Re: MESA BOOGIE BLUE ANGEL 4x10
I owned the BA head, and ran it into a recto 2x12 with v30s. It was a great sounding, reliable unit. To me, it sounds like a cross between a fender deluxe and an ac30, with only a hint of the signature early boogie tone. It's a great, vintage sounding roots/jazz/blues/rock amp.
Joe Gore wrote a glowing review of the BA many years ago in Guitar Player, and it stuck in my mind. So, once I got a good job, the first thing i did was go out and buy one.
To this day, it's the only mesa amp that I genuinely like aside from the mark1 (which is basically a gained up fender princeton, anyway). No 'cludgy mark series' mids or 'recto emasculatory' scoop, and great reverb. I had an original issue, blue leather/tan grill head, which looked beautiful. Unfortunately, my recto cab was black, so no Gearjoneser approved matching kit heaven.
Another cool thing: not a single issue in over three years of constant use. For that reason alone, Randall and Doug will always have my admiration.
Not long ago I plugged a PRS McCarty soapbar into a croc-skin BA 1x12 combo, and the tone knocked me out. I'd definitely get another if one popped up at the right price.
I miss mine, though I do get to play it occasionally as my soundguy now owns it.