Sludgenutz
New member
Any clues or recommendations?
Much appreciated.
Much appreciated.
My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
- Thread starter Sludgenutz
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Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
The Hollywood store would probably do it for not too much, they're usually really good about those kinds of things.
The Hollywood store would probably do it for not too much, they're usually really good about those kinds of things.
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
V. Kevorkian, many thanks for the response....
I called the Hollywood store this week and asked for the amp shop portion of the store. The fella that answered the phone said that he could advise about amp mods...and without hesitation said, "I don't recommend it".
Did I get some sales floor @ss on the phone...or should I ask for an actual human being, with a name in the rear of the shop ?
V. Kevorkian, many thanks for the response....
I called the Hollywood store this week and asked for the amp shop portion of the store. The fella that answered the phone said that he could advise about amp mods...and without hesitation said, "I don't recommend it".
Did I get some sales floor @ss on the phone...or should I ask for an actual human being, with a name in the rear of the shop ?
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
I'd take a look in the Phone book for a Amp Tech. Most large chain stores source there work out. I'd be surprised to find they have a genuine amp tech on the premises. They are mainly concerned about warranty repairs. Being the middleman they don't make much on mods.
I'd take a look in the Phone book for a Amp Tech. Most large chain stores source there work out. I'd be surprised to find they have a genuine amp tech on the premises. They are mainly concerned about warranty repairs. Being the middleman they don't make much on mods.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
The Mesa Hollywood store isn't a middle-man... It's Mesa's only own retail store, run completely by them.
I know they did the Hollywood Mod for a while on Stiletto's... strange that they recommended against it. If you can, I'd drop by and ask to talk to a tech - if not, any competent tech will be able to do it.
The Mesa Hollywood store isn't a middle-man... It's Mesa's only own retail store, run completely by them.
I know they did the Hollywood Mod for a while on Stiletto's... strange that they recommended against it. If you can, I'd drop by and ask to talk to a tech - if not, any competent tech will be able to do it.
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
O.K. I get it. Randall Smith is proud of the fact his amps never need to be Biased... Aslong as you use HIS tubes!!:chairfall
O.K. I get it. Randall Smith is proud of the fact his amps never need to be Biased... Aslong as you use HIS tubes!!:chairfall
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
I recommend against it--it's a waste of money. Any of the major tube vendors should be able to supply you with a set of tubes that will meet Mesa's recommended spec. That's all you have to do.
Eurotubes, Lord Valve, Doug's, The Tubestore, Brian Sanborn, KCA, Groove Tubes--any of those guys should be able to get you a set of tubes that will work beautifully in your Mesa amp.
Randy Smith is right in that there is some hocus pocus in selling and biasing tubes. You really need to read his white paper. And sure as hell, some "Tech" (who no doubt is MUCH smarter than Randy Smith--HA!) is going to tell you that you need a bias pot. Let's look at this.
You take your amp to the tech and he installs a set of bias pots and sets them up for 40ma tubes. This is great, because now the next time you go buy tubes, you can buy the same brand of 40ma tubes, pop them in, and--no biasing needed! Kewl, right?
Well, except you went to all the trouble and expense to do the very thing that Mesa has already done for you. And the guys that are selling tubes should know EXACTLY what spec tubes should be used in a Mesa amp--and if they don't, RUN LIKE HELL!!!
I have a Maverick and a DC-3--both are cathode biased, and use EL-84s. One has JJs, one has Mesa tubes. No need to fit adjustable bias pots in a cathode bias circuit, at all.
My other amps are a Mesa Mark IV-A EVM 112 combo; a Mark III Simul-Class/EQ/REV 112 EVM Combo; and Mark III Coliseum EQ/REV 200-watt head. I have a variety of Mesa cabs to use. None of these have bias pots added, not do they need them. I have used Sylvania, GT, EH, JJ, RCA and Mesa tubes--all with very good results (though I do have my favorites).
I know a lot of guys like to experiment--but doing it on a Mesa amp really takes out the simplicity of a great, well-thought out design and only makes it more *&%$-upable. And with Mesa's excellent 5-year transferable warranty--you are totally S-O-L if it ever needs warranty service and you messed with it. And twenty or thirty years down the road, if the Mesa's bias circuit ever does get out of whack and need servicing--you'll know it. Save your money until that happens.
I'd recommend a good set of the Winged C/SED 6L6's if that's what your .50 CAL+ uses; or the Mesa or JJ EL84s if you have one of the .50 CALs that use that configuration.
Bill
I recommend against it--it's a waste of money. Any of the major tube vendors should be able to supply you with a set of tubes that will meet Mesa's recommended spec. That's all you have to do.
Eurotubes, Lord Valve, Doug's, The Tubestore, Brian Sanborn, KCA, Groove Tubes--any of those guys should be able to get you a set of tubes that will work beautifully in your Mesa amp.
Randy Smith is right in that there is some hocus pocus in selling and biasing tubes. You really need to read his white paper. And sure as hell, some "Tech" (who no doubt is MUCH smarter than Randy Smith--HA!) is going to tell you that you need a bias pot. Let's look at this.
You take your amp to the tech and he installs a set of bias pots and sets them up for 40ma tubes. This is great, because now the next time you go buy tubes, you can buy the same brand of 40ma tubes, pop them in, and--no biasing needed! Kewl, right?
Well, except you went to all the trouble and expense to do the very thing that Mesa has already done for you. And the guys that are selling tubes should know EXACTLY what spec tubes should be used in a Mesa amp--and if they don't, RUN LIKE HELL!!!
I have a Maverick and a DC-3--both are cathode biased, and use EL-84s. One has JJs, one has Mesa tubes. No need to fit adjustable bias pots in a cathode bias circuit, at all.
My other amps are a Mesa Mark IV-A EVM 112 combo; a Mark III Simul-Class/EQ/REV 112 EVM Combo; and Mark III Coliseum EQ/REV 200-watt head. I have a variety of Mesa cabs to use. None of these have bias pots added, not do they need them. I have used Sylvania, GT, EH, JJ, RCA and Mesa tubes--all with very good results (though I do have my favorites).
I know a lot of guys like to experiment--but doing it on a Mesa amp really takes out the simplicity of a great, well-thought out design and only makes it more *&%$-upable. And with Mesa's excellent 5-year transferable warranty--you are totally S-O-L if it ever needs warranty service and you messed with it. And twenty or thirty years down the road, if the Mesa's bias circuit ever does get out of whack and need servicing--you'll know it. Save your money until that happens.
I'd recommend a good set of the Winged C/SED 6L6's if that's what your .50 CAL+ uses; or the Mesa or JJ EL84s if you have one of the .50 CALs that use that configuration.
Bill
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Thanks for the info Bill! My need for an adjustable bias pot has more to with converting the unit from 6L6's to 6550's/KT88's for increased headroom. I happened to stumble onto Randall Smith's White Paper last night.
Do you have a favorite high headroom 6L6 recommendation? I have heard positive things about the Winged C/SED 6L6's. How's the headroom?
Groove tubes is selling this interesting tube: The GT-6L6-CHP:
http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=2173
I will check those other sites too!
Thanks for the info Bill! My need for an adjustable bias pot has more to with converting the unit from 6L6's to 6550's/KT88's for increased headroom. I happened to stumble onto Randall Smith's White Paper last night.
Do you have a favorite high headroom 6L6 recommendation? I have heard positive things about the Winged C/SED 6L6's. How's the headroom?
Groove tubes is selling this interesting tube: The GT-6L6-CHP:
http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=2173
I will check those other sites too!
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Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Well, I popped in a couple of the 6550's from my model T, and it sounded nice! Bigger and bolder, with a glassier top when chording. The bias point is lkely waaay cold...but I think I am going in the right direction with a cleaner spectrum tube.
Hey! I just topped 1,000 posts.
Well, I popped in a couple of the 6550's from my model T, and it sounded nice! Bigger and bolder, with a glassier top when chording. The bias point is lkely waaay cold...but I think I am going in the right direction with a cleaner spectrum tube.
Hey! I just topped 1,000 posts.
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
I like the Winged C/SED 6L6 in my Mark IV, and I use their EL-34s in the Class A sockets. Headroom is not an issue for me. The Mesa , the SED, and the EH 6L6s, IMHO, have about the best headroom of any of the new production 6L6s available.
Have you thought about slaving into another power amp? You could run into that SUNN Model T and have gobs of headroom (if it is an older T). The Mesa is a pretty loud amp, but fifty watts is fifty watts. It will not spit out cleans like a 150-watt Triple Rectifier, or even a Fender Twin Reverb. It is just not designed for that ultra clean kind of sound.
The controls on the Fifty Cal are really interactive. You might want to take a quick look at some of Mesa's recommended settings in their online manual, downloadable from the Mesa site. Sometimes looking at the book can be helpful, even inspirational.
You are of course, going to want to keep your preamp tubes in top shape, as well. I think the Mesa tubes and the EH branded tubes offer the most headroom of any tubes I've tried.
You should give Bob Pletka at Eurotubes.com a call, as he does some funky things with tube sets for people.
I think subbing a 6550 in that circuit is not the greatest idea I've ever heard of...sounds like you have the wrong amp for the job. You're asking your amp to do something that really counters it's innate design. The final outcome is liable to be very short-lived tubes, or a very messed up amp.
Bill
I like the Winged C/SED 6L6 in my Mark IV, and I use their EL-34s in the Class A sockets. Headroom is not an issue for me. The Mesa , the SED, and the EH 6L6s, IMHO, have about the best headroom of any of the new production 6L6s available.
Have you thought about slaving into another power amp? You could run into that SUNN Model T and have gobs of headroom (if it is an older T). The Mesa is a pretty loud amp, but fifty watts is fifty watts. It will not spit out cleans like a 150-watt Triple Rectifier, or even a Fender Twin Reverb. It is just not designed for that ultra clean kind of sound.
The controls on the Fifty Cal are really interactive. You might want to take a quick look at some of Mesa's recommended settings in their online manual, downloadable from the Mesa site. Sometimes looking at the book can be helpful, even inspirational.
You are of course, going to want to keep your preamp tubes in top shape, as well. I think the Mesa tubes and the EH branded tubes offer the most headroom of any tubes I've tried.
You should give Bob Pletka at Eurotubes.com a call, as he does some funky things with tube sets for people.
I think subbing a 6550 in that circuit is not the greatest idea I've ever heard of...sounds like you have the wrong amp for the job. You're asking your amp to do something that really counters it's innate design. The final outcome is liable to be very short-lived tubes, or a very messed up amp.
Bill
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
I was just reading your gear list in your signature, and it strikes me that none of the pickups in your guitars would be what I would consider the best pickups for clean headroom.
Just a thought.
Bill
I was just reading your gear list in your signature, and it strikes me that none of the pickups in your guitars would be what I would consider the best pickups for clean headroom.
Just a thought.
Bill
joelap
Red&Goldologist
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Sludge. Think of it this way:
80-90% of musicians really dont know much about the ins and outs of gear. Obviously, anyone whos been on these forums for even a week doesnt fit into that category. It's like taking the red pill in the matrix (or was it the blue pill). Problem is, Mesa's probably just protecting their product by telling you not to do it. Say you get it put in, then order your next set of tubes, pop them in and bias them wrong. Now the amp sounds like crap and/or you blow the tubes. Now they've gotta deal with walking you through the process of teaching you how to bias the amp, and you're pretty pissed cause the amp doesnt sound as good as it did before. Some people would sell the amp then, if they couldnt get it to sound as good. I'm just looking at this from a business perspective.
I've read a lot of people converting their amp to adjustable bias, a lot of reports on the boogie boards (forum.grailtone.com) were very positive. Bottom line is you'll never get the bias as close to perfect even using Mesa's tubes if you dont go adjustable bias. People on the boogie boards have said it made the amp really open up and sound better. I know I personally would not want to be captive to using only one brand of tubes too. I'd recommend going adjustable bias. It really is so freakin' easy to do and its documented on the boogieboards in one guys thread I've seen before (for a mark II though). If you can bias an amp or are willing to learn, I'd recommend it from what I've read.
Sludge. Think of it this way:
80-90% of musicians really dont know much about the ins and outs of gear. Obviously, anyone whos been on these forums for even a week doesnt fit into that category. It's like taking the red pill in the matrix (or was it the blue pill). Problem is, Mesa's probably just protecting their product by telling you not to do it. Say you get it put in, then order your next set of tubes, pop them in and bias them wrong. Now the amp sounds like crap and/or you blow the tubes. Now they've gotta deal with walking you through the process of teaching you how to bias the amp, and you're pretty pissed cause the amp doesnt sound as good as it did before. Some people would sell the amp then, if they couldnt get it to sound as good. I'm just looking at this from a business perspective.
I've read a lot of people converting their amp to adjustable bias, a lot of reports on the boogie boards (forum.grailtone.com) were very positive. Bottom line is you'll never get the bias as close to perfect even using Mesa's tubes if you dont go adjustable bias. People on the boogie boards have said it made the amp really open up and sound better. I know I personally would not want to be captive to using only one brand of tubes too. I'd recommend going adjustable bias. It really is so freakin' easy to do and its documented on the boogieboards in one guys thread I've seen before (for a mark II though). If you can bias an amp or are willing to learn, I'd recommend it from what I've read.
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Thanks again Bill for the info. I will need to give Bob a call as my next serious step.
As far as the pickups, I am not really interested in headroom of the pickups (or the preamps), although the Iommi's are on a standard/split/parallel toggle switch. The Iommi, despite Gibson's hype, is really a medium-output device.
The 6550's were a half-hour experiment. Currently, I have the Mesa STR-440 "yellow" group in my amp (rebranded Cinese Ruby 6L6-MSTR).
I really need to ask you....How much clipping variation is available the across the Mesa's graded tubes within the same tube model from white-blue-gray-green-yellow-red? Is the "white" group really going to have less distortion than the "red"?
Thanks again Bill for the info. I will need to give Bob a call as my next serious step.
As far as the pickups, I am not really interested in headroom of the pickups (or the preamps), although the Iommi's are on a standard/split/parallel toggle switch. The Iommi, despite Gibson's hype, is really a medium-output device.
The 6550's were a half-hour experiment. Currently, I have the Mesa STR-440 "yellow" group in my amp (rebranded Cinese Ruby 6L6-MSTR).
I really need to ask you....How much clipping variation is available the across the Mesa's graded tubes within the same tube model from white-blue-gray-green-yellow-red? Is the "white" group really going to have less distortion than the "red"?
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Thanks, Joe! I am a recent member of the Boogie Board. I was composing my last response when you potsed. I see both sides of fixed/ajustable bias issue, and they have equal merit. I am a electronic tech by trade, and have even seen a web photo of a fixed resistor mod (a parallel resistor jumper), and have a computer drawn schematic of the circuit worth probing...Oh my...a little information can be a dangerous thing!:smack:
Thanks, Joe! I am a recent member of the Boogie Board. I was composing my last response when you potsed. I see both sides of fixed/ajustable bias issue, and they have equal merit. I am a electronic tech by trade, and have even seen a web photo of a fixed resistor mod (a parallel resistor jumper), and have a computer drawn schematic of the circuit worth probing...Oh my...a little information can be a dangerous thing!:smack:
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
No truer words ever appeared on an internet forum. LOL!
So whom do you trust? Randall Smith, who holds several patents on amplifier design and thirty years of experience building world-calss guitar amps?
OR.....
Joe Schmo, a graduate of the local Voc-tech with a AA in the "Electronic Repair Technician Program" and his proud 2.78 cum GPA who wants to mod your amp with a bias pot?
Whom do you trust?
To me, that's a no brainer.
Lots of guys put in bias pots in their Mesas. Unfortunately, not only is it a unnecessary mod, but it really impacts the next owner of the amp--unless you disclose the mod and the technical information that should accompany the amp. He's expecting the amp to sound good with the next set of Mesa-spec tubes--and you've really messed him over.
Sure, Mesa wants you to use their tubes--and who can blame them. Using non Mesa tubes in a Mesa amp under warranty will void your warranty, and that makes sense to Mesa--and I certainly can understand that they don't want people screwing thing up with poor quality tubes and then coming back at them for warranty claims. Since your amp is no longer under warranty, you can do what ever you want with your amp, and I doubt that anyone at Mesa really cares. But, if I were you--I'd make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that some kind of replacement transformer was available before I started swapping out tube types. I doubt that Mesa has a huge inventory or spare parts for that model--it has been OOP for more than ten years--closer to fifteen!
Everybody thinks that biasing an amp is some magic, but the truth is that amps have a range of bias settings for any given tube. It does not have to be exact. Can you hear the difference between tubes biased at -38 vs. those at -41? Maybe, maybe not. With a drummer, bass player, and a second guitarist blasting away? Hmmm. I wonder.
Still, if you work with a knowledgeable tube vendor, they shoud be able to get you tubes with meet Mesa specs...and you may have to find someone who is willing to work with you to find a high headroom tube--your quest is kinda going against the grain of what most guitarists want these days--which is early break-up.
I can't answer your question regarding the specs on the Mesa colors....but I would CALL Mesa tech support for a definitive answer. My understanding, is that yes, the Whites will distort a little later. I'm not totally convinced that it is an audible difference. I was under the impression that the current STR440 is Russian made, and I have it in my head that it is the same as the EH6L6--but I am not sure...if you talk to them, please let me know. Mesa is the largest purchaser of tubes in the world--I seriously doubt that they buy tubes from Ruby; I'm certain that they buy factory-direct.
I guess I consider myself a gear head, but for me, the bottom line is that it has to work on stage. In other words, first and foremost, I am a singer/guitarist/songwriter/entertainer. I am not a tech-for-tech's-sake person. I love my Boogie amps--all five of them--and damn, they make me sound good! That's what is important to me. I don't have the time or the money to buy 50 set of tubes, a bias meter, and the TIME--to tinker with biasing each of them up. That kind of scut work might be a fun hobby for some--but it's not going to get me where I want to go.
If you HAVE that kind of money, why not just buy the amp that is going to do what you need?
Interesting dilemma...kinda like hot-rodding the family's mini-van by spending all your money on cams, headers, a re-programmed chip, a supercharger, and a nitrous system. You spend all your money on that stuff, but there's nothing left to spend on brakes, tires, suspension--or upgrading the tranny. And the first time you put your foot into it--you and the kids are walking home--while a certain little angel lets you know what she thinks of the situation.
I'd love to know what kind of musical situation you are in that you need so much more headroom. Let us know what you find out from Eurotubes, and Mesa.
Good Luck!
Bill
P.S.
(And boy, do I have the amp for you: my Mesa Mark III Coliseum head, with 200 watts, and my 412 EVM/C90 Halfback cab! This thing is so dynamic that I NEVER use it on FULL power! But I use a lot of compression, and it is a VERY sweet sounding amp. Headroom? Oh, yeah!)
No truer words ever appeared on an internet forum. LOL!
So whom do you trust? Randall Smith, who holds several patents on amplifier design and thirty years of experience building world-calss guitar amps?
OR.....
Joe Schmo, a graduate of the local Voc-tech with a AA in the "Electronic Repair Technician Program" and his proud 2.78 cum GPA who wants to mod your amp with a bias pot?
Whom do you trust?
To me, that's a no brainer.
Lots of guys put in bias pots in their Mesas. Unfortunately, not only is it a unnecessary mod, but it really impacts the next owner of the amp--unless you disclose the mod and the technical information that should accompany the amp. He's expecting the amp to sound good with the next set of Mesa-spec tubes--and you've really messed him over.
Sure, Mesa wants you to use their tubes--and who can blame them. Using non Mesa tubes in a Mesa amp under warranty will void your warranty, and that makes sense to Mesa--and I certainly can understand that they don't want people screwing thing up with poor quality tubes and then coming back at them for warranty claims. Since your amp is no longer under warranty, you can do what ever you want with your amp, and I doubt that anyone at Mesa really cares. But, if I were you--I'd make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that some kind of replacement transformer was available before I started swapping out tube types. I doubt that Mesa has a huge inventory or spare parts for that model--it has been OOP for more than ten years--closer to fifteen!
Everybody thinks that biasing an amp is some magic, but the truth is that amps have a range of bias settings for any given tube. It does not have to be exact. Can you hear the difference between tubes biased at -38 vs. those at -41? Maybe, maybe not. With a drummer, bass player, and a second guitarist blasting away? Hmmm. I wonder.
Still, if you work with a knowledgeable tube vendor, they shoud be able to get you tubes with meet Mesa specs...and you may have to find someone who is willing to work with you to find a high headroom tube--your quest is kinda going against the grain of what most guitarists want these days--which is early break-up.
I can't answer your question regarding the specs on the Mesa colors....but I would CALL Mesa tech support for a definitive answer. My understanding, is that yes, the Whites will distort a little later. I'm not totally convinced that it is an audible difference. I was under the impression that the current STR440 is Russian made, and I have it in my head that it is the same as the EH6L6--but I am not sure...if you talk to them, please let me know. Mesa is the largest purchaser of tubes in the world--I seriously doubt that they buy tubes from Ruby; I'm certain that they buy factory-direct.
I guess I consider myself a gear head, but for me, the bottom line is that it has to work on stage. In other words, first and foremost, I am a singer/guitarist/songwriter/entertainer. I am not a tech-for-tech's-sake person. I love my Boogie amps--all five of them--and damn, they make me sound good! That's what is important to me. I don't have the time or the money to buy 50 set of tubes, a bias meter, and the TIME--to tinker with biasing each of them up. That kind of scut work might be a fun hobby for some--but it's not going to get me where I want to go.
If you HAVE that kind of money, why not just buy the amp that is going to do what you need?
Interesting dilemma...kinda like hot-rodding the family's mini-van by spending all your money on cams, headers, a re-programmed chip, a supercharger, and a nitrous system. You spend all your money on that stuff, but there's nothing left to spend on brakes, tires, suspension--or upgrading the tranny. And the first time you put your foot into it--you and the kids are walking home--while a certain little angel lets you know what she thinks of the situation.
I'd love to know what kind of musical situation you are in that you need so much more headroom. Let us know what you find out from Eurotubes, and Mesa.
Good Luck!
Bill
P.S.
(And boy, do I have the amp for you: my Mesa Mark III Coliseum head, with 200 watts, and my 412 EVM/C90 Halfback cab! This thing is so dynamic that I NEVER use it on FULL power! But I use a lot of compression, and it is a VERY sweet sounding amp. Headroom? Oh, yeah!)
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Bill, you make complete sense! The amount of gain in my Boogie is plenty, but the clarity gets muddy in an open back Fender cab with a single EVM12L after I crank the master past five (and the lead channel is on six). It actually sounds better at lower volumes. I live in a low density housing area, so it does not matter how loud I play! I live near a great mom and pop music shop, so I am going to try a closed back cab with my gear. My sound has a lot of palm mutes and non-scooped thump, so I am thinking that a closed back 2x12 cab may firm up the bottom...and leave enough mids and highs for some chordal clarity. Presently, I have the low bass on the EQ and the bass knob dimed.
I need to call Bob!
Bill, you make complete sense! The amount of gain in my Boogie is plenty, but the clarity gets muddy in an open back Fender cab with a single EVM12L after I crank the master past five (and the lead channel is on six). It actually sounds better at lower volumes. I live in a low density housing area, so it does not matter how loud I play! I live near a great mom and pop music shop, so I am going to try a closed back cab with my gear. My sound has a lot of palm mutes and non-scooped thump, so I am thinking that a closed back 2x12 cab may firm up the bottom...and leave enough mids and highs for some chordal clarity. Presently, I have the low bass on the EQ and the bass knob dimed.
I need to call Bob!
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
AHA!
Running the round bass knob on 10 will definitely suck up all your head room!
What you should really look for is a Mesa 212 or 412 halfback cab with the C90s on top and the EVMs in CLOSED bottom. Your EVM needs to be an closed back cab, no doubt about it. Bigger cabs and more speakers push more air and improve low end response. With your BASS on 10, you are overdriving the preamp, and making it flubby sounding, so I would cut back on that quite a bit. You want to add bass tones AFTER the preamp and that's what the GRAPHIC EQ does. You'll want to put your EQ in a nice V-shape.
Couple of things to remember with a Mesa. The LOUDER you run your MASTER, the LESS GAIN you will need in the initial input. When you are running very high GAIN and MASTER, you may need to decrease TREBLE and PRESENCE.
I can't strss enough that you need to re-familiarize yourself with the Mesa 50 CAL Owner's Manual.
Now, another point to consider is that Mesa Mark and Caliber Series amps to not have a huge amount of bottom end available--you cannot get Recto chunk out of this amp, nor will it have an abundance of deep bass like a Fender Twin Reverb. It was specifically designed as a LEAD GUITARIST'S amp, with a singing mid-range tonality designed to make the guitar's lead voice cut through in a G/B/D/K band. Mesa's philosophy is based on the great lead tone, and some compromises were involved in tailoring the bottom end of these amps to keep them from getting too flubby. (Ever hear Fender distortion in the Fender 75, red-knob Twin, or ProSonic? Flubby.)
Marshalls sound so terrible because they have no bass--until you crank them through a 412--and then BAM! it's there, and it's nice and tight. These Mesa's are similar in that regard.
So....WRONG CABINET....WRONG settings on the amp....AND....you are running the amp right on the edge of its power curve....GOLLY! No wonder you are running out of headroom! LOL!
The .50 CAL is a great studio/club amp, especially for guys that like roots rock, classic rock, and blues. I suspect that the music you're running through is of a type that wan't even invented when the .50 CAL was designed. I've played enough Calibers to know that a cranked small Boogie is a gorgeous sound. Still you may be facing the inevitable--the 50 watt amp might not have enough muscle for what you are trying to accomplish.
I hope you will try a couple of the things I've suggested, and some new cabs--and maybe even a change of tubes. I've really enjoyed sharing the information, and I wish you a lot of success. Keep in touch!
Bill
AHA!
Running the round bass knob on 10 will definitely suck up all your head room!
What you should really look for is a Mesa 212 or 412 halfback cab with the C90s on top and the EVMs in CLOSED bottom. Your EVM needs to be an closed back cab, no doubt about it. Bigger cabs and more speakers push more air and improve low end response. With your BASS on 10, you are overdriving the preamp, and making it flubby sounding, so I would cut back on that quite a bit. You want to add bass tones AFTER the preamp and that's what the GRAPHIC EQ does. You'll want to put your EQ in a nice V-shape.
Couple of things to remember with a Mesa. The LOUDER you run your MASTER, the LESS GAIN you will need in the initial input. When you are running very high GAIN and MASTER, you may need to decrease TREBLE and PRESENCE.
I can't strss enough that you need to re-familiarize yourself with the Mesa 50 CAL Owner's Manual.
Now, another point to consider is that Mesa Mark and Caliber Series amps to not have a huge amount of bottom end available--you cannot get Recto chunk out of this amp, nor will it have an abundance of deep bass like a Fender Twin Reverb. It was specifically designed as a LEAD GUITARIST'S amp, with a singing mid-range tonality designed to make the guitar's lead voice cut through in a G/B/D/K band. Mesa's philosophy is based on the great lead tone, and some compromises were involved in tailoring the bottom end of these amps to keep them from getting too flubby. (Ever hear Fender distortion in the Fender 75, red-knob Twin, or ProSonic? Flubby.)
Marshalls sound so terrible because they have no bass--until you crank them through a 412--and then BAM! it's there, and it's nice and tight. These Mesa's are similar in that regard.
So....WRONG CABINET....WRONG settings on the amp....AND....you are running the amp right on the edge of its power curve....GOLLY! No wonder you are running out of headroom! LOL!
The .50 CAL is a great studio/club amp, especially for guys that like roots rock, classic rock, and blues. I suspect that the music you're running through is of a type that wan't even invented when the .50 CAL was designed. I've played enough Calibers to know that a cranked small Boogie is a gorgeous sound. Still you may be facing the inevitable--the 50 watt amp might not have enough muscle for what you are trying to accomplish.
I hope you will try a couple of the things I've suggested, and some new cabs--and maybe even a change of tubes. I've really enjoyed sharing the information, and I wish you a lot of success. Keep in touch!
Bill
Sludgenutz
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
Why do I need the owner's manual? I have already downloaded it, and stashed it in a pile of receipts/bills/junk mail already! :laugh2:
There are a lot of points from your last post I could elaborate on, but the morning whistle is not going to make it possible.
Anyhow, thanks!:dance:
Why do I need the owner's manual? I have already downloaded it, and stashed it in a pile of receipts/bills/junk mail already! :laugh2:
There are a lot of points from your last post I could elaborate on, but the morning whistle is not going to make it possible.
Anyhow, thanks!:dance:
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: My Mesa: Where can I get a bias pot installed in So-Cal?
I hope you get it worked out.
Bill
I hope you get it worked out.
Bill
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