Any Mesa Boogie users?

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 12 Jan 2002 5:08 pm

Just wondering if anybody is using this amp with pedal steel and what model would be the best.
Joe

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 12 Jan 2002 7:26 pm

I have a Mark IV head, with a 4/12 cabinet. I like it with lead guitar, but I don't care for it with steel. I also hooked it up to a BW speaker cabinet, and I still didn't like the sound with steel.

J Hollenberg · Post by **J Hollenberg** » 13 Jan 2002 12:34 am

I am using a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp in combination with a Nashville 400.
I like this combination very much, because it gives me exact the sound that I like from Paul Franklin

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Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 13 Jan 2002 7:41 am

I've been using a Mesa V-twin rackmount preamp recently, with a VHT 2/90/2 amp and a couple of JBL E-130s. I swapped out the 12ax7 tubes for a couple of (slightly) lower gain Sovtek 5751 tubes and this thing can be either clear as a bell, or you can dial in some grit with the Master/Gain controls. I haven't fooled with it too much yet using the drive channel (since I put the new tubes in), but you can get all the crunch you like with the original tubes in there.

I even have a Franklin guitar and I don't sound anything like Paul Franklin, however...

[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 13 January 2002 at 07:44 AM.]

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 18 Jan 2002 7:06 am

I do use a Mesa Boogie Studio-pre-amp to, in the loop of a Roland GP100.It gives the warmth that I need in the studio.
I like my sound, but the holy grail.....??

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 19 Jan 2002 8:36 pm

My rack has a Mesa V-Twin preamp and a Mesa 50/50 power amp. I also have a Mesa Boogie Maverick prototype combo amp that I often gig and record with.

I wired amps at Mesa Boogie for 5 years (1980 to 1985). I've always liked the sound of them for steel.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 19 Jan 2002 10:08 pm

Bobby, I also have a Maverick Prototype (#20), but I mostly use it for six string. Johan, here is the Holy Grail of Mesa steel amps; at the risk of encouraging others to bid against me........

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 20 Jan 2002 8:48 am

Hey Michael - Sounds great for overdrive sounds, but how do youthink it'll be for headroom, etc?

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 20 Jan 2002 9:30 am

Steve,

I sure do want to find out! I have a Mesa Heartbreaker (four 6L6) that has some real headroom with the masters up. In fact, both channels can be set for independent clean sounds, each with a different voicing. This Mark IIC+ is a Coliseum model (SIX 6L6). What do you think I should pay for this amp?

I just set up the Heartbreaker and played the Fessenden (Lawrence 710) through it and WOW!. I usually play through my Session 400 LTD and use the Heartbreaker for the Les Paul. If you like the steel sound through a Fender Twin, the Heartbreaker is like a Twin on steroids![This message was edited by Michael Holland on 20 January 2002 at 10:08 AM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 20 Jan 2002 10:50 am

I built that amp, Michael. Beware - you can't play it in a small room. The tone at high volumes is incredible, though. It's the most beautiful sounding amp I've ever played steel through, once you get it up loud enough.

As for price, I'd say it's worth at least $1500, but that's more than most people would pay for any amp, myself included.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

ercek · Post by **ercek** » 20 Jan 2002 10:52 am

I've been using a semi-rare Mark IIA that has a 15" EV speaker. The amp has 100/60 watts of warm, clean tube power. I have owned every so-called 'steel guitar' solid state amp known and none approach this amp for clarity, warmth and volume IMHO. I play all kinds of music and this is the most versatile combo amp I have found to suit those needs. Also, own a rack mounted Mesa 50/50 Stereo(50watts a side) and a Stereo Simul-Class 2:90(90 watts a side) to use with either a Mesa Formula or Studio preamp. Absolute killer sound and warmth. Definitely a toss up between these systems depending on the situation.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 20 Jan 2002 11:05 am

By the way, I don't remember the "limiter" circuit. This may have been an add-on after I field tested the amp and told Randy that it didn't sound good at low volumes. This isn't the exact same amp that I tested - mine had a finished hardwood cabinet.

Guitar players didn't like this model because you couldn't squeeze the power tubes. It was just too clean! I think that the Stones used them, though, on one of their tours back then.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 20 Jan 2002 11:24 am

I had one of those monster boogie combos with the 15" in for a while. It is a great amp. Real heavy, real sweet and loud. I moved on to other type amps over time but I do think that the mesa stuff is some of the best.

Bob

Brian Herder · Post by **Brian Herder** » 21 Jan 2002 8:34 pm

I had a 60w Mklll combo that worked pretty good, when I could get it set up right. The problem was that it was TOO flexible for me, and was hard to get a consitantly good sound. I've always been curious to try a MK1 or 2, which ever was the first one with a 15" speaker.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 21 Jan 2002 10:18 pm

I picked up a MarkIII 50/100 watt head with a 5 band EQ a few months ago. I like the sound when I plug in the JBL E-130 from my Webb. I'm going to try it on a gig for the first time this Saturday. I'll report back with my results.

DZ

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 23 Jan 2002 4:34 pm

Joe,
I have a Mark I reissue with a 300 watt EVM. Its sounds pretty good in the 100 watt mode at lower volume aka a good old warm tube fender sound for steel. I like to use it at home some. I think the Mesa amps are great quality wise. I don't know what the best choice Mesa would be for steel. It would be subjective, but I think Bobby is the source on this subject.
Lefty

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 31 Jan 2002 10:24 pm

Tried the Boogie MarkIII for the first two sets. Played the Webb for sets 3 & 4. The Boogie was OK but I like the Webb better for steel. The Boogie sounded awesome with my Tele. After all, that's what they're built for. DZ