Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

[B Bent]

I have really been doing my research and exploring and playing as many Class A amps as I can. Since I am saving money for one it has given me a good amount of time. I have had Boogies in the past and loved em, but I must say this Mesa Lonestar Special seems like a killer amp with a ton of very useful options. Have any of you guys tried them or better yet own one? I am sure it will cost aroun $1300-$1500, but it seems like you would get a lot more bang for the buck as opposed to a boutique handwired amp. I totally assume it will sound good being a Boogie!!

Here it is on Mesa's website

 

[Curly]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

I tried one at the LA Amp show and liked it a lot.

it has a lot of versatility - maybe a little too much for me, but that's Mesa

I tried a 4x10, and it did fall in that lineage of good old 4x10 amps, like the Bassman and Super Reverb, but has enough switching to cover a lot of other ground.

however, at $1700, it's quite a bit more than a couple other of Mesa's used class A models.
still, I might keep my eye open for a used one after they've been around a while - some folks get nice amps, but realize they just don't like them.

Gearjoneser might have some comments, as he was there, and had a previous version of the Lonestar to compare it to.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

I played a 1x12 at GC when they first came out....super nice all around! One of those days when you start playing & folks start gathering around. Plugged in & started with Los Lonely Boys "Heaven" & all off a sudden, I had an audience.

I don't think it was my playing...it was the sweet sweet tone of this amp.

BUT... like Curly said, the new price tag doesn't really make ya' wanna jump.


You can grab a Maverick or a Blue Angel & get the same vibe for about $1000.00 less.

Give them some time & grab a used one.....I might!!!!:bigok:

 

[RiffRaff]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

I've played through both versions of the Lonestar (6L6's - EL84's), both were 2x12 combo amps - the 6L6 was flabby on the bottom end and pretty much uninspiring. The EL84 version however sounded very tight, thick and sweet. It's A/B in the 30 and 15 watt modes, doesn't do Class A until you switch to the 5 watt mode - man what a great tone in pure class A (it's running on 1 EL84). It has quite a bit of versatility as mentioned before, very easy to set up and get a great tone right off the bat (unlike other mesa amps I've had) - like the others mentioned it is expensive - GC had the 2x12 marked at close to $1,800 - I think for much less than this you can get one of Scott's matchless type amps that will get you pretty much the same tone (unless you need all the channel switching stuff). Good luck, they are very nice amps - I think they sound better than the bad cats and Dr. Z's I've played through and those amps are $500+ more than the Lonestar special.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

Yeah, +1 on that....I didn't like the "bigger" Lonestar....the 6L6 version.



BUT I'M AN EL84 KINDA' GUY!!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

The EL-84 Lonestar Special kinda bridges the gap between American and British tone, especially on the 4-10 that Curly and I saw. The channel switching and features make it something I probably would trade my Bassman LTD for. I'm probably going to sell it, and buy a good EL-84 amp, either a Dr. Z, Gibson Goldtone, or Mesa Lonestar Special.

I'm not normally fond all Mesa's, but I have to admit they come up with some great products, and the Special is one of them.....along with the Stiletto, Triaxis, Subway, Blue Angel, and all their power amps.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

GJ,

You keep talking about selling that LTD...you'll have to let me know when you do!

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

think amps using EL-84s sounded warmer than those of 6L6s ? Abit off topic , oops

 

[Curly]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

think amps using EL-84s sounded warmer than those of 6L6s ? Abit off topic , oops

I'd say yes, but the power and topology of the circuits, as well as the speakers used in the amps, are quite different.

if you use an AC 30 as an example of a prototypical EL84 amp, then we're talking 30 watts with Celestion alnico Blues, so faster breakup, and IMO, less bottom end.

the 6L6 is a little scooped in its frequency range, so in a classic Fender amp you'll hear more highs and lows, and fewer mids, IMO.

today, there are lots of more "modern" amps that use 6L6s, but have more gain, and more mids.
the KT 66s are the exception in the 6L6 family, since they are more linear in frequency response, thus the name "Kinkless Tetrode".

since a 2-6L6 amp is 50 watts, the speakers are higher powered, and these amps have a stouter bottom end. Pushing these amps into power tube distortion will bring out more mids though.

just IMHO, a few generalizations ... yes, we could probably debate the subject in a separate thread

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

Can't wait to try one. I tried the 6l6 version and wasn't that impressed. nice with humbuckers, but that's about it.

I currently own a Blue Angel, which is a fantastic amp. If you can do without the extra features, the BA will give you great EL84 tone. It also runs 6V6s, so it's like having a deluxe and an AC30 in one box.

I would've loved the Lonestar special to have the 6V6 set as well. Oh well...

 

[JeffB]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

I've played the LS w/ 6l6's, the LS w/ El34s, and the special...

I didn't think the 6l6 LS was that bad, but not stellar either...then again, IME MESA's require alot of tweaking to arrive at good tones.

On the other hand w/ El34's that LS RAWKED

The special however is what I'd buy...I'm not a vox, class A, or El84 fan in general, but that Special is a helluva an amp.

somewhat OT: And GJ is right...the Stiletto gets some bad press, but if you learn how to tweak that thing, you can get some AMAZING tones out of it. First time I played it, I hated it. Second time, I tweaked a bit more, and liked it. Third time, I damn near laid the $ down for it...

 

[B Bent]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

Thanks for the response guys. I guess these are a little more $$$$ than I expected. I still want to try one though. Maybe The Guy That Invented the Fire knows of a place here in The Atl where I could try one???!!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

Yeah, new they ain't cheap.....try this Forum & check the classifieds. I've seen them pop up every now & then....be patient; they don't flood the boards like this crack house!!!!!:laugh2:

http://forum.grailtone.com/

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

GJ,

You keep talking about selling that LTD...you'll have to let me know when you do!

$900 and I'll pay the Fedex 5 day shipping. It's dead mint, has very few hours on the original GT's, and includes the cover, cardboard flat for the top, and hang tags. It literally looks like I walked out of GC with it today.

It's a great amp, but I always find myself plugging into the Bogner or Matchless.

I want to sell the LTD, just to put the money into another guitar. I'm running out of space for amps. :kabong:

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Anyone own or played the Mesa Lonestar Special?

$900 and I'll pay the Fedex 5 day shipping. It's dead mint, has very few hours on the original GT's, and includes the cover, cardboard flat for the top, and hang tags. It literally looks like I walked out of GC with it today.

It's a great amp, but I always find myself plugging into the Bogner or Matchless.

I want to sell the LTD, just to put the money into another guitar. I'm running out of space for amps. :kabong:

And with stuff like the Chieftain and Ecstasy, you really don't need anything else, do you? :9:

The LTD is a great sounding amp that takes to pedals well, if you're into Fenders, they're well worth a look.