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Mesa vs Marshall
- Thread starter MCBTunes
- Start date
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
MCBTunes said:
Mesa are awesome amps but ridiculously expensive over here! (I know, damn Limeys complaining about getting ripped off again !!
)Marshall being manufactured in the UK offer "us" a more affordable alternative.
If I could get a Mesa for the same price as a Marshall I would.
I can't.
So I won't!
Spud
EDIT: Ummmmm, I didn't understand your question but I thought I'd have a whinge anyway!
Last edited:
skabassist13
Well-known member
I think its apples to oranges. The Mesas are generally more round, fat, and heavy, whilst the marshalls are more high end, tonally.
lenny
Well-known member
MCBTunes said:
I like my MARSHALL but i am biased because i own one
BUT i have had my hands a few Mesa's and i found them way to complicated for my puny brain too many dials and knobs and push pulls for my liking
lenny
Well-known member
i have a TSL60 JCM2000 and i am not thin a little bit i call it "thick n zesty"!skabassist13 said:
BUT it also depend what your playinng threw it and how u have it set up
I've never been inspired by any of the majority of things that Marshall are putting out - JCM2000's to me sound sterile, AVT's extremely wirey and brash, and Mode Four's similarily.
Stick a JCM800 or JCM900 in front of me though, and we'll agree very muchly.
Stick a JCM800 or JCM900 in front of me though, and we'll agree very muchly.
Spudmurphy
Well-known member
Yeah too many damn tubes too !!!lenny said:I like my MARSHALL but i am biased because i own one
Spud
sandman@midlife
Well-known member
I had ,until last week, aMesa MkII. It was absolutely killer! I'm a bass player for several years now, so my son used it. He's gone to a Marshall combo and likes it better. I think it depends on the sound you hear in your head. Lots of hits have been recorded with both of them.
Neither 
LOL
Marshall are kinda like Gibsons, gota try sooooooooooo many to get a good one. And really only JCM 800 900 SLX count anyway.
Mesa are too costly.
My money is with Engl.
All tube, German made, kickbutt rock ampage
LOLMarshall are kinda like Gibsons, gota try sooooooooooo many to get a good one. And really only JCM 800 900 SLX count anyway.
Mesa are too costly.
My money is with Engl.
All tube, German made, kickbutt rock ampage
slukather
Well-known member
Yes it's hard to compare them, 2 different amps, it just depends what music you play. I have got a Mesa Dual Rec., i don't think they are worth the money, by a long shot, $4600 (aud) 
, what can l say l feel for the hype, and at the time the band l was in wanted me to get one, as they wanted that high gain Nickelback sound. But l found replacing the stock tubes, as they are complete junk, and put jj's in, huge improvement.
Scott.
, what can l say l feel for the hype, and at the time the band l was in wanted me to get one, as they wanted that high gain Nickelback sound. But l found replacing the stock tubes, as they are complete junk, and put jj's in, huge improvement.Scott.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
boys...first off I dont like the "vs" I prefer "or" Both of these companies have a rich heritage and make great stuff. I would normally say Mesa for me, but I just got this three channel Marshall combo that rocks. I also was very tempted to buy this flame maple mesa road king at wild west....WOW!
mhorse
Well-known member
I would have to go with neither, but that's just me. I never came across a current Marshall that I liked. I liked Mesa for a while (I have DC-5 right now), but I grew sick of it. Trading mine in for a Rivera this week, I think.
As far as apples and oranges - they are probably not. They obviously have very different tonal personalities, but can be compared, tone-wise and feature-wise. But you will have to decide for yourself which one is yours.
As far as apples and oranges - they are probably not. They obviously have very different tonal personalities, but can be compared, tone-wise and feature-wise. But you will have to decide for yourself which one is yours.
pauldogx
Well-known member
I used a Mesa Mk2 for years and I came to the conclusion that --to me---It has what I would call a "compressed" sound. Its Fendery but compressed. I don't get along well with Marshalls--they always sound Harsh to me. That being said I know David Grissom uses a 20 watter and it sounds like god!!!! Speakers have to be adressed as well----I used Vintage 30's with the Mk2 and I liked those much better than the EV that was in it. Marshalls also have a great clean sound----remember--SRV used his Marshalls for his clean sound and Fenders for his dirty stuff. For me-----I will one day own a Dumble.I hope. Maybe.........Yeah right.
Jonny Dubai
Well-known member
If i had to choose it would be Messa. I prefer the tonal range and responsiveness (is that a word???).
Gimme a Peavey 5150 any day!!!!
Jonny
Gimme a Peavey 5150 any day!!!!
Jonny
LasagneFTW
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2005
- Messages
- 121
Big Poppa said:
i agree with you Mr. BP. both companies have there place, and its really a matter of personal taste. (oh noes rhyming haha).
that roadking sounds gorgeous just from your description.
-ross
Antoine
Well-known member
I've had many amps, and always had selled them for buying another one, since i've bought my Mesa MarkIV head in 1998, i've never changed anymore, world top class instrument !
Tim O'Sullivan
Well-known member
Marhalls build quality of late has been quite poor, where as Mesa are usually top quality in this area.
slukather
Well-known member
mhorse said:
Man l love the Rivera Knucklehead (el-34 version), l played one a little while ago, loved it straight away, went to go get some money to buy it, by the time l got back, it was sold, l was cursing, and l haven't found another one so far. Although l'm probably gonna get a line 6 flextone 3 xl soon, as l don't play out much anymore, and the mesa is way too loud.
Scott.
kind of what i expected.... a generally balanced view on each, with a little bit of sway towards Mesa. I honestly havnt played through much of Mesa's stuff, or Marshall's for that matter. The one marshall I do rememebr playing through quite vividly was a little harsh, and "fuzzy".
For years I've always played Marshall's, and over the last few, I've coverted to Mesa's. I have to agree with earlier posters that QC on Marshall's have been dodgy, which is what sent me over to the Mesa camp for a while.
Just recently I decided I really like both in their own way, so I got a JSX, and feel like I've got a little of both. I never...EVER... thought I'd admit in public that I owned a Peavey, but times sure have changed. The crunch on the JSX is really close to a modded Marshall, and the Ultra channel is similar to a Mesa.
just my $.02...
Just recently I decided I really like both in their own way, so I got a JSX, and feel like I've got a little of both. I never...EVER... thought I'd admit in public that I owned a Peavey, but times sure have changed.
The crunch on the JSX is really close to a modded Marshall, and the Ultra channel is similar to a Mesa. just my $.02...
