DesertRose
New member
Any one tried this killing machine ?
How loud can it go and whats so "great" about it
Thanks
How loud can it go and whats so "great" about it
Thanks
Mesa F-30
- Thread starter DesertRose
- Start date
bungalowbill
Luckybastidologist
Re: Mesa F-30
I have one and it can be very loud for it's size. I love the clean tone of the amp, but the lead channel is too high gain for my taste. I changed the preamp tubes in V-1 and V-2 to 12AT7's to lower the gain to something usable. I am seriously considering trading for a Fender Deluxe Reverb re-issue.
I have one and it can be very loud for it's size. I love the clean tone of the amp, but the lead channel is too high gain for my taste. I changed the preamp tubes in V-1 and V-2 to 12AT7's to lower the gain to something usable. I am seriously considering trading for a Fender Deluxe Reverb re-issue.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Mesa F-30
If we are talking combos I prefer (and owned)the f-50 personally, for a couple reasons:
f30 combo comes w/ v-30 speaker which is very buzzy/fuzzy sounding
speaker enclosure is small so it sounds a little "flat" or box-y.
However the f-30 head matched with a good cab, is a diff animal. The whole amp opens up. It still doesn't have the absolutely phenomenal clean channel of the F-50, nor is the gain channel as tight and smooth, but it is DEF much better than the comobo version.
oh..and they are both LOUD :crazy: Def not a bedroom amp if you want the best gain tones
If we are talking combos I prefer (and owned)the f-50 personally, for a couple reasons:
f30 combo comes w/ v-30 speaker which is very buzzy/fuzzy sounding
speaker enclosure is small so it sounds a little "flat" or box-y.
However the f-30 head matched with a good cab, is a diff animal. The whole amp opens up. It still doesn't have the absolutely phenomenal clean channel of the F-50, nor is the gain channel as tight and smooth, but it is DEF much better than the comobo version.
oh..and they are both LOUD :crazy: Def not a bedroom amp if you want the best gain tones
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
Ok, thanks guys. Really appreciate those info.
I'm also considering the Fender Twin amp also
Now the 1st on my mind is the DSL 401
Ok, thanks guys. Really appreciate those info.
I'm also considering the Fender Twin amp also
Now the 1st on my mind is the DSL 401
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
whoa man ... this is serious case
because I'm reviewing a F-30 and DSL 401 tomorrow.
i was having the idea because the DSL uses 4 x EL84s, while the F-30 uses 2 x EL84s .. so it may sound alike. i wouldn't know
whoa man ... this is serious case
because I'm reviewing a F-30 and DSL 401 tomorrow.
i was having the idea because the DSL uses 4 x EL84s, while the F-30 uses 2 x EL84s .. so it may sound alike. i wouldn't know
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F
Falstaff
Guest
Re: Mesa F-30
I spent some quality time with an F30 and liked it a lot. The lead channel was a bit too modern for me but it sounded fat and warm. The clean channel was beautiful. Really nice. I tend to like Mesa's EL84 amps better than their other ones.
That amp should be PLENTY loud for most people.
I spent some quality time with an F30 and liked it a lot. The lead channel was a bit too modern for me but it sounded fat and warm. The clean channel was beautiful. Really nice. I tend to like Mesa's EL84 amps better than their other ones.
That amp should be PLENTY loud for most people.
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
Ok, thanks for the input
I'll be using more for bedroom. If it isn't suitable, then I'll proceed on with the DSL 401
Otherwise, i'll just get the F-30 and forget it and wake up the neighbours
Ok, thanks for the input
I'll be using more for bedroom. If it isn't suitable, then I'll proceed on with the DSL 401
Otherwise, i'll just get the F-30 and forget it and wake up the neighbours
Imp
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
make sure the DSL 401 is new, and has the full warranty. mine had to go back in the first month, and it's been kicking serious ass ever since (about 15 months now)
and the stock tubes are cack. i got some EH EL84's off ebay, and biased them myself with a multimeter... im happy with channels 1 + 2 now, but i don't have much of a use for the high-gain EL84 sounds... channel 2 and a spina DS-1 all the way :burnout:
tom
make sure the DSL 401 is new, and has the full warranty. mine had to go back in the first month, and it's been kicking serious ass ever since (about 15 months now)
and the stock tubes are cack. i got some EH EL84's off ebay, and biased them myself with a multimeter... im happy with channels 1 + 2 now, but i don't have much of a use for the high-gain EL84 sounds... channel 2 and a spina DS-1 all the way :burnout:
tom
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
The DSL i'm getting is a pre-owned one.
Used for 4 yrs already, gotten capacitors and tubes changed. going down to check it out, don't think there is any more warranty on it
The DSL i'm getting is a pre-owned one.
Used for 4 yrs already, gotten capacitors and tubes changed. going down to check it out, don't think there is any more warranty on it
smauk43
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
Good grief, what a conincidence. I was test driving an F-30, Peavey C30, and a Fender Hot Rod Deville this weekend in the store. The F-30 i like quite a bit better, despite the close second of the Peavey at half the price. One thing the owner told me was when i asked about an AVT 50 and DSL 401, was something like this. Hey I'm a Marshall dealer, but i know you and I don't know if you even want to play those. Sound like crap compared and always having returns for breakdowns. I didn't have the time so I didn't, even though i will still play them next weekend. But his statement of the "new" Marshalls are nothing like the old ones quality scares me(kind of like the Valvetronix i have now, QC seems to be hit and miss). My only real question was mentioned above as well, for only playing at home i think the Mesa, and Peavey for that matter also, may be too much. He offered to let me take the Mesa home for the week to "help" me decide, but i refused (maybe stupidly) because I figured GAS would get the best of me.
But that would also be the only way to tell if i can work it out at house volume. Maybe this weekend I'll take him up on his offer. You guys hear or experience of the probs he mentioned with AVT's and DSL's?
Good grief, what a conincidence. I was test driving an F-30, Peavey C30, and a Fender Hot Rod Deville this weekend in the store. The F-30 i like quite a bit better, despite the close second of the Peavey at half the price. One thing the owner told me was when i asked about an AVT 50 and DSL 401, was something like this. Hey I'm a Marshall dealer, but i know you and I don't know if you even want to play those. Sound like crap compared and always having returns for breakdowns. I didn't have the time so I didn't, even though i will still play them next weekend. But his statement of the "new" Marshalls are nothing like the old ones quality scares me(kind of like the Valvetronix i have now, QC seems to be hit and miss). My only real question was mentioned above as well, for only playing at home i think the Mesa, and Peavey for that matter also, may be too much. He offered to let me take the Mesa home for the week to "help" me decide, but i refused (maybe stupidly) because I figured GAS would get the best of me.
But that would also be the only way to tell if i can work it out at house volume. Maybe this weekend I'll take him up on his offer. You guys hear or experience of the probs he mentioned with AVT's and DSL's?
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
I owned a MArshall AVT50 and its pretty alright to me. Its been with me for about 2 years now.
I heard alot about the DSL coming apart after heated up and things like that.
Well, looks like the F-30 is more welcoming compared to the DSL401. Anymore inputs before I settle for a F-30 ?
I owned a MArshall AVT50 and its pretty alright to me. Its been with me for about 2 years now.
I heard alot about the DSL coming apart after heated up and things like that.
Well, looks like the F-30 is more welcoming compared to the DSL401. Anymore inputs before I settle for a F-30 ?
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: Mesa F-30
I just played one at GC... so my impressions are under high-gain.
It sounds really choppy and compressed. In a bad way!
I just played one at GC... so my impressions are under high-gain.
It sounds really choppy and compressed. In a bad way!
F
FenderStratRock3
Guest
Re: Mesa F-30
I've heard MANY things about the AVTs having problems. The DSL is a good amp, but the newer Marshalls, for the most part, can't come close to the older stuff. If you're looking for a new amp, there is much better out there. The new Rivera combos go for less than the Marshall I believe, and they are MUCH better amps from what I've heard.
Funny how a lot of us G.commers are coming over here. That place is a MESS!
Take the Mesa home for a bit, and play with it. You may come to love it, or hate it. Either way, that option is something I would jump on.
smauk43 said:
I've heard MANY things about the AVTs having problems. The DSL is a good amp, but the newer Marshalls, for the most part, can't come close to the older stuff. If you're looking for a new amp, there is much better out there. The new Rivera combos go for less than the Marshall I believe, and they are MUCH better amps from what I've heard.
Funny how a lot of us G.commers are coming over here. That place is a MESS!
Take the Mesa home for a bit, and play with it. You may come to love it, or hate it. Either way, that option is something I would jump on.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Mesa F-30
I've played the Mesa, Marshall and Peavey quite a bit and to my ears, the F30 is just sweeter sounding stock.
I've played the Mesa, Marshall and Peavey quite a bit and to my ears, the F30 is just sweeter sounding stock.
itbepopples
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
It really depends on your taste. The F-30 has a great clean channel like everyone here has said but the lead channel is iffy. It sounds like a cheap knockoff of a rectifier series mesa which i hate already. Like Desert said its choppy and i find it about as useful as a broken lightbulb. As for the DSL 401, I've heard mixed reviews and I didn't really think it was all that grand either. The fender deluxe series are IMO absolute garbage unless you change tubes, speakers and crank them up allll the way on the clean channel. They sound like dogsh!t. The classic 30 is the best out of all of them if you ask me. It sounds a little compressed and boxy due to the tiny cab but if you plug it into a different (bigger) cab with some new tubes it absolutely rips. Also the peavey can be had very cheap and it's well made and won't fail unless you treat it badly. I may throw another amp in as a contender and that's one of the traynor YCV series amps. I tried the 20 watt one and it sounded nowhere near as good as the 40 watter. Those can be had at a good price and Traynor will give u a new one (within the two year "unlimited warrantee" time) even if YOU break it! I'd give those a try before you get the Mesa or even the classic 30.
It really depends on your taste. The F-30 has a great clean channel like everyone here has said but the lead channel is iffy. It sounds like a cheap knockoff of a rectifier series mesa which i hate already. Like Desert said its choppy and i find it about as useful as a broken lightbulb. As for the DSL 401, I've heard mixed reviews and I didn't really think it was all that grand either. The fender deluxe series are IMO absolute garbage unless you change tubes, speakers and crank them up allll the way on the clean channel. They sound like dogsh!t. The classic 30 is the best out of all of them if you ask me. It sounds a little compressed and boxy due to the tiny cab but if you plug it into a different (bigger) cab with some new tubes it absolutely rips. Also the peavey can be had very cheap and it's well made and won't fail unless you treat it badly. I may throw another amp in as a contender and that's one of the traynor YCV series amps. I tried the 20 watt one and it sounded nowhere near as good as the 40 watter. Those can be had at a good price and Traynor will give u a new one (within the two year "unlimited warrantee" time) even if YOU break it! I'd give those a try before you get the Mesa or even the classic 30.
DesertRose
New member
Re: Mesa F-30
Ok, that is me playing with the F-30 and I DID played during the wee hours in the night with volume at 9 O'clock!!
Good thing I didn't wake the neighbours up, however I must admit the clean TOTALLY ROCKs, however the OD didn't meet my demands.
Tomorrow I'll be trying out for the DSL and check it out, I also found out that there is a MESA MARK IV available too today. I'll let you guys know, so your inputs are VERY crucial to me.
STAY TUNE
Thanks once again !!
Ok, that is me playing with the F-30 and I DID played during the wee hours in the night with volume at 9 O'clock!!
Good thing I didn't wake the neighbours up, however I must admit the clean TOTALLY ROCKs, however the OD didn't meet my demands.
Tomorrow I'll be trying out for the DSL and check it out, I also found out that there is a MESA MARK IV available too today. I'll let you guys know, so your inputs are VERY crucial to me.
STAY TUNE
Thanks once again !!
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Mesa F-30
MKIV has the F-30 beat for high gain tones by a big margin, IMO. But it's a very hard to dial in amp (moreso than most MESA's). Be prepared to spend more than a couple hours with it before you make a decision. Too complicated for me :crazy:
I liked the F-50 combo quite abit, but the F-30 combo as I said is not terribly impressive...and I went in to buy the 30 at the time! Big difference in tone between those. But also, the F30 head through a good cab is a diff beast.
F-30 likely though will have the MKIV beat for cleans.
MKIV has the F-30 beat for high gain tones by a big margin, IMO. But it's a very hard to dial in amp (moreso than most MESA's). Be prepared to spend more than a couple hours with it before you make a decision. Too complicated for me :crazy:
I liked the F-50 combo quite abit, but the F-30 combo as I said is not terribly impressive...and I went in to buy the 30 at the time! Big difference in tone between those. But also, the F30 head through a good cab is a diff beast.
F-30 likely though will have the MKIV beat for cleans.
