- Messages
- 3,684
I just went looking for it. If we're talking about the same post ("my dad's a Fractal user"?), it's too deep a cut for me. I actually don't get the reference.
Mesa Mystery Solved II: It's Not You It's Me Boogaloo
- Thread starter JiveTurkey
- Start date
- Messages
- 13,451
Rich history of shoe flinging!I just went looking for it. If we're talking about the same post ("my dad's a Fractal user"?), it's too deep a cut for me. I actually don't get the reference.
Baba
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,144
- Messages
- 13,451
You know; I've gigged it 4 times? And I had fun 3 out of the 4 times I'd say. It's really just the desire to still want to treat it like a single channel amp more than anything else. Despite 48 modes and blahblahblah. It's also just as much the thing where I am futzing with it at home (not because I can't dial it in but just because the impulse to go through all 48 modes) is too strong
Stratzrus
Roadie
- Messages
- 693
I'm less concerned about the size because a VII combo has a smaller footprint than the Sig:X with a 2x12 that I had been gigging with or even my George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe, but you mentioned the noise when the two were in 4CM and that could be a deal breaker. I play Jazz concerts with a wide dynamic range and quiet parts would be ruined by a lot of hum or hiss.
You mentioned concerns about MIDI switching. Was this a general aversion or did you have actual issues using the FM switching the Mesa? If the Stomp is better that's a plus but not in and of itself enough to get me to switch from Fractal where I have years of learning the smidgen of stuff I know that enables me to set the thing up rather quickly.
The idea of the FM9 with a VII combo worked for me as a compact rig I could do Jazz/R&B gigs with but those couple of things mentioned would be a cause of concern.
Can't you just dial in the VII for three basic tones, clean crunch and high gain, and then not mess with it during your set?
Baba
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,144
You know; I've gigged it 4 times? And I had fun 3 out of the 4 times I'd say. It's really just the desire to still want to treat it like a single channel amp more than anything else. Despite 48 modes and blahblahblah. It's also just as much the thing where I am futzing with it at home (not because I can't dial it in but just because the impulse to go through all 48 modes) is too strong
that gif, so aproposAs evidenced in his post, in a word, no
.Man, the more knobs and switches, the worse the tones, for me. One of the best tones I've ever gotten, was my Peavey Classic 50. One mode switch, that sounded like burnt ass when it was engaged, (so I left it off all the time), and a shared EQ. That's it. Damn thing sounded awesome. Clean AND dirty.
Also, this whole convo might be moot because, you seem to be suffering from the same thing I do, messing with it AT HOME, and "creating" a problem, where there is none. I just switched to a dual cab in Helix 5 minutes ago because my tone might be a little dark . . .
- Messages
- 13,451
3 channel Boogie would be something like a Triple Crown. And even that is a hair too overthought for me. For as many "options" as I need; I like to keep everything as dumb as possible
As evidenced in his post, in a word, no
Man, the more knobs and switches, the worse the tones, for me. One of the best tones I've ever gotten, was my Peavey Classic 50. One mode switch, that sounded like burnt ass when it was engaged, (so I left it off all the time), and a shared EQ. That's it. Damn thing sounded awesome. Clean AND dirty.
Also, this whole convo might be moot because, you seem to be suffering from the same thing I do, messing with it AT HOME, and "creating" a problem, where there is none.
Stratzrus
Roadie
- Messages
- 693
3 channel Boogie would be something like a Triple Crown. And even that is a hair too overthought for me. For as many "options" as I need; I like to keep everything as dumb as possible
For some reason that's not a problem for me. I don't feel compelled to tweak. I tend to dial it in and then leave it only making small adjustments to tone and reverb as needed depending on the room.
I was fine with the Triple Crown 50 once I figured out how to dial in the mids on Channel 2 the way I liked them and as daunting as it may look, I never was overwhelmed by all of the choices that the Sig:X offers with its 15 switches on the front panel. I was even using it for my Jazz gigs and never touched it once the set started.
I like having options so that I can dial the amp in just the way I like it but then I pretty much set it and forget it just using playing technique and the volume and tone knobs on the guitar for whatever adjustments are needed during the set. So I'm not concerned about the complicated nature of the VII, but some of the other things JT mentioned would be an issue for me, particularly if the MIDI switching was problematic and if it was noisy in the 4CM with a FM9.
la szum
Goatlord
- Messages
- 11,089
Stratzrus
Roadie
- Messages
- 693
In what world is that even remotely a minimalistic/convenient/compact rig??
Fair enough.
Compact in that the VII combo has a smaller footprint than my George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe or Sig:X rig, the last two amps I gigged with.
Convenient in that I could carry the combo, FM9, and guitar in gig bag on my back and take everything from the car to the stage in one trip.
Minimalist in that I'd only have one footpedal, not a complicated pedalboard with multiple interconnects that would be a nightmare to troubleshoot in the middle of a set if suddenly it cut out or would requires some serious tap dancing to change multiple effects and channels at once.
But yeah, the FM9 and VII are not simple pieces of gear and it would definitely take some work to get them both dialed in. And yes, while doable, hauling that stuff all at once would be a heavy lift and stairs would definitely be a challenge. Still it would be easier than taking my Sig:X and FatBottom 2z12.
paisleywookiee
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,871
The Fillmore is fucking glorious. It’s to Fender as the Badlander is to……epic high gain Britishey tones.
EOengineer
Roadie
- Messages
- 836
Please tell me that mini plex is a real thing because DAMN that’s cool!Very good. However, I will beat you at your tiny tiny amp game sir, with my ...
** gasp **
MINI PLEXI !!!
View attachment 8420
Who has the smallest???
I’d really love to cross paths with one of these in the wild. Is it doing blackface or tweed? I know the mark series amps are have a blackface fender lineage so I’m guessing tweed?
I’d love something that can do what my 70s SFDR does but with a second channel that can be dialed in to either replicate that with slight variations or slide into more compressed, gainier territory.
jellodog
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,951
A lot of people build them with a 12AX7 or 12AY7 for a power tube.
I couldn't find a video of the one in the photo, but here's a 1/4 watt one with a 12AY7 power tube:
EOengineer
Roadie
- Messages
- 836
Oh no. What are you doing to me. There’s no way I can’t build one of these now. That clip sounded good enough to warrant further investigation.
Boudoir Guitar
Rock Star
- Messages
- 2,850
That's fine. Brits drive on the wrong side of the road in tiny little sub-100hp roadsters they call "sports cars" anyway. Muscle car on the right is the drive I likeBut getting anywhere close to Brit-flavoured drive is not
going to happen.
(Oddly enough, if I were to own a sports car, it would totally be an MG or Triumph, never a muscle car...but if I had to choose one national flavor of amp drive, it'd be American all day long...and if I had to choose one national flavor clean it'd probably be Brit? I like American clean...once I've turned on a clean boost in front of it that makes it sound like brit clean.)
Desertdweller
Roadie
- Messages
- 772
The amp has MIDI. Set it and forget it.
Boudoir Guitar
Rock Star
- Messages
- 2,850
NEVER FORGET
- Messages
- 13,451
NO RAGRET
