ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

[Benjy_26]

Anybody?

I currently run my rig with a Mesa 50/50 power amp and was looking to upgrade to the Simul 90 when I came across this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mesa-Boogie-295...ryZ43374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I've never seen one of these before.

Anybody know what exactly this thing can do (specs)?

Thank you very much.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

I owned one back in the late 80s - early ninetys. They are nice amps for sure and run on a combination of 6L6s and EL34s with the class A/AB switch in the back.

The newer 2:90s are a bit more versatile with the deep extend/half drive/modern tip switch jacks in the back, especially if you are running a Triaxis preamp because the Triaxis has the four programmable tip switch jacks in the back.

Both the 2:95 and the 2:90 are extremely loud power amps and they do need a bit of heat to really sound their best. If you can open them up a bit though, they really are some of the best sounding tube power amps out there.

What exactly did you need to know?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

What exactly did you need to know?

Pretty much what you just posted.

BTW, I'm not running a Triaxis preamp, rather I'm running a Boss GT-8 preamp with the 50:50 along with a sealed back Marshall 2x12 (V30's) and an open back Vox 2x12" (Eminence Private Jack/Texas Heat).

Do you think that the Simul 90 would react well to this configuration, or am I better off just keeping the 50:50 for giggin in medium clubs and the occasional outdoor gig?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

I used that exact power amp in a Marshall JMP-1/295 rig from 93-95. The one you're looking at is the good one, like he says, because it's got the volume and presence on the front. It's a beautiful sounding power amp, and will have a broader sound than a 50/50, but also more headroom. It's in the top 5 of best sounding guitar power amps.

I'll never forget the time I had to have a volume war with a neighbor and his giant stereo system. The guy was a real jerk, so one day when he was crankin his stereo, I hooked up the JMP/295 rig to 4 4-12 cabinets!!!! I put in my earplugs and just the HISS from my rig was almost as loud as his stereo. THEN, I layed into the guitar, playing a bunch of heavy riffs and I swear.......It was SCARY LOUD. The whole Santa Monica apartment complex almost had the windows blown out of it. I called it the 'volume apocalypse!!!" LOL

 

[Robert S.]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

If you had a Triaxis I'd say get the 2:90. The two are definately made to run as a pair.

The 50/50 is a killer amp in it's own right and other than volume/headroom you won't have tons to gain with the 2:90. The class A/AB on the 2:95 is cool and the voice switching on the 2:90 is even cooler but unless you can work out an even swap money-wise I wouldn't do it.

If you can see a Triaxis in your future somewhere and you can find a reasonably priced 2:90 now, jump on it.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

Robert, is there a difference between the 2:90 and 2:100? I was wondering if they both have the donut style transformers, or if they have actual iron blocks? I agree with you about the added features on the 2:90 with the switching and deep extend, which the old 4 space ones didn't have, but the 295,395, and Strategy 500 have big block transformers, I think. Crushing loud....that I KNOW!!!

 

[Robert S.]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

I don't remember seeing a donut style tranny in there the last time I had it open but I will say the 2:90 is every bit as loud as my 2:95 was.

I like the 2 space 2:90 with the tip switching a lot more than the 2:90. Having 8 different power amp voicing options adds a lot of flexability

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

I think that's why many of those 4 space ones got discontinued. The new ones are smaller, lighter, have more features, and sound just as good.

Can you imagine owning a Strategy 500? Those things could reduce your walls to baby powder! haha

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

Since I've never turned up my 50:50 more than half way up running only one side, and am not planning on purchasing the Triaxis anytime soon; I should keep my current power section?

Thanks´ for the help, gentlemen. :burnout:

 

[Robert S.]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

I think so Benjy, there is nothing wrong with the 50/50.

But if you have to have a 2:90 for the heck of it, they are killer amps.

Always keep the input at or near 100% with the 50/50 and lower your output/volume at the 50/50. You'll get better tone that way. You have to keep heat on the inverter and power tubes for the best results.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

Oh and since the GT-8 is stereo, run it into both sides of the 50/50 and put a cab on each side.

Run that rig in mono and you're missing out on 2/3rds of the tone.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: ANybody have info on Mesa/Boogie Simul 295?

Oh and since the GT-8 is stereo, run it into both sides of the 50/50 and put a cab on each side.

Run that rig in mono and you're missing out on 2/3rds of the tone.

I do run it stereo.

My favorite tones are the Twin model through the Marshall cab and JC-120 model running through the Vox cab. It's a big, deep clean tone that really cuts through.


Another really cool tone is running the Tiamp mmodel through the Marshall cab and the Plexi model through the Vox cab. Very crunchy and heavy without being fuzzed out.


Thanks for the tips on how to run it. Ive always ran the input low and output high, I'll run it the way you suggested and see how it reacts to my rig.

Again, thanks a lot for all of your help. :burnout: