59Bassman
Member
So this feels a little like finally coming home. Kinda.
I've been old Fenders only for the past 15 years, since I sold my old Mesa Studio .22+. I steeped myself in blues and jazz, and left hard rock behind. Even still, I kept buying Dream Theater albums. Last year, I got an itch and bought a Charvel So Cal to scratch it. And I learned that it wasn't satisfying through an old Fender. Also learned that it wasn't just my PRS Custom - I don't like humbuckers with 10" speakers.
After a lot of thinking, listening to YouTube videos, and deciding against going with a digital/studio monitor setup (I'm almost exclusively an at-home hack), I bought a Mesa Mark V head. And a matching 1X12 3/4 back cab with a C90. I liked the tone of the C90 on the demo videos on channel 1 and 2, but I thought it got too loose in the combo on channel 3. So the 3/4 back cab was to try to tighten the C-90 up, with the thought that I may add a closed back cab with a V30 later.
So how is it? In a word, outstanding. I wish I'd had this amp 20 years ago when I was gigging a couple nights a week - the options would have made this a spectacular gigging amp. Channel 1's cleans don't give up anything to my Fenders. Channel 2's Mark 1 mode is amazing for fusion tones. Crunch gives me an 80's type tone that I absolutely love. And Channel 3 - what an addictive piece of electronic engineering. I can't decide whether I like the IIc or IV mode better, but they are both fun to play and expressive. I'm amazed at how well my vintage-type pickups in my Tele, Strat, and P-90 Hamer Artist get along with this amp.
I'm only 5 days into owning it, but I'm pretty darned stoked with this purchase. Really happy with this amp.
59B
I've been old Fenders only for the past 15 years, since I sold my old Mesa Studio .22+. I steeped myself in blues and jazz, and left hard rock behind. Even still, I kept buying Dream Theater albums. Last year, I got an itch and bought a Charvel So Cal to scratch it. And I learned that it wasn't satisfying through an old Fender. Also learned that it wasn't just my PRS Custom - I don't like humbuckers with 10" speakers.
After a lot of thinking, listening to YouTube videos, and deciding against going with a digital/studio monitor setup (I'm almost exclusively an at-home hack), I bought a Mesa Mark V head. And a matching 1X12 3/4 back cab with a C90. I liked the tone of the C90 on the demo videos on channel 1 and 2, but I thought it got too loose in the combo on channel 3. So the 3/4 back cab was to try to tighten the C-90 up, with the thought that I may add a closed back cab with a V30 later.
So how is it? In a word, outstanding. I wish I'd had this amp 20 years ago when I was gigging a couple nights a week - the options would have made this a spectacular gigging amp. Channel 1's cleans don't give up anything to my Fenders. Channel 2's Mark 1 mode is amazing for fusion tones. Crunch gives me an 80's type tone that I absolutely love. And Channel 3 - what an addictive piece of electronic engineering. I can't decide whether I like the IIc or IV mode better, but they are both fun to play and expressive. I'm amazed at how well my vintage-type pickups in my Tele, Strat, and P-90 Hamer Artist get along with this amp.
I'm only 5 days into owning it, but I'm pretty darned stoked with this purchase. Really happy with this amp.
59B
