Mesa Strategy 500 Question

[jsad91]

I recently acquired a Mesa Strategy 500 to pair with my Mesa Studio Preamp and I noticed when the deep switch is off it doesn't have much bottom end, to the point where you could say the top end is pretty harsh regardless of where the presence controls are set. I can turn the bass up on the Studio pre, but I end up having to go way beyond where people normally set the EQ (normally the bass knob is typically set to 3 or less from what I've read) - but something sounds a bit off. When I turn the deep switch on then it becomes too boomy and the bottom end is really overkill.

When I switch to my Mesa 2:90 that issue goes away, even with the modern and deep switches disengaged it still sounds fuller and more natural sounding for the guitar. Does this sound like my S500 has an issue, possible tube change needing? Everything I had read about these amps is that they kill all other Mesa power amps, specifically for guitar rigs.

Also the Strategy 400, which is what Hetfield and many other players back in the day were using, doesn't have the deep switch option. Does that mean in comparison to a 2:90 it too has this strident top end? Appreciate any feedback.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Are you comparing these at band volume? 4-6l6s and 2-6550s on each channel is madness.
I had a 290 and the Deep always had hum to it in the bedroom which was annoying.
I bet the 500 crushes the 290 at its intended volume, but it's not practical to carry around.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Strategy 400 I had sounded killer; no harshness at all just a giant monster tidal wave of re amping tone. Whatever change I made to my SRG C+ I had, reflected in the 400 tone. It did not have any EQ options, just output per channel.

 

[JimAnsell]

it probably needs servicing. could be a bad cap or resistor in there making things sound funky. I can't imagine doing a recap on one of those. probably has like 20 of those 2200uf 300v blue filter caps.

 

[NineShallDie]

I just picked up a Strategy 500 today and I noticed the same thing. But I have just tried it out for an hour at relatively low volume, slaving my IIC++ DRG. But it does sound glorious with the deep switch engaged! Nice to be able to get that low end thump at low volumes. But then again I can control the low end on the Boogie GEQ and also the parametric EQ’s I run in the loop. I love it so far! But I do wonder how the 500 compares to the 400. I’ve seen some that’s been modded with deep switches.

 

[rickenbacker198]

My 500 doesn’t sound bad or harsh with the deep off , toggling the switch just effects bass output. It is a dramatic change.
The amp is quite smooth sounding IMO.
It could be perceived as more harsh because the extra lows do mask some of the higher frequencies.
At volume it’s a metric ton of bombastic low end.

 

[spguitar]

My 500 doesn’t sound bad or harsh with the deep off , toggling the switch just effects bass output. It is a dramatic change.
The amp is quite smooth sounding IMO.
It could be perceived as more harsh because the extra lows do mask some of the higher frequencies.
At volume it’s a metric ton of bombastic low end.

This was my exact experience. I'm so sad that i sold the amp but it served me well for countless shows.

 

[thegame]

Strategy 400 is the fattest warmest guitar power amp ever made. Perhaps only bested by the ultra rare Mesa Coliseum 300.

 

[jasonP]

I owned a simul class 395 and now have a strat 500. I does sound like you have an issue with yours, could possibly need to be recapped. I can run my presence almost all the way up with my amps and it never seems to harsh sounding and with the deep switch the amp stays really tight.

 

[moondread]

I had a Strategy 500 in the 90s that I had bought from Tim Lash from Hum. I was too young and stupid to really know what I was doing with it but the 500 made my Digitech 2101 sound massive. It sounds like it might be worth a servicing.

 

[paulyc]

Paging psychodave

 

[Little B]

That 500 should romp all over the other mesa poweramps.Mine does. I've owned them all,the only one I haven't played yet is a coli 300.I would like to tho.
You may have a cap issue or tubes are shot,unless u can test them. See if Mike B. At mesa can go over it. The 500 is a beast of power amp.It should be tight articulate,wide,big,authoritive sounding.

 

[psychodave]

Strategy 400 is the fattest warmest guitar power amp ever made. Perhaps only bested by the ultra rare Mesa Coliseum 300.

I’ve played the S400 and Coli 300 in the same room. The Coli is awesome, but there is something about the S400 that I much prefer. It just does it for me and with the added depth circuits, it’s that much better.

 

[jsad91]

Thanks for all the replies, this really helps a lot. Sounds like sending it in to Mesa to have it service is the way to go. Was wanting to have the IEC cable shortened anyway, it's like 80 feet long.

But god damn people now you got me jonesing for a Strategy 400 too. Is it ever enough?

 

[jsad91]

I’ve played the S400 and Coli 300 in the same room. The Coli is awesome, but there is something about the S400 that I much prefer. It just does it for me and with the added depth circuits, it’s that much better.

So the deep switch on S500 that can be turned on/off, is always on with the S400?

 

[psychodave]

So the deep switch on S500 that can be turned on/off, is always on with the S400?

I added a push/pull pot. I can adjust the amount of depth along with the frequency of the depth. It’s really cool setting the two sides differently.

 

[psychodave]

Thanks for all the replies, this really helps a lot. Sounds like sending it in to Mesa to have it service is the way to go. Was wanting to have the IEC cable shortened anyway, it's like 80 feet long.

But god damn people now you got me jonesing for a Strategy 400 too. Is it ever enough?

Here is mine.

Added depth pot (one for each side).

 

[jsad91]

I added a push/pull pot. I can adjust the amount of depth along with the frequency of the depth. It’s really cool setting the two sides differently.

That's killer thanks for uploading the pictures, had no idea this was even possible. Looks like you have the depth set fairly high there.

I know Mesa does do some modding still, I'll probably request to have this added to my S500.

 

[psychodave]

That's killer thanks for uploading the pictures, had no idea this was even possible. Looks like you have the depth set fairly high there.

I know Mesa does do some modding still, I'll probably request to have this added to my S500.

It’s set to around 7, but I’m using a .001 cap in that down position.

 

[jsad91]

It’s set to around 7, but I’m using a .001 cap in that down position.

Do you think this deep mod could be added to a Mesa 295?