a messy mesa up

eSGEe

eSGEe

Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
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SOOO--- its ALL DAVES DAMN FAULT!

HEre I was minding my own business HAPPY AS A LARK with my Marshall DSL15c......use it daily--- makes me smile--- keeps me from murdering prostitutes or dumbarses---- then

when discussing the MOTM (occurred today Chas has pics -- post to follow-- no arrests where reported) DAVE-- brings this thing
MesaF30.jpg


A MESS of MEsa -- F-30 with a side of BOOGIE-- for me to "test drive" ----

I have now spent a good 5 hours switching back and forth --- dialing in adjusting --- Marshall---Mesa---Marshall--Mesa--- Marshall -MEsa-- fish -- cut bait-- fish --cut bait-- Ginger-- Mary Anne Ginger-- Mary Anne

Damn you DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I may have decided--- however I must sleep on it! ........no no not the amps --- wait maybe......no
 
I like that the Mesa folks have a eSGEe approved factory stress test ----
check out what the guy does at 1:00 in!!!

HE BEATS IT WITH A HAMMER!!!!!!!!

this is apparently part of their R&D..........with the amp full on it gets BEAT WITH A HAMMER--- its like they READ MY THOUGHTS!
 
I thought this decision would be EASIER---

So far ---- my limited knowledge tells me

I can HEAR the Mesa better---individual notes-- in full gain or clean-- SOUND clearer---better--truer reproduction of tone--
BUT-- -it does NOT no matter what knobs I try --- get the Marshall "chug" --

there is a "depth" to the Marshall the Mesa can not reach--- not even close---
---this clarity and projection of Mesa are most likely MUCH coveted on stage------in the doom room---meh

YEs it is better constructed--- yes it is USA made--- yes it is most likely and for intents and purposes a "better" amp--

AND the PROBLEM here is your asking a bass player to chose between 2 very nice tube GUITAR amps----but ------ at this juncture----

Im leaning towards the Marsahll.....(could be that "bass boost" circuit on the DSL)
COULD be if I could really "open them up" instead of bedroom levels the Mesa might SHINE and SLay---but..........

Simply put --at this juncture

I HEAR the MEsa---
I FEEL the Marshall......

At present the Mesa is on the shelf the Marshall on the floor--- later today I will flip them and see if that makes a change in the feel/sound----

Presently its a nail biter that could go any direction --- cleans -- Mesa--- CHUG-- Marshall--- much more testing will need to occur------


STAY TUNED KIDDIES---
 
eSGEe said:
I thought this decision would be EASIER---

So far ---- my limited knowledge tells me

I can HEAR the Mesa better---individual notes-- in full gain or clean-- SOUND clearer---better--truer reproduction of tone--
BUT-- -it does NOT no matter what knobs I try --- get the Marshall "chug" --

there is a "depth" to the Marshall the Mesa can not reach--- not even close---
---this clarity and projection of Mesa are most likely MUCH coveted on stage------in the doom room---meh

YEs it is better constructed--- yes it is USA made--- yes it is most likely and for intents and purposes a "better" amp--

AND the PROBLEM here is your asking a bass player to chose between 2 very nice tube GUITAR amps----but ------ at this juncture----

Im leaning towards the Marsahll.....(could be that "bass boost" circuit on the DSL)
COULD be if I could really "open them up" instead of bedroom levels the Mesa might SHINE and SLay---but..........

Simply put --at this juncture

I HEAR the MEsa---
I FEEL the Marshall
At present the Mesa is on the shelf the Marshall on the floor--- later today I will flip them and see if that makes a change in the feel/sound----

Presently its a nail biter that could go any direction --- cleans -- Mesa--- CHUG-- Marshall--- much more testing will need to occur------
Click to expand...
What you're experiencing is the touch sensitivity of the Mesa.
It's a very responsive and articulate amp, my Dr. Z was the same way.
You play the amp as well as the guitar.
Knock down some of the bass, dime the mids and play the gain knob you'll get chug.
Try some of these settings as a starting point.

Grail Tone - Mesa Boogie F Series Amp Settings

here's a download of the manual. some settings in there as well.

http://mesaboogie.com/media/User Manuals/F-Series.pdf
 
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The Vintage 30 speaker in that Mesa is very beamy. It's very tight & focused directly to the front.
Try turning the amp around and give it a go.
 
eSGEe said:
At present the Mesa is on the shelf the Marshall on the floor--- later today I will flip them and see if that makes a change in the feel/sound----
Click to expand...
I guess this could be another "tonewood" debate, but...: Personally, I do not like having a combo or a speaker cab on a shelf when I want to hear a real representation of what the amp can do. And most of my noodling time is spent sitting in a small room. So, besides a solid foundation to anchor the combo or cab, I also don't like the speaker(s) to be right at the same level as my ears.

:sneaky:

Hackmaster said:
The Vintage 30 speaker in that Mesa is very beamy. It's very tight & focused directly to the front.
Try turning the amp around and give it a go.
Click to expand...
Yes, V30's and other midrange heavy speakers can be very beamy. If turning the amp around is too wierd, a piece of plexiglass a couple feet in front of the speakers will work, too. Or Beam-blockers for a stealthy look like these from Webers:

beam-blocker-video.JPG


Or, make your own beam blockers. Redneck style:

images.jpeg
 
eSGEe said:
I thought this decision would be EASIER---

So far ---- my limited knowledge tells me

I can HEAR the Mesa better---individual notes-- in full gain or clean-- SOUND clearer---better--truer reproduction of tone--
BUT-- -it does NOT no matter what knobs I try --- get the Marshall "chug" --

there is a "depth" to the Marshall the Mesa can not reach--- not even close---
---this clarity and projection of Mesa are most likely MUCH coveted on stage------in the doom room---meh

YEs it is better constructed--- yes it is USA made--- yes it is most likely and for intents and purposes a "better" amp--

AND the PROBLEM here is your asking a bass player to chose between 2 very nice tube GUITAR amps----but ------ at this juncture----

Im leaning towards the Marsahll.....(could be that "bass boost" circuit on the DSL)
COULD be if I could really "open them up" instead of bedroom levels the Mesa might SHINE and SLay---but..........

Simply put --at this juncture

I HEAR the MEsa---
I FEEL the Marshall......

At present the Mesa is on the shelf the Marshall on the floor--- later today I will flip them and see if that makes a change in the feel/sound----

Presently its a nail biter that could go any direction --- cleans -- Mesa--- CHUG-- Marshall--- much more testing will need to occur------


STAY TUNED KIDDIES---
Click to expand...


This is indeed NOT what I was expecting. Remember you need to work the EQ differently on the Mesa. It's not like the OTHER animals out there.
 
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