|
|
1. New Products from the 2004 Summer NAMM Show - Lonestar Special, Stiletto & New Bass Cabinets 2. Mesa Artist Spotlight - Rigs & Gigs John Petrucci, Mark Morton & John Campbell of Lamb of God & Rob Derhak of moe. 3. Player Feedback: 4. Mesa Product Reviews: Road King & WalkAbout Scout 5. Make Your Tone Your Own! Amplitudes Special Feature on the Lone Star 6. Surf the Tone Shop - Shop the Mesa/Boogie Online Store. Editor: Steve Mueller
|
New Products from the 2004 Summer NAMM Show:
TONE AS THICK AS WEST TEXAS CRUDE! Introducing the new Pure Class A, EL-84 Powered LONE STAR SPECIAL featuring Channel Assignable Power (patent pending) that allows you to assign 1, 2 or all 4 EL-84's to either of its 2 Channels for independent Power Ratings of 5, 15 or 30 Watts! We caught up with legendary Mesa Designer & Founder, Randall Smith after the Nashville NAMM Show for a brief overview on his latest Lone Star design… Amplitudes: There was an incredible buzz among players, dealers & distributors at the Nashville NAMM Show imitating from the Mesa/Boogie booth over the introduction of an innovative new amplifier sired from your critically acclaimed Lone Star, appropriately named the Lone Star Special. Could you give us an overview of the differences (and similarities) between the new Lone Star Special and the Lone Star? Randall Smith: The Lone Star Special shares most all of the features of the original Lone Star except Tweed Power, which by virtue of its new Channel Assignable Power Section and automatic Rectifier Tracking provides all of the benefits of Tweed through their own merit. The Special has the identical two-channel forat including the switchable Drive mode for Channel Two; the gorgeous Reverb, with its Bright switch; the all-tube FX Loop with the hard-bypass relay, which totally removes the Loop, Output & Solo circuitry from the signal path for vintage purists; the switchable fan; aluminum chassis and so on, just like its big brother. But whereas the Lone Star uses four 6L6 output tubes running in Class A/B for greater power and clarity with channel-assignable power switching between 50 or 100 watts, the Special uses four EL-84s running in Pure Class A. Amplitudes: What made you decide on EL-84 for the Special and why did you elect to run them in Class A versus Class A/B or your Patented Dyna-Watt class of operation? Randall Smith: These nine-pin power punks sound a little more brash and rebellious with their chimey top-end. I elected to run them in pure Class A for the maximum in vintage warmth. And here's the best part: they're switchable between three different power levels: 30, 15 or 5 watts, again assignable per channel. In the 30-watt position, all four tubes are operating in a push-pull parallel configuration. Then one pair can be switched out to provide just two tubes for 15 watts. But what really makes this amp Special is the way it can also kick down to just one EL-84 for five watts of preciously nuanced, single-ended, Class A power bliss! Features: LONE STAR SPECIAL
|
 |
Stiletto Deuce |
Stiletto Deuce & Stiletto Trident Update - Elevating Classic EL-34 Tone to a Menacing New Realm - Rock's new dawning is headed your way!
Are you ready to wield the blade of Rock's heaviest, most vicious EL-34 based amplifier ever built? Well your wait is almost over, the Stiletto Deuce is scheduled to begin production in mid September and estimated to begin shipping by late September, early October, with the Stiletto Trident estimated to follow by late October, early November. The response to the Stiletto has been incredible - In fact the initial back orders have set a company record for the most anticipated new amplifier we have ever offered. And for that we sincerely thank YOU, as we are sure that many of you reading this newsletter make up the majority of those who have already put down their deposits! We have never been more humbled or dedicated to exceeding your expectations for tone! Thanks for trusting us with your musical voice and thanks for your patience. To tie you over, the following is a new overview of the amp, along with the inside scoop on its final development and what you can expect sonically from these lethal new rockers…
 |
Stiletto Trident |
The Stiletto has been designed for those that value the sonic characteristics of great British amps but are still left searching for "more". We have built several circuits into the Stiletto that provide 6 different modes to cover the range of "taste" when it comes to gain. After all, low, medium and high gain all have their place and the omission of any one is what leaves players feeling unfulfilled... As with everything we design and build, our R&D was extensive on this amp, we ended up running over our estimated time line by half a year to make sure that we left no stone unturned. We literally auditioned every major EL-34 based icon, from rare vintage pieces, classic legends, modded legends to competing new boutiques and didn't stop until the Stiletto encompassed the full spectrum of "soulful gain bliss". Yet we didn't stop there - We then went on to develop a fat, sparkling clean mode and dedicated solo mode that were never thought possible from an EL-34 based amp. Intrigued? Read on for more about how we've styled each mode.
C H A N N E L O N E
 |
Channel 1 |
Fat Clean - Like no clean you have EVER heard from an EL-34 based amp - Huge, fat, spanking clean tone that rivals the best of ''Americana" cleans - It will be totally unexpected by anyone that plugs into it.
Tite Clean - Exactly as the name implies and everything you ever loved about the bell-tone chime and punch of a classic EL-34 amp. Tight, crisp and fast with great headroom, which you don't find on most 34 based amps - On the other hand, if you dial up the Gain Control, this mode rocks with wicked crunch abandon as well - Very focused and percussive!
Crunch - In the most classic of classic ways - This is a legendary mode with the true signature of rock n roll's crushing wall of crunch! It has a great spectrum of classic gain that has all the edge, aggression and percussive "whack" you've come to know and love, yet every note is definable and articulate. It does an awesome job of letting the character of whatever guitar you plug into it shine through with its intended personality - It shines and sings with cutting musicality, featuring all the good stuff without any of the "ice-pick in the ear" stuff.
C H A N N E L T W O
 |
Channel 2 |
Crunch - Like the last mode in Channel One, Channel Two picks up on all of the greatness found to it's toneful north and leads you to places you had always hoped for.... More Gain! (Which will follow in the next two modes). Meanwhile, Crunch on this channel allows you to "Clone" the Crunch Mode in Channel One, albeit we added a touch more gain, as most will favor it - But with a roll back on the Gain Control you can match them right up if you want. This "cloned" mode will allows players many different ways to configure their two Channels to cover more styles of playing. Seeing that the "gain range" of this mode is so far reaching and diverse, this cloning option will allow many players to cover varying degrees of "crunch" and footswitch between them - It's like having two classic EL-34 based heads in one and being able to footswitch between them!
Tite Gain - Here is where the Stiletto steps away from the pack and makes players dreams become reality. This mode adds an additional gain stage for a vicious new level of heinous gain that schools even the best modded and boutique contenders. Much more of an already very good thing makes for some seriously inspired playing… Don't start playing on this mode if you only have a few moments… It will seduce you into staying the night for sure! Wicked temptation that will not disappoint!
Fluid Drive - This is a radical departure from what you would expect from a 34 based amp and was really targeted at single note soloing. Super lush, thick liquidy tone that is addictive and extremely expressive for solo work. Notes "glow" like smoldering embers with endless ''hang time" and fill their place in a mix with amazing authority. The feel on the strings in this mode is also outrageous… It invites your fingers every move and encourages you to play beyond your means!
Match these modes with the ability to operate each channel independently (at 100 or 50 watts in the case of the Deuce or 150 to 50 watts for the Trident), a Bold/Spongy variable AC selector and Rectifier Select switches for each channel and it defies logic why anyone would waste their money on old one trick ponies. To top it all off, we are currently offering players two standard finishes to choose from - A unique modern Black Taurus Vinyl wrapped cab with Black Crocodile Embossed Leather front panel or a retro vibe offered by our new Zinc Vinyl wrapped cab with a Zinc vinyl front panel.
See the Stiletto here in our product section
 |
 |
RoadReady 2x12 |
RoadReady 4x12 |
Introducing the new 2x12 & 4x12 PowerHouse & RoadReady Bass Cabinets
Looking for the next great Bass Sound with individual personality? Tired of the ''me too" world of bass cabinets loaded with 10's or 15's that never seem to have the frequency balance to fully define your bottom line? Then you've got to check out our innovative new 2x12 & 4x12 PowerHouse or RoadReady TriPort Cabinets with Player Control and cutting edge Neodymium, High Output Speaker Technology. These amazing new cabinets boast the same power handling capacity and reside in the same size cabinets as their ''me too" 4x10 and 8x10 rivals, respectively. The 300 Watt, 12" Neodymium Speakers are mounted diagonally in these cabinets utilizing the added internal cabinet volume to generate massive bottom end with great low mid punch, tailored mids and balanced highs to completely fill out and anchor the bottom line of any mix! In addition to their incredible tone, you get the benefit of greatly reduced weight due to the super strength, ultra light Neodymium Speaker Magnets and the fact that there are half as many speakers in the cabinet.
Power Rating and Impedence:
Additional Cabinet Features include:
Tri-Port Design - A new and unique ''tuned" front porting system, which, when used in cabinets with multiple speakers, utilizes a special combination of different length Tri-Ports to custom tune the voicing and response of each cabinet. The overall result is massive low end with exceptional clarity, beautifully balanced mids and crisp, shimmering highs that are seamlessly interwoven to provide amazing detail, definition and attack across the entire frequency spectrum
Player Control Network - A proprietary new ''back-panel" interface that provides unprecedented stylistic versatility and gig friendly convenience through cool new features such as:
Style Control Crossover & Attenuator - An artistic 3-point adjustable crossover (select 3k, 4k or 5k) and a premium L-Pad horn attenuator provide players with unrivaled stylistic versatility and performance.
Instant Reset Horn Protection - A simple ''one touch" reset switch provides the ultimate in convenient horn protection - No fuses or tools to carry and no time wasted in having to get inside the cabinet - Push & Play!
Speakon & ¼" Connectors - Convenient Inputs AND Paralleled Outputs are provided for both Speakon and ¼" connections.
Aviation Style Bracing & Construction - This unique new structural design provides superior strength and durability along with the portable benefit of reduced cabinet weight - It is the culmination of Mesa's 33 years of rigorous Bass R&D!
Tilt & Roll Transport System - (Featured on the 6x10, 8x10, 4x12, 2x15 and PowerHouse 1000) This unique new system features custom, recessed rear handles and opposing recessed wheels that are neatly concealed into the rear corners of the cabinet, while keeping the top and bottom ''rear edges" in tact (NOT ''angle cut"). This significantly improves the capacity and tonal characteristics of these cabinets by maintaining both their internal volume mass and the dimension of their surface contact to the floor, for improved coupling effect - Both of which contribute to vastly improved low end performance. (4x10 & 1x15 feature Mesa's patented Trak-Loc removable caster system)
PowerHouse Design Features:
ADDITIONAL NEW POWERHOUSE CABINET OPTIONS: Players may now choose between the following two cabinet coverings at NO EXTRA CHARGE: BLACK RHINO or SILVER BRONCO - Visit Mesa's Custom Design Gallery at www.mesaboogie.com for examples and details
RoadReady Design Features:
Our premier bass cabinet design whose cabinet is a roadcase!
| Copyright 2005, Mesa Boogie |
