Egnater Tourmaster -vs- Mesa Lonestar

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

Im going to buy ONE of these this week.. need your help & opinion on which one it should be.

Im going to get either the Tourmaster 2X12.. or a new Mesa Lonestar that has the switch to let you choose 10watts to 100watts...

I play about 75% modern Nashville style country & the rest is southern rock & 80's rock.

Please give me your opinion & reasoning behind your opinion!

Thanks!

 

[fogman]

I was also looking into the Lonestar, but once I saw the Tourmaster, Hmmmm. I think the Egnater is going to have a lot more in the way of tonal possibilities.
I can't wait to try one.

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

I actually went ahead & ordered a Tourmaster, but it wont be shipped for about 2 weeks.. so I still have some time to change my mind pending what kind of feedback I get on here

 

[electronpirate]

Haven't played one, but I think you have MUCH more as far as 'on tap' tones there with the Egnater. Would have been my choice!

EP

 

[TNJ]

Egnater in a heartbeat.
More pure tones, more versatility.

S.
j

 

[Benlevy]

I don't know. Haven't played the Lonestar, but I spent at least a half hour with the Tourmaster. Seemed to be built very well, and had lots of features. Did great high-gain and good cleans. I thought the low and mid gain sounds were not good. On paper, it's the obvious winner, but I'd play the Lonestar a while before making that final decision...

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

When you say the low & mid sounds were not good.. can you explain?

Did it lack bottom end?... Did it seem to crap out with loud low-end notes?

I like bottom end so this is important to me

 

[Avatar_k83]

i believe he said that it lacks at low GAIN and mid GAIN tones and not bottom end or mid frequences... so if you wanna cleans and hi-gain the egnater may be the bet for you...

 

[IPlayHamers]

The Egnater is a beast. I haven't played the combo, but the head is sick, so I can't see it being anything less that great.

The Mesa might have a better resale value, but if you're concerned with tone, I'd go with the Egnater.

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

The combo is what I ordered. It also has Celestion 80 watters in it rather than the 30 watters like the 4X12.. so Im sure that will account for some type of sound difference.

I have not been able to hear any clips of the combo yet.. hopefully its great too

 

[pjrhd28]

Wouldn't a better comparison withthe Egnater be the Road King???

 

[Lution]

The combo is what I ordered. It also has Celestion 80 watters in it rather than the 30 watters like the 4X12.. so Im sure that will account for some type of sound difference.

I have not been able to hear any clips of the combo yet.. hopefully its great too

here ya go: Tourmaster Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1TCO1Kcwnk

 

[primerib]

I seem always lean towards Mesa for my regular workhorse gear.

The big problem I have with the new Egnater is that it is made in China. Designed here, built by poor chinese folks. And it shows because the first run of 40 had issues.

 

[coxswain]

I have a Tourmaster that I run with a Bogner 4x12 w/ vintage 30s and mesa 1x12 3/4 back cab w/ black shadow c90s. The Egnater is a solid amp. I havn't had the amp for long but I think it's clean tones are top notch. But, are the cleans better than the lonestar? NO! Are the gain tones better? You bet they are!

I really did not care for the gain tones of the lonestar. Even with the treble cranked and the bass down the amp always felt a little too mushy and conjested.

Chase

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

As far as the cleans.. could you compare the Egnater cleans to any other amps out there (since you say they arent as good as the Lonestar)..

 

[vinney57]

I seem always lean towards Mesa for my regular workhorse gear.

The big problem I have with the new Egnater is that it is made in China. Designed here, built by poor chinese folks. And it shows because the first run of 40 had issues.

The ignorance continues....

 

[primerib]

The ignorance continues....

of what? that the first run were bad? Bruce has stated this openly. heck, the dude lives up the road from me, I've been over his house before.

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

From what I heard it was a small mishap of 1 wire being soldered wrong & all 40 were done the very same way.. so it doesnt sound like rampant crappy work but rather a miscommunication or mistake on the schematic they were following.

but thats just my guess

 

[Lution]

I seem always lean towards Mesa for my regular workhorse gear.

The big problem I have with the new Egnater is that it is made in China. Designed here, built by poor chinese folks. And it shows because the first run of 40 had issues.

I'd be interested to know how many devices used in your home are made by poor chinese people. Point is, you don't have to be rich and from the USA to be proud of the work you do.

 

[Lucky Dog Guitars]

China Has really went through some leaps & bounds in some factories to step it up in quality control. I think Bruce & many other manufactures are starting to know which factories are known for the tighter quality controls.

Yeah American made is great... but it depends on the worker building it & you will have to pay a lot more for it.. it just depends on what you can afford I guess.

I feel like Im getting a $2500 amp for $1500 with this Egnater