MESA V. AMPEG

Diminished Triad

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http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StrategyHD Here's a part of the write-up for the MESA:

The Mesa/Boogie Bass Strategy Eight:88 sports eight KT88s in its engine room, pumping out bone-crunching volume and stunning bass tone that'll take your breath away. Boasting a jaw-dropping 465 watts of raw tube power, this beast is ready for your next arena gig, but you can knock it back to a tidy 250 watts for club work or a svelte 125 watts for recording. Multi-watt operation is only one of a number of great features this amazing bass amp gives you. If you've been craving a world-class bass head, we have it: the Mesa/Boogie Bass Strategy Eight:88


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HSVTCL Here's a couple portions of the description of the AMPEG:

There's no denying the impact Ampeg's SVT has had on bass tone. The unmistakable roar of the classic all-tube beast coupled with the air-moving power of the legendary 8 x 10" cabinet has defined what we want and expect from serious bass rigs. Ampeg celebrates the lineage of the world's most famous bass amp with the Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL. Crafted using premium components and construction techniques, the Heritage SVT-CL is top-notch from top to bottom.

Tubes are important when it comes to how an amp sounds and responds, and the Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL is loaded with premium tubes. The preamp and driver sections are driven by matched JJ 12AX7s and 12AU7s, along with Winged C power tubes. This potent combination serves as the heart and soul of the Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL. All of this power and beauty is wrapped up in a soft Tolex covering and decked out with a blackline faceplate. Needless to say, Ampeg fanatics are already lining up for the Heritage SVT-CL!

Looking for a really good high quality outdoor large stage bass amp. Any experience and recommendations you can share would be great! Any large bass amp better than either of these? Thanks again!
 
Re: MESA V. AMPEG

The Boogie is more versatile, and it sounds very similar to an SVT-CL IMO. If you're seriously considering Ampeg, you should check out both the SVT-CL and SVT-VR; the VR is a reissue of the original 70s SVT whereas the CL is the later master volume version. The VR preamp uses a totally different tube layout, and they do sound rather different. I personally think the VR sounds far better, but the lack of a master volume is a deal breaker for how I like to play. Unless you must have all-tube, there are lots of hybrids out there that come very close in terms of tone while weighing far less.
 
Re: MESA V. AMPEG

Ampeg has "that" sound. Just so good. Boogers are awesome too. But those ampegs....
 
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Re: MESA V. AMPEG

Can't speak to the new Strategy, but there are several bassists around here that use older Mesa 400 or 400+ bass amps. I've seen the guys use 115, 215, and 410 Mesa cabs; and one guy uses a PV 1516 cab. Everybody who plugs into them seems to love them.

I've been around a lot of Ampeg users too, from Porta-flex units, B-55, V-4B and older SVTs...no complaints there either.

Not sure you could go wrong with either amp. But, if you use Mesa tubes in the Strategy, you won't be spending money every six months to have it rebiased. That could save you a bunch of dough over the years. Oh, and the Mesa has five-year transferable warranty. Ampegs, don't know.

Good luck.

Bill
 
Re: MESA V. AMPEG

I like both. But man, they are heavy! Pick whichever one you are more likely to carry.
 
Re: MESA V. AMPEG

No experience with either. Hopefully you can try them out and see what sounds best for you. Granted, I see far more bass players playing ampegs rather than Mesas
 
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