Mesa/Boogie Rocket 44: The best rock amp you've never heard of

[@thomcat1969x]

Bought my 44 in 1999. It was my first Boogie and was the perfect entry level Mesa for me at the time. It really taught me how to dial in a Mesa as I have acquired 4 other Boogies since. It was $699 new in a box for the 1X12 combo and described in the manual as a single channel, tri-modal amp. Having shared EQ controls over all 3 modes did take some dialing in. The manual really helped unlocking the classic tones that are associated with Boogie. I called them up and found I could order a head cabinet which opened up more options for various speaker cabs but this wasn't really sold as a head. They did make a 20 watt 1X10 called the Subway Rocket, and a Subway Blues in this lineup. I still have it and will never sell it.

[@donross8725]

Sounds like the contour serves the same function as the graphic on other boogie amps. Most users scoop the sound by setting the mids on that graphic really low and pushing the lows and highs.

[@addieandleesfunplayaddiean7325]

I have a Rocket 44. I absolutely cannot understand how this amp was and still is so overlooked. It is one of the best sounding amps ive ever heard or owned! I have the 1x12 combo. And im old school!

[@genxguitar3599]

I don’t get it either .. occasionally see the 1x12. I guess we just have to wait for some big-name player to get behind it and have them quadruple in value 😂

[@addieandleesfunplayaddiean7325]

@@genxguitar3599 exactly! But meantime, it's great enjoying the tones that hardly any guitar players out there know about!

[@TheEnrico1994]

Happy with my rocker44 ALWAYS! :D

[@MacawAviculture]

Great video! I started buying Boogie amps in the 1980's and have had most of the Mark series amps, but never really had any luck getting classic rock tones like ZZ Top. But my Marshall and Soldano heads are easy to get the sounds I love. After watching your video, I did a search for the Rocket 44 head, these are NOT easy to find!

[@genxguitar3599]

Thanks. Yes, this amp will get you watch closer to those type of sounds. I haven’t seen any heads available, but do occasionally see the Combo version of it.

[@sherryblanchette6159]

Great video! Did we see this amp at the Music Mill last week? 🎸❤

[@canaan_perry]

I have run one of these since 2011. I have the 1x12 combo version and it's my main workhorse that can sort of do anything pretty damn well. I agree that the clean sounds are not stellar and are more on the midrangey warm side. However, I tend to use the clean channel as my main sound but I like to run the gain and treble high on that channel to get a crunch sound. I also use a Rangemaster style treble boost in front and that is my main tone -- I can roll off volume to clean things up. The treble booster and treble bleeds in my guitars let me get a good range of clean to crunchy sounds. I switch over to the overdrive side (non contour) to solo but have the gain set fairly low. On that channel. Over the years, I have run it very differently but that's how things have been for the last 5 years and I can cover a lot of ground. Tubes have lasted a long time and the amp's form factor and power are a great combination. The reverb is weak --- the tank inside the chassis is basically a toy.

[@genxguitar3599]

I’ve seen people upgrade the Reverb tank on buggy amps. I may consider doing the same on this one.

[@robertcarey3383]

I have the combo version and it does sound like a Marshall, but it doesn't really sound like my DSL 40, more like a JCM 800 or a Silver Jubilee. (El 84 tube amps such as this Mesa never really have any low end and usually don't cut through in a band situation), so I blend it with a Carvin 100-watt tube combo that has a EV12lm speaker in it and it REALLY has low end punch, when I play them blended together (Carvin for low end punch, Mesa for top end distortion) it is one of the best amplified guitar sound I have ever heard, Not as loud as a full Plexi stack possibly but really loud enough to play anywhere.

[@inessalazarkopp4579]

recently bought a Subway rocket 22 combo. But it didn't convince me at all and I returned it to the store... now i ask to myself if i did the right thing...

[@genxguitar3599]

I have heard several versions of the Combo. Maybe it’s the speaker, but I don’t like it as much as the head.

[@squidwardjtentacles]

Why don't you like the combo amp. I saw a used one today and was considering buying.

[@genxguitar3599]

I don’t dislike it, but I think the speaker in the combo could be better. The combo is much easier to get, and of course your mileage may vary.

[@RichardHofmeisterII]

I am selling my 1999 Rocket 44 1x12 (Vanilla, Tweed) for the shortcomings you mention. I'm also playing acoustic/electric and electric. I need more clean. Thanks for the review!

[@genxguitar3599]

I have never seen that color. Do you mind sharing?

[@MrVento]

Love the vid! You're going to give Johan Segeborn a run for his money :)

[@genxguitar3599]

Thanks ! Johan has some crazy experiments for sure :)

[@DanielDavis730]

Puta vtwin foot switch threw it adds contour fatten up the amp

[@ReyYbarra]

Damn I wish there was less talking and more playin

[@genxguitar3599]

Yup .. more talking on this video as many people think this amp is a rectifier . There is a guy that did a playing only video on this amp if you search for it.

[@bubbahotep5439]

Way too much talk, too little play! Still didn't hear much ......

[@georgeburns8447]

That's because he's a nobody who can barely play. AND he looks like Tony Randall from The Odd Couple, so he basically has nothing going for him as far as rock music and image go. He should quit the guitar and go back to selling vacuum cleaners door to door.

[@georgeburns8447]

Hey. Since you look like Tony Randall, I was wondering if you could play the theme to The Odd Couple for us on guitar.

[@genxguitar3599]

It’s funny. No one has ever told me that in my entire life until I started doing KZbin videos. Yes , I am eventually going to play the theme 😂😂

[@georgeburns8447]

@@genxguitar3599 Thanks. Now go back to cleaning.

[@RichardHofmeisterII]

@inessalazarkopp4579 - the Studio .22 1x10 is the best amp I ever owned. Whoever stole it with my Fender Telecaster is in Heaven.