Looking for comments on a couple amps I'm looking at

[BigGee]

Hey all,

I've been playing for about 6/7 years, & play in a cover band. We have a mix of country, funk, a few modern rock tunes, but mostly play 80's hair band rock. I've been through a few mid level tube amps such as a Fender deluxe VM, & a Marshall TSL combo amp, and have been pretty happy with them, but recently have been wanting a multi-channel amp, hoping to cover three or more base tones without pedals. The two amps I'm looking at right now are the Egnater 4100 head with the 212 cab, and the other is a Mesa Mark V. I have the 4100 head at home right now, and I'm pretty happy with it, but the Mark V is calling to me. I like the Mesa because of the three channels, along with the switchable EQ (which could give you a few more tones), and the solo boost. Also like the idea of the combo, most of our gigs are small 50-100 people. I've actually placed a preorder for a MK V combo with Sweetwater, they are on back order for 4 weeks.

Any comments on these two amps? Is the Mark V going to be everthing I'm expecting? much better than the Egnater?

Thanks,

[japanmoran]

IMHO, the number of channels and knobs on an amp is inversely proportional to the sound and frustration it gives me. That is, the more bells and whistles and "all-in-ones" in an amp the more I fight it. Too many options. Give me 2-3 knobs and an amp that like all my guitars. I would rather use pedals to color the tone, but that is just me of course.

..FWIW...

[Scott Auld]

What JapanMoran said

Egnater is a very good amp.

[Improbable Joe]

It seems to me if you already have the one amp, buying another seems like overkill? Unless I'm missing something...

I've tried the Tourmaster, and I've got the Renegade. Solid amps, and I'm not sure how much more you're going to get from buying the Mesa. If you've just gotta have a Mark V, that's a different thing. Just on tone, the Egnater amps are about as good as anything non-boutique out there.

[BigGee]

The Egnater amp I have is quite good and I don't have any issue with tone, and I was wondering about the sound of the gain channels on the Mark V. Is the Egnater in the neighborhood with the Mesa? I'm thinking it is.

I've only had the 4100 head for three weeks and I would return it if I go with the Mesa.

I'm off to a gig tonight, doing a hired gun on bass, so I won't check in till Suday.

Thanks so far.

[BigGee]

Anything else? Comments on the Mark V?

I had a great gig last night, lots of energy & good comments. It's cool when a gig happens and things just come together & it's just full to play & you don't have to think about what you're gonna do next.