Mesa - But Not Yet !

[Jonny]

OK. It is, in a way, a target in the distant future to own a Mesa Boogie. However being at Uni I would probably do the following:

1. Knock down a wall from the sheer volume
2. Kill someone having consequently knocked down said wall
3. Go deaf
4. Kill myself since I have consequently deafened myself in such a small room and can no longer listen to music.

So, what are my options? I don't want to spend more than £1000 to be honest. So saving has to be, um.. included.

I've currently looked at the modular Randall ones and a Switchblade 50W. I'm looking for a metal/good cleans sound, possibly with a channel switching option. A few bands would be, As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, All Shall Perish, Machine Head, Slipknot (James Root uses Orange :o) annnnnndddd.. Yeah. Anymore I'll add on.

The situation is I have no guitar or amp here. And my babies are far away at home in Northern Ireland. So what a better way to greet them (when I bring one over) than plugging them into a beast.

Any help is appreciated :)

PS. If any of you guys know guitar places around Roehampton/Putney (or whatever) that'd be great too.

[hunter]

Marshall JVM210C could fit the bill: http://marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=JVM210C

Or what about the Mesa Express 5:25? http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/Express.htm

[sambo]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking Jonny. Do you want a low power stop-gap amp until you finish at Uni and then get a Mesa? Or something else?

[Simon D]

Marshall JVM210C could fit the bill: http://marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=JVM210C

Or what about the Mesa Express 5:25? http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/Express.htm

Good shout on the Marshall, Hunter - plenty of high gain tones to be had in there, as well as decent cleans and mid gain sounds with the drive backed off a bit.  http://www.coda-music.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_88&products_id=3084&oscsid=f5dbc8e6e5427de288ff2854c5dc5361  - Decent price on one here, I think.

Speaking as an Express 5:50 owner, I'm not sure the 5:25 (which I've also tried out) will have quite enough gain for some of the sounds you're looking for.

Jonny, it's also worth making a bit of space in the budget for a power attenuator if you can. I don't know if you've any experience of using valve amps, but I didn't before I started shopping for mine, and I was astonished at how loud they are. (I actually ended up sending back a Mesa Roadster head because I figured it would be too loud to use in the house. I only found out about attenuators too late. Even though I love my Express, I do slightly regret not keeping it.) I'm also familiar with how cr@p the soundproofing is in student accomodation, so if you want decent tone without being on your flamates'/neighbours' shitelist, I'd say an attenuator (such as a THD Hotplate) would be a good plan!
Hope this helps,
Si

[Jonny]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking Jonny. Do you want a low power stop-gap amp until you finish at Uni and then get a Mesa? Or something else?

Just imagine the Mesa as the Top Dog of a list. Then I'll go for anything I can afford below it. Preferably not giving up my liver either.

There might even be better amps than Mesas but just think that it is. And I'm talking Mesa Single Rect, not Road King or anything.

Speaking as an Express 5:50 owner, I'm not sure the 5:25 (which I've also tried out) will have quite enough gain for some of the sounds you're looking for.

Jonny, it's also worth making a bit of space in the budget for a power attenuator if you can. I don't know if you've any experience of using valve amps, but I didn't before I started shopping for mine, and I was astonished at how loud they are. (I actually ended up sending back a Mesa Roadster head because I figured it would be too loud to use in the house. I only found out about attenuators too late. Even though I love my Express, I do slightly regret not keeping it.) I'm also familiar with how cr@p the soundproofing is in student accomodation, so if you want decent tone without being on your flamates'/neighbours' shiteelist, I'd say an attenuator (such as a THD Hotplate) would be a good plan!
Hope this helps,
Si

Oooooo, good advice there. I forgot I'd probably need a Hotplate. I'll look into the Express too. It is pushing the price mark though, lol

I'm sure it's worth it.

[sambo]

Right. Well if I were you, I would forget a valve amp if it's for Uni use only. Imo, you'd be much better off going for either a modeler unit (POD, Tonelab e.t.c) or modeler amp (Vox Valvetronix for example, although even that would probably be verging on too loud).

That gives you more time to save for your dream amp when Uni is over, too.

On the other hand- if you've already decided that you want to buy a 'proper' amp in the near future, then fair enough! :)

[noodleplugerine]

I plan on taking my Screamer to Uni, sweet sounding amp that does everything pretty well.

[sambo]

^Really?! Don't really see the point myself.

[_tom_]

Yeah based on my experience loud things at uni halls are just bloody annoying. Mind you I've only really experienced annoying loudness in the form of shitety bangra music and that sort of stuff which is probably clouding my judgement somewhat :P

[noodleplugerine]

I don't play my Screamer particularly loud to be honest.

Never had it above 2.

[Jonny]

Does anyone know anything about the modules in Randall? Are they the dogs bollocks or a a retard's stool sample?

Plus I think I'm gonna give it a pass on the Mesa. Still up for the Randall or the Switchblade, and anything else

[sambo]

Personally, if I was only ever using it <2 (which would probably be the case at Uni?) I wouldn't bother with a valve amp.

I'm not sure if I'd even take my main guitar to Uni (only actually have 1 at the moment anyway :oops: ) ; I'd rather buy something cheap just to avoid the vaguest possibility of it getting damaged.


EDIT: Have you never had the Screamer above 2? You're missing out if so!! :)

[Jonny]

Personally, if I was only ever using it <2 (which would probably be the case at Uni?) I wouldn't bother with a valve amp.

I'm not sure if I'd even take my main guitar to Uni (only actually have 1 at the moment anyway :oops: ) ; I'd rather buy something cheap just to avoid the vaguest possibility of it getting damaged.


EDIT: Have you never had the Screamer above 2? You're missing out if so!! :)

Well I wasn't allowed to take my guitar or amp with me to University and I'm not forking over a lot of money on the guitar side as I love my guitar at home currently (but that's over the water right now) but my amp I want to improve so might as well get one here.

[sambo]

^Cool. So basically- you want something Mesa-esque? Or anything with good metal + clean sounds?

A Screamer may even be a good option for you. Not too expensive either. You could also look at Oranges, as you might be surprised at how good they can be for heavier stuff (like you say with Jim Root using them. Which I never knew!) and several of them come in within budget- Rocker, Rockerverb, AD30 (very very nice).

What about a Mesa F30 combo? I'm sure you could find one of them for sub-£1000.

[noodleplugerine]

Personally, if I was only ever using it <2 (which would probably be the case at Uni?) I wouldn't bother with a valve amp.

I'm not sure if I'd even take my main guitar to Uni (only actually have 1 at the moment anyway :oops: ) ; I'd rather buy something cheap just to avoid the vaguest possibility of it getting damaged.


EDIT: Have you never had the Screamer above 2? You're missing out if so!! :)

Not as far as I can remember, its in my room and I don't own a car so I've never used it for jams/practices (live quite a while away from my mates), and I've never had any need to play it super loud. I'm sure the tone would be superb, but I wouldn't be able to hear it considering I'd be death.

Even at these volumes it sounds better than any solidstate amp I've ever used.