I don't know what I want but I want it
- Thread starter Alex Kenivel
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OK, you frickin' enablers.I bought the $800 TA-30 for myself.
This amp has never even been on my radar, but how many opportunities do you get to buy a Mesa anything for < $1K.
Apparently it has "a little dent" on the back. No idea what that actually means. Had to pay tax and ~$35 shipping, but all I'm personally on the hook for is the shipping. If I hate the amp, I can just drive it to a local GC for a refund. Maybe I'll hit Kohl's on the way back for some socks.
He has seen the light
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- 3,673
Totally outside my wheelhouse. (I'm a Boogie Mk guy at heart.) But if this really delivers Vox + Fender + Marshall, then I'm excited to give it a shot. :)He has seen the light
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I loved the amp but hated the 2x12 combo. I wouldn't mind having another head. Enjoy it.
EOengineer
Roadie
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- 830
I can’t wait to get your impressions. If that was the TA-30 in GC’s used inventory I’d been watching it for a while but got laid off (tech) a couple weeks ago. It’s one of the few Mesa’s I’ve not spent time with, but I’ve been gravitating towards non master volume amps gradually over the last few years and have wondered whether the clever bypassable master setup on those might be a “best of both worlds” scenario.OK, you frickin' enablers.
Apparently it has "a little dent" on the back. No idea what that actually means. Had to pay tax and ~$35 shipping, but all I'm personally on the hook for is the shipping. If I hate the amp, I can just drive it to a local GC for a refund. Maybe I'll hit Kohl's on the way back for some socks.
Congrats on the amp!
la szum
Goatlord
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- 11,068
TA-30 for TA-15 money.And I wouldn't have even considered this amp minus the FX loop, so...
You did good! This thread now has an happy ending after all.
TA-30 is my most gigged amp in the last 20 years. It is such a workhorse. It sounds
so good. It is like 4 pedal platforms in one amp, or 4 amps in one amp. Kind of
insane, to be honest.
I doubt I will ever sell mine, and yes there is a little added noise using the FX loop,
but there is an easy DIY remedy for that if it is problematic.
SillyOctpuss
Shredder
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- 1,082
I had a ta-15 for a few years but ended up barely using it compared to my other amps. I loved the tones, size, easy of use and it looked cool, however, the lack of reverb and effects loop just killed it for me.
Of course now that I've bought a load box I wish I'd kept the damn thing and could have used it that way into my stomp.
Of course now that I've bought a load box I wish I'd kept the damn thing and could have used it that way into my stomp.
la szum
Goatlord
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- 11,068
Yup. The TA-30 qand TA-15 are drastically different amps in terms of features and sounds.
I'd honestly not recommend the 15. I didn't like it.
The 30 has the headroom you need for those bigger and bolder tones. The 15 is a little thin
and anemic to my ears.
Also, you have this really cool push/pull Pot on the Gain Pot with the 30 that adds another
gain stage in the preamp section that not a lot of people know about.
I'd honestly not recommend the 15. I didn't like it.
The 30 has the headroom you need for those bigger and bolder tones. The 15 is a little thin
and anemic to my ears.
Also, you have this really cool push/pull Pot on the Gain Pot with the 30 that adds another
gain stage in the preamp section that not a lot of people know about.
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- 3,673
Thanks, man! GC had at least two, maybe more, in various states. Every other TA-30 I bumped into was around the $1250 mark, so this one grabbed my attention at $800. (I'm still concerned a TA-15 is going to arrive at my door LOL.)
I absolutely need a master volume because I mostly play at whimpy volumes.
FX loop is a must for when I'm running a modeler/ multi-FX, and reverb tank is a must when I'm not. So yeah, the TA-30 is a much better fit for me. If noise is excessive on either the reverb or the loop (I've read about problems with both, at this point), then I'll definitely be casting around for help with mods, or whatever it takes.
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I'm guessing this was a divisive point. I personally think the TA-15/30 is butt ugly, and bought it in spite of the looks. I'm sure there's another historically relevant product that Mesa were taking their cues from - but when I look at it, all I can think is, "Exactly one company in the universe thought the Vetta mk1 was a good looking amplifier, and it wasn't even Line 6."
And blue lights, ew. I don't even like blue Christmas lights. Blue lights are for cops. (And David Gilmour.)
tl;dr
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I like that it's small?I think it looks cool
It looks very practical... except for the schmutz all over its face. 
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I can mayyyyyyyybe see the L6 plate and Mesa plate resemblance up top but no VCR screens and a killer front silver control plate with a bunch of toggle is super
to me :)
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Well, sure. If looking better (and less dated) than a Vetta 1 is our bar, then the TA-30 is a supermodel.I can mayyyyyyyybe see the L6 plate and Mesa plate resemblance up top but no VCR screens and a killer front silver control plate with a bunch of toggle is super
One thing's clear: GC has no idea how to price these things. They've got a minty combo for $1300 in one store, and a minty head for $1390 in another right now.
EOengineer
Roadie
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- 830
You could throw one of these on there so people think you are just really passionate about not understanding the punisher at all.And blue lights, ew. I don't even like blue Christmas lights. Blue lights are for cops. (And David Gilmour.)
tl;dr
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You could throw one of these on there so people think you are just really passionate about not understanding the punisher at all.
EOengineer
Roadie
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- 830
That’s so weird…that’s how I do my laundry too.
Still holding out for a decent punisher movie one of these days.
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