with Mesa's? What distiquishes Mesa from Fender and Marshall?

Well, as I understand it, Mesa Boogies were originally hot rodded Fender Princetons. There was an added gain stage, different transformers and speakers. So Mesa Boogie amps kind of follow the Fender way of doing things. I think Santana was one of the first to actually use those modded Princetons.

Marshalls were originally based upon the Fender Bassman, tweed I believe. They kind of developed into something of their own, but still have that some of that mid-rangey flavor of the Bassmans.

I normally think of Santana when I hear Mesas. He's using something else nowadays though. I don't remember what he's currently using.

Billy G has more of a tweed Fender or plexi Marshall tone to me. I think for at least Rev Billy G's early work with ZZ, it was tweed Fender Bassmans.

couple of mesa boogie amps to try.
go try out a nomad 45 head thru a 2 or 4/12 cab with celestion 30's. the
el84 tubes make this one of the most versital amps you can buy with 3 channels and a lead boost. I tried out the nomad 55 or whatever it was but I didnt like it with 6l6 tubes. Also dont try out the nomad 45 with 4/10 speaker cab it sucks thru 4/10's.
also try out the rectoverb. its cleans are very good and its distortion modes are nice but keep in mind they are 6l6 type distortion meaning they will be more gain and less clip.
I have not tried out much on the lone star amps so I cant recomend them eather way.
good luck

when i think mesa boogie, i think BLINK 182! no, im just kidding. but not really.

It was suggested that I consider these 1x12 combo's: F-30, Blue Angle and Maverick.
What do you think of these models? Are they more than an excuse to not buy Fender? J/K. Yes. i'm sure they are great amps.

Good for nice bluesy cleans and low-med overdrive tones?

i have a blue angel, and it rocks- 6v6s and el84s...master volume is for suckers!

I tried a Stiletto Trident 150, and a lonestar last week. I had my PRS with me.

The Trident had a very Marshally flavor that had been reworked for versatilitiy. It really sang with the PRS.

The Lonestar (to my ears) is a tribute to the older Mesas. It would probably be the perfect amp for you Todd.

Luke

the problem with most Fender amps is that they just plain lack when it comes to great distortion tone-hence Marshalls claim to fame in the late 60's untill the early 90's. Boogie just tried to hot the fender 6L6 tube tone and put it into one channel switching amp. of the above amps you mentioned I like the blue angel cuz it does have its one unique tone.
in the amp world there is realy 3 dominent tube amp tones.
6L6-mostly fender-great cleans-gainy distortion accentuated highs and lows
EL34-mostly marshall type tone-cleans are ok but kinda thin-distortion is clipy and midrangey-cuts thru on stage or in a band but tends to need a little more gain sometimes...hence the fuzz and gain pedals infront of the amps
EL84-cleans are very clean and nice but can be too chimey-distortion has both clip and gain but some amps lack much low end bass.
the Boogie nomad runs on EL84's its cleans are good and its distortion is good you can balance out the low end by playing thru 12 inch vintage celestion 30's
the boogie rectofyer runs on 6L6 tubes. its cleans sound naturaly (6l6 tubes) its distortion modes are gainey of course but there are 2 of them. brown sound and modern grind. you may or may not like 6L6 tube distortion as it tends to be gainey and less clipy-thats a personall preferace choice.
lastly if you want go try out a stilleto. it runs on EL34 tubes.-cleans are ok but thin-distortion has nice midrange clip and gain is ok. you must scoop the controls like an old Marshall and jack the presence and gain up as well.
that will give you a heads up on all 3 of the major tube type sounds. there are other tubes differant manufacturers use but EL34,6l6, EL84 are the most dominent and industry standerd and have been for years.
a lot of companies latley have been going to smaller wattage amps so you can crank them up and hit there sweet tone spot without killing your niegbors or getting thrown out of a club. the new wattage trend tends to be anywhere from around 15 to 45 watts. you mike it anyway in a club and its laud enough for your room.


Originally Posted by Guitar Toadwho represents/records with Mesa's?

I don't know but have you heard of a guy called Kirk Hammett? He plays in an emo band called Metallica...


Originally Posted by Guitar Toad

Santana? who represents/records with Mesa's?

here ya go


Originally Posted by nepalnt21here ya go

Is that all the artists they have? That is quite a few. Wide variety. Mesa may work for me after all

So, enlighten me on the 1x12 combo's. I would love a Lone Star or Stiletto, but that ain't gonna happen for me any time soon. But the smaller combos are definitely worth checkin' out. Then keep my eye one ebay for the best Mesa deal for $700.

I better see if theres a Mesa dealer within a 100 miles of the 65201 zip code! I need to go try 'em.

The Guy Who Invented Fire is likely to fall off his chair laughing when he see's this thread!

John Sykes (Whitesnake), Night Ranger (Watson amp; Gillis), Stryper (Fox amp; Sweet), Mark Tremonti (Creed).


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadThe Guy Who Invented Fire is likely to fall off his chair laughing when he see's this thread!

why exactly do you say that???and what kind of tone are you looking for?


Originally Posted by Nite_Maresz_25why exactly do you say that???and what kind of tone are you looking for?

I'll be spending about $800 for an amp.
I want Claptons Bell Bottom Blues tone...to Kenny Wayne's Born with a broken heart...to La Grange... with good cleans secondary.

I prefer the quot;british' OD tones. Not looking for high gain, jsut good smooth distortion in the light to medium grade dirty tones. I always like a little fuzz in the tone.

What cha got Nite Marz?


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadIt was suggested that I consider these 1x12 combo's: F-30, Blue Angle and Maverick.
What do you think of these models? Are they more than an excuse to not buy Fender? J/K. Yes. i'm sure they are great amps.

Good for nice bluesy cleans and low-med overdrive tones?

The F-50 is killer also


Originally Posted by Minceri have a blue angel, and it rocks- 6v6s and el84s...master volume is for suckers!
100

IMO the best mesa's are the Maverick, Trem-o-verb, and the Blue angel, with the BA, being the best of those, and the Maverick being the most versatile.

But that is considering the tones I am after. The F series,and DC series can also get a lot of useful sounds.


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadI'll be spending about $800 for an amp.
I want Claptons Bell Bottom Blues tone...to Kenny Wayne's Born with a broken heart...to La Grange... with good cleans secondary.

I cannot for the life of me get a good La Grange tone on my Rectifier. I can on a Fender Twin, but I haven't been able to do it on a Recto.....

FYI.

DUDE listen to metallica - black album or lamb of god ashes of the wake , thats pure mesa baby


Originally Posted by gripweedI normally think of Santana when I hear Mesas. He's using something else nowadays though. I don't remember what he's currently using.

He plays Dumbles these days.