Mesa Boogie Lonestar - The Best Amp Mesa Ever Built [probably]

For my Presets visit: johnnathancordy.gumroad.com/ I've tried to sell this Amp many times - it's just too heavy at 37kg. So I thought I'd sorted an interesting trade, so this was going to be the last video I made with it. But "I wish I knew how to quit you" seems to fit nicely. It's one of the more beautiful clean channels, and one of the more versatile drive channels out there, and it's got a Reverb, and I got this one at a steal...So. I guess it stays?
This amp was a favourite of Andy Timmons for a while, and I think got quite a bit of use from touring/session musicians, but I think it's still underrated.
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnath... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together for £5 - www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle for £3 using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
You can get my EXPRESSION patches in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Try my patches for Pod GO for £3 using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnath... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
00:00 Intro
2:37 What's this about
4:56 Overview of the channels
5:21 The Clean
6:50 How much Gain on the Clean channel
9:23 Cloning Channel 2
10:30 The Drive channel
19:08 Silicon vs Tube Rectification
20:20 Bright vs Warm Reverb Mode
20:54 Conclusion - I can't sell it

[@jeffreyduncan989]

I love my lonestar… It has one of the best clean sounds and handles pedals like a champ. I have owned some incredible amps but always ran into something I couldn’t live with but the lonestar has been a pleasure to own. It’s a lifetime amp

[@PJSScotty]

Gigged with my Lonestar 100w 2x12 last night. Luckily there was a parking space outside the venue. At 37kg you've gotta love this amp. The clean headroom is so lush and a Strat just comes alive, nothing like it.

[@stratplayer96]

The amp was discontinued because they couldn't source all the parts anymore. Don't ever sell it, because 10 years from now it will be one of the most sought after amps on the planet.

[@doggorman]

I think sooner than 10 years

[@TheBoomtown4]

Cool, I can’t wait to sell mine!

[@soundofbluesthing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4STpqanlNx2mMU What parts you can't find???🤔🤔🤔 Mesas are are technician's nightmare😅

[@jeffhayes605]

My tone on a good day is better with the original tone King imperial MK one while using my pedal board. However, it is very unforgiving . I AB, the 2 and started playing live with my tone king but it did nothing but piss me off. I started playing with the Mesa again, about six months ago; And have really come to appreciate the dynamics when it’s ran in the tweet mode. Honestly out of all the amps that I’ve ever owned, which is quite a bit of boutique stock. The Lonestar classic has everything I need and everybody always downs the dirty channel but I’ve never had a problem even running straight in with no pedals on the fly. people need to understand that Mesa tunes their amps to have all the dials set at noon so start there. You’ll find that the only knob you ever really move is the bass knob because this Amp has so much girth and low hanging balls you’ll probably only ever touched bass to roll it off. If your amp is low to the ground. As soon as you walk about 10 feet away from it, you’ll realize that bass is sweet and decide to put it back.

[@user-dr5tw7jc3n]

@@TheBoomtown4oh ok

[@shahrinsyazwan6952]

I love this amp so much.Great range of tones, take pedals well and is really a joy to play through. I have the combo and you're right, it's heavy as all hell. Considering putting it in a rack with a torpedo captor x so it would be a lot easier to move around.

[@riverstone5994]

I was on the fence about this one for a while. Anyway this video pushed me over the edge when one showed up locally. Cheers mate. I do like it a lot

[@southpaw335]

One of my favourite amps ever. I used to play through one regularly and thankfully it was onsite at the venue i used to play it at and i only had to lug it about 20 feet to set up and pack up. Always wished Mesa had made a mini/lunchbox version of the Lonestar. Lucky my Mark III continues to serve me faithfully, though that is a heavy beast too. So much so that i built a headshell and cabinet to split the weight of the combo into more manageable loads.

[@mantorandlannett...ourmusi604]

So glad i still have got mine! Incredible amp! Got it for 1000 used 6 years ago

[@MrLaRcOrE12]

I love how you connect your legato lines🤘 and that amp, Punchy..ballsy and angelicly clean

[@rexgould]

When I got my lone star special years ago, I remember plugging my guitar in and saying to myself, wow, this is the first time I’ve ever really heard my guitar.

[@ZRossi513]

I've had mine since 2010.....I still love it and it's always insipring!!!

[@sk00bz.]

I've had my Lonestar for over 7 amazing years. Best amp I have ever owned. Really not even needing another one ever other than some extremely different variety that the amp cannot provide. However, this amp is incredibly versatile. There's not a single tone I cannot get out of it.

[@johnnathancordy]

Amazing amps - if they're good enough for Andy Timmons....!

[@johnlanktree2803]

Best amp demo ever! Love my Lonestar. Traded a ‘60s Vox guitar for mine. Absolutely no regrets. Wish I’d seen this a year ago! Thanks!

[@JasonWadeGuitar]

I LOVE IT!!!!! My Favorite amp that I’ve never owned. Cheers, John

[@TheGgreen100]

This might be the best demo of this amp on youtube and certainly one of the best sounding ones. I bought a Lonestar about a week after I'd heard they had been discontinued, thinking if I didn't act then, it would only get harder to find them. It's a brilliant amp. My favorite clean sound of any head I've played, and the Lead channel is I think easily Mesa's most misunderstood circuit they've ever designed and it throws a lot of people off and causes them to discount the whole amp, but it's absolutely incredible if you know what it is and how to approach it. Think "fatter plexi, a bassman, and a dumble had a baby" and you're getting there. I don't think I could live with it as a combo though as that would probably weigh as much as a dying star. Definitely try and see if you can convert it to head format. If you sell it, you'll probably regret it.

[@Mcfly0856]

I've been wanting to buy a head shell for my combo, but I keep missing them on Reverb 🤦‍♂

[@TheGgreen100]

@@Mcfly0856 Mesa is currently so backed up that they're not making headshells for people at the moment, but if you call them, they'll recommend another company or two who will make you one. They don't usually answer the phone directly but if you leave a voicemail they'll always call you back in a day or so.

[@stevethebeeline44]

@@Mcfly0856 got my Lonestar headshell from Zilla cabs. Excellent work by them! 👍

[@manossavvakis6733]

this is my main amp for years!! it is a heavy beast but i can get so many tones from this. the key is devote time and learn how to use it. super powerfull eq and every nob effects the other. but when you start to learn it you just cant get enough of it. o own several expensive amps from vintage fenders to handwired marshalls to brand new boutique amps. nothing like a lonestar. i use it with a 1x12 fender ceramic speaker from 1962 and the cleans are heaven. the amp is very bassy so you have to keep the bass pretty low. the edge of breakup tones from the second channel in the 50watt setting with not engaging the extra drive switch and keeping the volume of the channel up is so tweedy! plus the true spring reverb of the amp is heaven. the fact that they discontinued the amp and the fact that mesa is now owned by gibson will only increase the value. i saw Sting live in athens, Greece in the ancient theater of the Acropolis and the guitarist Dominic Miller used to Lonestar classics just like Andy timmons and his tone was Perfect. the drive channel btw can be very very old school Marshaly with tight bass if you have the correct speaker. i always use mine in the 2channel without engaging the drive circuit and i have a very thick cleanish sound with EXTREME dynamics. i have a strymon timeline on the Loop and in front a clon centaur and the JHS AT+. spend years in chasing tones and thousands of euros in gear but still to this day nothing can beat this combo. i also have the helix and i have tried to use the helix lonestar head and the powerstation of the mesaboogie via 4 cable method and the result is pretty close. Never heard a clip in youtube that can hear what the amp really is really capable. (still have on it the original mesa boogie 6L6 tubes that are nearly 15 years old and never had a problem)

[@ericsh]

I have this same amp and love it! It also sounds killer with my 4x8 cab. I made a headshell for it, makes life a bit easier. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@stratplayer96]

If you really want your mind blown, plug it into a Mesa/Boogie Thiele cabinet with an EVM 12L!

[@timguntz3119]

Weight alone usually disqualifies mine from going to the gig with me. 73lbs for the 1x12 is a lot to haul. It does have a gorgeous clean channel and is a fantastic pedal platform. I bought my Rectoverb 25 because of the weight. The Rectoverb is one of my favorite amps. It’s a totally different thing but covers most bases well and weighs 42lbs. Low wattage low weight is more what I gravitate towards these days. Fantastic review of a beautiful amp.

[@resindoc]

I finally found one after chasing them for the last couple of years. Man I love this thing. Its so flexible.

[@JB_Eckl]

The 30 Watt EL84 'Special' version is equally killer. My main amp for 15 years.

[@christophersmith4391]

I picked one up about 2 months ago. It's absolutely the best amp I've ever played.

[@stratplayer96]

The 100w is in another league. Headroom for days.

[@NJSonye]

I’ve got a Lonestar classic that’s 15’ from me. It’s been all over the USA. I’ve used it with various pedals or pedal. I could not use a combo, but I have a great 2x12. My head weighs 17 kilos, which is manageable for my bad back and shoulders. I think one would have to spend $5000 to get a better amp. I’m sure Mick from TPS would agree. I’m in the process of integrating it with my HX Stomp. I do like the sound of the California Tweed. Your settings are spot on…except I could think of 3 or 4 variations all great tones. There are glorious tones putting the Master at 3 O’clock and turn the gain until the sky parts, which is unbelievably loud. I’ve played big stages and couldn’t play that loud! Don’t do it without ear protection!

[@jakollee]

Wow, what a cool opening to your solo at 0:39, and that whole intro jam is just killer! Definitely hold onto that amp! (Middle pickup on the Strat? Don't recall seeing that too often!)

[@joemorris4424]

Love mine. Head and cabinet. Love how different it can be but nearly everything that comes out of it is perfect. Your playing is great too man 🤟🏻

[@MrMOMOJAZZ]

For me it is the best amp ever built. I'd rather sell my kidney than my Lonestar. Hell, it ended my quest for tone (ampwise at least). I can not describe its warmth, versatility and how smart the engineering is. Off to jam!

[@stevewhite3753]

lol that’s a great response. Mesa should use that lol

[@jasonwilliamshuck]

Best sounding Mesa I ever gigged, and I had many models over the years.

[@Mcfly0856]

Picked up a 1x12 combo about 10yrs ago, will NEVER get rid of it...

[@robbyrobby7721]

I have the classic lonestar head, sounds like a vintage fender but no ice pick highs. Very dynamic amplifier, it demands technique and tons of headroom.

[@ProducerDudes]

I never knew I wanted this amp so bad until it wasn't accessible anymore (new anyways). Takes pedals better than most amps on the market. My local shop uses it for pedal demos and every pedal's character shines through.

[@johnnathancordy]

The good news is, they're super super affordable relative to their new price now?

[@ProducerDudes]

​@@johnnathancordy I'm only seeing local pickup options for them in different states in the 1500-1800 range online. I'm sure the right deal will pop up tho

[@lightinme217]

Fantastic!

[@stratolestele7611]

I'm using mine right now! OK, truth be told, I'm taking a little break 🤣, but I'm standing here in Texas with my D'Angelico Deluxe Brighton strapped on, my pedalboard, and my ferocious 1x12 wide body Lonestar on 50w and tweed mode. Mine's been on the chopping block a few times, and then, like you, I come to realize what it can do. And I have an original '68 Super Reverb and a JTM45.

[@scottv8410]

I have the special combo. That and my old studio .22 are the only amps i would never sell. Very distinctive sound and very flexible.

[@timrosenberg8937]

I sold one of these to buy a 2rock 6 years ago. Regretted ever since. Just sold the 2rock and bought a LoneStar special 30w combo. So happy……

[@benlooshka5048]

I just bought a used one and it's the best sounding amp I've ever heard ever .im not sure if ill ever want any other amp for the rest of my life.

[@stratplayer96]

Same!

[@MarketingVideography]

Did you consider just having the helix copy?

[@MarketingVideography]

Did you consider just having the helix copy?

[@aonortac]

I have a Special version in 2x12 combo config and yeah it's heavy as the universe itself but what a tone... Some classic users say it lacks the clean headroom due to the nature of the El-84 tubes breaking up sooner. It's probably true but I've managed to overcome this issue by going through a Fryette PS-100 Power Station, a 100 watts power amp in reactive load mode. It works the same way as an attenuator but in both ways. When I crank the 5 watts mode through the PS-100 it's just tonal heaven... Just like the Nomad, Stiletto and ElectraDyne, this amp is a misunderstood model by Mesa lovers. When it comes to clean tones, this amp can keep up with any Two Rock, Matchless, Tone King, etc. Keep the amp mate!

[@powelladventures4069]

Sounds great

[@davidcunetta4081]

I had one. The best non fender Fender tone I ever heard. Loud and heavy and I miss it. Might buy one again. It was their best amp. And I owned a few. Played a bunch.

[@blacktoothfox677]

I think the King-Snake is my favourite --- but the cleans on the LoneStar are up there with Fender and Roland, a very dynamic feel once the big lump warms up, a GREAT amp. Glad it's staying, to be honest! Cheers man

[@johnnathancordy]

The KingSnake is one I'd love to try!!

[@JB_Eckl]

@@johnnathancordy I can vouch. Absolutely bonkers amp. You don't need it if you have the 6L6 Lonestar, but it really is fantastic.

[@johnnathancordy]

@@JB_Eckl they cost more than my car unfortunately

[@michaelhotz7118]

I bought mine new in 2009. 100w / 2x12. No regrets at all!

[@johnnathancordy]

Incredible amp - if only a little heavy haha

[@smop]

The amp itself sounds HUGE, which I think makes it less obvious how to dial in the most usable sounds. If you have one, I’d recommend using the volume and tone controls on your guitar along with the amp controls; I’m getting the best sounds out of the amp this way!

[@uralemekci]

Great playing all over the video. Btw your neck pickup sounds amazing under heavy gain. I'm very close to buying a Lollar Blackface but maybe I should give Blondes a chance. If you ever want to let go of this amp, please let me know.

[@pwnEdge1]

Had a lonestar for quite a while ,the clean ,beautiful ,the dirty ,love hate relationship.I play more 80's rock .The band I used it with was more classic so it did work,I got rid of mine ,it was a great amp.been looking into a badlander.its got some great clean tone and on the verge of breakup sounds .

[@strings2wood]

Dominic Miller uses 2 Lonestar amps. I liked the clean channel, but relied on pedals for gain. Did trade it too.

[@Art-zs6sl]

Lonestars are great. I like the Electrodyne also for underrated Mesa Boogie amps. Love to know what you think of the 90watt MarkV compared to the MiniMark. Was the Fractal Reactive Load in use for the video?

[@johnnathancordy]

Should I do another video on the Electra Dyne? I've not really demod it properly?

[@tomasmarques1851]

Hi John! If the Lonestar weren’t so heavy, would you still have a use for your California Tweed? Can you get California Tweed vibes from the Lonestar? (which also has a Tweed mode)

[@johnnathancordy]

Umm the Cali Tweed is a much lower headroom style clean in my experience, and 6v6 tubes

[@tylerleavitt2715]

I’ll never sell this amp I’ve had jcm 800/jcm 900/SL2555 For where I’m at today, this is like tube driven magic. It is truly inspiring.

[@synthdude7664]

How would you compare the cleans of this to a mark III?

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

ive been working with 2 lonestars 2x12 combos on live gigs and they failed several times in the money time when they were new. fuses,tubes and other heat related problems. they sound fine but are very sensitive .

[@christopher.hallissy]

It’s so hard to get rid of any gear. As soon as I own it a bond is formed that I can’t explain. I’ve never been able to sell really anything short of a pedal I don’t get along with.

[@johnnathancordy]

Ah! I did sell this one eventually

[@christopher.hallissy]

@@johnnathancordy what boogies are you down to at this point?

[@stevethebeeline44]

Combo conversion to head and cab defo makes the Lonestar much more manageable. The head weight with one handle is fine but one handle for the 2x12 combo is a stretch!

[@stratolestele7611]

Another option is to just remove the internal speaker with its big 100w magnet and use it as a head, which I did for many years, until I replaced the 2nd blown stock speaker (forgot what they were - black something?) and put a 100w Celestion in it. Trouble-free for about 14 yrs, and I bought it lightly used.

[@jasoncheshire6153]

Please help me find a way to take the darkness out of this amp. It sounds awesome but just too dark like a blanket is over it... Any way to make it sound more like a Twin? Speaker change? I don't use channel 2. I just want channel 1 to sound less dark. Thanks.

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey Jason - Andy Timmons runs the Channel 1 with the Bass very low, even all the way off sometimes - try that?

[@dash4786]

How different would the lone Star special be with the EL-84? I understand it's only a 30 watt but would you still be able to get some tones closer to this? Also what would you recommend as a good amp that's close to this sound That's available today?

[@jdl2180]

I have the lone Star special, I would say that it sounds about the same but a very low volume. I almost always play mine on the 5 watt setting, perfect for playing at the house.

[@Screaming-Trees]

Did they build another one of these? With a 10 Watt switch? So confusing all these models that are kind of similar.

[@JoePariseauMusic]

Are these in the Pod Go Google Drive?

[@ReverendRobin]

Hi John, what strap are you using with the strat in this video?

[@Murdernadofdeth]

I only date women that can carry my Mesa RA100 from my truck to the stage.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Stud

[@thepedalguy2932]

I will own a Lonestar again someday when I had one I wasn't a good enough player to appreciate it , was easier to get my MKs to sound right

[@ericsears9318]

I own this amp and have no complaints. I can’t seem to get pedals to sound ideal (fuzz type and distortion sound ‘muddy’). I am curious if you can comment on the role of the load box.

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey Eric - I would consider keeping the bass VERY low like Andy Timmons!

[@Wileylikethehawk]

I play a Mesa Mk 2b combo most of the time…. But someone is selling one of these locally and I’m so tempted.

[@pb25193]

Whats better between this and the tk imperial mk2?

[@davidjoel111]

Wonder how this amp compares to a Fillmore and are the cleans on the Mark V 25 comparable?

[@johnnathancordy]

The cleans on the Lonestar are really pretty. The Fillmore cleans are less "thick"

[@stratplayer96]

Those amps aren't at the same level as a 100w Lone Star. Power = Headroom

[@nigelcummings123]

Thanks for the demo. Question: is this the 6L6 or EL84 tube version?

[@astro2069]

Someone offered me a trade. Would you trade a fender 65 reissue super reverb for a lonestar 212 combo?

[@shaunharvey3268]

Would you still be interested in selling the lonestar mate

[@kingpants8764]

I have a mesa ROADKING 2 (head) . Channels 1 and 2 are the LONESTAR. It's the best of all worlds. It is like 70 pounds though ha. The LONESTAR is killer. it's not fender cleans but just as good in a mesa way. I've always wanted the LONESTAR blue and silver head.

[@stratplayer96]

Great amp!

[@basildog007]

My stereo rig: Lonestar X Blues Junior.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

I was thinking one with a Super all thru the demo.

[@matthewdavis473]

They have a used one at my guitar center in Florida for $999. If I had room for another amp I would jump on it

[@johnnathancordy]

Head or combo?

[@matthewdavis473]

@@johnnathancordy 2x12 combo. I’d buy the head

[@johnnathancordy]

@@matthewdavis473 me too...the combo is brutal on the spine

[@johnwilkes681]

Tried one out in a local music store a few years ago, great amp, credit card was ready to come out of my wallet until I attempted to lift the amp up , credit card stayed in wallet. I don’t think they made a head only version,

[@johnnathancordy]

Yeh they did make head only - but they're generally quite a bit more on the used market

[@ajcajc5429]

@@johnnathancordy Just spotted one here in Aus for $1,899 head

[@THUNDERWORX]

I love the amp, but all of them I've ever heard are really buzzy and noisy, like the old 100w Marshalls I played back in high school. I don't know if they are all like that, but if so, surely someone could use a cap and a wire to find the source and run it to ground. Really cool amp. I'm getting old, but sometimes I like to imagine that I could still drag something like that around...LOL

[@12166971]

Great sounding amp! Bought it 10 yrs ago 500$. Playing every weekend over the last 10 years. Never bring me down. It takes pedal well. My amp technician said this amp is one of the best Mesa Amp.

[@stevewhite3753]

I love mine too. I get more compliments on my tone with this amp.

[@Mcfly0856]

One thing to add is that the amp can throw new users off with the way the controls work, 12o'clock is 0...

[@Stoffendous]

So now that you've played this you're done with the 5:25 John?

[@johnnathancordy]

Unfortunately this weighs so much that it's super difficult to get up and down the stairs.....

[@paulwatson9217]

@@johnnathancordy That’s what roadies are for, sorry just my sense of humour buddy.

[@MrTelecosta]

Tremoverb is up in that debate. Unfortunately another discontinued amp by Mesa. Great cleans and crunch sounds ( a more classy and refined rectifier? That’s one way to put it). It was used by a vast genre of players, from Jeff Buckley to Ed O’Brien to Mike Einziger (he still uses them today).

[@williamnordin1874]

I was going to mention the Tremoverb as the best. Cleans to Plexi to Rectifier - killer. I have the 2X12 combo. Very heavy and very loud.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

No peddles used, he says, and starts out with a looper. Now we have chimney percussion instruments in the background and layers.

[@johnnathancordy]

I actually don't start out with a looper....The "loops" are created in the DAW. So yeh. No pedals used.

[@rtbmusic1135]

Even on YT, I think that amp through a load box and IR sounds more alive than that HX Stomp ever has. Could be my imagination I guess.

[@TheBoomtown4]

What the heck. Mine doesn’t sound anything like this, if I dime gain and drive on channel 2 it’s mush. I have to keep bass super low top to get anything like your clean tones and dial presence up. If I have my presence where you have yours on your preferred dark tones, it’s like having the tone knob rolled all the way down on the neck pickup.

[@johnnathancordy]

My master might be cranked a bit higher than yours?

[@jeashleyiii]

have you tried duplicating the exact settings in this video? what speaker/tubes are you using?

[@TheBoomtown4]

@@jeashleyiii I have both el84’s and 6L6’s, using 6L6’s. Tweed setting, tube rectifier.

[@doggorman]

@Justyn McDonald did u mean El 34s? Or r u fitting in the el84s some how?

[@TheBoomtown4]

@@doggorman ah, pardon me.

[@em-dashman4404]

Oops. I might just have bought one 😂

[@harrybee3093]

I think it's worth its 37 kg !!

[@stratplayer96]

It has a badass transformer. That's where the magic lies.

[@Molnboman]

One of the slighty easier models to repair when the inevitable degradation of the cheapo components they use go bang. The weight of the 30watt combo is an nightmare for me personally. Good tones are easy to achieve from this amp.

[@alexstrong6310]

Like the Stiletto - arguably one of the best offerings from MESA - but perhaps misunderstood by Boogie "purists" that sit in the Mark series & Rectifier camp. Great demo.

[@mjbdough7920]

The gain tones seem a little soft and flubby or is that just me?

[@TheGgreen100]

Yes! And it sounds great! The drive channel isn't supposed to be a tight high gain monster, it's more like an overdriven vintage combo that sounds like it's about to explode but captured in a preamp circuit, which it absolutely achieves.

[@scottv8410]

Yes, that's kind of how they sound. If you want something more in your face something such as a mark iv is better for that.

[@stratplayer96]

Compared to what?

[@robbyrobby7721]

Professional level amplifier, if you suck don’t buy because you can’t hide

[@redrocks73]

Come for the gear wisdom and sweet leads , stay for the classic John Cordy one liners ; Mesa: “This is our simplest amp” John Cordy: “ If this is a simple amp I’d hate to see a complicated one ....🤣😂

[@justsomerandomguyman]

The new Fillmore is similar, but better, IMO.

[@timsellsted521]

The hardest part is letting them go....

[@RodrigoRamirez-eq6gj]

Mesa/Boogie have discontinued their best amps: the Mk IIC+, the Mk IV, the Lone Stars and the Mk I King Snake. It's my opinion that they should've just carried those models on a permanent basis.

[@Guitarooster52]

Incredible amp but 100 Watts…even 50Watts. Then as you say the weight takes its toll. Now if they made that in a 25 Watt or so….

[@jeffhayes605]

If you really want to hear what it can do, stick a Jan Phillips GE stamped 12ax7 in the V2 slot. Your breakup is much faster and run it in the tweed setting on 10 watts. Best sound ever for blues. The headroom won’t be an issue if you go up to 50 and run pedals.

[@jeffhayes605]

I’ll run the clean gain at 100% if I’m plugged straight in.

[@davidfaustino4476]

The Fillmore is a better amp.

[@stevewhite3753]

I have the lonestar special I’m wanting this amp when I play larger rooms