Mesa Boogie's Most Underrated Amp? SUBWAY BLUES

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[@ericcampbell3193]

I have a Subway Rocket with a Fane 10 speaker in it. It is an incredible combo.

[@lyricbread]

It’s weird to see a Mesa Boogie amp that doesn’t have two hundred knobs on the front panel. 😂

[@verticaldude]

Its sad that they don’t concentrate on simpler designs.

[@Turboy65]

Actually they have several models that are fairly simple, but it's their big amps that have caught most of the attention and also tend to sell in huge quantities. For quite a long time the Dual and Triple Rectifier Solo Heads made up more than HALF of Mesa's production. And they're STILL top sellers.

[@darwinsaye]

Probably the nicest Mesa I’ve ever heard, but that’s probably because it’s kind of more Princeton-like than typical Mesa-like.

[@neal_laugman]

Thanks for playing on this video. Its motivational and enjoying.

[@chrisgmurray3622]

I still use the mesa boogie studio tube preamp. It is basically a studio 22 but pre only and much quieter. It sounds great is quiet and has a simple reverb that sounds OK, with an effect loop mono send- stereo return and two channels switchable, independent tone controls and gain etc plus switchable graphic eq. I use into an old Marshall 50wattva side tube power amp JCM 900 . In the loop is an old TC chorus, and a schultz stereo analogue bucket brigade echo. Sometimes I use an ibanez TS808 as well, and really it's all you ever need. If I want to record direct the stereo compensated "record" outputs have an OK sound and as I said it's really quiet, and solidly and simply built like a tank. I've had it since 1989, and it's never needed servicing.

[@edlib02169]

Definitely seems like their attempt to do an updated take on a Princeton Reverb.

[@tomatengarage5608]

Hello John. So in 1984 I also had a boogie once. It was a "SOB", 2 channel, 60 watt tube, 1 x 12" Celestion speaker, with reverb (which sounds quite good to my ears). Great design: black front panel, this wonderful wickerwork (is that the correct term?) in front of the speaker and the whole thing in a light wood cabinet (maybe birch?). Was a really heavy amp - and an extremely loud amp. Incredibly large headroom, great for clean sounds... It's like so often: I wish I still had it. But I gave it away pretty soon because it was just way too loud for my environment at the time. And here's a tip for many young musicians: don't sell your gear too fast. I have many musician friends who have been annoyed because of the one or other quick sale afterwards. And as Tim Pierce said recently: Don't feel guilty for buying gear. A lot of gear (pedals, amps, guitars) hold their value. Best regards from Germany. Michael. ps: Great video, John. Once again. It's almost scary, because not only do you play fantastic - you also say a lot of smart things. Some guys have all the luck... :-)

[@gs3173]

THis is so true. hold onto your good gear. Keep it for a long time because your ears can be really fickle. Don't like your amp? play it in another room. Play it with another guitar, change your cables, try a different pick, ,change your strings or the speaker. Regret always lasts longer than the small amount of money you make in the sale... :-)

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Got my W and Wicker Boogie S O B in 2012. And would never sell this extremely heavy amp. Mine is optioned out, 60/100 wts, reverb, 12L speaker. And just to keep it protected I found a used road case for $100. But again more weight.

[@timmccloskey4922]

Thank you, that is some of the most beautiful guitar playing I have ever sent or heard! And, the finest Amp demo I’ve ever watched. I watch it completely. I own the amp and have always loved it!

[@Sulordan]

Finally a quality video on these amps. They are very underrated. I've had my Subway Rocket for 24 years. Someone gave it to me when i was 8 which is what got me into guitar. So these amps will always be special to me. I'd love to get a 1x12 or 2x12 black shadow cab for it someday because i actually really enjoy the tone of the black shadow speakers. But the Subway Rocket is a screamer of an amp. Same beautiful clean tone, but with that contour channel, it nails a lot of 90's bands for me. Has a really amazing baby Rect-o-Verb type of gain. So if you're a fan of Mike Einziger from incubus or any similar bands from that era, this amp is small light and sounds incredible. Mine has a quirky gain pot on the second channel that in one specific spot thins out the amp and makes it sound very fender-y... i've always wanted to play another to see if it does the same thing.

[@JeremyMcCant]

Mesa Boogie makes some WONDERFUL amps! I can't wait to buy one in the near future!

[@Wileylikethehawk]

I love a small Mesa combo. I’ve been using a Mk IIb for years as my main stage amp. Sounds so good.

[@deddiev1718]

I owned the 180 watt Mark 2b 1/3 stack back in the 80’s

[@Wileylikethehawk]

@@deddiev1718 The coliseum! Amazing. I’d love to have one.

[@jorgecosta5374]

best el84 tub amp by far. Great playing.

[@Belchenradler-biketouren]

Great clean & blues tone! It's a simple Boogie amp, but it has the typical DNA & sound, which I love for many decades now! My first Boogie was a Mark II Combo with a beautiful wood body, during the early 80ths, which I loved very much, except of the weight ... Now I play a Mark V:25 top, which is lightweight, but with amazing sounds, if you know how to use it. Hope there will be Mesa Boogies available in Europe again in future.

[@davidmeatty5922]

I had one of these. An oddball with a 12" speaker. Loved it but I loved its hairier cousin, the Subway Rocket, even more.

[@bigbreath]

10 inch right?

[@thomcat1969x]

The subway rocket was a 10". I have the rocket 44 and fits the 12" combo.

[@kevinbyous6095]

Man, you are one heck of a player. I had a subway rocket, but got rid of it because I had to travel to far to get it fixed.

[@nesta8518]

Got a studio .22 and absolutely love it!

[@Mr.D34]

First of all it seems weird to see a Mesa Boogie amp as simple as this 😀 which i really like. It sounds absolutely great, especially with that TS10.

[@stevemorgan9626]

The most underrated Boogie amp imo is the Mesa Blue Angel. Gorgeous tones, and very un Boogie like (non master, very few knobs).

[@archiewiles5512]

I have one it's killer

[@SociopatheAssume]

I don't know if it is the most underrated, because I would rather say it may be the most unknown one, even among boogie's enthusiasts (and I'm not even talking about the metalheads who mainly knows about recto and post Mark 1) . But anyways we agree, it's a fantastic amp;)

[@strongarm65]

I have the Subway Rocket 20. It also has a 10 inch speaker. I prefer to use an external 2x12 cabinet with it. Sounds much better through 12s. I like it as much as the fat clean channel on my Mark5:25

[@MikaelLewisify]

Damn…that’s some tasty playing at the end. I mean, was great throughout, but that outro blew me away.

[@tkbyd]

I've had one these for about 20 years now By far my favorite amp. I use an old electro voice 10" speaker. Awesome. Great playing.

[@luizparquet]

Its possible to make a little gig with him ? Tks

[@GC-cx6ew]

Came to hear the amp….stayed for the playing. Fantastic…..

[@steveburroughs7343]

I had one of these and always regret selling it, more so than the Subway Rocket I had. Got great tones with a Tele & a Paisley Drive.

[@tomatengarage5608]

I totally agree with you. I had a "SOB" back in the day. It was quite similar, looking at the specs. 2 channel, reverb (which sounded great to my ears), 60 watts,...

[@deddiev1718]

Less knobs equal quicker satisfaction to good tone

[@Takianagi]

I miss my old mesa boogie tube amp! I also love this Helix though! 😂 Hope your weekend went well John! Looking forward to tomorrows lesson vid! 👌🔥🤜🤛🔥🎸🎸

[@beardedrancher]

Top tier playing!

[@unionagenda]

I had one ling ago. The fat switch is more obvious when the volume and mids are pushed. The mid adds gain.

[@Brian-zb5ct]

I run mine through a 2-12 cab, sounds fantastic.

[@twittbaltimore]

Love my Sunway Blues as a bench amp and grab/go mini rig for small jams. I need to find a 1x12 combo cab to give it a bit more oomph.

[@erajad]

My son had a Subway Rocket Reverb that really was a terrific amp. But these days, I would do "due diligence" on repairs (i.e., find out whether Psionic Audio has a video on the model) before pulling the trigger on one!!

[@jasondorsey7110]

If you take that dude's amp evaluations for gospel, you'll never touch a pcb amp again lol

[@erajad]

@@jasondorsey7110 Ha - but there is one MESA model he quite likes - check out his repair + review of the Satellite 60. 👍

[@jonathanwapner6262]

I know someone who contends that these aren't giggable. He supposedly blew one out trying to push it in order to keep up with the drummer. I find that very hard to believe. He probably had the amp on the floor with the mids scooped or something.

[@vladaspetrauskas2800]

Inspired playing!

[@briumphbimbles]

Never heard a bad mesa, my only beef with them is the price but you do get what you pay for.

[@davidforsythe8231]

That warm Clean tone thou 😮

[@joemiller9856]

Nice 🦈 Shark

[@migueldossantos1857]

Great amp! And subway rocket, can you show?

[@Bellabaddi]

Owned one in the mid 90s, was way too loud for my indoor bedroom playing, especially not having a master volume. When you crank it, its crazy good tho.

[@CCHDanbury]

I’ve had this amp since shortly after it came out. Really like it in combination with another amp or through a larger cab (stereo or wet dry). It is boxy as you mentioned. Also curious about the Transatlantic amp they put out.

[@ryanwhitley5427]

Mine had a hum I could never get rid of. Eventually sold it

[@ricklaurens5884]

I had one, loved it, but had my doubts about a single 10", sold it, regret it ...

[@PhilipJoyceMusician]

Id imagine it would play nicer with a less mid heavy overdrive. It's quite mid forward already , id say it cuts through great live.

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Careful of the shark hiding behind the stool!!! 😳

[@chrisgmurray3622]

I'm having a laugh watching the auto captions which keep going... applause... then " foreign" music!

[@Turboy65]

You do great demo videos but PLEASE make it a point to do your demos with both a strat AND something with humbuckers in it. I can not bond with Strats, I've tried eight times, they just never work for me. I can't tell if I'm going to like a given amp if I don't hear it with a Les Paul, SG, or something with decent humbuckers at least.

[@nickw1284]

Have you tried any Rivera amps? I have a Chubster 55 and it's fantastic.

[@ksharpe10]

It's a Mesa Princeton. Neat. Will the Ashton mic. pick up Dog Barks?

[@nigelvonshredman]

I have the Subway Rocket which I believe is a similar thing but it’s 2 channel and lacks the reverb. The Blues would deffo suit me better

[@jaltsch1]

I had a subway rocket reverb. I loved it and gigged it for years, then I stopped getting on with it for some reason. Sold it.

[@smokeymtnguitarnerd2539]

I grabbed one of these for 4 bills last year, I want to put an eminence patriot in there or something. It is oddly boxy and undynamic, although new tubes are on deck. I have never loved the stock speakers in mesa products but opt to let it go because they engineered to pair?

[@geoffsansom2008]

Hi John, nothing to do with the amp but was wondering if you could review the Squire contemporary strat in the future, regards

[@jamesgrobertson8024]

Hi John, would really like to know (if you can get your hands on one) what you think of the Mesa TA15 & 30 amps. I had a TA 15 many years ago & sold it for a Princeton, kinda regret that but it happened.

[@craigiliffe2845]

Hey @johnnathancordy can you tell us which Jack you moved the speaker cable to? On the back of the amp there is one 8ohm and two 4 ohm connections...

[@ToneDeth.]

i forget. what is your fav digital model of a mesa boogie amp? is it a neurotic dsp one?

[@jbognap]

What does a Stomp into the effects return sound like?

[@Elassar72]

well... I would not reallly say it is underrated.... at least I've never readed something like that 😅😅. it just requires a different approaxch to it, not all people are OK changing their habit

[@DarthV506]

The Tshirt a jab at product placement in other people's videos?? =)

[@user-jz4gy2vk4c]

I have one

[@migueldossantos1857]

Exactly!

[@kevinbyous6095]

You should be doing online guitar lessons.

[@JoeEngineersThings]

I feel like it has the general tone but sounds a bit castrated.

[@mikeblue385]

simple is best.

[@patshep68]

Played one in a store and hated the cleans. But that was a long time ago

[@mattc1176]

I recognise that this may be a minority view but… I dislike Mesa Boogies and think every one I’ve played is massively overrated. I hired one (Dual Rectifier) for a tour once - big mistake. I couldn’t stand that amp. I never felt I could rely on getting a tone I wanted and it seemed to produce loads I didn’t like. Of course, this side of things is highly subjective. What I think is harder to dispute if you watch e.g. Psionics videos on them is, they are generally poorly designed and constructed in terms of longevity etc. Maybe the older stuff is better, maybe there are some hidden gems, but in general the best advice when factoring build quality and price is to give them a hard pass.

[@MoreMeRecording]

Am I the only one hearing a weird artifact, like a tracking error or something. But there's this distinctive low end artifact that sounds bad? Like a pitch shifter that's calfed 0_o *EDIT:* I had the playback speed @ 1.25! LOL Doh! Amp sounds fantastic but admittedly I am a long time Mesa Fan boi :)

[@elipse4594]

Costs a fuckton in Europe unfortunately

[@stevegordon5262]

To much reverb

[@Rastapopoulpos1]

it seems noisy or it's just me ?

[@ToneDeth.]

get a joyo californian sound for the lols. thats their tech 21 mesa boogie amp in a box rip off. its not great.

[@johnokeefe3841]

I had that amp100 years ago and hated it!!!! You may have one that's been modified to death!

[@briumphbimbles]

A Good Workman Never Blames His Tools

[@GuyHarrison-nm1xt]

$500 valve amp with a great distortion pedal sound better. All these u beaut amps are just a waist of money. But hay good video

[@gregs8685]

This is a $500 valve amp lol

[@rigelloar7474]

Meh. . . . . .