Marshall Vs. Mesa
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kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
I like those sounds. They define rock. I sold my dual rect years ago, I have not missed it .
FretFire said:I thought this was about what amps YOU like, not other people (regardless of the name)
I like those sounds. They define rock. I sold my dual rect years ago, I have not missed it .
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
I don't like the MK1, MkII, MK, III or MK IV. I have friends that either currently own or have in the past all of these models and I have plenty of hands on time with them. In my 20 years of playing ( which would put you in diapers and goo-goo talk when I started) I have played just about everything. I have a Plexi, I had a Mesa. That ain't changing anytime soon.
FretFire said:
I don't like the MK1, MkII, MK, III or MK IV. I have friends that either currently own or have in the past all of these models and I have plenty of hands on time with them. In my 20 years of playing ( which would put you in diapers and goo-goo talk when I started) I have played just about everything. I have a Plexi, I had a Mesa. That ain't changing anytime soon.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
To be honest, I've plugged into every single Mesa and almost every Marshall, and although I prefer the Marshall sound, I try my hardest to love Mesas. I really want to like them because I know how well built they are and how versatile they are.
The problem is that Randall Smith hasn't got it through his head that more circuitry and bells and whistles equals less harmonic content, which accounts for the grittiness and plasticky basis to the sound.
Bogner, on the other hand, has created the greatest preamp section ever designed and a power section that sounds cranked at every volume level. Even though those amps have a lot of bells and whistles, he's figured out a way to make them non-obtrusive to the pure signal path. I dunno how he's done it, but he has.
Just last week, I decided to give the Lone Star and Road King a thorough listening.
Disappointed once again! Randall Smith has GOT to rethink his designs and strip them down, or something. The last great hope for Mesa is the Stilletto, which is Mesa's main stab at EL-34's. I still haven't heard one, although the clips sound promising.
We'll see!
To be honest, I've plugged into every single Mesa and almost every Marshall, and although I prefer the Marshall sound, I try my hardest to love Mesas. I really want to like them because I know how well built they are and how versatile they are.
The problem is that Randall Smith hasn't got it through his head that more circuitry and bells and whistles equals less harmonic content, which accounts for the grittiness and plasticky basis to the sound.
Bogner, on the other hand, has created the greatest preamp section ever designed and a power section that sounds cranked at every volume level. Even though those amps have a lot of bells and whistles, he's figured out a way to make them non-obtrusive to the pure signal path. I dunno how he's done it, but he has.
Just last week, I decided to give the Lone Star and Road King a thorough listening.
Disappointed once again! Randall Smith has GOT to rethink his designs and strip them down, or something. The last great hope for Mesa is the Stilletto, which is Mesa's main stab at EL-34's. I still haven't heard one, although the clips sound promising.
We'll see!
sooperunkn
New member
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
Anyone ever try a Dual Rectifier with EL34s??? On paper, that sounds like the best of both worlds.... curious!?!?
Anyone ever try a Dual Rectifier with EL34s??? On paper, that sounds like the best of both worlds.... curious!?!?
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
Ok, so you don't like the Mark series either, neat. I'm not saying that you're WRONG for not liking Mesa, they won't please everyone and I'm OK with that. To each his own, if you dig it then play it. I like my Rectoverb, so I'm happy. I don't see how age difference plays into this scenario... experience does not always equal taste (I'm not directing this towards you, just a general statement). Peace man.
kevlar3000 said:
Ok, so you don't like the Mark series either, neat. I'm not saying that you're WRONG for not liking Mesa, they won't please everyone and I'm OK with that. To each his own, if you dig it then play it. I like my Rectoverb, so I'm happy. I don't see how age difference plays into this scenario... experience does not always equal taste (I'm not directing this towards you, just a general statement). Peace man.
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
You still will contend with the buzz you can't get out of that amp. It just won't open up and breathe which is why I sold it. I saved for a year for that amp, bought it new in 93 and planned on taking over the world with it. It was not horrible by a long stretch but it left me wanting more. Modern tones don't do much for me these days, that amp in many ways is the poster child of it. A friend has a MK IV and I just can't get into it at all. It is soooo fizzy. I think they overthink em a bit. Joneser decribes the issue very well and I agree with him.
sooperunkn said:
You still will contend with the buzz you can't get out of that amp. It just won't open up and breathe which is why I sold it. I saved for a year for that amp, bought it new in 93 and planned on taking over the world with it. It was not horrible by a long stretch but it left me wanting more. Modern tones don't do much for me these days, that amp in many ways is the poster child of it. A friend has a MK IV and I just can't get into it at all. It is soooo fizzy. I think they overthink em a bit. Joneser decribes the issue very well and I agree with him.
joelap
Red&Goldologist
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
Kevlar and Joneser: this thread (more specifically your posts), as well as many other factors, have made me drop the idea of buying a Mark IV. Yesterday I came to the realization that I don't need 2 effects loops, because I dont have enough cables to even run the one that I currently have. There's a bunch of other factors (cost especially), but I basically went back to my original idea of saving up and getting an amp modded by Jeff Seal or just doing the damn mod myself. Hopefully I wont screw up too bad that I can't send it SOS to Jeff if I make a few mistakes lol.
I'm currently looking into doing my own variation on Splawn's plexi mod. Course, I know the bare minimum on electrical circuits, so I'll probably have the amp way before I do any modding to it.
Anyways, thanks for the insight, and thanks for putting the final nail in the casket to my Mark IV idea.
Kevlar and Joneser: this thread (more specifically your posts), as well as many other factors, have made me drop the idea of buying a Mark IV. Yesterday I came to the realization that I don't need 2 effects loops, because I dont have enough cables to even run the one that I currently have. There's a bunch of other factors (cost especially), but I basically went back to my original idea of saving up and getting an amp modded by Jeff Seal or just doing the damn mod myself. Hopefully I wont screw up too bad that I can't send it SOS to Jeff if I make a few mistakes lol.
I'm currently looking into doing my own variation on Splawn's plexi mod. Course, I know the bare minimum on electrical circuits, so I'll probably have the amp way before I do any modding to it.
Anyways, thanks for the insight, and thanks for putting the final nail in the casket to my Mark IV idea.
Quencho092
New member
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
though i use a blonde bandmaster now, i always felt like i should have been born in the 40's so i could enjoy the music i really love in it's prime, and with the scorching marshall tone. All i want in an amp really is just volume and eq, im more than content with the bandmaster's volume and low and high controls.
Fenders for me, but i would want a marshall over a mesa any day.
though i use a blonde bandmaster now, i always felt like i should have been born in the 40's so i could enjoy the music i really love in it's prime, and with the scorching marshall tone. All i want in an amp really is just volume and eq, im more than content with the bandmaster's volume and low and high controls.
Fenders for me, but i would want a marshall over a mesa any day.
FireBros.
New member
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
Anyone looking for a Mesa with a Different sound should check out the Blue Angel, or the Maverick They have the famous Mesa build quality, but a totally different sound than either the MK's or the Recto's.
I still am wanting to try the Stilleto series, they're supposed to be Mesa's version of a Marshall.
Anyone looking for a Mesa with a Different sound should check out the Blue Angel, or the Maverick They have the famous Mesa build quality, but a totally different sound than either the MK's or the Recto's.
I still am wanting to try the Stilleto series, they're supposed to be Mesa's version of a Marshall.
No_Where_Fast
New member
Re: Marshall Vs. Mesa
I like the Marshall's clarity but I don't like how thin they can sound. They're too middy for my liking.
I like the Mesa cos they growl, and can actually sound like a Harley rev'ing! (Hubba! Hubba! :headbang: ) ...But, it's true they do always seem to have a fuzzy coating and can be muddy.
I wish you could have the growl and fullness of Mesa with the clarity of Marshall! Or is that a Bogner?
I like the Marshall's clarity but I don't like how thin they can sound. They're too middy for my liking.
I like the Mesa cos they growl, and can actually sound like a Harley rev'ing! (Hubba! Hubba! :headbang: ) ...But, it's true they do always seem to have a fuzzy coating and can be muddy.
I wish you could have the growl and fullness of Mesa with the clarity of Marshall! Or is that a Bogner?
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