Which Mesa Boogie?

[dongrammar]

I'm looking to do a lot more live pop work this year so I need a versatile amp.

My original idea was to use a clean amp with pedals but most of the guitarists playing for urban acts have huge heavy metal stacks. I want something that can do a great clean but also get pretty heavy if needed. Size and weight are a concern also so I'm thinking either 1x12 combos or head cab.

I've pretty much settled on Mesa Boogie as a brand. Budget wise I can afford:

Electradyne
Lonestar
Mark IV combo or Head+Cab
Mark III


Does anyone know much about these amps?

 

[Dog Boy]

I'd go with the Mark 4

 

[joolzriff]

i'd prolly do a mkV as the panel looks easier to dial in on the fly as ive used a MK4 and its panel wasnt now friendly...

 

[wgs1230]

The Electra Dyne is essentially Mesa's version of the JCM-800/Jubilee Marshall with reverb and high/low gain voicings on the lead channel. It's great at what it does- I'd take it over any current production Marshall I've heard- but probably isn't the most flexible amp they make.

 

[Fxrs]

Mk IV!

 

[Birdy]

E-D

 

[earthlydescent]

i'd prolly do a mkV as the panel looks easier to dial in on the fly as ive used a MK4 and its panel wasnt now friendly...

The MK4 sounds better though. The Electra Dyne is a stunning amp, but it's not the best metal and hard rock amp. Great for blues and classic rock.

 

[Jerry Lundegaard]

I'd go with either the Mark V or the Dual Rectifier. Both have great clean tones and heavy high gain tones as well as alot in between.

 

[kludge]

Any vintage Mark-series amp will get you there. But what I'm starting to really long for is a new mini-Rectifier...

 

[dughaze]

I'm looking to do a lot more live pop work this year so I need a versatile amp.

My original idea was to use a clean amp with pedals but most of the guitarists playing for urban acts have huge heavy metal stacks. I want something that can do a great clean but also get pretty heavy if needed. Size and weight are a concern also so I'm thinking either 1x12 combos or head cab.

I've pretty much settled on Mesa Boogie as a brand. Budget wise I can afford:

Electradyne
Lonestar
Mark IV combo or Head+Cab
Mark III


Does anyone know much about these amps?

Mark IV or V Head+Cab

You'll never regret it except the weight

Nah, you'll always have it to hear what you want to sound like with anything else you get.

 

[jfwund]

You didn't list an Express amp, but for what you're looking for I'd recommend the Express 5:50. It's well within your budget, and it's an extremely versatile amp.

 

[guitarrhinoceros]

http://www.musicpower.com/mmGUITARTRADER/Images/GAMB2T-RA1002WT-f.jpg

Wow, I want to buy this amp. Has anyone played one of these? Check this out!

 

[guitarrhinoceros]

http://www.willcuttguitars.com/product images/070611/RY-36-2small.jpg

Here is another beauty! Go with this model!

 

[waygorked]

I'm on day 7 with my Mini Rectifier and Transatlantic cabinet. I am absolutely floored by this amp. Beautiful punchy cleans, nice almost blackface crunch, and your choice of a fantastic Marshall or full tilt rectifier sound, only with more roundness and touch sensitivity from the EL84s. I have tried a ton of Mesas and have owned at least one continuously since the 80s. This is one of the best amps they have ever released.

 

[Nickstrtcstr]

I have a Mark III Simul-Class and that thing is a ripping amp. Price-wise they are fairly affordable too. There is a small learning curve with the shared controls but once that is negotiated it is very versatile.

 

[Indiana Tones]

I'd go with a DC-3. You can pick one up fairly cheap and I think is one of the most versatile and underrated amps ever made. If you haven't tried one you owe yourself.

 

[AceBSpankin]

I play 2-Lonestar Specials in Stereo with my pedalboard. Highly recomend you check this amp out!! I use pedals into the clean channel , not sure about heavy metal?

 

[lonetone483]

I would suggest a Mesa Roadster. Can do the lonestar cleans and rectifier drive tones. Plus comes in a head configuration or combo.

 

[scruffydoo]

+1, cleans are superb, super flexible amp if you can stretch your budget

 

[scorched]

Mark IV. I played one for 17 years. With different OD pedals I could get any sound I wanted. Extreme versatility. It's really a two channel amp with R2 being a 'boost' for R1. Got gas and traded it for a Mark V. Giant mistake.

Electrodyne is my favorite of the current models.