Re: He Shoots...he Scores!!!!
TheProphet said:
I'm hoping with the new interest in more boutique-ish, low gain amps that Mesa will bring it back
I doubt they'll bring it back...I think the new Lonestar Special is kind of picking up where the Blue Angel & the Maverick left off. Granted, it's just running EL84s, but the 5-15-30watt switch sounded super cool & the reverb control for both channels was something I liked.
TheProphet said:
I should take back my statement of it being lo-gain ... I believe it did have a preamp setup similar to a cascading gain setup. (Last time I got to fiddle with one of these was 5-6 years ago) It seemed to excell more in the area of clean at the edge of breaking up.
Granted Gretsky fan has 2 of these now so he should have a better feel for the amp than I (or am I thinking of Artie as having one). All I know is that I was blown away and thought "man I gotta get me one of these"
The thing I like about the Blue Angel is the Progressive Linkage....which gives you the option of different power tubes at different output for a different tone, but you can combine them for the best of both worlds.
The 6V6s (I actually use 6L6s) run at 15watts for a super warm Fendery tone, but like most Fenders, if pushed too hard, they get kind of flubby.
The EL84s run at 33watts & gives a tighter, more aggressive & brighter tone ala VOX...but it seems they aren't as warm as the 6V6 & can sound kind of thin or brittle.
But when you combine them (Mesa calls it "Simul Link"), @ 38watts, the EL84s add a tightness & attack to the 6V6s & the 6V6s add more bass response & warmth to the EL84s.
It's a great amp for classic rock/blues/jazz/country.....and yes, if you push the EL84s just right, it can rock a pretty mean British Rock type of gain. Flip on the Fat switch & use a bridge humbucker & it'll get pretty gainy. It's not for the metal guys or high gain users......but it likes pedals enough if you wanted that option.
And last but not least.....THE REVERB ! The spring reverb is just superb...warm, lovely, lush.....one of the best I've ever heard, not that I'm an expert, but it's damn fine!!!
I've said it before & I'll say it again
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE DUAL RECTIFIER EMBLEM ON THE FRONT! This is NOT what you would think a Mesa would sound like!
