In a jam... and not the good kind...

[Jimothy JP7]

Hi all,

With my Petrucci almost here, it's time for me to blow more money to make my home a little more hospitable for such a worthy guitar. I had a grand saved up for a Mesa Triple Rec half stack, but then I quit my job and haven't gotten another one since. Tax time has come and I'm getting close to $500 back, so now I have a big decision to make.

Do I stay the way I was going and get at least the Mesa head for now, that way I can:
-Start constructing my tone
-Have a better amp to use my JP through
-Have a jumpstart on a half stack
-Be that much closer to having a complete live setup

Or do I purchase another MM [6 string this time] so I can:
-Continue to hone my chops on 6 and 7 without losing interest/skill in either field
-Continue to learn other music that can't be arranged for 7's
-Have a 6 and 7 from the best company ever
-Write on 6 or 7 string without feeling like I'm switching between junk and gold [which isn't very motivating, if I might add].

If I go for a new MM, it's either going to be a JP6 or an Axis with no trem. I'd like to get an LE or a BFR, and I'd have close to $1500 to spend here, but I don't have any idea what the cost would be.

Multiple Choice enabled on the poll, tell me what you think and why.

Any help here would be much appreciated.

 

[JSX]

THat's a tough one, I can't say much about Mesa's cause I can't get them where I live and i never played one, but I know JP guitars rule because I played a few...... and it would be damn nice to own two Petrucci's, that's for sure!

 

[Larry]

Well what amp are you playing through now? Do you really need a half stack?

 

[Jimothy JP7]

I don't really need a half stack, as I'm only playing in my room for now, but I do need to start a band soon, and I want to have a rig ready to go whenever that happens. As of now, I'm using a Randall 1x12 which isn't getting it done for me, and if I'm going to blame anything for my playing I want it to be my hands, not the amp or the guitar I'm using. I've already just about eliminated the whole "my guitars suck" thing by buying the JP7, so thats why I want a new amp.

But thats also why I want a new 6 string. More important than anything is progress, and I think I could deal without having a new amp as long as my guitars were facillitating learning and were fun to play, but also I need to start getting out and playing and get my aspiring career rolling, so each side has a point that makes it hard to choose.

 

[beej]

The best way to get better is to play live. If you're gearing up for playing more, I'd get a cool portable little rig together. You've got the guitar, so I'd say ditch the Randall if you don't like it and get something you do like, and maybe a pedal or three (delay, whatever you need to feel like you, etc).

Just my two cents, but a Triple Rec half stack looks great but isn't necessarily the most portable option. Even a head plus 2x12 cab is more portable.

Also there are some great small heads and combos with low wattage switching (or power scaling, etc.) that you can use to play live and at bedroom levels. If you like Mesa, there's that Express combo (affordable, wattage switchable), there are also a ton of decent 18W Marshall style amps ... 18 watts is plenty loud for band volume in most situations.

So I'd look for a good versatile amp that you can use at home and live, and that won't break the bank. Then save up for another JP

 

[Jimothy JP7]

Almost at 3000 there beej.


I've been considering a mesa 2X12 alot recently. The only reason I haven't just gone with it is because a new one is the $500-600 range, and few a few hundred more bucks I could go full. I wouldn't care right now, but I feel like I'd be kicking myself later on.

As for the head, I'd like to try mesa's smaller stuff, like a Mark IV, but I can never find it anywhere to try it, and I don't want to buy it and not like it.

I'll have to look into the Mesa line a little more, I'd like to walk into my GC and check out some stuff, but all they usually have are Rec's. I'm reading up on the Express 5:50 now, looks cool.

 

[greenwizard]

Okay,
I voted for "Shut up, get the Mesa n00b." although I think you should go easy on yourself cuz this is a tough choice.
Here's why:
The way I see it, you've bought a guitar that's going to give you some of the best tones money can buy and you need to take advantage of that.
I know where you're coming from. I just got my JP6 MD and I'm in love. I've got GAS (or BAS) coming out the ass to get another Ball. But right now I'm playing it through a cheap foreign solid state 40W and it kills me to do that. I'm running it through a digitech amp modeler but still I know that I'm not getting half the tones I could (I've played it through some marshall combos and it sounds like heaven!)
But I spent all my money on my dream guitar. I live in Kuwait so in addition to the price from Guitar Center I had to pay about 150 bucks in shipping and almost 200 in customs. I'm literally dead broke but I'm not going to consider buying another quality guitar till my JP get's the sound she deserves. You know what I mean?

 

[brentrocks]

get a used 5150 2X12 combo (great amp!) for about $500 and get a new ball!!!

Axis, that is...

 

[pjc812]

Get a Krank. They slaughter Mesa.
Or, get a new Marshall JVM410C. The mids are much more pronounced, great metal tone.

 

[Jimothy JP7]

I'm looking more and more into the Mesa Express 5:50 now, looks like it could pack a punch, and coming from Mesa I know it'll own.

As for Krank, being a huge Dime fan, a customer ordered a Revolution at my local GC and an employee/friend called me knowing I wanted to play one. I checked it out, it sounded real hot, but I really wasn't that impressed. I could get much less twangier cleans and more full distorted tones with any ole Mesa, but I couldn't find comfort in the Krank. Plus, when the guitar guys busted it out of the box, it had all kind of loose junk in the bottom of the box, like it was half assembled in the factory and rushed out? I don't trust that.

Not saying Krank isn't great, maybe theres something better they make for me, or maybe it was just that amp, but I lost all intentions of buying one after that.

 

[JSX]

If you want to get and amp, IMO I wouldn't get a Mesa, from what i hear you really have to crank them to get a good tone (correct me if i'm wrong on this) You might want try out a JSX, there reallly loud and sound just as good on low volumes. Hope this helps you out a bit.

 

[Sweat]

You are on the right track with the Mesa 5:50, I have a 5:25 on order,both sound great are versatile, can be toned done for use in a practice room or cranked for other purposes, you do not have to turn it up to get great sounds, with that said make sure you get a job so you dont have to sell it later.

 

[beej]

Almost at 3000 there beej.

Hey- how about that! Didn't even notice. Well here's 3000

Yeah, there are a million amps out there and it's very difficult to pick one given that most places only stock a handful of brands. There are a lot of good sites, boards, etc. where you can hear clips and get a feel for what you like. I suggested the Express since you like Mesa and it sounds like it's priced right!

With GC at least you can return it if it's not your cup of tea. Or look for something used that you know you can sell w/o losing anything until you find the right amp. But I'd make a list of all the features you want- channel switching, reverb, effects loop, good master volume or attenuator, etc. and then weigh that against the price of what's available.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I say get yourself a nice 2x12" combo and have some money left over for your next guitar!

 

[jagged]

Heres what I think...

you mentioned you had about $1500 to spend right?

You can usually score older JP6s on Ebay for about that price. But if you dont want used... get the amp.

I am a fan of Mesa Boogies, but unless you're playing huge venues, you wont need a triple rec. I would say a dual rec is good enough. As for getting a 2x12 cab... they're great. again, you don't really need a 4x12. and if you think you're going to kick yourself later, just get a 4x12 later. the mesa cabs habe parallel outs so you can connect a bunch of cabs anyway. that being said, getting a mesa combo wouldn't be a bad idea. having a head and cab makes it much harder to carry as well as a bigger pain to move around. the combos are just the same, and may be cheaper. you can get a roadster 1x12 to start, then get a 2x12 or 4x12 later.

i'm in a similar position as you, but my line 6 spyder does the job decently. i'm always debating if i want to get another guitar or get an amp. personally, I think if you get the same type of guitar then your motivation to play doesn't really increase. having a second jp is nice, but it wouldnt change what you play by that much. even having an axis may not change much. i would recommend getting a totally different guitar for a different style. i have a jp on order, but im looking into getting an AL so i can play some clapton or johnson. that motivates me more than having 2 JPs

 

[roburado]

+1 on a "smaller" Mesa like Express 5:50, used F-50, DC-5, .50Cal+. I really like the 50 watt Mesas. I haven't tried the Express, but that's the thing that's replacing the F-50, right? So, I imagine it's probably nice. I also second the suggestion that you don't need a Triple Rectifier. I think 50 Watts is enough for most venues too. 50 Watts can get plenty loud. JP's moving to the Mark IV, and that's only 85 Watts. So, even a guy like JP isn't necessarily getting the big, super powerful head.

Either that, or go ahead and get yourself a used Mark IV or something. You should come in under $1500, I think. Watch EBay. There were several Mark IVs on there as of last week. Some were heads. Some were combos.

 

[fsmith]

Almost at 3000 there beej.


I've been considering a mesa 2X12 alot recently. The only reason I haven't just gone with it is because a new one is the $500-600 range, and few a few hundred more bucks I could go full. I wouldn't care right now, but I feel like I'd be kicking myself later on.

As for the head, I'd like to try mesa's smaller stuff, like a Mark IV, but I can never find it anywhere to try it, and I don't want to buy it and not like it.

I'll have to look into the Mesa line a little more, I'd like to walk into my GC and check out some stuff, but all they usually have are Rec's. I'm reading up on the Express 5:50 now, looks cool.

Jimothy,
The GC in Geln Burnie had a MkIV the last time I was there a few weeks back. It's a shame that they're not a Mesa dealer I had to go to the Towson store to play them and ended up ordering my Stiletto Ace from them. Great amp with the Avatar 2x12 cabinet I ordered. Oh yeah and it loves my Petrucci... Very nice together.

I'd say go for the amp at this point and then come back for another JP.

fred

 

[Astrofreq]

Buy a stormtrooper outfit. DUh???

 

[Voo]

The JP7 sounds absolutely crushing. I will say took me the better part of an hour to dial it in just right for the extra low end from the low B.

I will say this, the rack mount preamp has better clean tones then anything I could find from a regular head or combo and I looked for well over a year. With that said I say if you want to start with your tone start building a nice rack (not adviced if you dont live on the 1st flor as your back will want to kill you every time you have to go out to a gig)

Anyways thats my 2 cents

 

[Headstock]

Get a Krank. They slaughter Mesa.
Or, get a new Marshall JVM410C. The mids are much more pronounced, great metal tone.

I can honestly say this is the first thread I have ever seen were a Krank owner has recommended that someone buy one of their amps.