Top 10 rock/metal artists using Mesa Boogie Amps

A collection of the top rock/metal artists that have used Mesa Boogie amps live or in the studio.

10.  Killswitch Engage - Lead guitarist Joel Stroetzel has used various mesa boogie amps including the Dual and Triple Rectifiers as well as the Stiletto series amps.  Patrick Lachman, lead vocalist and and rhythm guitarist tours regularly with his Triple Rectifier.

9.  Mastodon - Bassist Troy Sanders of Mastodon is known to use the Mesa Big Block 750 bass head with Mesa Boogie cabinets as well.

8.  Coheed and Cambria -  Travis and Claudio both use the Mesa Boogie Stiletto as well as the Dual and Triple Rectifier.

7.  As I Lay Dying -  Phil Sgrosso is know for using various Mesa Boogie cabinets.

6.  Thrice -  Though Thrice has recently been using the Marshall JCM series amps, their choice early on was the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.

5.  Korn -   The Triple Rectifiers get used both live and in studio by artists Head and Munky.

4.  Sepultura -  Lead singer Andreas Kisser uses a triaxis preamp and a strategy 500 power amp.

3.  Tool -  Lead guitarist Adam Jones has been know to use a Dual Rectifier in live situations.

2.  Alice in Chains -  Jerry Cantrell has been known to use a Dual Rectifier on occasion.

1.  Metallica -  Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield has been known to use many different models of the Mesa Boogie line, most notable being his use of the Mesa Boogie Mark series amps.  Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett used Marshall amps early on, but phased into using the Mesa Boogie Mark series as well.

While not responsible for these artists careers, Mesa Boogie amps have certainly helped them achieve their musical voice over the years.

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Mesa Boogie Rectifier

The Mesa Boogie Rectifier series amps made a huge impact on the heavy metal beginning in the early 90's.  Mesa Boogie made three different versions of the rectifier amp.

Rated at 50 watts, the Mesa Boogie single rectifier amp features a pair of 6l6 power tubes and 5 12ax7 pre-amp tubes.  It has a bias switch which enables users to switch the stock power tubes for el34 tubes.  It features two independent channels.

The most popular model, the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, uses 2 rectifier tubes.  It has 4 6l6 power tubes and is rated at 100 watts.  It also has a bias select switch like the single rectifier.

The Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier uses 6 6l6 power tubes and is rated at a whopping 150 watts, with 2 rectifier tubes.  Definitely not for the faint of heart, one of the top Mesa Boogie amps.

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Mesa Boogie Express

The Mesa Boogie Express amps were released in 2007.  Sporting new amp technology from Mesa Boogie called "Duo-Class", the express series amps have the ability to run the power section in either "class A" or "class AB" mode.  This allows the user to push the amp harder at a lower volume.

The two model in the Mesa Boogie Express line are the 5:25 and the 5:50, rated at 25 and 50 watts respectively.  The 5:25 has two el34 tubes in the power section, compared to the two 6l6 tubes in the 5:50.  The most portable powerhouse in the line of Mesa Boogie amps.

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Mesa Boogie Stiletto

The Mesa Boogie Stiletto series amp was release in 2004 and was designed as a British voiced alternative to the rectifier amps.  The two models released, the Duece and the Trident, both came standard with el34 power tubes.

Rated at 100 watts, the Stileto Deuce has 2 rectifier tubes and four el34 tubes in the power section.  The Trident is the higher output amp, switchable from 50 to 150 watts.  It houses six el34 tubes and three rectifiers.  A British inspired alternative in the line of Mesa Boogie amps.

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Mesa Boogie Mark Series

By far the most popular series and Mesa Boogie's line, the Mark series has reached legendary status.

The Mark I were the first series of the Mesa Boogie mark line.  It featured a clean and high gain channel.  It's high gain channel is most notable for it's work on the "Abraxas" album by Carlos Santana.

The Mark II was the first in the series to include foot-switching.  It was available in head or combo version.  The Mark IIB introduced an effects loop and extended the control panel which featured a lead drive and master dial.  It also the beginning of Mesa Boogie's "simul-class" system.  The Mark IIC+ was the last of the Mark II series and often regarded as the best.

The Mesa Boogie Mark III series added a third "crunch" channel.  It was a two-foot-switch system and the rhythm modes shared controls.

The Mesa Boogie Mark IV amps got independent controls for each of its three channels.  The rhythm 1 channel features a great clean for bluesy or twangy sounds while the rhythm 2 channel had a classic rock feel.  However the lead channel is where the Mark IV shines.  Truly a legend in the history of Mesa Boogie amps.

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Mesa Boogie Lonestar

Released in 2004, the Mesa Boogie Lonestar series amps feature two channels, each capable of switching between 50 and 100 watt.  This amp was designed to emulate the Texas blues tone, so eminent in the work of artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special was released in 2005.  The main difference in this version being the use of el34 power tubes rather than the 6l6 tubes used in the lone star classic.  Three different power settings can be achieved via a switch: 30, 15, or 5 watts.  One of the most versatile Mesa Boogie amps.

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