New Pedal Day

[Agileguy_101]

So I got one of these today. It's super rad. Jafeel?

I want to really open it up at proper playing volume before I dig in to a review. But here are a few observations:

Construction is top notch. The roller bar is a brilliant addition that's not just for aesthetics - you can't touch the eq sliders with your feet unless you're trying to (which I would definitely not advocate).

The hi mode has, IMO, the perfect amount gain boost pre set. You can tailor the amount of volume boost for hi mode with the trim. The two channels balance very well with each other.

The 5-band is exactly like on a Mark series. Seriously, it's incredible. there are so many tones in the 5 band alone. And then, the cherry on top - having the eq channel assignable allows you to effectively have two radically different channels if you should so choose.

Stay tuned for more! I hope to have a full review up next week. I may even have full band clips if I play my cards right.

 

[Artie]

Re: New Pedal Day

Interesting that they would add bass/treble controls to a graphic EQ. Oh well, looks sweet anyway.

 

[El Supremo]

Re: New Pedal Day

Interesting that they would add bass/treble controls to a graphic EQ. Oh well, looks sweet anyway.

I typically dial in a bit more bass at lower volumes and adjust treble to taste depending on venue/volume. That whilst keeping your preffered EQ curve is very convenient to me.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: New Pedal Day

Looks quite intense! What's the low gain like?

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: New Pedal Day

I think these are pretty cool...great concept. If I didn't already have Mesa amps, it's definitely a pedal I would look into.

Bill

 

[Demanic]

Re: New Pedal Day

Oh my, that is impressive. Can't wait to hear a clip.

 

[afhazairin]

Re: New Pedal Day

I prefer Throttle Box EQ.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

Interesting that they would add bass/treble controls to a graphic EQ. Oh well, looks sweet anyway.

Well that's because the EQ is channel assignable, just like a real Mesa amp. That way if I want to have it off on the low channel, I still have EQ controls.

Looks quite intense! What's the low gain like?

I don't really want to comment too much on the tone before I really get to open it up at a good volume, but it's very nice, just like a Mesa IMO. Dynamic and very responsive to pick attack. It's got a nice clean up too.

I prefer Throttle Box EQ.

Okay? Not sure what your point is here.

 

[Matt42]

Re: New Pedal Day

I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these since they came out. I finally had a chance to play one at a local shop, and while I liked it, I wasn't as floored by it as I had hoped. There are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of tones to be had here, and a lot of nice variety with the assignable EQs, but it felt a little stiff or flat to me. It responded to my picking dynamics and the volume knob OK, but not nearly as well as my Bluesbreaker clone. Granted I wasn't playing it at a super high volume, so perhaps some of that would disappear when it was really opened up. After playing with it, though, I'm leaning more toward getting the 5-band stand alone EQ.

Congrats on a nice score though. I'm looking forward to the review.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

I can understand why you would say that about the Flux Five playing it at low volumes. I get the same impression, but I can tell from my second or two of accidentally having the volume too high that it will really open up once you get to gigging volumes. I'm going to take my board, amp, and a few axes to work with me tomorrow so I can crank it after work at my boss's warehouse. That will give me a great idea of what sounds and feels like at gigging volumes. And hopefully I'll be jamming on tuesday, so I'll find out how it works in a band mix. I'll report back after each of the experiences.

And yeah, it's just awesome having the Mesa EQ in a pedal. If I had the space, I'd love to have the standalone eq.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: New Pedal Day

Interesting that they would add bass/treble controls to a graphic EQ. Oh well, looks sweet anyway.

Essentially what it does is allow you to bypass the slider EQ using the standard two tone knob EQ on either/both the low or/and high gain channels. There are pros and cons of both designs. I, personally, use the low side without the slider EQ since it's a bit fatter that way and set the higher gain side to cut with the EQ on. Nice flexibility with this one.

You can also considerably roll back the gain and have almost a clean boost thing happening with it and still have plenty of gain on tap if you wanted to kick it in. The volume knob itself is at unity at around 9 o'clock so there's a heck of a lot even on just the low side to make your notes jump out.

I'm looking forward to hear how it cuts in the band mix Jordan

 

[Matt42]

Re: New Pedal Day

I can understand why you would say that about the Flux Five playing it at low volumes. I get the same impression, but I can tell from my second or two of accidentally having the volume too high that it will really open up once you get to gigging volumes. I'm going to take my board, amp, and a few axes to work with me tomorrow so I can crank it after work at my boss's warehouse. That will give me a great idea of what sounds and feels like at gigging volumes. And hopefully I'll be jamming on tuesday, so I'll find out how it works in a band mix. I'll report back after each of the experiences.

And yeah, it's just awesome having the Mesa EQ in a pedal. If I had the space, I'd love to have the standalone eq.

That's good to hear. I really liked what I heard when I played it. But it was with an unfamiliar guitar through an Express 5:25+ at the shop, and I was keeping it pretty low (it still sounded really good).

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

I wasn't able to get my rig together in time for work, so it looks like I'll just have to wait until Tuesday to really open up the Mesa. Oh well, I can wait two days.

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: New Pedal Day

what is the difference between the Mesa 5 band EQ and say a Boss Graphic EQ ???

Don't need another gain pedal as I am happy with my Bass Big Muff PI + Malekko Sloika stack but I have been interested in getting an EQ for awhile for fine tuning or even as a huge mid boost option.

 

[El Supremo]

Re: New Pedal Day

what is the difference between the Mesa 5 band EQ and say a Boss Graphic EQ ???

Don't need another gain pedal as I am happy with my Bass Big Muff PI + Malekko Sloika stack but I have been interested in getting an EQ for awhile for fine tuning or even as a huge mid boost option.

The frequencies and bandwith. It's pretty hard getting a crappy sound with the Mesa EQ, something the Boss can do a lot better and easier.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

Long overdue, but I finally haz clips!

This is not meant to be a demo of the Mesa Flux Five by any means. It's just me and some friends getting together and jamming. I'm using one of my PRSi on this track... I want to say it was my WLH loaded McCarty. I used a few different effects here and there, but IIRC the Mesa was on the whole time.

And yeah, my bassist is using a Bass VI. It's awesome and makes for rad guitar/bass interplay.

https://soundcloud.com/jordan-varona/jordan-and-trevor-11-3-7

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: New Pedal Day

Well, that sounded really nice! Kinda Santana-ish in some spots. What amp did you use? It really retains that MESA sound ...

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

I was using my 68 Bassman and either my V30/Greenback Avatar 4x12 or my drip edge Dual Showman 2x12 with a Cannabis Rex and a Texas Heat... most likely the 2x12. Either way, it's pretty far from a Mesa. But this pedal is just straight up rad. Thanks for the compliment. It's understandable that it may sound Santana-esque in some spots, as the graphic EQ really lets you dial in that tone should you desire it.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: New Pedal Day

I dig your playing man.Worthy!

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New Pedal Day

Thanks Jerry, I appreciate it.