Advice for buying an amp

[RobertBird]

I found a Mesa Triple Rectifier with matching 4x12 cab in a local pawn shop for $1300 today....

I have not plugged it in, of course I would try it before purchasing but doubt I'll get to really crank it in the store.

I don't know much about these but know I'd love to have one, can anyone chime in and let me know if this is a good price and what I should look out for?

I assume it should be loaded with Celestion V30's but don't know what else I'm looking for.

[RSRD]

Mesas are usually (or used to be) loaded with the shadows right? V30s work well with rectifiers though. I have all 30s and sounds great with my Tremoverb. Check the life of the tubes. If its an older amp you may need some extra $$$ for tubes. Other then that seems like a decent price. Not a steal though. You can find mesa cabs around $400-$500 and a rectifier head for $800+ pretty often on craigslst. In fact, you search your craigstlist and see if you can find the same amp/cab. check the price difference.

Good luck!

[RobertBird]

This is going to seem like a silly question but how well do these things operate at lower volumes?

I don't do a lot of gigging and it would basically be an oversized practice amp, I understand that loud is the nature of tubes but I've played similar sized amps at home before with decent results..

I don't live in an apartment so I can still crank it as needed but prefer not to practice at arena levels. =P

[rick13]

I would spend the weekend on TGP before the pulling the trigger. There are tons of deals and great amps to be had here. Not to say the Mesa isn't great, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money on anything unless I was convinced.
Rick

[RobertBird]

I'm in no hurry, it'll definitely be after the weekend before I could swing it anyway.

Actually, considering it's not a 'spectacular' deal I'm a bit more hesitant since I'm working towards my first PRS. (this would set me back a bit)

I just hate to play a PRS through a Crate. :rotflmao

[axelfoley]

You won't get the goods out of that amp at moderate levels. You can get good tones but for what you need there are a lot better options out there. If you need to retube it add $200+ to that pricetag.

[axelfoley]

If you want the rector tone find a Tremoverb combo for 700-900 or dc5 for 500ish. I would check out the dc5 112 combo. Killer tones, onboard geq, portable, and as loud as most people would ever need.

[Lance]

The first thing I would ask myself if I was considering this purchase would be. "Do I really need a 150W amplifier?" Go fromthere. I wouldn't go above a dual rec myself. Like Axl above the Tremoverb would be more the one I would go for. Only I'd get the head, as those combos weigh...darn near as much as I do.

[RobertBird]

Heck no I don't 'need' 150W of power, I don't even need 40W. :rotflmao
I'm going to check out those Tremoverbs. :aok

You won't get the goods out of that amp at moderate levels.

And this is what's most important.... Otherwise I could just plug one of the modeling solutions (or multi effects) into my Blues Deluxe.

Thanks for the advice, you guys probably have saved me from spending a chunk of pre-allocated cash on a very attractive (and expensive) shelf.