Mesa amp reccomendations?

T

Tom Manchester

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Jan 11, 2011
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www.electrosoundsystems.com
Some family friends are looking to buy their teenage son a guitar amp as a surprise gift. Naturally they came to me seeking advice since I'm in the biz, lol. I don't know too much about the smaller Mesa Boogie amps but I know there are probably quite a few of you out there that have some good opinions on what is worth looking at. I was given the following criteria:

-Mesa Boogie
-Must be a tube amp to some capacity
-A combo is probably a better option than a head and cab setup
-$1000ish budget if possible????
-Needs to be bought new

Does anything fit this criteria worth looking at? I know he likes playing classic through modern rock if that narrows it down a bit.

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, I would gladly talk for days about what PA amp he should buy, but guitar stuff is not my specialty. I'm just checking around as a favor for his parents.

Thanks!
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

For a grand there are a lot of options. Some used boutique amps can be bought for that as well. Stick to something low powered. A 15 watt combo amp will still drive everyone under the age of 30 out of the house.

A Mesa is going to be really difficult to find for under a Grand, but this little guy is really cool and cheap. http://www.zzounds.com/item--EGNTWEAKER112

This guy comes with a 2 channels and a footswitch. http://www.zzounds.com/item--BOGALCH112
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

Tom, I don't know where you can get a new Mesa combo or head/cab for $1000. Around $1400 is the starting point.

I'm curious - is this the son's idea, or is it the parents' idea to get a new Mesa? Generally speaking, Mesa combos appeal to an older demographic, which is why I ask.

And if most younger players think of Mesa at all, they think of the Dual & Triple Rectifier mega metal crunch.
Orange or (still) Marshall for head/cabs, or Orange or Vox for combos are popular with younger players. But if a new Mesa is truly what the son wants, mom & dad need to up the budget.
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

Tim Weaver said:
For a grand there are a lot of options. Some used boutique amps can be bought for that as well. Stick to something low powered. A 15 watt combo amp will still drive everyone under the age of 30 out of the house.

A Mesa is going to be really difficult to find for under a Grand, but this little guy is really cool and cheap. http://www.zzounds.com/item--EGNTWEAKER112

This guy comes with a 2 channels and a footswitch. http://www.zzounds.com/item--BOGALCH112
Click to expand...

+1 Tim got it all right. that are some Fantastic recomendations there......pretty sure any guitarist of any ability would be thrilled with those offerings.

Good luck with it Tom

cheers dave
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

Gutarist in the band I do FOH for just purchased a used, and immaculate Heritage. It is a tone monster. Great sounding amp. I see you're looking for new, he found this at a local GC for $700. There are deals to be had, and some well taken care of equipment if you're inclined to search.

A great choice new or used. That will be a great gift. He'll likely think the world of you.

Steve
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

Hey Guys,
thanks for the info so far. To answer your inquiries, the son wanted a "Mesa tube amp" and I added the requirement of it being a combo to save his parent's sanity and wallet, lol. I'm going to pass the info you have provided so far and I'll see if he can be more flexible on the brand. I'll let you know what happens!
 
Re: Mesa amp reccomendations?

Tom Manchester said:
Hey Guys,
thanks for the info so far. To answer your inquiries, the son wanted a "Mesa tube amp" and I added the requirement of it being a combo to save his parent's sanity and wallet, lol. I'm going to pass the info you have provided so far and I'll see if he can be more flexible on the brand. I'll let you know what happens!
Click to expand...

Tom, in that case, I would tell the parents to not worry so much about new - the same rules apply in instruments/amps as they do in live sound - if you know how to spot the keepers, you can get good value buying used. And it's so much easier with guitar amps, since there are so many on local CLs to choose from, compared with first-rate PA equipment.

This is the one on the DC CL that I would jump on. But make sure the kid doesn't have his heart set on a Recto crunch machine first, cause there's a Recto combo in the DC CL as well. But for a peach of a combo - the Lonestar is the one.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/msg/2277976568.html
 
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