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Author Topic: Roadster being returned  (Read 7118 times)

Simon D

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Roadster being returned
« on: April 26, 2008, 06:43:09 PM »
I received my Mesa Roadster on Monday, after waiting for a quite a while for it to come in from the US. Sadly, it's going back to the dealer next Monday.

The reason? I'll hold my hands up here: I $%&#ed up. It's an awesome amplifier, but totally over the top for my needs. Living where I am, it simply cannot be used to even 1/10th of its potential. In my defence, when I ordered it, I was in the process, with a friend, of putting together a gigging band, but that has gone south in the last few weeks due to work committments and other things.

I also thought the 50w mode would allow it to be run harder at lower volumes, but I didn't really have any idea of what sort of volume it would need to be kicking out to sound as good as it should. That level is waaay above anything I could use in a semi-detached house.

I'm gutted about it, and feel like a right pillock, but there's very little I can do, and it's a whole hill of money to pay for something that isn't going to be right for me.

Thankfully, the store I bought it from has a 7 day, no-quibble refund policy and awesome customer service, so returning it is not an issue.

A pic of the departing amp:



So there we have it. If you think I look like a bit of a dumbass right now, just know that I feel like one too.
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ailean

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2008, 06:48:24 PM »
Buy a Hotplate! Or similar.

I have a 50w Rockerverb that I play through a 4x12 in my lounge, and with the hotplate I have complete control of it's output.

Ok I know I can't get the full tone potential, but I can get most of it. If you really like the head, look into getting an attenuator!
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Simon D

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2008, 06:51:49 PM »
I did think about that, but I can't afford to spend any more money right now - i was stretching my budget with it as it was. If I'd had 30 days to change my mind, I mght have done, but it was only seven, and I didn't want to have to try to shift it privately. The calls have been made now, and the courier is coming on Monday.

Thankfully, I didn't throw the boxes out...
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hunter

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2008, 06:57:28 PM »
I always get the quiddles when I see that many knobs. The roadster still has twice as many knobs on its back panel as I have on the whole Bogner Shiva.  I really like the TinyTerror for that reason, though I sold it :O(

You could get a Rectifier Recording Preamp, what about that?
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Simon D

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2008, 07:04:13 PM »
Quote from: hunter


You could get a Rectifier Recording Preamp, what about that?


That sounds a little complicated for me. I don't mind loads of different dials and so on, but the idea of a separate pre and power amp, for some reason, doesn't appeal. What are the advantages, hunter?
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noodleplugerine

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2008, 07:05:39 PM »
You can have the most ellaborate amp in the world - With a 5 watt power amp...
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Philly Q

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Re: Roadster being returned
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2008, 07:10:28 PM »
Quote from: Simon D
I also thought the 50w mode would allow it to be run harder at lower volumes, but I didn't really have any idea of what sort of volume it would need to be kicking out to sound as good as it should. That level is waaay above anything I could use in a semi-detached house.

It might be half-power, but 50 watts is still a hell of a lot of power!  Not just waaay, but waaaaaaaayyy above household levels.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out, Simon, but I'm glad you can get a full refund without any problems.
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hunter

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2008, 07:11:28 PM »
Quote from: Simon D
Quote from: hunter


You could get a Rectifier Recording Preamp, what about that?


That sounds a little complicated for me. I don't mind loads of different dials and so on, but the idea of a separate pre and power amp, for some reason, doesn't appeal. What are the advantages, hunter?


Well you could play it through anything, even a monitor system. And I heard some recordings that sounded pretty darn good.

But yeah, just think it's the best way of getting MESA sound without volume. Or you could try a Lonestar.
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Simon D

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Re: Roadster being returned
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2008, 07:15:41 PM »
Quote from: Philly Q
Quote from: Simon D
I also thought the 50w mode would allow it to be run harder at lower volumes, but I didn't really have any idea of what sort of volume it would need to be kicking out to sound as good as it should. That level is waaay above anything I could use in a semi-detached house.

It might be half-power, but 50 watts is still a hell of a lot of power!  Not just waaay, but waaaaaaaayyy above household levels.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out, Simon, but I'm glad you can get a full refund without any problems.


Cheers Philly. I have to confess I was something of a noob when it came to tube amps and power ratings. No longer though.

Oh, and I wish I'd thought to do that with the text sizes, sums it up quite nicely... :wink:

I'm proabably going to have a look at the Lonestar Special in a little while Hunter, a friend of my dad's has one which I've tried in the past - might ask for another go...
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Johnny Mac

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2008, 08:49:38 PM »
Just get an attenuator. I've gota 120 watt amp with a 4x12 cab in a two bed flat and it's fine.
As for the band, you never know whats around the corner.
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Simon D

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2008, 09:40:59 PM »
Horse has left the barn on that one I'm afraid Johnny - it's boxed ready for the courier tomorrow morning.

If I'd had a 30-day refund period, I would have given an attenuator a go, but I had to make a quick decision or face having to shift it on the second-hand market.

I'm not giving up though - I'll find something a bit more manageable though, and I'm determined not to bollox it up this time.  :roll:
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FELINEGUITARS

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2008, 11:16:50 PM »
I'm of the opinion that most guys do not need more than 10-20 watts for home or studio use - and that may still be too much

My Cornell Romany is 10 watts using a 6L6 or EL34 and would make an ideal power section for a valve preamp., but it seems that all amps of that power have hardly any gain or features relying on power amp overdrive (not a bad thing ) but not the same as a Dual rectifier.

I see a huge market for 10w Marshall/Boogie or whatever valve amps using big bottle valves in a single ended design  (rather than an EL84 which doesnt sound the same). They would have the same features as a plexi ort channel switching high gain amp but only 10W - ideal for most home players.

Marshall admit that 95% of their 50W and 100W amps never leave a bedroom - dont see why they dont do something like this.

I would rather have a Egnater M4 preamp and a 10W power amp anyday for home use
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Philly Q

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2008, 12:40:43 AM »
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
Marshall admit that 95% of their 50W and 100W amps never leave a bedroom - dont see why they dont do something like this.

That's just crazy, isn't it?!  :o

I guess we've just all grown up seeing those walls of amps and cabs (many of them dummies, ironically  :roll: ) at gigs and think that's what we "need".  It's amazing that only now are a few manufacturers starting to produce low-power amps for home use.  Why did it take so long?
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shaman

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2008, 03:01:33 AM »
...solution....buy a BIGGER house!!!my wife actually thinks we bought our house to live in..(its my studio,warehouse,rehearsal space,etc...sssshhhh...!!) :)
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Buddha

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Roadster being returned
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2008, 10:09:15 AM »
Did you mean something like this feline? http://www.ax84.com/october.html The club version in particular. I know it is single ended lol, but it seems quite a good little studio amp. :twisted: