What's your one amp and cab or combo to rule them all?

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

^ Is that against forum rules? If so I'll edit it.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I treasure all my amps and cabs suffice to say that M and F rule

I'm more an HMMA guy.

Hiwatt
Matamp
Magnatone
Ampeg

 

[brandtkronholm]

All those amps are nice, but the correct answer is any Mesa Boogie MK I, II, or III.
I've had my MK III (simul-class) since 1995 and gigged hard with it for the next three years or so.
It is incredibly road worthy. (Despite blowing it up twice! Once it lost the lead channel and I was able to finish the show!)
I've never had any reason to consider any other amp.
Ok, so the reverb is mostly useless and it's unnaturally heavy, but once it's dialed in, whoa momma!
I keep the master on 10 and play the lead channel with minimal gain. This is the tone. Just the 1x12 is enough to cut off heads. Put it through a 4x12 and you'll level forests.
The only thing better is a Mesa Boogie Mark I, II or III with a 15" speaker - I've got one of those too.
Or a black Fender Reverb - and I've got one of those.
Nothing beats the Boogie.

Seen here (hiding behind me) in an old newspaper photograph from 1999:


Slumming with some other "Paul" in the "naughties":



And again in 2024 with the same Les Paul in the top photo:

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

All those amps are nice, but the correct answer is any Mesa Boogie MK I, II, or III....
View attachment 27120

Ha, you'll never hear me bash on Mesa/Boogie amps. I've played through Mk I, IIA, IIB, IIC+ Colliseum, Mk III. and IV's. Also early 2 Ch Dual and Triple Rectifier Solo Heads, a Triaxis + Strategy 500 poweramp, Blue Angel, Maverick, DC 5 and DC 10, and owned a 2 ch Dual Rectifier Tremoverb for 28 years. I chose the Tremoverb over the Mk IV fwiw when I decided it was time to order a new Mesa for myself.

That said no Mesa I ever played will blow away my Hiwatt and Reeves Custom 100's in terms of volume except the Triaxis into the Strategy 500, but to be fair I think my two Custom 100's run in stereo will give it a run for its money in volume, and sound much better doing so.

The Mk IIC+ Colliseum is the only Mesa head or combo I played that is close in terms of insane but musical clarity at volumes that literally will make you feel like you're about to pass out from vertigo due to the shear high SPL pummeling your eardrums.

But hell yes, Mesa Mk series amps are crazy loud and amazing sounding amps.

 

[metropolis]

Another vote for a Mark series Mesa here. Likely a IV for versatility although admittedly I don't know the V or VII (or JP2C). I've previously owned a Quad preamp which is essentially the II and III preamps, and currently have both a Studio preamp and a .22+ combo. The latter I would trust to handle any situation, and it's incredibly portable too.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Another vote for a Mark series Mesa here. Likely a IV for versatility although admittedly I don't know the V or VII (or JP2C). I've previously owned a Quad preamp which is essentially the II and III preamps, and currently have both a Studio preamp and a .22+ combo. The latter I would trust to handle any situation, and it's incredibly portable too.

I'd love to add a Quad to my amps some day, and run it into the fx return on my 4xKT88 Matamp.

 

[goldtop0]

...Samuel Jackson meme removed just in case.

A reference to Pulp Fiction or any other that he was in?

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

A reference to Pulp Fiction or any other that he was in?

It was Virgil with his head turned slightly and "motherf**ker" in text.

 

[goldtop0]

It was Virgil with his head turned slightly and "motherf**ker" in text.

Such a riveting movie, had me in stitches in some parts, cheers.

 

[metropolis]

I'd love to add a Quad to my amps some day, and run it into the fx return on my 4xKT88 Matamp.

It's the only thing I wish I'd never sold!

 

[charliechitlins]

1958 Bassman ended my tone search.
Everything else sounds dinky.
I don't even like to rehearse without it.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

It's the only thing I wish I'd never sold!

Have you ever compared it directly to the Studio Pre and Formula Pre, or played through either of those? Tbt I don't need 4 different sounds, and would be perfectly happy with using it to get just the highgain Mk IIC+ and Mk III type tones through the power amp of my 150 watt Matamp.

 

[metropolis]

Have you ever compared it directly to the Studio Pre and Formula Pre, or played through either of those? Tbt I don't need 4 different sounds, and would be perfectly happy with using it to get just the highgain Mk IIC+ and Mk III type tones through the power amp of my 150 watt Matamp.

No I bought the Studio pre way after I sold the Quad. I'd say it's similar but not exactly the same. That said, unless you're ABing them directly I wonder if you'd know you were missing something. The Formula seems a different beast entirely - a totally different circuit and tone.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

No I bought the Studio pre way after I sold the Quad. I'd say it's similar but not exactly the same. That said, unless you're ABing them directly I wonder if you'd know you were missing something. The Formula seems a different beast entirely - a totally different circuit and tone.

Cool. Thanks.

 

[gitmohair]

I don't have a favourite, really. Whatever does the job at the time. I like tube amps but there are gigs where SS is a saner choice (anyone who's played at a UK "working men's club/British Legion" or in a Functions/Show band will know where I'm coming from I imagine) and where the tube amp is viable it's got to sound right in the venue you're using it in. Frankly if it's loud enough (but not too loud and only so) it'll do for me.

 

[Mustardc Caps]

2013 Metropoulos LTD ED GMP45 x Mather Replica-1966 Marchall JTM45/100 TVB Cabinet, with EC Collins Pinstripe Cloth, loaded with 4 Pulsonic G12Ms. 2 Altec 418H, and 1 90w Celestion Cream. Its a Loud, 38w.
Honorable mention.
Blackfaced 69 Dual Showman Rvb. With ODS Mod-1st Channel via Bright Switch x 2 Altec Lansing 418H.,, 44444 original Fane 100w Cresendo A, x Hemp Coned JBL E120 x 90w Celestion Cream. The 2 15in Altecs, are 150w Alnico. Ive had them since new, in 1973. Rvb unhooked as well as Tremolo. All NOS glass, in Both amps.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

2013 Metropoulos LTD ED GMP45 x Mather Replica-1966 Marchall JTM45/100 TVB Cabinet, with EC Collins Pinstripe Cloth, loaded with 4 Pulsonic G12Ms. 2 Altec 418H, and 1 90w Celestion Cream. Its a Loud, 38w.
Honorable mention.
Blackfaced 69 Dual Showman Rvb. With ODS Mod-1st Channel via Bright Switch x 2 Altec Lansing 418H.,, 44444 original Fane 100w Cresendo A, x Hemp Coned JBL E120 x 90w Celestion Cream. The 2 15in Altecs, are 150w Alnico. Ive had them since new, in 1973. Rvb unhooked as well as Tremolo. All NOS glass, in Both amps.

If I ever get a "Marshall" it will be his 45/100 or Superbass clone. As much as I'd love a vintage Marshall I'd rather have the brand new Metropolous with new components and factory warranty.

i know from clips they nail the sounds I'd want out of a vintage Marshall perfectly, and come with no potential tlc needs out of the box to sound and function at 100%. The dude makes the best new "Marshalls" on the planet imho.

That's a gorgeous rig.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

2013 Metropoulos LTD ED GMP45 x Mather Replica-1966 Marchall JTM45/100 TVB Cabinet, with EC Collins Pinstripe Cloth, loaded with 4 Pulsonic G12Ms. 2 Altec 418H, and 1 90w Celestion Cream. Its a Loud, 38w.
Honorable mention.
Blackfaced 69 Dual Showman Rvb. With ODS Mod-1st Channel via Bright Switch x 2 Altec Lansing 418H.,, 44444 original Fane 100w Cresendo A, x Hemp Coned JBL E120 x 90w Celestion Cream. The 2 15in Altecs, are 150w Alnico. Ive had them since new, in 1973. Rvb unhooked as well as Tremolo. All NOS glass, in Both amps.

Also, have you ever compared those 15" Altecs with Coffee Can SRO 15's?

I love SRO's, particularly the alnico Coffee Can 12's, and ceramic Coffee Can SRO 15's, and would love a speaker that combined the alnico mojo of the SRO12 with the huge voice of the SRO15.

 

[Mustardc Caps]

If I ever get a "Marshall" it will be his 45/100 or Superbass clone. As much as I'd love a vintage Marshall I'd rather have the brand new Metropolous with new components and factory warranty.

i know from clips they nail the sounds I'd want out of a vintage Marshall perfectly, and come with no potential tlc needs out of the box to sound and function at 100%. The dude makes the best new "Marshalls" on the planet imho.

That's a gorgeous rig.

Heres the guts.

Have these Mullard 10M Gold Pins in V1-V2. 1957 Mullard Long Plate mC1V3, and a 61 Fat Base GZ34. 50s KT66s.

10Ms had a 10,000 Hour, or 2 Year Warranty, from the factory, when new.
They were guaranteed to work from -39f-140f, 24/7, at full output.

57 mC1.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Heres the guts.

Have these Mullard 10M Gold Pins in V1-V2. 1957 Mullard Long Plate mC1V3, and a 61 Fat Base GZ34. 50s KT66s.

10Ms had a 10,000 Hour, or 2 Year Warranty, from the factory, when new.
They were guaranteed to work from -39f-140f, 24/7, at full output.

57 mC1.

That looks every bit as clean inside as my Hiwatt Custom Shop and Reeves Custom 100's. I have all NOS Mullard glass in the Hiwatt, with NOS Mullard and Telefunkin glass in the preamp of the Reeves and SED EL34's in the power amp.