| Author | Message | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 40 Registered: 9-2007 |
Well, I have officially given up my search for tone. This Fathom 600 head reminds me of some of the older Ampeg stuff but with more balls. I suggest that if anyone is in need of a new head, give this a try. The head room is just astonishing and will fill the stage all night long. | ||
| alembic_doctor
Advanced Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 390 Registered: 8-2002 |
After much poking and prodding from Rich at Mesa, I finally plugged my Series II into that amp last night. We just got in all the new bass amps from Mesa-Boogie. (SCB-S2 has not been played through a bass amp in years) I like the PA. Anyway, HOLY S**T. That thing is freaking loud. Didn't sound bad either (for a bass amp) | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 41 Registered: 9-2007 |
Tone for days and loud as all get out. I have serial # 30 and I am quite proud of that small feat. In some ways you can call me a guinea pig. My wife sat across from me about 10 ft away and looked at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. In her words, WOWWWWWW!! | ||
| alembic_doctor
Advanced Member Username: alembic_doctor Post Number: 391 Registered: 8-2002 |
I guess WOWWWWWW!! is much better than "You think you're play that damn thing in the house?!?!? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 689 Registered: 5-2006 |
Alembic and Mesa = ultimate tone (IMHO) | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 42 Registered: 9-2007 |
You got it brother. I was a Euphonic guy for a while but I noticed the louder it got the less I could hear myself. Kind of weird but its the truth. So I did the logical thing and went back to using Mesa | ||
| eldiablo
New Username: eldiablo Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2008 |
Gotta agree with the Mesa/Alembic combo.  | ||
| foth
Intermediate Member Username: foth Post Number: 173 Registered: 12-2004 |
Me too.... hundreds of gigs with my Rogue 5 and Mesa amp with no problems....  | ||
| 5stringho
Advanced Member Username: 5stringho Post Number: 267 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey, Danny: Wanna sell your iAmp , Cheap? =] You KNOW I don't have much money right now! Mike. tho | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 45 Registered: 9-2007 |
Mike, I traded it for the Fathom with cash to boot. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 690 Registered: 5-2006 |
More Alembic/Mesa:  | ||
| foth
Intermediate Member Username: foth Post Number: 174 Registered: 12-2004 |
I wish Mesa would have included the compressor from the M-Pulse 600 on their Titan 1200, Big block 750, and Fathom models. Flip, that must be fun to feel the tube thump from your rig! Paul | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1119 Registered: 6-2002 |
Do you take that whole rig on your gigs fc_spoiler? Jazzyvee | ||
| briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant Post Number: 127 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'm another Alembic + Mesa Boogie user. I bought a Venture 600 combo amp last fall and it absolutely destroys. Loud as all hell and tone for days and days. In December I played a gig infront of ~2000 people in a gigantic room. That combo amp destroyed worlds and it still had plenty of headroom. | ||
| eldiablo
New Username: eldiablo Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2008 |
Totally agree with you on the compressor. Flip I think that's a set up Cliff would be happy with! | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 131 Registered: 8-2005 |
I hate to sound like the oddball here but I have never found a Mesa rig that I like. Some people swear by them, but I have never been able to get the tone that I want. The bottom line is to play whatever you like no matter what anyone else says. I currently play through GK which I love but every time I hear a bass player that has "That Sound" he is playing through Eden or EBS. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1120 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm a Mesa boogie alembician too, although I don't have the big meaty amps. I use a Walkabout 300w head and have 3 of the newer style powerhouse cabs. 2x10, 1x15 and 4x10. Those cabs give me a great sound whether with my mesa head or my F-1x, SF-2 ,qsc component system. I've read in the past people mention that mesa boogie cabs don't throw their sound "weight" very far from the front of the cab very well. I have not experienced that as I've not done loads of gigs with my setup and usually i'm close to the rig. Any view ? I can't imagine FC_spoiler having that problem Jazyvee | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2007 |
I played last night in front of 200+ people and it had no problem throwing my sound. The gain was at 12 oclock and the master was at 3 oclock. The sound guy would not let me go any louder. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1913 Registered: 3-2004 |
The most buttery smooth tone can be had from a 400+ through a 2x15 cab. Too much for me to carry around, but a really sweet setup. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2990 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've been playing through a Boogie Mark III since 1986 (it was my present to myself upon graduation from law school). I recently added a Mark IIC+ and am in the process of putting together a rack system with an F2-B and a Mesa 50/50 power amp. I also use an old blackface Fender Pro-Reverb I've had forever. Bill, tgo | ||
| eldiablo
New Username: eldiablo Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2008 |
That's the beauty of music, it's all personal, and one guys rig isn't any better than the others because we all have different tastes. Although we can all agree Alembics are numero uno! | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 313 Registered: 2-2005 |
What's the price? | ||
| danny_bryant
Junior Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 50 Registered: 9-2007 |
Price is 1100 and really its a steal. Most of the more recent Boogie stuff has been in the 1400-1800 range. Check it out and see what you think. | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 317 Registered: 2-2005 |
I just might do that. | ||
| briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2004 |
$1100 is a steal for that head! I was fully expecting $1500+. | ||
| juggernaught
Intermediate Member Username: juggernaught Post Number: 111 Registered: 3-2007 |
Got myself an Alembic + Mesa + Bag End combination and I must say I'm quite happy with the sound. I picked up the M-pulse 600 for $1100 used from bassnorthwest. Clean, very present, and loud. I can't really imagine myself moving away from that combination, apart from maybe getting lighter cabs; those bag ends are freaking heavy! | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 318 Registered: 2-2005 |
Yes, I've got two Bag End 4X10s, and Aguilar separates....the tone is incredible, but so is the weight. I always toy w/ getting something lighter/smaller.... | ||
| briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant Post Number: 133 Registered: 12-2004 |
This thread has me looking at the Mesa Boogie website again "just because". If I ever can convince myself that I need to haul around a bigger rig again for some silly reason I am going to have to get one of these: http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/titan/titan.html And drive one of these with it: http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Cabs/RoadReadyCABS/RRbass8x10-LG.htm I figure if I'm going to haul around something big and heavy again I may as well go all out. That setup could destroy worlds. | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 319 Registered: 2-2005 |
Scary. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 995 Registered: 12-2004 |
I want some of these. | ||
| elwoodblue
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 241 Registered: 6-2002 |
uh huh...yeah...I agree...those make me smile | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 861 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well yes but what kind of hand cart would Georgie (or me) use to get into that step -up bar? Mike  | ||
| eldiablo
New Username: eldiablo Post Number: 10 Registered: 3-2008 |
You can't go wrong with the Titan V-12. It's extremely flexible. Two channels, OD for each channel, a solo boost and 1200 BIG ONES!!!!! | ||
| bassclef29
New Username: bassclef29 Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2006 |
Brothers and Sisters in Alembic, this Fathom head sounds like a dream... I already have a Mesa Buster head. It weighs close to 50 pounds. I find I play out most often with my rack head (Alembic F1-X and Walter Woods) -- the whole thing tips the scales at less than 20 pounds. I'm interested in the Fathom. Can one of you Fathom owners or wannabe owners provide its dimensions and weight? They're not on the website. I'd be interested in finding out both the rackmount (naked) weight and the "with optional head cabinet" weight. Thanks! | ||
| danny_bryant
Member Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2007 |
The Fathom weighs abouy 35 pounds and is 22 in. w, 18 in. L, and is about 6 inches high. It is a dream to use and the presets are pretty cool. I usually set my gain at 12 pm and the master at 8 or 9 and its all the band can handle. Very warm tube sound. I paired it with the Mesa 6 10 cab. Best amp I have ever owned, period. | ||
| bassclef29
New Username: bassclef29 Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2006 |
Danny, thanks for responding with the dimensions. I appreciate it. Is 35 pounds the weight of the Fathom as a bare rack unit? Or, does the 35 pounds you mention include the optional head cabinet? For instance, the bare rack unit might tip the scales at 27 pounds, but with the cabinet the (combined) weight of the head is 35 pounds. Thanks if you can answer this. | ||
| danny_bryant
Member Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2007 |
I think the bear head would be in the 27 to 30 pound range give or take. | ||
| bassclef29
New Username: bassclef29 Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2006 |
Danny, thanks for following up with the weight of the Fathom. A light bag or rack would bring it up to the low 30s, which is still at least 15 pounds less than my Mesa Buster head. I can't afford to buy a new head unless I sell the Buster, and I'd feel conflicted about that. Time will tell. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 698 Registered: 5-2006 |
Extra reason to be happy with your Fathom: If I'm not mistaken, the amp is discontinued already... I believe there is a legal issue with the name "Fathom" and the amp will return with another name. (Message edited by FC_Spoiler on May 05, 2008) | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 137 Registered: 8-2005 |
I guess I am in the minority here as I have never been a fan of Mesa. I like the older Edens or EBS heads and cabs. I have also had great luck with Gallien Krueger which is whay I am currently using. I can dial in any tone, they have plenty of power and the service is exceptional. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 704 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here's the new version: M6 Carbine, click here For guitar players: The Mark IV has been taken out of production (!) | ||
| eligilam
Intermediate Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 108 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Flip, on post 690, what kind of bass is Cliff playing on that poster in the background? Almost looks like a single-pickup Rickenbacker, which I've never seen him with before... Cheers! Will | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 705 Registered: 5-2006 |
That's his one and only Burgundy Rick, with Gibson Humbucker in the nek position and Dimarzio Jazz Bass pick up in the bridge position ;-)  | ||
| daved
Junior Username: daved Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2002 |
I'm a die-hard fan of Mesa heads. I love my M2000 and Walkabout! But I've had less than stellar results with their combos. First, I bought a Buster 2x10 combo. Great tone at low volume but it just could not keep up when playing with my funk band. It's just not loud enough. Tried every EQ setting imaginable as well as a variety of Alembic and other basses. It now sits in my music room where I use it for lessons. I should have known though - 200 watts for bass ain't nothing. Then came the Scout combo. I loved my Walkabout so much that a combo amp tailor made for it sounded ideal. I custom ordered one w/o hearing it first (big mistake) and even bought another one off Ebay while waiting for Mesa to make my custom one. Again, it sounds great at low volume for small quiet rehearsals. At anything approaching gig volume, it chokes, sounds weak, thin and very un-Mesa. It sounds nowhere near the 300 watts it's supposed to put out. So, while I'm curious about the M6, I'm also skeptical since Mesa has struck out twice w/ combos. Has anyone bought or heard the M6 combo and if so, have any comments? | ||
| briant
Intermediate Member Username: briant Post Number: 195 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dave, From my post earlier in this same thread: "I bought a Venture 600 combo amp last fall and it absolutely destroys. Loud as all hell and tone for days and days. In December I played a gig infront of ~2000 people in a gigantic room. That combo amp destroyed worlds and it still had plenty of headroom." I have both the Venture combo and the Walkabout Scout combo. The Walkabout Scout is great for home practice and low key gigs - but it couldn't keep up with a loud rock band. The Venture combo on the other hand easily keeps up with a loud rock band and has headroom to spare - plenty of low end and crunchy Mesa Boogie tone as well. |
