31 posts
I tried the Fender Super Champ XD very nice for the price, not for me but still nice.
Dr Z Maz Jr, the most hi fi amp I have ever played, expensive and a one trick pony, but excellent in every way except the EQ which was not very responsive, just a little too bright for my taste, but in every other way smokin. There was a used one there for $1195 with 2 10's. I might go back and bring one of my EVM12L's, and a distortion pedal and maybe make an offer.
Mesa 5-50, nice but no ceegar, did not play it all that much, so I have no real opinion.
Fender Blues Jr. that amp I liked a lot, small, and light, it needs a distortion pedal in front but a nice amp for the money. I was hoping to try the Rebel but they were sold out at GC.
Now for the amp I liked the most this day. Mesa Lonestar I tried both, one with 6L6's and the other with EL34's. It is a higher quality amp that sounds similar to the tones I get from my HRD. Of course at GC there are a bunch of persons (I am being polite) banging away on stuff making noises at far too loud, but in between the chaos I got to appreciate the Lonestar. I am calling Mesa and seeing what they want for a Lonestar Head, the narrow one. If it is under eighteen bills shipped I may consider it. Or look on e-bay for a used one.
All in all I ain't buying one retail in this state because of the tax. I can get a Mesa shipped free from some dealers, no tax so that is the way I would go. I still have several I want to try, like the THD Flexi 50.
Glad to hear ya liked the Lonestar!! 8-)
When I get to work tomorrow, I'll look up the price on the Lonestar Head for ya (off the top of my head, $1800 is ringing a bell). The downside about Mesa, from a consumer standpoint, is they heavily control the price their amps are sold for. You don't go into a Mesa dealer and try to haggle; it will get you nowhere fast (though ya might get some freebies). If Mesa finds out a dealer has sold under 'Mesa Pricing', they can lose their dealership. The shop I work at is a newly authorized Mesa Dealer, so I know some of the ins and outs.
I'd see if you can find a dealer with the head in stock. If ya have to order one through a dealer, it can take a couple of months (all Mesa amps are built to order; they rarely build amps and have stock sit in their warehouse). I'd sell you one if I had a head version. The only Lonestar we've got in stock is the 212 combo. It is one HEAVY fucker!!
Going with a head, you can play around with speakers quite a bit. With the combos, Mesa puts in the Black Shadows.
Thanks I would buy it from the factory direct, same price. At least I used to buy them direct before they had dealers. Maybe because I am an old customer they can still sell me direct. Anyways at 8% Az sales tax vs shipped free from some internet dealers, and about 50 bucks shipping from Petaluma, I think out of state purchase is in my future.. I want the short head or a 1-12 amp without a speaker. I know I can get that from them that is how I got my Mark IV combo direct without a speaker. I may still go there when I am in Northern Cali in two weeks.
tell me more about that Maz Jr. One of my "must hear" amps.
One trick? What is it?
p.s. Lance bought one type (sorry, can't remember) of Lone Star and changed his mind and sold it, then bought the Fandango. The cleans were spectacular on that amp. The OD was great as well but the OD was a one trick pony. The SMOOOOOOOTH singing thing. VERY nice to have, but not my only OD if I was buying it. But the clean channel... oh boy was it nice!
DreamTheaterRules — Mar 25, 2009tell me more about that Maz Jr. One of my "must hear" amps.
One trick? What is it?
p.s. Lance bought one type (sorry, can't remember) of Lone Star and changed his mind and sold it, then bought the Fandango. The cleans were spectacular on that amp. The OD was great as well but the OD was a one trick pony. The SMOOOOOOOTH singing thing. VERY nice to have, but not my only OD if I was buying it. But the clean channel... oh boy was it nice!
It is clean and sparkly, real hi fi, compared to that, everything else I tried sounded sort of dull or tinny/cold in comparison. The only thing that came close in the clean sound was the Blues Junior. The Blues Jr is a little darker and the EQ's were more responsive but the Maz Jr was sonic-ly stunning. It is like Digital recording vs Analog tape. The Maz Jr was that much clearer sounding without being peaky. You could miss pick a note and it did not ring out badly like it does with cheaper amps. The clean sounds were sparkling and still mellow at the same time. Throw a good distortion stomp in front, and it would sing like a birdie, it almost had a chimey sound, real complex but clear. It also is tube rectified which is a plus.
As for the Lonestar, it had everything I would need in an amp. $1800 bucks plus shipping. I can afford it but I am hesitant because I have not tried every option I want to try. I may go to the nearer GC which is not a Mesa Dealer and try the Fender Super Sonic, and the Egnater Rebel 20. And I want to find a Flexi 50 somewhere in town and try that out too. After that, it is pull the trigger on one of them time. I am also strongly considering the Fender Blues Jr, it was surprisingly different in tone than the HRD which sounds less clear/bright, than the Blues Jr, I may have to take the beam blocker out of the HRD and see what that sound like. It would also do very nice with pedals probably second to the Maz Jr in tone, and it sells for $599 shipped free.
DreamTheaterRules — Mar 25, 2009tell me more about that Maz Jr. One of my "must hear" amps.
One trick? What is it?
p.s. Lance bought one type (sorry, can't remember) of Lone Star and changed his mind and sold it, then bought the Fandango. The cleans were spectacular on that amp. The OD was great as well but the OD was a one trick pony. The SMOOOOOOOTH singing thing. VERY nice to have, but not my only OD if I was buying it. But the clean channel... oh boy was it nice!
Yeah, but Lance sold the Lonestar BEFORE he ever got to play it. ;) Buying and selling something before you even get to play it is just Lance being indecisive. Before he was fascinated by the Fandango, he was absolutely gung-ho about the Lonestar (I think Special). Him getting rid of it, to me, isn't a negative indictment of the amp; just Lance changing his mind before having the amp sent to S. Africa.
Hey DBM, here are some Boogie prices:
Lonestar Head (6L6): $1799
Lonestar Special (EL84): $1699
I don't know if they sell direct, but it doesn't hurt to give it a shot.
If you buy a Lonestar off of eBay, you'll save a big chunk of change. I think going price on a used one is around $1100ish.
Fender Supersonic is good. I owned one of these before I got my Boogie. Cleans are pretty decent (though I still prefer the Lonestar). You will probably prefer the Bassman setting on the clean side (much warmer). Other side is a tad bright. I'm not as fond of the Burn side. Kind of blandish for my tastes, but usable. This amp doesn't like being played quiet. Volume pots go from zero to kill quite quickly. I find the Boogies are easier to control volume. They can get easily softer and louder with good tone. Still, I could recommend the Supersonic.
Thanks Dearthian,
I liked the heck out of the Lonestar and the Lonestar Special. I think the extra hun for the Lonestar would do the trick as you can use both el 34's and 6L6's because they have a BIAS select switch on back.
I just called the factory, they will sell direct, lead time is 8-10 weeks which is ok with me, 60 bucks shipping which is about a hundred less than the sales tax to buy at GC. It is $1,899 for the 1-12 and 60 shipping so it is $1,959 shipped to my house. I may be able to get one on the net right away for $1,899 shipped free. Checking now
I see a combo on ebay for $1100... why pay so much more?
oh, no question. Didn't mean to imply otherwise. He didn't want to pay $250 shipping for an amp that he wasn't SURE he'd want. THe clean channel was great. The OD channel was very good too, but the "smooth" style. He wanted something crunchier for vintage rock tones, and the Fandango also has a fabulous clean channel.
Dearthian: — Mar 25, 2009[quote author=DreamTheaterRules link=1237937742/0#3 date=1237955673]tell me more about that Maz Jr. One of my "must hear" amps.
One trick? What is it?
p.s. Lance bought one type (sorry, can't remember) of Lone Star and changed his mind and sold it, then bought the Fandango. The cleans were spectacular on that amp. The OD was great as well but the OD was a one trick pony. The SMOOOOOOOTH singing thing. VERY nice to have, but not my only OD if I was buying it. But the clean channel... oh boy was it nice!
Yeah, but Lance sold the Lonestar BEFORE he ever got to play it. ;) Buying and selling something before you even get to play it is just Lance being indecisive. Before he was fascinated by the Fandango, he was absolutely gung-ho about the Lonestar (I think Special). Him getting rid of it, to me, isn't a negative indictment of the amp; just Lance changing his mind before having the amp sent to S. Africa.
Cool beans on being able to buy direct. Didn't know they would.
8-10 weeks makes sense. They build everything to order.
I tell ya, with the fixed bias, monkeying with power tubes for different sounds is a blast. If ya ever get frisky and want to flip to EL34 mode, pick up a set of KT77's. It is like having a tube that is a cross between 6l6 and EL34. They aren't ice-picky like EL34's can be. I've tried about everything you can run and have settled into a set of JJ KT66's. Don't know if they're a LOT better than 6l6's, but they sound good and look cool. ;D
charger — Mar 25, 2009I see a combo on ebay for $1100... why pay so much more?
Because nobody wants to have to carry one of those fuckers!!! :D We've got one at the shop and it's heavier than hell, even for a 212 combo. (And there aren't any heads on eBay at the moment ;) )
The best way to buy a Boogie used is to find someone who's the first owner with the amp still under warranty. Warranty is 5 year "Transferable" warranty. The owner can transfer the warranty to you.
charger — Mar 25, 2009I see a combo on ebay for $1100... why pay so much more?
It is a Lonestar Special with el84's, I want the Lonestar with 6L6's or EL34's. Plus it is an auction ongoing, that price will go up. There is a special here in the Phoenix area on Craigslist but it looks beat also $1,100 or so. If I pull the trigger it will be on something I see in person or at Interstate Music on the web http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&catalogId=10001&storeId=10051 they have one in stock for $1,899 free shipping.
Hey Harv, if you get the combo I'll build you a head cab for it cheap! ;) I played a Lonestar before I got my Spider Valve, it kicks! I just didn't have the extra scratch at the time. Oh yeah, +1 on the Super Sonic, great amp.
cgtrox 8-)
thanks cgtrox, but if I get the combo I will want to keep the combo as is. You do great work like you did on your SV that was impressive but I would keep the speaker in so it is amp in one hand guitar in other one trip in, one out. The amp is heavy, but I have a case for it already with wheels, so I could wheel it in with ax on top. Neat package.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mesa-Boogie-Lonestar-Tube-Amp-2x12-Combo-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ260382819693QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260382819693&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
Looks like it's an EL34 Lonestar... and it's $1100 Buy It Now...
Tons of interesting stuff in your price range....
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Traynor-Custom-Special-100H-100W-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=481158
charger — Mar 25, 2009http://cgi.ebay.com/Mesa-Boogie-Lonestar-Tube-Amp-2x12-Combo-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ260382819693QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260382819693&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
Looks like it's an EL34 Lonestar... and it's $1100 Buy It Now...
Thanks Charger, but the 2-12 model is far too heavy and large, I need a one 12 combo at most. If I need 2 speakers I have the EVM 12 L's in extension cabs which can handle everything a hundred watt amp can throw at them.
charger — Mar 25, 2009Tons of interesting stuff in your price range....
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Traynor-Custom-Special-100H-100W-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=481158
Looks cool, but I think I am going for the Mesa Lonestar after I try one out again at GC, and I am on my way up to Northern Cali next Friday April 3 so after I get back I may pull the trigger on one.
charger — Mar 25, 2009Tons of interesting stuff in your price range....
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Traynor-Custom-Special-100H-100W-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=481158
I don't know if it is necessarily interesting, but (soundwise) is probably not going to be what he's looking for. This is more of a high gain beast after listening to clips.
He'd be better off with a used Lonestar over this.
Dearthian: — Mar 25, 2009
He'd be better off with a used Lonestar over this.
I can afford a new one
easy no big deal. It may be one of the last amps I ever buy, so whats the big deal over a few hundred bucks over a used one.
Personally, I with ya on this one. I was only comparing the used one to Charger's price point on the Traynor. I prefer to buy new when I'm plunking cash down. Any amp I've gotten used has usually involved a trade with various friends and knew how they'd been treated. It's how I came by my Supersonic (traded a Vetta I for it) and my Roadster (traded the Supersonic and a guitar for it).
Let us know when ya snag one. Can't wait to hear future clips!! ;)
Howie, I prefer to play amps; not eat them!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!! :D :D :D
I don't eat them, but this one makes me drool!
DreamTheaterRules — Mar 25, 2009YUMMY!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180338250998
Nice, a 5 hour drive to Tustin Ca to try it, and a few miles further to try out a Flexi 50.
Thanks Harv, appreciate the comment! :) I would have gotten the Lonestar if I had the cash. It's a GREAT amp for classic rock and blues, which is right up your alley, right? Good luck bro... :)
cgtrox 8-)
I have to order it from the factory, Interstate does not stock them. That is too much of a hassle they debit my credit Card the day of order, then I wait 8-12 weeks for the amp. Screw it, I will look for something I can get used or another brand. I might as well for the new Egnater stuff to try out sometime in June or July when that stuff comes out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MESA-BOOGIE-LONESTAR-CLASSIC-50-100-EXC-COND-W-CAB_W0QQitemZ320353782556QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item320353782556&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Here's a head with matching 112 cab for the price of a new head. $1799 with free shipping!!
Looks like it just went up.
Thanks I saw that already it does not have the 10 watt class a option, which I would want for house use. I have time, I am in no hurry, one day soon one will show up in the Phoenix, Tuscon, Flagsatff or LA San Diego area and be just what I want. Then I will jump on it. I may order one from the Factory too. I just have to travel over to GC and try one out again.