After many years using the Mark Series Boogies, Ive switched

[bds9487]

It's baffling to me why mesa makes some amps that are so hard to dial in. Maybe it's some sort of marketing strategy I don't understand? What I love about Marshall and Fender is you can't hardly screw them up. Just plug-in and play and they sound good.

 

[Robotechnology]

Hey Ralph, what's the least expensive Marshall Head to look out for that I can send to Mike for the (you know the one I like) mod?

 

[Digital Jams]

Hey Ralph, what's the least expensive Marshall Head to look out for that I can send to Mike for the (you know the one I like) mod?

1987x reissues can be had for around $800, SLP 100 watter for $900 if you wait for it. Reissue 800s go for around $1100 give or take.


I have a SLP but want a stock plexi type amp so I am looking as we speak NJ always seems to have older marshalls and SLPs showing up, look at the TGP spam forums as well cause some of those dorks sell them cheap

 

[stephen sawall]

GAS ......

I have been waiting a bit for the MEATHEAD to come out. This is not the first time I have had GAS for the Fortin tone. I just been waiting for the MEATHEAD to show up.

I know the transformer is the heart of the tone so I am not going with him doing mods on my other heads. I am sure they would kill. But want his voice from top to bottom.

1 ~ Any one have a picture of the front and back of the MEATHEAD where you can see details ?

2 ~ Does the MEATHEAD have the same power section as the BONES ?

3 ~ Well it get in the ball park of NATAS / HULK / BONES tone wise ?

4 ~ Is it stock with MIDI / effects loop / Line out / etc ?

5 ~ I would love to see the Manual ?

6 ~ Why is this head named after the son in law from "All in the Family" ?

 

[FortinAmps]

GAS ......

I have been waiting a bit for the MEATHEAD to come out. This is not the first time I have had GAS for the Fortin tone. I just been waiting for the MEATHEAD to show up.

I know the transformer is the heart of the tone so I am not going with him doing mods on my other heads. I am sure they would kill. But want his voice from top to bottom.

1 ~ Any one have a picture of the front and back of the MEATHEAD where you can see details ?

2 ~ Does the MEATHEAD have the same power section as the BONES ?

3 ~ Well it get in the ball park of NATAS / HULK / BONES tone wise ?

4 ~ Is it stock with MIDI / effects loop / Line out / etc ?

5 ~ I would love to see the Manual ?

6 ~ Why is this head named after the son in law from "All in the Family" ?

Hey Stephen,
Here are a couple of pictures of the Meathead. This is the prototype and the layout will change slightly. Instead of the preset mini toggle switches for Boost and Voicing on each channel as well as the FX loop switches, 8 push button lighted switches will be added just below the master volumes which will be MIDI programmable as follows:
1st row: Boost, Voicing L, Voicing M, Voicing H
2nd row: FX on, FX 2, Master 2, Store
BTW, all the lighted push button switches can be loaded with any LED color of choice.

To answer some of your questions, it does have the same power amp features as the Bones in which you can use different power tubes. The prototype is currently loaded with 2 6L6s and 2 EL34s. Channel 3 and 4 on the Meathead is the Bones. Channels 5 and 6 can get just as heavy as the Hulk and Natas but in a different way. The design of Channel 5 and 6 is completely different from both of those amps. The Meathead also has a different output transformer core material from the Bones and it yields a step up in performance in the clarity / note definition. MIDI is standard on the Meathead as well as the line out, 2 fx loops and all that you see in the pics. I can offer the Meathead without the MIDI board inside, provide a fan out cable to have direct control over all the function for use with an RJM RG16 or a couple of Amp Gizmo for the players that refuse to have an amp with MIDI inside. The MIDI board inside the Meathead is from Ron at RJM Music. I've been a pain in his ass for the last 2 years with all of my insane demands I'm thankful and lucky to have contacted Ron when I did. I was not looking forward to tackling PIC programing and furthering my eye twitching that I developed on the Meathead project

I'll official do the press release next week with more detail and final pricing information. Product page will be updated as well and manual to follow shortly.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[anomaly]

I'm in a band where the other guitarist is running a Marshall DSL and JCM-900 and i don't have any problems cutting through with my Mark III. In fact, i have trouble hearing him at times...

Personally, I find the 2200 and the 6600 sliders more crucial than the 750 slider for a cutting tone. The mid voicing is a bit lower on Mesa's, and they're darker amps in general so you gotta use those higher frequencies.

 

[Gainfreak]

It's baffling to me why mesa makes some amps that are so hard to dial in. Maybe it's some sort of marketing strategy I don't understand? What I love about Marshall and Fender is you can't hardly screw them up. Just plug-in and play and they sound good.

I think it is because of all of the options that they add. Sometimes is makes it a bit harder to dial in. I had no problem getting a sound I like but it does take a bit of tweaking sometimes!

Hey Ralph, what's the least expensive Marshall Head to look out for that I can send to Mike for the (you know the one I like) mod?

Ivan! Scott pretty much nailed it. You can also look for an older marshall that has already been modded. I see them on the bay sometimes for a good price. Mike could then unmod and mod it!

I'm in a band where the other guitarist is running a Marshall DSL and JCM-900 and i don't have any problems cutting through with my Mark III. In fact, i have trouble hearing him at times...

Personally, I find the 2200 and the 6600 sliders more crucial than the 750 slider for a cutting tone. The mid voicing is a bit lower on Mesa's, and they're darker amps in general so you gotta use those higher frequencies.

Its funny that you should say that because I was Talking about that with Danny. It seems as if I cut Better in a live situation with my MKIII or IIC+ then with the MKIV. I could get the MKIV to cut but the tone wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

 

[anomaly]

It's baffling to me why mesa makes some amps that are so hard to dial in. Maybe it's some sort of marketing strategy I don't understand? What I love about Marshall and Fender is you can't hardly screw them up. Just plug-in and play and they sound good.

I think it is because of all of the options that they add. Sometimes is makes it a bit harder to dial in. I had no problem getting a sound I like but it does take a bit of tweaking sometimes!

Hey Ralph, what's the least expensive Marshall Head to look out for that I can send to Mike for the (you know the one I like) mod?

Ivan! Scott pretty much nailed it. You can also look for an older marshall that has already been modded. I see them on the bay sometimes for a good price. Mike could then unmod and mod it!

I'm in a band where the other guitarist is running a Marshall DSL and JCM-900 and i don't have any problems cutting through with my Mark III. In fact, i have trouble hearing him at times...

Personally, I find the 2200 and the 6600 sliders more crucial than the 750 slider for a cutting tone. The mid voicing is a bit lower on Mesa's, and they're darker amps in general so you gotta use those higher frequencies.

Its funny that you should say that because I was Talking about that with Danny. It seems as if I cut Better in a live situation with my MKIII or IIC+ then with the MKIV. I could get the MKIV to cut but the tone wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

I've never tried a Mark IV, but from what i've heard about them and the clips i've heard they're a REALLY smooth, compressed sounding amp... the Mark II's and III are more raw and open sounding. More bark i guess.

You don`t want to have ultra smooth compressed tone if you want to cut through against another guitarist, especially if they are running through marshalls.

 

['63-Strat]

GAS ......

I have been waiting a bit for the MEATHEAD to come out. This is not the first time I have had GAS for the Fortin tone. I just been waiting for the MEATHEAD to show up.

I know the transformer is the heart of the tone so I am not going with him doing mods on my other heads. I am sure they would kill. But want his voice from top to bottom.

1 ~ Any one have a picture of the front and back of the MEATHEAD where you can see details ?

2 ~ Does the MEATHEAD have the same power section as the BONES ?

3 ~ Well it get in the ball park of NATAS / HULK / BONES tone wise ?

4 ~ Is it stock with MIDI / effects loop / Line out / etc ?

5 ~ I would love to see the Manual ?

6 ~ Why is this head named after the son in law from "All in the Family" ?

Hey Stephen,
Here are a couple of pictures of the Meathead. This is the prototype and the layout will change slightly. Instead of the preset mini toggle switches for Boost and Voicing on each channel as well as the FX loop switches, 8 push button lighted switches will be added just below the master volumes which will be MIDI programmable as follows:
1st row: Boost, Voicing L, Voicing M, Voicing H
2nd row: FX on, FX 2, Master 2, Store
BTW, all the lighted push button switches can be loaded with any LED color of choice.

To answer some of your questions, it does have the same power amp features as the Bones in which you can use different power tubes. The prototype is currently loaded with 2 6L6s and 2 EL34s. Channel 3 and 4 on the Meathead is the Bones. Channels 5 and 6 can get just as heavy as the Hulk and Natas but in a different way. The design of Channel 5 and 6 is completely different from both of those amps. The Meathead also has a different output transformer core material from the Bones and it yields a step up in performance in the clarity / note definition. MIDI is standard on the Meathead as well as the line out, 2 fx loops and all that you see in the pics. I can offer the Meathead without the MIDI board inside, provide a fan out cable to have direct control over all the function for use with an RJM RG16 or a couple of Amp Gizmo for the players that refuse to have an amp with MIDI inside. The MIDI board inside the Meathead is from Ron at RJM Music. I've been a pain in his ass for the last 2 years with all of my insane demands I'm thankful and lucky to have contacted Ron when I did. I was not looking forward to tackling PIC programing and furthering my eye twitching that I developed on the Meathead project

I'll official do the press release next week with more detail and final pricing information. Product page will be updated as well and manual to follow shortly.
Cheers,
Mike

GAS.

 

[blackba]

but the sounds these amps get almost make me want to play metal again! (Rickenbackers for metal?

Why not ? Be the first to shred the Rickenbacker

I tried to shred on my Ric, it can be done, just not ideal

For normal lead playing a ric is great. I find when I am playing my Ric I do my appreciated chords, it just seems to make me want to play that way...

 

[blackba]

Holy cow, everyone is dumping their mesa mark series amps. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, things go in cycles. Not many musicians use the same gear throughout there career, so its not surprising. Sorry you guys are jumping ship from the mark series, however I totally understand, which is why I have my trusty marshall 2553, but the mark IVA is going nowhere, unless I get a mark V or maybe an Axe-Fx, then its in trouble....

I've been using the same Guytron GT100 since 2004... and have no intention whatsoever to sell it. Even after playing most of the "mainstream" boutique amps, nothing has really ever made me second guess it (though J.B.'s Cameron modded Plexi and Bill Landry's amps come very, very close). For me it's all about FX these days... I've even given up with new guitars since the Legacy can pull off most tones I need (with an Ibanez RG570 to do the in-between Strat sounds in case I should need 'em).

What I love about the GT100 is that I don't have to dick around with the settings for an hour to get something that sounds great. Heck, just about ANY setting sounds great; it just depends on the sound you're looking for. I used to be a tweaker, but now I just want to play I think that's the main reason Boogies don't appeal to me.

Its nice when you find an amp that works for you. I have had my mark IVA since 2002. Its been a great amp for me and most of the time I have not struggled to dial it in. If I do struggle its always with R2, but most of the time I just plug and play, been that way pretty much since I got it. Strangely I haven't used it with bands much, I guess I like recording with it when I do get the chance and my last band the other guitarist had a mark IV, so I used something else.

As far as cutting through the mix. Never had a problem with my mark IV and my former bandmate cut through great with his mark IVB combo. I think alot depends on how you dial it in, like any amp.

That said its hard to beat a Marshall or Vox in the mix though. My last band I used a Marshall silver jubilee and it cut great....

 

[stratotone]

My biggest gripe about any of the mark series boogs I owned was that it's real easy to move a knob a fraction of an inch and everything just falls apart. Properly dialled in, a mark series boogie is a fantastic tone... problem is, its hard to get to that point.

Kudos on the new amp Ralph!

Pete

 

[Gainfreak]

My biggest gripe about any of the mark series boogs I owned was that it's real easy to move a knob a fraction of an inch and everything just falls apart. Properly dialled in, a mark series boogie is a fantastic tone... problem is, its hard to get to that point.

Kudos on the new amp Ralph!

Pete

Pete!!
I agree 100%. Just a slight dip on the EQ on my IV would make or break my sound and we all know how busy you get at a gig. It gets to be a PITA trying to keep on top of making sure the EQ is in the right place.

The amp that Mike lent me already has me going back to play on every 10 minutes it which is a great thing IMHO. The tones in the amp are addictive and it covers the semi gained out tones to the firebreather gained out tone with ease with just a few tweaks of some knobs/switches

 

[bobbtoz]

Hey Ralph,

Finally located a 100 watt JMP that will be going to Mike Fortin once it comes in. I should have it by the end of next week. I'll check it out for a couple of days than it will be off to Mike for the Cali mod and probably a tube buffered loop.

 

[Gainfreak]

Hey Ralph,

Finally located a 100 watt JMP that will be going to Mike Fortin once it comes in. I should have it by the end of next week. I'll check it out for a couple of days than it will be off to Mike for the Cali mod and probably a tube buffered loop.

AWESOME!! I guarantee that you will LOVE the amp when it comes back! I just got done playing the 50 watt cali mod and Im still laughing my ass off because it sounded so good!!!

 

[Gainfreak]

After talking to Mike, I think I will be getting a Natas.

Im right behind you brother. If all goes as planned, I'll have a Cali 100, a total custom Job amd a NATAS

 

[Anonymous]

never liked the mark boogies myself...that liquid santana thing is not my bag..

but The Dual recto is one of my favorite amps of all time..I love all variants - 2 channel, 3 channel, roadster, road king, rectoverb etc...

 

[stephen sawall]

Thank you Mike, Ralph and everyone else.

I must say it looks and sounds like it has all the things I would want. I do not see me getting rid of any of my non master amps. But I have a feeling it well help me let go of some of the other ones. I see three in the room that I have feeling well be gone very soon. Maybe two more.

I have 3 THD's and started collecting tubes a the age of 6. My dad fixed amps on the side at night when I was a kid in Detroit and I was always watching what he did. I was very lucky to play with a lot of the classics as a kid. My tube collection was worth about 5G last time I added it up. So I should have a lot of colors to choose from.

Now a PM to our friend SquareHead to ask him a few Q and I am sure my GAS well hit a ridicules level. It was him that made me first take a interest in your stuff.

 

[Stratboy151]

ha yeah that scooped V EQ setting never seems to cut in a live mix, sometimes i actually do an upside down smile kinda EQ curve and i cut through like a bastard, tones that sound weird to people when playing alone tend to be stellar in a mix, for example R2 on the IV was that tone for me, when i use the IV i use R2 most of the night

 

[Stratboy151]

ha yeah that scooped V EQ setting never seems to cut in a live mix, sometimes i actually do an upside down smile kinda EQ curve and i cut through like a bastard, tones that sound weird to people when playing alone tend to be stellar in a mix, for example R2 on the IV was that tone for me, when i use the IV i use R2 most of the night