MesaBoogieOnline.com

Mesa Boogie Lonestar Demo

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:55:01 +0000

Here's a quick demo of a Mesa Boogie Lonestar Classic. The guitar used is a Gibson Les Paul Standard, plugged straight into the amp, no extra effects. Notice the amazing response and incredible transparency.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Eric’s Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Review

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:16:12 +0000

Dual Rectifier Review

Eric from Dallas, Texas

The model reviewed is the two channel rectifier. The channels are named 'Orange' and 'Red'. My current configuration is to set the 'Orange' channel for the cleans and 'Red' for the higher gain sounds. The channels are assignable. By this I mean that each channel can be given a tonal characteristic - such as 'Vintage', 'Modern', 'Clean' or 'Variable High Gain'. This function is accessed via a switch on the back of the head and allows for the customization of each of your channel settings. This is made easier by the fact that each channel has the same controls (Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Presence, Master) and the channels are footswitchable.

Regarding the effects loop, Mesa Boogie amps are renowned for their complex operating systems. Shared by both channels is the 'Active Loop Master control' which controls the over all level of effects. When it is engaged in this function, a yellow LED on the front panel illuminates. There are various settings for the effects loop, but I have settled on the setting 'Red Auto' because it seems to push the tubes harder.

This model comes with 5 12AX7 preamp valves, 4 6L6 power amp valves and the two rectifier valves. There is a feature that allows you to switch the bias between 6L6 and EL34's, which adds to the flexibility of the amp. There is no denying the fact that Mesa amps are loaded with features, and all the supporting material from Mesa does a pretty good job of explaining the features. However, the only real way to get to grips with the features on offer is to get out there and play one.

As for the guitars I play with, I have a Fender Strat, a 2003 Mexican Fender Tele, a 2005 Gibson SG Special and a Gibson Les Paul Standard with EMG 81's and 85's.

The first thing I noticed with this amp is that it won't hide sloppy playing. Every sound your guitar makes will come through your speakers. At the risk of sounding unimaginative, the Strat sounds like a Strat, clean and bright and the Tele sounds choppy and sharp. The clean setting on the Mesa really brings out the character of these guitars, as when set right, the clean comes very close to a Fender clean - I could imagine running this head on clean through an old Blonde 4x10 and not being a million miles away from a Bassman. Increasing the gain adds a little purr behind the clean so we are now into Plexi clean territory, and with the gain pushed all the way, you can do your best Hendrix impression until you achieve Rock superstar status or you asphixiate on your own sick - either way it sounds rather nice. The Strat and Tele when used with the high gain settings do not translate well. This is only my opinion and preference, but I do not like single coils when played through a high gain setting - they squeal, hiss and general sound brittle - however like I said this is only my personal preferance. I am sure if you like the sound of high gain single coils, this would work wonders.

The SG just sings through this amp - the cleans are warm and full, giving just a little bit of break up when pushed, but the real joy on this channel with the SG comes when the clean gain is set to 10 - it does not do a bad impression of a JCM 800, only with a little more gain, and with my TurboRat in the front end, I can get all those desirable classic rock tones - lets break out the big haircuts and little trousers people!

Channel 2 is pure Mesa, which is to say that this is the tone that every amp emulator tries to tries to copy. This channel loves humbuckers. I set the gain to about 3'clock, as you get all the gain, bottom end and top end definition, as well as some mid-end punch. Push the gain any more than this and the sound tends to get a bit mushy. Again this is down to taste, but I like to keep my tone, even when I am playing at higher gain settings. There is no doubt about it, Mesa's forte is the high gain sound, but for me the real surprise is the clean channel and how versatile it is.

You're going to have to spend a little time getting your head around all the features and to truly find 'your sound', however, you will eventually find a sound that you will be happy with. It is plenty loud enough for any gig and still sounds good at lower levels for practice. The build quality seems solid. I would be comfortable gigging without a back-up.

I've have been playing for 13 years and have owned many different amps. Truly, the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier stands out from them all. It has the growl and headroom of the JCM800 and the gain of a Randall. It is like all my other amps rolled in to one. There is a reson great amps become great amps and I firmly believe that in years to come, this amp will be up there with the greats, if it is not already. I only wish it had reverb. If it were lost of stolen, I hope my insurance would pay out, because I would get another one.

Top 10 rock/metal artists using Mesa Boogie Amps

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:59:05 +0000

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.

Mesa Boogie Mark IV clip

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:19:38 +0000

Short clip of the Mesa Boogie Mark IV in action.

Mesa Boogie Stiletto Duece clip

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:16:04 +0000

Here's a quick clip of the Mesa Boogie Stiletto Duece amp in action.

Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier clip

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:06:22 +0000

A short clip of the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amp in action.

Mesa Boogie Rectifier

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:02:56 +0000

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.

Mesa Boogie Express

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:58:45 +0000

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.

Mesa Boogie Stiletto

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:56:19 +0000

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.

Mesa Boogie Mark Series

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:49:19 +0000

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.