NAD: not a Mesa
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- robthemac
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NAD: not a Mesa
Well, this was unexpected.
Jops kindly let me his BlackStar Artisan 30 combo while the Rockshop are fixing the Mesa I want. Not at all what I wanted, but nice to try something different.
When I worked at the Rockshop as a kid, I couldn't stand these amps. Way fucking loud, no reverb, not enough gain. Also, seeing as the Rockshop didn't sell Vox, I didn't have any experience with AC-30 style amps, so it just sounded weird to my ears.
After a couple of weeks I've changed my mind slightly.
Negatives:
- Still way too loud. Even at 10W setting, which also dampens the treble too much.
- Still not enough gain. Most of my guitars have low output pickups. Even with the gain all the way up, it gets to a gentle crunch. Adding a boost in front makes it go unpleasantly fizzy.
- Still too heavy.
- Clean channel is bright to the point of sibilant.
- Channels aren't footswitchable.
Positives:
- I dig the EL-84 sound now. Used in stereo, it sits nicely with my Blackface-style VHT.
- The gentle crunch with the 'Warm' switch actually gets quite a nice bluesy JMP tone.
- Dirty channel with gain set just past halfway gets some compression without dirt, great for jazzy/country tones.
- I wish my old Marshall 2061x had the kind of build quality. Everything is rock solid.
- It would work great even as a 2x12 cab with Vintage 30s
- Cheap as chips. God bless the terrible resale value of Asian-made tube combos.
Jops kindly let me his BlackStar Artisan 30 combo while the Rockshop are fixing the Mesa I want. Not at all what I wanted, but nice to try something different.
When I worked at the Rockshop as a kid, I couldn't stand these amps. Way fucking loud, no reverb, not enough gain. Also, seeing as the Rockshop didn't sell Vox, I didn't have any experience with AC-30 style amps, so it just sounded weird to my ears.
After a couple of weeks I've changed my mind slightly.
Negatives:
- Still way too loud. Even at 10W setting, which also dampens the treble too much.
- Still not enough gain. Most of my guitars have low output pickups. Even with the gain all the way up, it gets to a gentle crunch. Adding a boost in front makes it go unpleasantly fizzy.
- Still too heavy.
- Clean channel is bright to the point of sibilant.
- Channels aren't footswitchable.
Positives:
- I dig the EL-84 sound now. Used in stereo, it sits nicely with my Blackface-style VHT.
- The gentle crunch with the 'Warm' switch actually gets quite a nice bluesy JMP tone.
- Dirty channel with gain set just past halfway gets some compression without dirt, great for jazzy/country tones.
- I wish my old Marshall 2061x had the kind of build quality. Everything is rock solid.
- It would work great even as a 2x12 cab with Vintage 30s
- Cheap as chips. God bless the terrible resale value of Asian-made tube combos.
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
It's a bloody good pedal platform. Better than my VHT.
One will probably go when a Mesa becomes available. which will be 2028 at this stage.
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
I’ve owned and played a number of blackstars but they just don’t do it for me, good for metal but I find the clean and low gain tones a bit lacklustre…
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
What mesa are you looking for?
- robthemac
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
California Tweed. There's one in my local Rockshop, but it's been sitting there with dodgy tubes and not a lot happening.NippleWrestler wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:22 pmWhat mesa are you looking for?
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
Sorry if you've already gone over this, but may I ask what basic qualities you're looking for in a new amp? & is combo or head format an issue? Wattage preference?
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- Cdog
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
Artisan 30 is a fantastic amp! Well matched with the V30. I was GASing over one of these combos for a year or two after they first came out. HNAD
- NippleWrestler
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
How do these compare to the Laney Lionheart amps?
I've been looking for a smaller combo that's more portable than a half stack.
I've been looking for a smaller combo that's more portable than a half stack.
- robthemac
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
I want something that can do a Tweedy sort of clean, but without the nasal honky mids that many small Tweed rigs get. Open to more Blackface-style as well. Preferably with spring reverb and a trem (that doesn't tick!). Not fixed on wattage, would like something with enough headroom for small gigs. Built-in attenuation or power scaling is greatly preferred.Mr Davison wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:09 pmSorry if you've already gone over this, but may I ask what basic qualities you're looking for in a new amp? & is combo or head format an issue? Wattage preference?
Tried a Mesa California Tweed in our local RS and fell in love with it. Need to get down to Auckland for a look at Conway's Tone King Falcon Grande. That Magnatone on TradeMe would go alright too.
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
Cool, just asked as I saw your Marshall 2061x reference (the ultimate self combusting amp unfortunately). I have a sale that's possibly falling thru but upon watching a Mesa cali tweed vid & your explanation... I have an amp completely opposite in every way to your desire!!robthemac wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:48 pmI want something that can do a Tweedy sort of clean, but without the nasal honky mids that many small Tweed rigs get. Open to more Blackface-style as well. Preferably with spring reverb and a trem (that doesn't tick!). Not fixed on wattage, would like something with enough headroom for small gigs. Built-in attenuation or power scaling is greatly preferred.Mr Davison wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:09 pmSorry if you've already gone over this, but may I ask what basic qualities you're looking for in a new amp? & is combo or head format an issue? Wattage preference?
Tried a Mesa California Tweed in our local RS and fell in love with it. Need to get down to Auckland for a look at Conway's Tone King Falcon Grande. That Magnatone on TradeMe would go alright too.
Good luck with the tweed
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Re: NAD: not a Mesa
Yeah, my 2061 blew three transformers and wasn't exactly structurally sound. Glorious when dimed though. Probably why I kept blowing transformers. Wish I kept the cab.Mr Davison wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:14 pmCool, just asked as I saw your Marshall 2061x reference (the ultimate self combusting amp unfortunately). I have a sale that's possibly falling thru but upon watching a Mesa cali tweed vid & your explanation... I have an amp completely opposite in every way to your desire!!robthemac wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:48 pmI want something that can do a Tweedy sort of clean, but without the nasal honky mids that many small Tweed rigs get. Open to more Blackface-style as well. Preferably with spring reverb and a trem (that doesn't tick!). Not fixed on wattage, would like something with enough headroom for small gigs. Built-in attenuation or power scaling is greatly preferred.Mr Davison wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:09 pm
Sorry if you've already gone over this, but may I ask what basic qualities you're looking for in a new amp? & is combo or head format an issue? Wattage preference?
Tried a Mesa California Tweed in our local RS and fell in love with it. Need to get down to Auckland for a look at Conway's Tone King Falcon Grande. That Magnatone on TradeMe would go alright too.
Good luck with the tweed
What is it that you're selling, out of interest?