SteveB Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 Using my original Mesa Mark I had convinced me that I didn't actually need as "high gain" of an amp as I thought. As much as I like the lead sound on the Mark I though, it's a bit loose for rhythm and being single channel, its not very flexible. I've been eyeing the new Mesa Express amps, but also wanted to try a Lonestar given the tones that Andy Timmons gets from his on the demo he did for Xotic effects ( ).The Lonestar has been updated this year. One of the GC's here decided to blow out one of the previous versions for ebay prices for used ones, so I picked it up, figuring to return it or flip it if it didn't work for me. Well, it works just fine. Great sounding amp. Clean channel is great. Drive channel sounds like just a bit higher gain version of the Mark 1; the Lonestar is not as middy as the Mark's, although the "thicker" mode is pretty close. I got the combo, but I'm not so fond of the sound through the stock Mesa 90. It sounds great going to my two 1x12's though, one a Mesa Theile with EVM and the other a Raezers Edge. I'll probably convert this combo to a head at some point. The Lonestar combined with the Xotic BB Preamp gives me 4 really good sounds. Clean of course. Clean with the BB gives a nice fat "pushed distortion" sound ala "Barracudda". I have the dirty channel set somewhere in the "Thin Lizzy" to "Early Metallica" Range. Kick the BB in on the dirty channel and we are definately in early metallica/sabbath range, while still providing a very round, fat, infinitely sustaining lead tone. If I need more distortion than that I'll pair it up with my POD XT/Live or another pedal. Cool stuff. The newer versions of the LS classic have a 10 watt single ended mode added. The Express series are higher gain than the LS and are the continuation of the DC/F series; I might still take a look at those at some point. A LS head and Express head through a headbone into shared cabs would be pretty sweet. For now though the LS and BB combination is more than sufficient for me.
DavidE Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 My headbone VT is on the for sale board, but I think it's sold to someone on the gear page. Just waiting for payment.
BadJaxx Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 i have an LS Special and love it...great tones, very versatile....i don't think the stock speaker is broken in yet so i'll reserve judgement on it...i also run it thru an EH 4x10 cab....my Blue Angel 4x10 (also thru THD 2x12) is a good match as i run both in stereo....not the versatility of the Lonestar but just has a spectacular pushed clean blues tone...
HamerHokie Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 Using my original Mesa Mark I had convinced me that I didn't actually need as "high gain" of an amp as I thought. As much as I like the lead sound on the Mark I though, it's a bit loose for rhythm and being single channel, its not very flexible. I've been eyeing the new Mesa Express amps, but also wanted to try a Lonestar given the tones that Andy Timmons gets from his on the demo he did for Xotic effects ( ).The Lonestar has been updated this year. One of the GC's here decided to blow out one of the previous versions for ebay prices for used ones, so I picked it up, figuring to return it or flip it if it didn't work for me. Well, it works just fine. Great sounding amp. Clean channel is great. Drive channel sounds like just a bit higher gain version of the Mark 1; the Lonestar is not as middy as the Mark's, although the "thicker" mode is pretty close. I got the combo, but I'm not so fond of the sound through the stock Mesa 90. It sounds great going to my two 1x12's though, one a Mesa Theile with EVM and the other a Raezers Edge. I'll probably convert this combo to a head at some point. The Lonestar combined with the Xotic BB Preamp gives me 4 really good sounds. Clean of course. Clean with the BB gives a nice fat "pushed distortion" sound ala "Barracudda". I have the dirty channel set somewhere in the "Thin Lizzy" to "Early Metallica" Range. Kick the BB in on the dirty channel and we are definately in early metallica/sabbath range, while still providing a very round, fat, infinitely sustaining lead tone. If I need more distortion than that I'll pair it up with my POD XT/Live or another pedal. Cool stuff. The newer versions of the LS classic have a 10 watt single ended mode added. The Express series are higher gain than the LS and are the continuation of the DC/F series; I might still take a look at those at some point. A LS head and Express head through a headbone into shared cabs would be pretty sweet. For now though the LS and BB combination is more than sufficient for me. Buy a set of Mesa EL34s and swap out the 6L6s - there is a bias switch on the back panel that makes this a snap. Compare the two sounds and you might find the EL34s do better British sounding overdrive.
SteveB Posted May 15, 2007 Author Posted May 15, 2007 Buy a set of Mesa EL34s and swap out the 6L6s - there is a bias switch on the back panel that makes this a snap. Compare the two sounds and you might find the EL34s do better British sounding overdrive.Yeah, I'm planning on trying that at some point.
DavidE Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 i have an LS Special and love it...great tones, very versatile....i don't think the stock speaker is broken in yet so i'll reserve judgement on it...i also run it thru an EH 4x10 cab....my Blue Angel 4x10 (also thru THD 2x12) is a good match as i run both in stereo....not the versatility of the Lonestar but just has a spectacular pushed clean blues tone...I recently sold my Blue Angel 4x10. Very cool amp, but I never used it. The only Mesa gear left in my house is a 1x12 recto cabinet that I'm using with my Bogner Shiva.
nnajar Posted May 19, 2007 Posted May 19, 2007 the lonestar is one of mesa's better sounding amps. I'mnot a fan of mesa as a general rule- thy tend to try to pack too much stuff in their amps to me they always sound like a good idea that didn't quite make it. All the mesa's I've owned have been super noisy. But the lonestar is a good sounding amp- they did right with that one. convert it to a head and you'll be in great shape.Nate
BubbaVO Posted May 19, 2007 Posted May 19, 2007 Seems like everyone loves the clean channel on the Lonestar. What's a reasonably priced alternative?
BubbaVO Posted May 19, 2007 Posted May 19, 2007 Sorry. That was a total nonsequitur. But I've got my four boys so I'm typing, grilling ribs, consoling someone whose head just got hit by a plastic b-b bat, admiring the fine swing that resulted in said contact, and making sure that the other two aren't trying to put sticks in the german shepherds eye.Lonestar - great amp. Great sounds. But at boutique prices. What would be a little more attainable (at least for a 40 yr old working stiff with 5 bambinos and a wife who just recently discovered a connection between GAS and no Nookie) with a comparable clean channel. I'm hearing yelling...gotta go.
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