Lonestar Classic. The Special is fine, and perhaps easier to manage because it has less low end than the Classic, but there's something about the Classic that is just so right. We should have more amps with two "nearly identical" channels, it just works so well. Least favorite? The original Mesa Stiletto. I just hated everything about that amp. It was sold as "Mesas take on a Marshall" and I thought that sounded cool, but it just sounded bad to me. Never tried the Stiletto Ace.
I had a DC5, sold it because I was young and stupid and didn’t know how to set it up properly. If I had it today, I’d reduce the bass, add a TS and go to town!
I had 2 rackmount dual Rectifier heads I used for decades and loved the tones I could get out of them. However, I didn't really like the fact that I needed a boost to tighten up the low end for heavy tones and the buzzing bees high end had to be dialed out, especially in the studio. I moved on to an Engl Savage 120 and an EVH 100W Stealth and never looked back. Now on the dark side with Fractal FM9 ;)
nothing beats a Mark 1 Mesa for me, black panel Princetons are my favourite amp of all time and it gets that vibe just with more options and more of everything. Mark 3 is also great.
My favorite Mesa Boogie is the MKI on Weezer’s Blue Album, The Dual Recs on all the Incubus and early 311 albums, and the MKIV on all the Chevelle Albums. I love my MKIVA. I’ll probably never get ride of it. Just picked up a .50 Caliber + to play out so the MKIV amp can stay at home.
I have a Mark V-35 that I really love and enjoy. But as I move away from rock and more towards blues and jazz, I've really enjoyed my Fillmore 50 head and 100 combo. As with anything Boogie, you've gotta read the manual and play with the controls a lot to get what you're looking for, but the Fillmore's just scream with an ES-335.
I primarily play sitting at home but my strap height keeps my guitars at the same height as when standing. I may not look as cool as others, but after 30+ years, I’ve been able to avoid any physical discomforts from playing.
The Boogie 50 Caliber Plus is an absolute hidden gem. Tons of gain on tap and you don't have to do the classic Mark series Pre-EQ stuff (it does it for you).
I've got a Mark II-B that I used for many many years.. it was my workhorse back in the day.. a chorus, delay and amp channel switching was all I needed.. originally I had the Mesa 4x12 loaded w/EVM 12Ls.. that cab was heavy.. later opted for a 2x12 Music Man cab w/V30s.. that amp has been retired but I still love it.
Favorite gear that I didn't expect to like as much as I did: My Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder. My first (and only) Floyd-equipped superstrat guitar. Neck feels like butter, and the Floyd actually stays in tune pretty well (so long as you stretch the hell out of the strings after a string change).
"Stages of Grief" is totally accurate... I had (still kinda do, I guess) an intense love affair with Gibson Thunderbirds... loved the way they look and I liked the sound their through-neck mini-humbuckers provided... but they just simply do not feel good in my hands or strapped up. It took me quite awhile to officially let go of that dream (and I still think about them when they're not here, y'know)
My Mesa Nomad 100 is awesome. I use an Empress ParaEQ to sculpt out excessive mid range and can adjust highs and lows based on whatever guitar I use. I modified the fx loop to series. I use Two Notes Torpedo Captor 8 to send to stereo fx. At the end I use stereo Two Notes Torpedo Cab M plus IR DI boxes. I also used 12AY7 tubes in V1 and V2. I use a Boss NS-2 plus a TC Electronic Iron Curtain to squash any noise. I get alot of variety out of this amp. I use a Maxon OD808. I use the gain at 10 O'clock tone 12 O'clock, balance at 1 O'clock. I use the graphic EQ for lead boost.
I play standing as much as possible. High strap…. Pick techniques evolved around strap height, so I’d pay attention to that while figuring things out for oneself. Some techniques favor a lower strap.
I actually really like some of the better sounding 3 channel rectos, particularly on the vintage mode for punk and hardcore sounds. With el34s they become a great rock amp
The Stiletto got *ravaged* when it came out, but I thought it was truly an under-appreciated amp. I got a Deuce when it came out and really did enjoy it. Moved on to other stuff and ultimately got my "dream" amp in the Helios Eclipse, but it really was good. I have the opportunity to buy a blue-stripe Mark III combo, though, which is killing me LOL!!!
Ive been told that they really needed a Marshall Cab with Greenbacks to shine. A lot of guys bought them and paired them with their V30 cabs and it just came off really poky. I’ve never played one. They seem really cool.
1985 MKIII Black Dot, Simil-class (all 6L6), Rev/EQ, short head w/ (2) 1x12 open backs. I stack them, like a Marshall micro stack but on steroids. Lots and lots of steroids. I'm the original owner, back in `85 my bro/bassist and I drove to the Petaluma factory and talked to a super chill dude, who we later realized was Randall Smith. I brought my `69 Tele, plugged in, Mr Smith twisted some knobs and BAM, my guitar sounded like the Bible and Necronomicon all rolled into one and then presented as a 3D graphic novel. Have not gotten that sound since. It's my best sounding, most versatile amp I have and the most frustrating. and yes I still use it regularly. It's so good! It's been my main amp since, and contrary to popular belief, boogies aren't that heavy. Much lighter to carry around than a 70's Ampeg. I've named my Lil' Boogie stack Nanotyrannus. My bassist got the 400 w/ a 2x15... we were a very loud band in our 20's.
My first Mesa was a Mk IV 1x12 combo. Fantastic sounds from this little but damn heavy amp. I then moved onto the famous Triaxis 2:90 set up. Stunning sounds and versatility...and midi programmable, a massive plus for the gigs I was playing. Today it's a Fuchs TDS 50w combo, very different sound of course.
During an episode of The Gear Podcast, you and/or Troy referred to a city as being "over east". Do folks in EA have their own corresponding idiomatic expression for WA, like how we in the USA have "out west" and "back east"?
About the strap! I'm definitely function over form. I do most of my playing at home, but tbh I'm more comfortable playing standing up. And I put my strap fairly high.
I have a simulclass Mk IIC+ and used to have a Mk IV, both are incredible amps. That being said, the IIC+ has a full-bodied, yet tight dryness that no other amp has, if that makes any sense.
I have mark v 90 watt. Also have the Nomad 45. Interesting amp, put a od pedal in front and an eq in the loop, it turns into a beast. Seems I play it more than tge mark v
my favourite boogie is Mark V 25w, but i had a Caliber 50+ and was perfect too, the worst for me is the distortion channel of the dual rectifier... but the clean is amazing
I use a chinstrap for my guitar strap :) - I bought one of the original YJM guitars with the HS3, I think they come with YJM Fury pickups now, I was pretty excited, plugged it in, and thought my amp was broken. I've never owned a Boogie. Closest I have is the Synergy IICP module which I absolutely love. Thankfully I had your video and Michael Neilson's to watch to learn how to set it up because I was getting pretty frustrated with it. Once I learned how the channels and EQ worked I just freaking love it. I bought a few modules and the sales rep from Sweetwater called to asked how I liked them, I said I don't know, I have not taken the IICP out yet and still have not.
i had a Mk1V, sold it for a single rec combo. Now i savagely miss the Mk1V, but, my single rec does everything i need and stops me from twiddling knobs and get on with playing guitar. i have heard a TA15 and thought it was a stellar tone, if punk rec tones aren't needed, i'd defiantly look into them. way sweet cleans plus grind of a marshall or mesa, but sounds different to mark or rectifiers.
Strap height, like tone, is so very subjective.....I have my guitars hanging a bit high--middle of my stomach---I don't know why....maybe, in the 60's, a guitar teacher told me that was the way to go.....? All I know is, in the 80's I was in a road band playing covers, I bought a new strap....didn't pay much attention to the fact that my guitar was hanging lower....half way thru the night, my left wrist started to swell up, with a great deal of pain. Raised it up, pain went away. Lesson learned! And Leon, I've seen enough pictures of you on stage.....you do not look like a dork! You are a long haired rock God.
If you want to save your wrists, play a bit higher and fix your posture when sitting. Im starting to get/already have carpal tunnel and my hands go numb when i play and feels like my palm is on fire. Its really not fun, i highly recommend you guys take care of your hands, shoulders, wrists, neck, etc. Im only 34, never expected to have it this early it SUCKS and the pain will wake you up out of a dead sleep. QUESTION about the axe fx? Do the firmware updates work on the older models, or only on the 3? You forgot to mention Aristides, on the composite guitars.
I stand as much as possible. I know people that play sitting down so much that they have trouble playing clean standing. I have owned just about every Mesa Boogie amp excluding the studio 22 and the Lonestar. The worst i have owned are the F series and the DCs. The F clean channel was good, but horrible gain. The DCs feedback badly, but in defense of my DC5, it had two dead faders in the EQ. Not sure if that was the sole reason for the tone. The Heartbreaker was a bit muddy, but not horrible. Formula wasn't good. Most Marks and Rectifiers have been great. I still have my Mark lV rack head, and my Rev G dual rec, Mark V 35. I also had the Mesa 50/50 poweramp. That worked great with my AxeFx.
I think the Nomad Series gets a bad rap because it sits in an odd place. Its like a Mark Series amp that so very much wants to be a Dual Rec... and almost gets there. I had one and it was stolen a couple years ago and even though I have a Mark IV, a DC10, and a Rectoverb 50, I still miss the Nomad and may have to grab myself another.
I remember I tried an original Rectifier when they first came out in a store in Liverpool, and to this day I remember that being the best amp I'd ever played straight out of the box. Oh come on, Steve Clarke had the classic rock star guitar strap length...and don't forget Doug Pinnick's ridiculously low BASS✌❤
I have owned almost every Mesa amp made minus the JP amps and Stilleto. Including an original IIC+. The only one I regret selling is the DC-5! My second favorite was an original MK IV After all those amps I went back to Marshall. I have a bunch of those along with Friedmans and have not looked back
Got a Mesa Nomad 100 (5 band EQ) and absolutely love it. Played the Dual Rectifier 3 channel and it’s a beast. The Badlander 50 is another I liked but a tad thin.
I have a roadster head with 2x12 recto cab and 2x12 3/4 open back cab. Much of the I’m totally love the sounds from this amp but on occasions it can sound disappointing. I’m putting this down to the quality of the electric supply I got to use in some venues. Basically good electrical supply amazing tones, poor electrical supply only ok sounds. Overall I’ve owned the roadster for many years, even though I don’t use it these days I can’t bring myself to sell it.
I don't know enough about the "stripe" versions...but for me it's the Mark IIC & Mark III. Sykes, Brad Gillis, Lukather, Landau, Danny Spitz...if it's good enough for them... :)
Have you tried the hs-3s wired up as single coils? (Disconnect green & white I think- should double check). I finally got some hs-2s to do the EJ thing. I never even tried them in hum cancelling as they are *perfect* for me as single coils. It was a "don't touch anything" moment. Anyway, it's worth trying on the 3s IMO. ......also yes, the Mesa Formula & Nomad were trash. Lol
In the clean, low gain, natural overdrive category I think there's no better amp from Mesa than the Blue Angel. My other two favorites are my Mark V:90 and my Mark III Blue Stripe loaded head. (Long head) I've never found a more aggressive, high gain voicing to match the Blue Stripe.
I need to revisit Mesa's at some stage. I love the sound other people seem to get with Rectifiers but I had a Roadster for a while and hated it. I mean not even close to being redeemable, I just flat out hated the sound of it so sold it on. Ironically the guy who bought it loves it. I know that particular Rectifier is voiced quite different to a regular Dual or Triple Rec so I'm open to giving them another try.
Hi Todd, I really like your videos. I've learned a lot listening to your playing. I was wondering, is there a standard to adjusting your pickups? How do you adjust your pickups? Do you use a tool that measures between the strings and pickups? Or is it more of a matter of how strong you want the strings to sound?
I'm actually really torn for my next amp....Bogner Uberschall Mk2 Ultra....Some kind of Diezel or a Mesa Dual Rec...Have a JVM410H as main amp which is so much fun...
Nomad 45 2×12 Bought it on an advertised promise of sounding like SRV and then some🤔 It was a bit of a let down tbh🤦 Tri axis,2:90 and the trusty old Alesis quadreverb was probably the best rig I ever owned but of coarse I sold it in hopes of finding the holy grail 😩
Only Mesa I owned was a F-50 combo. I didn't care for it, not bad just not for me. Been looking at the Bad Cat Lynk lately. love my ENGLs, Fireball and Ironball mini heads being mostly a Fender guy didn't think they would be anything I liked.
fractal Axe effect is the bomb... Just so expensive.. I got lucky and found a sonic sound that I can call my own sound and haven't heard anyone else that has captured the sound to call their own so far... So I keep it a secret.. one of these days I might start a tuber with it... Can't believe I stumbled upon it..... Glad You have found your sound
10:46 🤨Sometimes I wonder about you Leon.🤣 'Sammy Hagar car collection' 😎👆🏻Watch that video. He talks about a Mustang he sold at Barrett-Jackson and it wasn't just any normal Mustang. It was one of a very limited run to begin with and on top of that it was purchased with a super rare intake system that when you purchased it from the factory it came delivered in the trunk of the car and the dealership had to install it on the car due to 'reasons' like liability, insurance, racing regulations the manufacturer may have been involved in, reasons reasons reasons. Needless to say the car was super special and unique. Just like a fine guitar. Each one is unique and has a different feel and sound. Cars and guitars and rock and roll.🤘🏻😉👍🏻 Can't drive 55🎵 Trans Am Wonderland🎶 😼👆🏻The Red Rocker knows his stuff. Love that song!
No hype on Headrush Gigboard / Mx5, but those boxes are really hard to beat. I have an FM9 also...OK, routing, and PC editor, and many many settings. But the Headrush... dual Amp, 4 cabs, reamping, absolute killer sounds,USB interface flawless, small, cheap, and now with the Core version, even 2 inputs... etc.... Bought the FM9 because wanted a new toy, and I appreciate it, but My Mx5 stands out still, and I will not reamp what I've recorded with the MX5... useless.
Great Q and A brother as always sir! Always a good time and great video! Thank you sir! Wow.. Gear that I liked and didn't expect to. Solid State amps for sure and digital pod's, etc.. I was shocked at how well they sounded and that's been 20 years ago and it's now even better than ever.. I'm still shocked at how good a boss katana sounds or a Boss GT 1000, etc.. The Boss Aird thing is a real thing. I don't know how they do it, but it works and it sounds soooo good to me.. My personal Opinion anyway.. I'm so like you with frets. I play a guitar with huge frets and it almost always seems like home.. Especially if it has a Gibson short scale or PRS 25 " scale.. Lot's of guitars have a strat scale, but not so many with a Gibson scale and 6100 frets and when I do come across that, I'm usually happy right off the bat.. Great video.. Question for next week? If using a dual delay or two delays in the loop of an amp or effects or whatever, what are good starting times in milliseconds to set each delay for? For 80's rock tones? Thanks brother. I thought about teasing and asking what pickups do you have in that strat.. 😛 just for fun! Hope you're well sir and hope all is safe for you and yours my good down under friend. I'm going to get ready for some yard work again this afternoon. Have to mow because it's supposed to rain a lot next this week and won't be able to mow if it does then until next weekend and the grass will be 5 feet tall if I wait. 😛 Tim
It is a lifestyle, dammit...For me the best Mesas are Mark IVs...nightmare to work on - great amps! And I will be painfully specific here - the super rare A/B version where they mixed things from the Rev A and the Rev B in one very short production run. They do have the B+ voltage switching for the lead channel like on the normal "B", but they don't have the "fizz" cap switching relay on the phase inverter tube like on the "B". The A/B's don't have "fizz" caps - instead they use filter caps parallel to the plate resistors (on the phase inverter) like in the IIC+. The "normal" Rev B has two "fizz" caps that are switched depending on the channel and no filter caps on the plate resistors. Also the A/Bs have their power amps wired almost identically to the IIC+ when in Full Power, SimulClass and Triode mode. The Lead circuit is also closer to IIC+ specs and it has the more favorable R2 channel from the Rev B. The reverb circuit is like a normal Rev B also (tube V3 and V4 have split duties between lead and reverb circuits), where the reverb tail is considerably quieter and shorter than in the Rev A's. (Rev A's have independent tubes for lead and reverb circuits and the reverb topology has "more gain" thus the louder reverb and longer tail.) And the most obvious - they still have the power transformer from the Mark IV Rev A, the later Mark IIIs, Recto Rev G's and later Rev F's (561136 - USA / 561137 - 220V), but the output transformers are the 562004R-1 like the ones they used in the 2:90 Simuls, Later Mark III Green Stripes and the Mark IV Bs. These changes make up for a really tight and percussive rhythms, but still sounds like a Mark IV.. just a bit different. If I had to chose one (A, B or A/B) I would go for the A/B. Even thou I prefer the the reverb and smoother 3rd channel for lead playing on the Rev A's - the A/Bs have that crushing chug I've always heard in my head! I know.... NEEEEERD! Cheers!
I own a 2014 Dual and a 2000 early 3ch. Triple Rectifier. The Triple especially on the orange channel and paired with a Mesa OS 4x12 instantly gives me this late 90ies/early 2000's rock/metal that I love. The Dual is much more fizzier than the Triple Rec and the overzised 4x12 sounds so much better than my Marshall 1960B. I also used to own a 1991 Quad Preamp, it's basically instant Metallica in a box, but it wasn't really my type of sound so I sold it. I think one of the few products that truly sucked, was the first version of the Cab Clone, that thing just didn't sound good. And also maybe the Stiletto series, because these amps a pretty much a Rectifier without the Modern mode. The Modern mode is pretty much the reason why most people buy a Rectifier. Over the years Mesa has realeased alot of smaller and more affordable combos and heads which nobody seems to really care about. Most of them are just simpler versions of the Mark series, but some of them are real sleepers, like the Electra Dyne series which is pretty much a modded Marshall 2203 preamp, but with a Mark style power amp. The biggest issues with Mesa products are not necessarily the sounds you can get out of them, but the bugs some of these amps just have. Like channel switching that excessively pops, noisy preamps, channel switching that lags, send levels that jump all over the place when you change the channel and so on. Looking at some of these schematics alot of these problems could easily be solved.
This will be a controversial one as far as gear that surprised me goes, so don't hate. 80s were not perfect hahaha. BBE Sonic Maximizer/(Stinger pedal) pedals teeheehee. I had a mesa mark iii back in the 80s, and this pedal added to the effects loop made that amp come alive to my ears even more so than what a mesa mark series already did. hahaha. I know that this has years later lost alot of traction, and really unpopular at this point, and sold my pedal (and that amp sadly) many years ago. I have a mark 5 and tried a rack BBE not too long ago, and my ears have either really matured because it DID NOT sound good at all through the mark 5 now. I couldnt play without my singer pedal 35 years ago, now I wish i could hear that old mark 3 again. I loved that amp and miss it :'(
Really enjoy your conjecture, Leon, thanks for your thoughts and experiences. I'm a beginner hobbist guitarist and I play standing only with the strap low-ish. Which is kinda funny since I only play for myself, but look cool doing it, LOL! My favorite Boogie is the Studio Pre in front of a tube amp, with the Recto SO close behind. I've A/B'd both for many hours (my buddy's rigs, not mine), love both so much, but if I'm forced to choose, it's the Studio Pre for that fat thick saturated Mk tone!
Never understood why tom Morello plays with the guitar up to his damn neck. He writes memorable riffs but he's not exactly a technically advanced player.
You're spot on mate with the Mesa take. I have a IIC+, Mk V, LSS and Stiletto II, Each does something different but truly dig the LSS... my #1 live amp for the classic rock, heavy blues stuff.
If it matters to you how you "look" when you play your instrument, you are doing the wrong thing with your life. Perhaps acting would be more appropriate.🧐😎
What's your favourite boogie?
I have never heard any Mesa/Boogie that I thought sounded good.
Mine...mark v 25
Lonestar Classic. The Special is fine, and perhaps easier to manage because it has less low end than the Classic, but there's something about the Classic that is just so right. We should have more amps with two "nearly identical" channels, it just works so well.
Least favorite? The original Mesa Stiletto. I just hated everything about that amp. It was sold as "Mesas take on a Marshall" and I thought that sounded cool, but it just sounded bad to me. Never tried the Stiletto Ace.
F-50 clean channel has delivered for me for the last 15 years. I use it dimed with a Capter X. Dirty channel not so much......
Mine Mark III blue stripe fully loaded simul. A beast!
Been playing my DC5 for 25 years now. Awesome amp that can nearly do everything.
😍
The DC series are my favorites outside of the MK series. They are so versatile! I know how much you must love playing it.
I had a DC5, sold it because I was young and stupid and didn’t know how to set it up properly. If I had it today, I’d reduce the bass, add a TS and go to town!
I bought my DC5 in 1994 & its still going strong in 2023, great amp! Great tone, clean or dirty, versatile & as loud as most people will ever need!
I had 2 rackmount dual Rectifier heads I used for decades and loved the tones I could get out of them. However, I didn't really like the fact that I needed a boost to tighten up the low end for heavy tones and the buzzing bees high end had to be dialed out, especially in the studio. I moved on to an Engl Savage 120 and an EVH 100W Stealth and never looked back. Now on the dark side with Fractal FM9 ;)
Welcome to the dark side!
nothing beats a Mark 1 Mesa for me, black panel Princetons are my favourite amp of all time and it gets that vibe just with more options and more of everything. Mark 3 is also great.
Bucket list amp to try for me - I need to experience that mighty little beast at least once in my life
My favorite Mesa Boogie is the MKI on Weezer’s Blue Album, The Dual Recs on all the Incubus and early 311 albums, and the MKIV on all the Chevelle Albums.
I love my MKIVA. I’ll probably never get ride of it. Just picked up a .50 Caliber + to play out so the MKIV amp can stay at home.
I have a Mark V-35 that I really love and enjoy. But as I move away from rock and more towards blues and jazz, I've really enjoyed my Fillmore 50 head and 100 combo. As with anything Boogie, you've gotta read the manual and play with the controls a lot to get what you're looking for, but the Fillmore's just scream with an ES-335.
I primarily play sitting at home but my strap height keeps my guitars at the same height as when standing. I may not look as cool as others, but after 30+ years, I’ve been able to avoid any physical discomforts from playing.
The Boogie 50 Caliber Plus is an absolute hidden gem. Tons of gain on tap and you don't have to do the classic Mark series Pre-EQ stuff (it does it for you).
I am an absolute sucker for the Mesa Mark IV, and then I got a JP2C and I’m blown away by what it can do and sound like.
I had a nomad and did all the mods, and they definitely improved it.
I've got a Mark II-B that I used for many many years.. it was my workhorse back in the day.. a chorus, delay and amp channel switching was all I needed.. originally I had the Mesa 4x12 loaded w/EVM 12Ls.. that cab was heavy.. later opted for a 2x12 Music Man cab w/V30s.. that amp has been retired but I still love it.
Favorite gear that I didn't expect to like as much as I did: My Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder. My first (and only) Floyd-equipped superstrat guitar. Neck feels like butter, and the Floyd actually stays in tune pretty well (so long as you stretch the hell out of the strings after a string change).
"Stages of Grief" is totally accurate... I had (still kinda do, I guess) an intense love affair with Gibson Thunderbirds... loved the way they look and I liked the sound their through-neck mini-humbuckers provided... but they just simply do not feel good in my hands or strapped up. It took me quite awhile to officially let go of that dream (and I still think about them when they're not here, y'know)
My Mesa Nomad 100 is awesome. I use an Empress ParaEQ to sculpt out excessive mid range and can adjust highs and lows based on whatever guitar I use. I modified the fx loop to series. I use Two Notes Torpedo Captor 8 to send to stereo fx. At the end I use stereo Two Notes Torpedo Cab M plus IR DI boxes. I also used 12AY7 tubes in V1 and V2. I use a Boss NS-2 plus a TC Electronic Iron Curtain to squash any noise. I get alot of variety out of this amp. I use a Maxon OD808. I use the gain at 10 O'clock tone 12 O'clock, balance at 1 O'clock. I use the graphic EQ for lead boost.
I play standing as much as possible. High strap…. Pick techniques evolved around strap height, so I’d pay attention to that while figuring things out for oneself. Some techniques favor a lower strap.
I actually really like some of the better sounding 3 channel rectos, particularly on the vintage mode for punk and hardcore sounds. With el34s they become a great rock amp
The Stiletto got *ravaged* when it came out, but I thought it was truly an under-appreciated amp. I got a Deuce when it came out and really did enjoy it. Moved on to other stuff and ultimately got my "dream" amp in the Helios Eclipse, but it really was good.
I have the opportunity to buy a blue-stripe Mark III combo, though, which is killing me LOL!!!
Ive been told that they really needed a Marshall Cab with Greenbacks to shine.
A lot of guys bought them and paired them with their V30 cabs and it just came off really poky. I’ve never played one. They seem really cool.
I have a Dual Recto, a multiwatt from 2018 or there abouts. I LOVE it.
1985 MKIII Black Dot, Simil-class (all 6L6), Rev/EQ, short head w/ (2) 1x12 open backs. I stack them, like a Marshall micro stack but on steroids. Lots and lots of steroids. I'm the original owner, back in `85 my bro/bassist and I drove to the Petaluma factory and talked to a super chill dude, who we later realized was Randall Smith. I brought my `69 Tele, plugged in, Mr Smith twisted some knobs and BAM, my guitar sounded like the Bible and Necronomicon all rolled into one and then presented as a 3D graphic novel. Have not gotten that sound since. It's my best sounding, most versatile amp I have and the most frustrating. and yes I still use it regularly. It's so good! It's been my main amp since, and contrary to popular belief, boogies aren't that heavy. Much lighter to carry around than a 70's Ampeg. I've named my Lil' Boogie stack Nanotyrannus.
My bassist got the 400 w/ a 2x15... we were a very loud band in our 20's.
My first Mesa was a Mk IV 1x12 combo. Fantastic sounds from this little but damn heavy amp. I then moved onto the famous Triaxis 2:90 set up. Stunning sounds and versatility...and midi programmable, a massive plus for the gigs I was playing. Today it's a Fuchs TDS 50w combo, very different sound of course.
During an episode of The Gear Podcast, you and/or Troy referred to a city as being "over east". Do folks in EA have their own corresponding idiomatic expression for WA, like how we in the USA have "out west" and "back east"?
About the strap!
I'm definitely function over form. I do most of my playing at home, but tbh I'm more comfortable playing standing up. And I put my strap fairly high.
I dig my TC50 combo! Have you tried it yet Leon?
I love my mesa boogie triple rectifier 3 channel with el34s and I got the mercury magnetics upgrade it sounds amazing
I have a simulclass Mk IIC+ and used to have a Mk IV, both are incredible amps. That being said, the IIC+ has a full-bodied, yet tight dryness that no other amp has, if that makes any sense.
Yeah that's my impression based on clips I've heard and my experience with the studio pre - "dry" and unforgiving!
I have mark v 90 watt. Also have the Nomad 45. Interesting amp, put a od pedal in front and an eq in the loop, it turns into a beast. Seems I play it more than tge mark v
my favourite boogie is Mark V 25w, but i had a Caliber 50+ and was perfect too, the worst for me is the distortion channel of the dual rectifier... but the clean is amazing
I use a chinstrap for my guitar strap :) - I bought one of the original YJM guitars with the HS3, I think they come with YJM Fury pickups now, I was pretty excited, plugged it in, and thought my amp was broken. I've never owned a Boogie. Closest I have is the Synergy IICP module which I absolutely love. Thankfully I had your video and Michael Neilson's to watch to learn how to set it up because I was getting pretty frustrated with it. Once I learned how the channels and EQ worked I just freaking love it. I bought a few modules and the sales rep from Sweetwater called to asked how I liked them, I said I don't know, I have not taken the IICP out yet and still have not.
i had a Mk1V, sold it for a single rec combo. Now i savagely miss the Mk1V, but, my single rec does everything i need and stops me from twiddling knobs and get on with playing guitar. i have heard a TA15 and thought it was a stellar tone, if punk rec tones aren't needed, i'd defiantly look into them. way sweet cleans plus grind of a marshall or mesa, but sounds different to mark or rectifiers.
Strap height, like tone, is so very subjective.....I have my guitars hanging a bit high--middle of my stomach---I don't know why....maybe, in the 60's, a guitar teacher told me that was the way to go.....? All I know is, in the 80's I was in a road band playing covers, I bought a new strap....didn't pay much attention to the fact that my guitar was hanging lower....half way thru the night, my left wrist started to swell up, with a great deal of pain. Raised it up, pain went away. Lesson learned! And Leon, I've seen enough pictures of you on stage.....you do not look like a dork! You are a long haired rock God.
If you want to save your wrists, play a bit higher and fix your posture when sitting. Im starting to get/already have carpal tunnel and my hands go numb when i play and feels like my palm is on fire. Its really not fun, i highly recommend you guys take care of your hands, shoulders, wrists, neck, etc. Im only 34, never expected to have it this early it SUCKS and the pain will wake you up out of a dead sleep. QUESTION about the axe fx? Do the firmware updates work on the older models, or only on the 3? You forgot to mention Aristides, on the composite guitars.
I stand as much as possible. I know people that play sitting down so much that they have trouble playing clean standing. I have owned just about every Mesa Boogie amp excluding the studio 22 and the Lonestar. The worst i have owned are the F series and the DCs. The F clean channel was good, but horrible gain. The DCs feedback badly, but in defense of my DC5, it had two dead faders in the EQ. Not sure if that was the sole reason for the tone. The Heartbreaker was a bit muddy, but not horrible. Formula wasn't good. Most Marks and Rectifiers have been great. I still have my Mark lV rack head, and my Rev G dual rec, Mark V 35. I also had the Mesa 50/50 poweramp. That worked great with my AxeFx.
Hi, Leon! What do you think about Jackson guitars? I've never seen you playing one
No Leon, you look like a legend.
I have a Mesa Filmore 50. Doesn’t get talked about much, but I think it does blackface better than Fender. I have a studio preamp on the way…
Mesa boogie Dual Rectifier 2 channels Rev. G with a TC electronic integrated Preamp.
Integrated preamp loves the recto! Great combo
My favorite Boogies are my IIC+ DRG and my JP2C limited. Different flavors of the C+.
I think the Nomad Series gets a bad rap because it sits in an odd place. Its like a Mark Series amp that so very much wants to be a Dual Rec... and almost gets there. I had one and it was stolen a couple years ago and even though I have a Mark IV, a DC10, and a Rectoverb 50, I still miss the Nomad and may have to grab myself another.
I remember I tried an original Rectifier when they first came out in a store in Liverpool, and to this day I remember that being the best amp I'd ever played straight out of the box. Oh come on, Steve Clarke had the classic rock star guitar strap length...and don't forget Doug Pinnick's ridiculously low BASS✌❤
I have owned almost every Mesa amp made minus the JP amps and Stilleto. Including an original IIC+. The only one I regret selling is the DC-5! My second favorite was an original MK IV
After all those amps I went back to Marshall. I have a bunch of those along with Friedmans and have not looked back
Everyone needs a Marshall or five 😁
Which marshall?
Got a Mesa Nomad 100 (5 band EQ) and absolutely love it. Played the Dual Rectifier 3 channel and it’s a beast. The Badlander 50 is another I liked but a tad thin.
I gigged a 60w Nomad head for many years and really liked it. Underrated amp IMO.
Tube screamer was my first pedal and I hated it for a long time but now I love it 😅
The Fillmore series I heard was a kickback to the Mark series with new settings.
@Leon Todd Would it be really cool to play Eddie Cochran songs with a cranked up Marshall stack?
I have a roadster head with 2x12 recto cab and 2x12 3/4 open back cab. Much of the I’m totally love the sounds from this amp but on occasions it can sound disappointing. I’m putting this down to the quality of the electric supply I got to use in some venues. Basically good electrical supply amazing tones, poor electrical supply only ok sounds. Overall I’ve owned the roadster for many years, even though I don’t use it these days I can’t bring myself to sell it.
Do you really use all the 3channels of the mark 4? Im thinking of building one single channel mark 4
90% of the time it's the lead channel but I do like the other 2.
I don't know enough about the "stripe" versions...but for me it's the Mark IIC & Mark III. Sykes, Brad Gillis, Lukather, Landau, Danny Spitz...if it's good enough for them... :)
Have you tried the hs-3s wired up as single coils? (Disconnect green & white I think- should double check). I finally got some hs-2s to do the EJ thing. I never even tried them in hum cancelling as they are *perfect* for me as single coils. It was a "don't touch anything" moment. Anyway, it's worth trying on the 3s IMO. ......also yes, the Mesa Formula & Nomad were trash. Lol
No but now I am very curious!
In the clean, low gain, natural overdrive category I think there's no better amp from Mesa than the Blue Angel. My other two favorites are my Mark V:90 and my Mark III Blue Stripe loaded head. (Long head) I've never found a more aggressive, high gain voicing to match the Blue Stripe.
Have you played a Mesa Triple Crown Leon ?
I own an 82 MKIIB C+++ Coliseum
Lonestar Special 30
MKV
Multi watt 2022 Dual Recto
All very different flavors all very amazing amps.
😍😍😍
mark IV combo, play it everyday
Great vid, my favorite Mesa I own…… the d180. The secret Mesa nobody knows about.
Easy to forget Mesa have made some great bass amps
I need to revisit Mesa's at some stage. I love the sound other people seem to get with Rectifiers but I had a Roadster for a while and hated it. I mean not even close to being redeemable, I just flat out hated the sound of it so sold it on. Ironically the guy who bought it loves it. I know that particular Rectifier is voiced quite different to a regular Dual or Triple Rec so I'm open to giving them another try.
I own a Mesa Lonestar special. I play mostly country in classic rock. Great amp I just wish clean channel was a little bit louder
Hi Todd, I really like your videos. I've learned a lot listening to your playing. I was wondering, is there a standard to adjusting your pickups? How do you adjust your pickups? Do you use a tool that measures between the strings and pickups? Or is it more of a matter of how strong you want the strings to sound?
I'm actually really torn for my next amp....Bogner Uberschall Mk2 Ultra....Some kind of Diezel or a Mesa Dual Rec...Have a JVM410H as main amp which is so much fun...
Nomad 45 2×12
Bought it on an advertised promise of sounding like SRV and then some🤔
It was a bit of a let down tbh🤦
Tri axis,2:90 and the trusty old Alesis quadreverb was probably the best rig I ever owned but of coarse I sold it in hopes of finding the holy grail 😩
Only Mesa I owned was a F-50 combo. I didn't care for it, not bad just not for me. Been looking at the Bad Cat Lynk lately. love my ENGLs, Fireball and Ironball mini heads being mostly a Fender guy didn't think they would be anything I liked.
Never even played a boogie...😢
Is a Sunn Beta Lead close? 😂
have a 2008 mark IVB...play it in stereo with a 50W badlander...killer!!! cheers all!!!
oh, and just added a pepers dirty tree for a little spice!!!
fractal Axe effect is the bomb... Just so expensive.. I got lucky and found a sonic sound that I can call my own sound and haven't heard anyone else that has captured the sound to call their own so far... So I keep it a secret.. one of these days I might start a tuber with it... Can't believe I stumbled upon it..... Glad You have found your sound
Buy the FM3! Same sound, way more affordable…❤
My favourite is my mesa studio preamp, because is the only one I have!
Great choice! Cheapest way to get that iconic IIC+ sound
@@LeonTodd even cheaper considering it was a gift from a family member! He wasn't using it anymore and I talked him into giving it to me
King Edward was never a low strap guy, and I'm pretty sure he had the cool thing nailed down...
Yep. I'd rather sound great than look cool. There's no reason to have your guitar in any other place than where you can play it the best.
Apologizes for "Mesa" then drops "Aluminum" on us... The nerve! ;)
Favorite Mesa ... Rectoverb combo version 2
Way up firm and high :) I had those Fury pups on my MIM ....Shouldn't of got rid of her ...But made someone happy!!! :D
10:46 🤨Sometimes I wonder about you Leon.🤣
'Sammy Hagar car collection'
😎👆🏻Watch that video. He talks about a Mustang he sold at Barrett-Jackson and it wasn't just any normal Mustang. It was one of a very limited run to begin with and on top of that it was purchased with a super rare intake system that when you purchased it from the factory it came delivered in the trunk of the car and the dealership had to install it on the car due to 'reasons' like liability, insurance, racing regulations the manufacturer may have been involved in, reasons reasons reasons. Needless to say the car was super special and unique. Just like a fine guitar. Each one is unique and has a different feel and sound. Cars and guitars and rock and roll.🤘🏻😉👍🏻
Can't drive 55🎵
Trans Am Wonderland🎶
😼👆🏻The Red Rocker knows his stuff. Love that song!
No hype on Headrush Gigboard / Mx5, but those boxes are really hard to beat. I have an FM9 also...OK, routing, and PC editor, and many many settings.
But the Headrush... dual Amp, 4 cabs, reamping, absolute killer sounds,USB interface flawless, small, cheap, and now with the Core version, even 2 inputs... etc....
Bought the FM9 because wanted a new toy, and I appreciate it, but My Mx5 stands out still, and I will not reamp what I've recorded with the MX5... useless.
Plastic piezo acoustic tone is still a huge problem. Guys refuse to try IRs for one readon or another.
Great Q and A brother as always sir! Always a good time and great video! Thank you sir!
Wow.. Gear that I liked and didn't expect to. Solid State amps for sure and digital pod's, etc.. I was shocked at how well they sounded and that's been 20 years ago and it's now even better than ever.. I'm still shocked at how good a boss katana sounds or a Boss GT 1000, etc.. The Boss Aird thing is a real thing. I don't know how they do it, but it works and it sounds soooo good to me.. My personal Opinion anyway..
I'm so like you with frets. I play a guitar with huge frets and it almost always seems like home.. Especially if it has a Gibson short scale or PRS 25 " scale.. Lot's of guitars have a strat scale, but not so many with a Gibson scale and 6100 frets and when I do come across that, I'm usually happy right off the bat..
Great video..
Question for next week?
If using a dual delay or two delays in the loop of an amp or effects or whatever, what are good starting times in milliseconds to set each delay for? For 80's rock tones?
Thanks brother.
I thought about teasing and asking what pickups do you have in that strat.. 😛 just for fun!
Hope you're well sir and hope all is safe for you and yours my good down under friend.
I'm going to get ready for some yard work again this afternoon. Have to mow because it's supposed to rain a lot next this week and won't be able to mow if it does then until next weekend and the grass will be 5 feet tall if I wait. 😛
Tim
The Nomad was indeed terrible. Even my dog left the room when I played one.
Platinum Blonde - Contact. Very 80's
It is a lifestyle, dammit...For me the best Mesas are Mark IVs...nightmare to work on - great amps! And I will be painfully specific here - the super rare A/B version where they mixed things from the Rev A and the Rev B in one very short production run.
They do have the B+ voltage switching for the lead channel like on the normal "B", but they don't have the "fizz" cap switching relay on the phase inverter tube like on the "B". The A/B's don't have "fizz" caps - instead they use filter caps parallel to the plate resistors (on the phase inverter) like in the IIC+. The "normal" Rev B has two "fizz" caps that are switched depending on the channel and no filter caps on the plate resistors.
Also the A/Bs have their power amps wired almost identically to the IIC+ when in Full Power, SimulClass and Triode mode. The Lead circuit is also closer to IIC+ specs and it has the more favorable R2 channel from the Rev B.
The reverb circuit is like a normal Rev B also (tube V3 and V4 have split duties between lead and reverb circuits), where the reverb tail is considerably quieter and shorter than in the Rev A's. (Rev A's have independent tubes for lead and reverb circuits and the reverb topology has "more gain" thus the louder reverb and longer tail.)
And the most obvious - they still have the power transformer from the Mark IV Rev A, the later Mark IIIs, Recto Rev G's and later Rev F's (561136 - USA / 561137 - 220V), but the output transformers are the 562004R-1 like the ones they used in the 2:90 Simuls, Later Mark III Green Stripes and the Mark IV Bs.
These changes make up for a really tight and percussive rhythms, but still sounds like a Mark IV.. just a bit different. If I had to chose one (A, B or A/B) I would go for the A/B. Even thou I prefer the the reverb and smoother 3rd channel for lead playing on the Rev A's - the A/Bs have that crushing chug I've always heard in my head!
I know.... NEEEEERD!
Cheers!
This was AWESOME to read!
@@LeonTodd Hahha, thank you! I am about to do an interesting build project for Mark lovers, so imma send you a PM if everything runs by plan! Cheers!
@@TheDannVal ooooh that sounds exciting!
Beyerdynamic M160 is a home run on acoustic.
Been meaning to grab one as a guitar cab mic and didn't even think I could use it on acoustic...
My recto modded by Hermansson. Have you heard of him?
Heard great things about his mods!
@@LeonTodd Here is my very own recto being tested by Henric. Enjoy!
ruclips.net/video/Joa4i16TncA/видео.html
Far out that sounds GREAT!
I own a 2014 Dual and a 2000 early 3ch. Triple Rectifier. The Triple especially on the orange channel and paired with a Mesa OS 4x12 instantly gives me this late 90ies/early 2000's rock/metal that I love. The Dual is much more fizzier than the Triple Rec and the overzised 4x12 sounds so much better than my Marshall 1960B. I also used to own a 1991 Quad Preamp, it's basically instant Metallica in a box, but it wasn't really my type of sound so I sold it.
I think one of the few products that truly sucked, was the first version of the Cab Clone, that thing just didn't sound good. And also maybe the Stiletto series, because these amps a pretty much a Rectifier without the Modern mode. The Modern mode is pretty much the reason why most people buy a Rectifier.
Over the years Mesa has realeased alot of smaller and more affordable combos and heads which nobody seems to really care about. Most of them are just simpler versions of the Mark series, but some of them are real sleepers, like the Electra Dyne series which is pretty much a modded Marshall 2203 preamp, but with a Mark style power amp.
The biggest issues with Mesa products are not necessarily the sounds you can get out of them, but the bugs some of these amps just have. Like channel switching that excessively pops, noisy preamps, channel switching that lags, send levels that jump all over the place when you change the channel and so on. Looking at some of these schematics alot of these problems could easily be solved.
Strap height = Fusion Chin Strap. This is the way.
Mesa Boogie 👓?
your welcome to try my Mesa Triple Crown Head, but one slight issue, Im in dubai
I'll start swimming now and see you in a few months :p
This will be a controversial one as far as gear that surprised me goes, so don't hate. 80s were not perfect hahaha. BBE Sonic Maximizer/(Stinger pedal) pedals teeheehee. I had a mesa mark iii back in the 80s, and this pedal added to the effects loop made that amp come alive to my ears even more so than what a mesa mark series already did. hahaha. I know that this has years later lost alot of traction, and really unpopular at this point, and sold my pedal (and that amp sadly) many years ago. I have a mark 5 and tried a rack BBE not too long ago, and my ears have either really matured because it DID NOT sound good at all through the mark 5 now. I couldnt play without my singer pedal 35 years ago, now I wish i could hear that old mark 3 again. I loved that amp and miss it :'(
Really enjoy your conjecture, Leon, thanks for your thoughts and experiences. I'm a beginner hobbist guitarist and I play standing only with the strap low-ish. Which is kinda funny since I only play for myself, but look cool doing it, LOL! My favorite Boogie is the Studio Pre in front of a tube amp, with the Recto SO close behind. I've A/B'd both for many hours (my buddy's rigs, not mine), love both so much, but if I'm forced to choose, it's the Studio Pre for that fat thick saturated Mk tone!
Never played a M/B :(
Never understood why tom Morello plays with the guitar up to his damn neck. He writes memorable riffs but he's not exactly a technically advanced player.
I pulled you up about mess boogie amps what’s all the bs
Triple Crown 50
Messaur Boogie:P
Your such funny dude.
Cab clone remains pretty awful across the product line. Other than that they’re a solid company.
Aren;t the new ones basically just a two notes reactive load rebadged?
@@LeonTodd this I did not know. Maybe time to give them another listen in that case.
When you dial them in wrong, they all suck 😂
You're spot on mate with the Mesa take. I have a IIC+, Mk V, LSS and Stiletto II, Each does something different but truly dig the LSS... my #1 live amp for the classic rock, heavy blues stuff.
If they wanted it pronounced "Mayzer," they should have spelt it that way.
If it matters to you how you "look" when you play your instrument, you are doing the wrong thing with your life. Perhaps acting would be more appropriate.🧐😎