Savin' up for a Mesa!

Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Yeah you can definitely set the singles to be super-quiet if you keep the channel-volume waaaay down,,,,,,,,,otherwise the output knob gets very potent quickly.


I guess my point was just that you can't really judge an amps lower volume "cooperativeness" by it's wattage output. My triple multi is much "better/funner" than my single at low levels,,,,,,,and i absolutely love the singles.

Thanks a lot for the info dude! Yeah, that is very true.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Awesome, thanks! Is it too loud for moderate home volumes?
Its good for bedroom levels. You just gotta set the volumes right. If you got the channel master set high and then adjust the output master volume from 0 it will jump out loud. Do the reverse and you wont wake the neighbors.
 
Last edited:
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Its good for bedroom levels. You just gotta set the volumes right. If you got the channel master set high and then adjust the output master volume from 0 it will jump out loud. Do the reverse and you wont wake the neighbors.

Alright, awesome to have it as an option. Thanks dude!
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

The mk v 25 ive had for a year and its good for home use. I gotta try it out at a jam nite to see how it holds up with a band. Usually i run it thru recto 2x12, but i got my marshall 1936 out of storage for a change.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Yeah you can definitely set the singles to be super-quiet if you keep the channel-volume waaaay down,,,,,,,,,otherwise the output knob gets very potent quickly.


I guess my point was just that you can't really judge an amps lower volume "cooperativeness" by it's wattage output. My triple multi is much "better/funner" than my single at low levels,,,,,,,and i absolutely love the singles.

Yup. The Rectoverb 25 has a sudden jump in volume at about a third of the master volume sweep, no matter which channel/mode, after that its smooth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

The mk v 25 ive had for a year and its good for home use. I gotta try it out at a jam nite to see how it holds up with a band. Usually i run it thru recto 2x12, but i got my marshall 1936 out of storage for a change.

Yeah I've heard that about it, that's awesome. Yeah you do that and tell me how it is man! Haha. How do the two cabs compare with it?
 
Savin' up for a Mesa!

Yup. The Rectoverb 25 has a sudden jump in volume at about a third of the master volume sweep, no matter which channel/mode, after that its smooth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hmm very interesting. How negatively does this affect everything? Besides the fact that the volume is a bit finicky haha. :wizard:
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Hmm very interesting. How negatively does this affect everything? Besides the fact that the volume is a bit finicky haha. :wizard:

Not really very much, except that it happens. The point where it jumps is basically below gig volume, so it's only if you're trying to keep it REALLY quiet but wanting a little more.

Oh, and while we're on Pros/Cons - the only other negative that I have with the amp (against a LONG list of positives), is the stock knobs, which are chrome and very gorgeous to look at from a design standpoint, but absolutely awful to use in any realistic context - as in, it's impossible to see your settings even in broad daylight, let alone a dark stage. I replaced mine with stock white ones and it's much better!

I did this quick vid for a forumite here a while back, and about a quarter of the way through you'll see a close-up of the amp with settings, etc. Although it's not a demo of the amp, you'll at least get to hear how the amp responds to some pedals.

https://youtu.be/8mRIqVdNgD8


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

All this Mesa talk has me teetering between gigging with the Bumbox or the Tremoverb this Winter!
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Not really very much, except that it happens. The point where it jumps is basically below gig volume, so it's only if you're trying to keep it REALLY quiet but wanting a little more.

Oh, and while we're on Pros/Cons - the only other negative that I have with the amp (against a LONG list of positives), is the stock knobs, which are chrome and very gorgeous to look at from a design standpoint, but absolutely awful to use in any realistic context - as in, it's impossible to see your settings even in broad daylight, let alone a dark stage. I replaced mine with stock white ones and it's much better!

I did this quick vid for a forumite here a while back, and about a quarter of the way through you'll see a close-up of the amp with settings, etc. Although it's not a demo of the amp, you'll at least get to hear how the amp responds to some pedals.

https://youtu.be/8mRIqVdNgD8


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks a lot for all the info man. Ah yeah, didn't even realize that the knobs could be a problem! I'll watch that vid right now. :)
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

I never had an issue with my single V1 at low volumes, you just have to adjust the eq whenever you make major changes to the volume. Most people don't do that, then complain that the amp sounds fizzy. Most amps are like that, rectos tend to be more sensitive to bedroom volume playing.

That said, my old amp (Roadster) and new amp (Road King V2) are both better across the board. All the channel options are part of it, but being able to cut power at the 100 or 50 watt setting is fantastic.

The minis just don't work for me. Some people say I'm crazy (they may be right) but the EL84s always sound fizzy to my ear.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Thanks for the heads up, although I haven't heard of any complaints anywhere else about any Mesa being stiff or boxy.

Boogies do have a much different feel than say a Marshall. I find that some boogies are stiff and boxy to me. They take a little adjustment and something like say a Mark 4 or 5 can be a little finicky to dial in. i own a pair of vintage boogies both from the early 90's and love mine however. Still like the Marshall punch and feel a LOT at times but both my Boogies ( 20 watt Sunbway rocket 1/10 combo with a WGS ET 10 and a .50 cal plus head on a Blackstar cab also running a WGS ET 90 12) are keepers also,
Live clip of the little rocket all amp no effects here except the verb in the loop.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

What I would not buy:

Subway Series
Rocket Series
Mark I, Mark IIA, IIB
Dual or Triple Rectifier
Stiletto Deuce or Trident
Blue Angel
Maverick


On the bubble...

Nomad Series can produce great tones, but some find the gain fizzy in CH. 3.

Any of the big 212s...Tremoverb, DC-10, F-100, Heartbreaker, etc. They can be great, but are heavy and loud. The Royal Atlantic has a more British voicing, but has built-in attenuators.

I prefer the Express+ Series over the original Express amps, as the eq and extra features of the + Series are really worthwhile.

The TA-30 is a great sounding amp, but has that AC-30 tonality which may or may not be for you. I don't care for the top-mount controls.

So what does that leave? The Roadster and Road King have all the bells and whistles, but four versatile channels. Big and heavy.

The Mark II-C+ is the Mesa "holy grail" of Mesa amps. But you can find great value in the Mark III and Mark IV. These are really versatile amps...jazz, country, rock, metal...they can do it. I look for Mark III combos with reverb, eq, Simul-Class and the EV speaker . Or the EV in the Mark IV. Add the 112 Thiele EV cab to add low-end punch and projection. A lot more portable than a 1/2 stack...this is my favorite rig for gigs.

The DC-Series is great. I have a DC-3 V-30 combo and use it with the Thiele. The EL-84 amps sound and feel a bit different than their big bottle brothers. My bassist loves this amp, as did my BFF roadie of my old Seattle band.

I also have the three new Mark V amps and love them all. The V:35 is similar to the DC-3, with some updated fetures. The V:25 stack is perfect for a lot of small gigs. And the big Mark V is just amazing.

Now, I'm not a metal player and lean more to the pop, rock, country, jazz, and blues side of things, with moderate gain. Lean the other way, and you may favor the Recto-Verb or the Mini-Rec. Lean to Marshall tones and the Stiletto Ace could be the one.

I went through a dozen amps in my career before finding my tone with Mesa. I have several Mesas now and could not be happier. Play as many as you can. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the Owner's Manuals, which can be found on the Mesa website.

I hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

Bill
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

I never had an issue with my single V1 at low volumes, you just have to adjust the eq whenever you make major changes to the volume. Most people don't do that, then complain that the amp sounds fizzy. Most amps are like that, rectos tend to be more sensitive to bedroom volume playing.

That said, my old amp (Roadster) and new amp (Road King V2) are both better across the board. All the channel options are part of it, but being able to cut power at the 100 or 50 watt setting is fantastic.

The minis just don't work for me. Some people say I'm crazy (they may be right) but the EL84s always sound fizzy to my ear.

Interesting man, thanks for sharing your experience and opinions! Haha hey, if you hear it you hear it.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Boogies do have a much different feel than say a Marshall. I find that some boogies are stiff and boxy to me. They take a little adjustment and something like say a Mark 4 or 5 can be a little finicky to dial in. i own a pair of vintage boogies both from the early 90's and love mine however. Still like the Marshall punch and feel a LOT at times but both my Boogies ( 20 watt Sunbway rocket 1/10 combo with a WGS ET 10 and a .50 cal plus head on a Blackstar cab also running a WGS ET 90 12) are keepers also,
Live clip of the little rocket all amp no effects here except the verb in the loop.

Thanks for the info man. Cool little show! Which guitar player are ya?
 
Back
Top