NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
- Thread starter hydro
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Can't wait to hear your impression. I really liked it, but went whole hog and opted for the Mark V instead.
Bill
Can't wait to hear your impression. I really liked it, but went whole hog and opted for the Mark V instead.
Bill
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
So far, so good. The clean tones are incredible. It takes a little dialing in - like all Mesas, I think - (and I posted separately about speaker-break in) but it is really nice so far. I have to crank the gain/boost way up to get tones close to my Recto, but I expected that. I even like the reverb, and I am not a reverb guy. The clean sound on the Vox channel with Top Boost is fantastic, I mean, really amazing and pure. Very responsive amp. I have been running it with the treble rolled off a bit; the overall tone of the amp seems VERY bright but some of that may be that the speaker just needs to wear in a bit.
I was looking for an amp for smaller gigs that wouldn't burst my spleen when I lifted it and was versatile enough to use at home too. My first gig with it is today, so I'll see how it stands up - but I have no doubt it will do just fine.
Is your MK V a head or a combo?
So far, so good. The clean tones are incredible. It takes a little dialing in - like all Mesas, I think - (and I posted separately about speaker-break in) but it is really nice so far. I have to crank the gain/boost way up to get tones close to my Recto, but I expected that. I even like the reverb, and I am not a reverb guy. The clean sound on the Vox channel with Top Boost is fantastic, I mean, really amazing and pure. Very responsive amp. I have been running it with the treble rolled off a bit; the overall tone of the amp seems VERY bright but some of that may be that the speaker just needs to wear in a bit.
I was looking for an amp for smaller gigs that wouldn't burst my spleen when I lifted it and was versatile enough to use at home too. My first gig with it is today, so I'll see how it stands up - but I have no doubt it will do just fine.
Is your MK V a head or a combo?
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
I bought the combo, and I plan on buying a Mesa 112 Widebody Closed Back cab to go with it. I use my Mark IIIs, Mark IV and DC-3 combos on top of of a 112 EVM Theile cab, so that's a sound, look and feel that I am well acquainted with. Probably going to sell one of my Mark IIIs, but I'm hanging on to the Mark IV for now.
I'm not a fan of top mounted controls--how is that configuration working for you?
Bill
I bought the combo, and I plan on buying a Mesa 112 Widebody Closed Back cab to go with it. I use my Mark IIIs, Mark IV and DC-3 combos on top of of a 112 EVM Theile cab, so that's a sound, look and feel that I am well acquainted with. Probably going to sell one of my Mark IIIs, but I'm hanging on to the Mark IV for now.
I'm not a fan of top mounted controls--how is that configuration working for you?
Bill
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
I was thinking about getting an external cab for this one too (1x12). At our show yesterday, it did fine although it was on the floor. I think if I get a little stand for it, it will be perfect.
I am not sure about the top mount controls either, one thing I noticed is that the settings get accidentally moved around more easily, especially push/pull knobs. I have bad close up vision and it's hard for me to read the small control panel. But it seemed to work OK actually, when I went to change volume it wasnt too bad - and the sound is great. Much smoother and cleaner sound than my DR, that takes a little getting used to.
I was thinking about getting an external cab for this one too (1x12). At our show yesterday, it did fine although it was on the floor. I think if I get a little stand for it, it will be perfect.
I am not sure about the top mount controls either, one thing I noticed is that the settings get accidentally moved around more easily, especially push/pull knobs. I have bad close up vision and it's hard for me to read the small control panel. But it seemed to work OK actually, when I went to change volume it wasnt too bad - and the sound is great. Much smoother and cleaner sound than my DR, that takes a little getting used to.
Diminished Triad
New member
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Will you choose between placing your combo amp on a stand and buying a 1x12 auxiliary cabinet (with both on floor)................or would you keep combo on stand and have additional speaker on floor facing forward like a combo would if left on the ground?
Will you choose between placing your combo amp on a stand and buying a 1x12 auxiliary cabinet (with both on floor)................or would you keep combo on stand and have additional speaker on floor facing forward like a combo would if left on the ground?
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
It occurred to me just now that having a stand with a slant may make it even tougher to get to the amp-top controls.
I was thinking about stacking them, but I realized it would not be too smart to put a heavier combo on top of a cabinet; vibration would walk it off.
What might make the most sense would be a stand with the combo straight up, and the extension cab on the floor but tilted.
The top mounted controls really are impractical; I just looked at my settings after the gig and I was like, "Huh???" They were totally different after I moved the amp with the dust cover on it.
I'm kind of a set-it-and-forget-it mindset with amps so this may be a problem. I never considered this issue. Amp sounds great but would be more practical in a head configuration with front facing controls.
It occurred to me just now that having a stand with a slant may make it even tougher to get to the amp-top controls.
I was thinking about stacking them, but I realized it would not be too smart to put a heavier combo on top of a cabinet; vibration would walk it off.
What might make the most sense would be a stand with the combo straight up, and the extension cab on the floor but tilted.
The top mounted controls really are impractical; I just looked at my settings after the gig and I was like, "Huh???" They were totally different after I moved the amp with the dust cover on it.
I'm kind of a set-it-and-forget-it mindset with amps so this may be a problem. I never considered this issue. Amp sounds great but would be more practical in a head configuration with front facing controls.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
As a followup to this, after the gig I played I realized that the top controls are pretty difficult to deal with, at least for me - and they extend up past the top of the amp chassis just enough that I worried about damaging the pots while moving the amp around.
This, and the lack of a solo and reverb footswitch control, led me to exchange the amp for an Express 5:50+
The 5:50's gain structure on the channels is more aggressive. The clean tones are not what the TA-30 offered but are still decent.
To me, the TA-30 sounds brilliant for clean tones - maybe one of the most alive clean sounds I've ever heard. Lots of mojo. The 5:50 is more....proletarian sounding, but it's a more practical amplifier.
My dealer was VERY cool about handling the exchange and making sure I was happy with my amp.
Long story short, I think the TA-30 is probably more practical in a head config - the combo would be great for a studio or home amp but may not be optimal for regular gigs.
Just my 2 cents...
As a followup to this, after the gig I played I realized that the top controls are pretty difficult to deal with, at least for me - and they extend up past the top of the amp chassis just enough that I worried about damaging the pots while moving the amp around.
This, and the lack of a solo and reverb footswitch control, led me to exchange the amp for an Express 5:50+
The 5:50's gain structure on the channels is more aggressive. The clean tones are not what the TA-30 offered but are still decent.
To me, the TA-30 sounds brilliant for clean tones - maybe one of the most alive clean sounds I've ever heard. Lots of mojo. The 5:50 is more....proletarian sounding, but it's a more practical amplifier.
My dealer was VERY cool about handling the exchange and making sure I was happy with my amp.
Long story short, I think the TA-30 is probably more practical in a head config - the combo would be great for a studio or home amp but may not be optimal for regular gigs.
Just my 2 cents...
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
I kinda came to the same conclusion with the top mounted controls. I think I would also opt for the head version of the TA-30.
But instead of the Express I went all in for the Mark V. Couldn't be happier. But I do love the tones in the TA-30.
Bill
I kinda came to the same conclusion with the top mounted controls. I think I would also opt for the head version of the TA-30.
But instead of the Express I went all in for the Mark V. Couldn't be happier. But I do love the tones in the TA-30.
Bill
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Maybe someday I will check out a Mk V. But I admit, when I started looking at it, I thought "I am not smart enough to use this amp".
It is pretty complex (and also expensive) but I have heard people say they are awesome sounding and they love them.
One thing about the Express is that it doesn't have a footswitchable FX loop. But I don't use the loop anyway, so this is not an issue for me.
Maybe someday I will check out a Mk V. But I admit, when I started looking at it, I thought "I am not smart enough to use this amp".
It is pretty complex (and also expensive) but I have heard people say they are awesome sounding and they love them.
One thing about the Express is that it doesn't have a footswitchable FX loop. But I don't use the loop anyway, so this is not an issue for me.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Just sayin'... but if you liked the type of clean tones you got from the TA-30, which runs on EL84 tubes, the Express 5:25 Plus might have been an option for you. With the dynagain (or what ever they call it) feature of the Express series, you would have gotten about the same volume as the TA-30, with the same kind of tubes, but a slightly different flavour.
Regardless, I am very happy for you that you found an amp you dig. I use to play Mesa amps exclusively (had a Express 5:25 and a Stiletto Ace), and stupidly sold them. This thread just happened to pop up when I am seriously considering picking an amp up today or tomorrow....
Enjoy!
Just sayin'... but if you liked the type of clean tones you got from the TA-30, which runs on EL84 tubes, the Express 5:25 Plus might have been an option for you. With the dynagain (or what ever they call it) feature of the Express series, you would have gotten about the same volume as the TA-30, with the same kind of tubes, but a slightly different flavour.
Regardless, I am very happy for you that you found an amp you dig. I use to play Mesa amps exclusively (had a Express 5:25 and a Stiletto Ace), and stupidly sold them. This thread just happened to pop up when I am seriously considering picking an amp up today or tomorrow....
Enjoy!
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Yes the 5:50 has the 6L6 power tubes. Overall I think I have favored 6L6 based amps, though I have to say that TA-30 really sounded awesome clean.
What are you thinking about getting? I really did not consider anything besides a Mesa Boogie, although I did look at the tube-based Vox AC-30s. My Mesa dealer is big on the Lone Stars, but in combo form they were just too heavy. I didn't try one but I bet those are killer amps, and the Lone Star Special is an El84 based version of it, I think.
Yes the 5:50 has the 6L6 power tubes. Overall I think I have favored 6L6 based amps, though I have to say that TA-30 really sounded awesome clean.
What are you thinking about getting? I really did not consider anything besides a Mesa Boogie, although I did look at the tube-based Vox AC-30s. My Mesa dealer is big on the Lone Stars, but in combo form they were just too heavy. I didn't try one but I bet those are killer amps, and the Lone Star Special is an El84 based version of it, I think.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
If you were satisfied with the sound then why didn't you just get the TA30 head and 1x12 cab? They're even easier to carry around than the combos. I'm surprised that you think the 5:50 cleans are just "decent." I think the 5:50 has a better sounding clean channel than the Mark V. The Lonestar Special is a killer amplifier. Even with EL84's the Lonestar Special sounds pretty big in a band setting. I have used one with my 1x12 cab and it had no problem in a band mix.
If you were satisfied with the sound then why didn't you just get the TA30 head and 1x12 cab? They're even easier to carry around than the combos. I'm surprised that you think the 5:50 cleans are just "decent." I think the 5:50 has a better sounding clean channel than the Mark V. The Lonestar Special is a killer amplifier. Even with EL84's the Lonestar Special sounds pretty big in a band setting. I have used one with my 1x12 cab and it had no problem in a band mix.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Well I also liked the footswitchable solo and reverb features, which the TA-30 didn't have, and I think the high gain tones were more my style anyway. I also really wanted a combo, even though it is a bit heavier and bulkier.
The cleans sounded better when I got home - I think some of it may have been the guitar I was playing in the shop, and also just tweaking it a little.
The "Blues" setting is pretty awesome on the 5:50. With the "Clean" setting, on ch. 1, I couldn't get as loud as I thought I would without pushing the gain. But I have barely had any time to play around with it yet. I am pretty stoked about the amp - I hope to really put it through the paces tomorrow.
Well I also liked the footswitchable solo and reverb features, which the TA-30 didn't have, and I think the high gain tones were more my style anyway. I also really wanted a combo, even though it is a bit heavier and bulkier.
The cleans sounded better when I got home - I think some of it may have been the guitar I was playing in the shop, and also just tweaking it a little.
The "Blues" setting is pretty awesome on the 5:50. With the "Clean" setting, on ch. 1, I couldn't get as loud as I thought I would without pushing the gain. But I have barely had any time to play around with it yet. I am pretty stoked about the amp - I hope to really put it through the paces tomorrow.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Right on man. If you favour 6L6 tubes, the 5:50+ is a GREAT choice. Lots of versatility and tones to be had.
I ended up picking an amp up yesterday actually. I went with the Mini Rectifier 25 and the matching 1x12 slant cab. It's kind of funny to look at the amp, but it sounds great. I'm not a metal guy, and was looking for a more modern gain-y amp, so I brought a few metalhead guitarist friends with me. One of them has been using a single rec for years and swears by it, and we were all very impressed with the mini rec. So yeah, I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine!
Right on man. If you favour 6L6 tubes, the 5:50+ is a GREAT choice. Lots of versatility and tones to be had.
I ended up picking an amp up yesterday actually. I went with the Mini Rectifier 25 and the matching 1x12 slant cab. It's kind of funny to look at the amp, but it sounds great. I'm not a metal guy, and was looking for a more modern gain-y amp, so I brought a few metalhead guitarist friends with me. One of them has been using a single rec for years and swears by it, and we were all very impressed with the mini rec. So yeah, I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine!
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
Awesome! The mini recs look like pretty cool amps. I have not played through one yet but it is a great concept. Hope you have fun with it. The mini cabs look like they could be useful for a lot of applications. Do you know what kind of speakers they have in them?
Awesome! The mini recs look like pretty cool amps. I have not played through one yet but it is a great concept. Hope you have fun with it. The mini cabs look like they could be useful for a lot of applications. Do you know what kind of speakers they have in them?
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
I use to have a Express 5:25, and I got to play the + models yesterday, and I have to say, with the added features, they are probably the most versatile amp I have encountered so far (excluding the Mark V of course). At the price point, I think you made an excellent decision. I saw a 5:25 yesterday that was used (guy had it for 2 months and traded up for a Mark V), and at the price they were asking for it, you couldn't find anything better out there for the dollar, IMO.
I use to have a Express 5:25, and I got to play the + models yesterday, and I have to say, with the added features, they are probably the most versatile amp I have encountered so far (excluding the Mark V of course). At the price point, I think you made an excellent decision. I saw a 5:25 yesterday that was used (guy had it for 2 months and traded up for a Mark V), and at the price they were asking for it, you couldn't find anything better out there for the dollar, IMO.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: NAD - Mesa/Boogie TA-30
As I have gotten to mess with it more, it seems like it's kind of a MK V junior... similar layout of controls and some of the features but more simple. I really, really like it so far. And I have been able to get good sounds at lower volumes which is really nice.
As I have gotten to mess with it more, it seems like it's kind of a MK V junior... similar layout of controls and some of the features but more simple. I really, really like it so far. And I have been able to get good sounds at lower volumes which is really nice.
