The Mesa Badlander is now a GOD TIER Amp!

[@-KingOfKhaos]

16:36 - There ya go… boosted + mod = pure gold tone 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@denverrandy7143]

Thanks for the timestamp to delicious brutality.👍

[@robertmiller4167]

THANK YOU KYLE!! ❤❤❤ I’ve always had a love hate relationship with Mesa. But.. after watching your video I bought a Badlander and Mr Scary and I couldn’t be happier. I bought the 100w rack version and the tone was ok but wasn’t great, for me almost unusable. After installing Mr Scary.. AMAZING! It feels amazing and sounds amazing. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been hunting this particular tone for 15 years and my search is over. Thanks buddy!

[@NinecoreNeil]

The group is looking great so far and seems such a cool and relaxed place to be for gear nerds,thanks for the admin invite and also the mention on your channel 👍

[@bradleejaymz]

I had a Badlander. I liked the tones, but found myself playing the Badlander and staring at my JP2c and wishing it had as much gain as the JP did. Methinks the Badlander should now be back on my wish list...along with a Legendary Tones Mod! Thanks for doing this!!!

[@lieutenantdan2217]

If you have the JP2C I'd say you've covered mesas best ground. Play that thing instead lol.

[@realtruenorth]

​@@lieutenantdan2217 scary mod badlander spanks the sh! T out of the JP2. Go try one.

[@geraldrauch1701]

yup, put the mr scary mod in my 50W badlander back in october...whole different animal after...pairing it with my engl fireball 100 in a stereo rig at the moment...yikes!!! cheers all!!!

[@ilikepotatoes1345]

I think I prefer the unmodded one, to me the modded one sounded more bassy and saturated but also more compressed, the unmodded one sounds more open to me and the lesser amount of gain wouldn't bother me because I don't go for ultra gainy sounds anyway. Very interesting comparison, thank you for sharing this with us!

[@belligerentamateur]

are you sure? I even mention later in the video that the modded one sounds less compressed because the onboard gain isn't being maxed out

[@ilikepotatoes1345]

@@belligerentamateur That's how I percieve it, maybe I'd have a different opinion if I tried both amps in person but this is what I truly hear from the video.

[@VanillaGorilla_808]

I agree, the unmodded sounded better to me as well. More gain isn't always better.

[@joelspaulding5964]

​@@VanillaGorilla_808No

[@djkolcun]

It’s cool that you’ve given Mr Scary a shot and that it works! I’m so new to the Mesa family my Badlander 100 hasn’t even been delivered yet (this afternoon!!!!). Have to admit the thing that attracted me to this amp was its…focused?…gain. So, as I unbox this afternoon (and probably cream my own…er…never mind), I’ll keep in mind that the Mr Scary mod is a viable option should I want “more” 😃 Thanks for posting!

[@21stcenturymetal31]

Hell yeah a noticeable difference even in youtube compression land. So in person I bet it sound even better. Thanks dude for making this video.

[@prestonbowden1008]

I know a lot people are kinda of meh on the bad lander but I LOVE it for super down tuned 7 string stuff. This mod just makes it even better to me.

[@johnfinlay4963]

Exactly what I’m needing Got my Badlander 50 2 weeks ago. Love it but was missing a little something. Cant wait to get this . 🤘🏻

[@JorisGriffioen]

8:20 "without further ado, here we go!" ... *continues talking* hahaha

[@Fuzzybunny-ki1cw]

lolll

[@vnvtraining7203]

I love the Badlander 100.. it’s more like a jacked JCM 800. I think you can also use an EQ pedal in loop and in the front, use a Seymour Duncan 805 to shape and add a little push and a similar result. I do use the 805 but not the EQ as I get enough bottom for my style with the MESA Rectifier 2x12. This head is amazing for classic rock, rock, alternative, alternative rock, punk but I’m not sure for metal as I don’t really that style. One thing to keep in mind this amp cuts through the mix and playing with a band as it has a little more upper mids which is great. I don’t think MESA’s intention was to replace the older rectifiers but to give another voicing more on the Marshall side.

[@sk8125]

Yeah Davids the man. Recently put one of these in my jcm2000 dsl and it rips. Opens the amp up quite a bit. David was super helpful too when I had some questions.

[@nickharper8145]

DSL 100? I have been curious to give one a try in my own. Would love to hear some vids of it! 🤘🏻

[@sk8125]

@@nickharper8145 dsl 50… I think Legendary tones youtube has a vid of it on their channel

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Yup! No doubt it definitely saturates much better and you’re right about the quick attack punch

[@andrewdykes4589]

Something i learned the og hot mod was originally built by David Hicks in Tulsa. He was contracted to built the hot mods for Soldano. I recently had a Hicks Mender which is a hot mod but for fender amps that is footswitchable and it was great!

[@naturaljoe759]

I’ve been wanting to throw a Mr. Scary Mod into my Single Rec for a while now. Very interested to see what it sounds like through the Swamp Thing/ DV-77 cab I just put together.

[@odyssey6684]

The extra tube (not a 12AX7) allows for more headroom to go along with the increased gain. Similar principle to Soldano's preamp design. David even mentioned that's it works well with high gain for that very reason.

[@therapscallion23]

does the mod can be used to a stilleto and a recto verb?

[@TobyKBTY]

"Thankfully he's gone now" Holy shit I just realized I haven't seen that dude around for a while. Lmao

[@6slayer6sam62]

O he had some entertaining content sometimes lol

[@juanmacaceres2702]

Who was it?

[@rob61091]

What did I miss?

[@ronnieo.6647]

?

[@6slayer6sam62]

@@juanmacaceres2702 louis torres i believe.

[@realtruenorth]

Probably one of the best amps ive ever heard you play. Fryette, KSR, up there to.

[@tonya4157]

Hmmm, wonder what that would do if I plugged it into my old Valvestate? I'll have to check the list. 😊

[@LegendaryTones]

The Valvestate is one we definitely will need to look at because technically that tube in there is a cathode follower. But there is a lot of other circuitry and things going on there so we’ll hopefully be able to validate it one day.

[@tonya4157]

​@LegendaryTones Thanks for your reply. I do appreciate that. I admit, I did check the list just in case but didn't expect it to be there. I just bought a VS100 combo in excellent condition and it really is a pretty decent old amp. After watching Kyle's video I couldn't help but wonder.

[@tj1486]

It blows my mind Mesa hasn't just added another tube gain stage to these things yet, so many people out there like myself would probably be rushing to buy one.

[@realtruenorth]

Yeah, I don't get it. Thinking about doing that mod myself. Or getting it done.

[@erikrummel6277]

Dude buys a second $3k amp so he show us the difference back to back. Some heroes don’t wear capes. Or maybe you DO wear capes Kyle, I don’t know or judge, I’m not Capephobic

[@Yamallama585]

Cup those balls 😢

[@josenatanaelpelayoruiz1069]

No he wears guitar gear for us 😂

[@hebguy420]

Nice to see a different cab again :D playthrough sounded great!!

[@Jficklen]

I immediately ordered one after watching your video. I have a Badlander 100 and already love the tone… kind of contemplating using it in my JCM900 that I have never liked.

[@yannfortin7035]

Tried it in my 900, honestly don't like it, sounds much better in my 2-channel Dual Rec or my 2203KK.

[@Jficklen]

@@yannfortin7035unfortunately I couldn’t even use it in my 900 (model 4100) but I do love it in my Badlander

[@BPToneReview]

Well, not popular opinion but in this video, I actually liked the stock BL better.

[@EDWINPIERCE168]

Same

[@sword-and-shield]

Some good versatility in that chunk...thx for the vid

[@emobutpoofy]

I want to hear an Orange TH30 or Fender Bassbreaker the Mr Scary Mod. I feel like it would be gnarly

[@noahsteinberg6227]

Do you prefer this badlander with the mod over the mark 7?

[@HVACRTECH-83]

Awsome, big difference for sure, but can i ask what was wrong with the ltd tuning wise? I have 3 ltd's and although ive never had any issues with any of mine in any way im curious if you found the issue in case i ever have the same problem. Thx bro

[@snapascrew]

At first I had the amps mixed up but now that I know which is which yes I prefer the mod. Great video.

[@DCDacey-cq6nb]

Kyle, I recently purchased a Gibson Tony Iommi model pick up. Just for reference, I think a channel switcher jcm 800 is a high gain amplifier. I do own a Mesa Tri-axis and a stereo 2:100 rectifier tube power amp what I’ve discovered is, playing a high (or a bugera g5 with the gain dimed) amp, the iommi pickup retains lots of clarity. I own all sorts of pickups from Dimarzio air to x2n. And from low ouput seymours to black winter pups. Lots in between too. That amp on this video sounds very clear…was wondering if you have experienced a gibson 500t (probably) or an ole sckool X2N. Or maybe even a tony iommi model pup. IMHO it seems as though low to med output pickups sound “muddy” through high gain amps. Also, I own all of the AMT bricks for guitar. I was wondering if you ever checked out any more than the 5150 model . The rectifier/Soldano model sounds just like surfing with the alien but I believe what is the Fred pick up in my Ibanez-I believe all of those AMT bricks are pretty awesome. As I’ve stated, I have them all was wondering if you could do a review a few more of them

[@troyredford149]

I bought one for my JCM800 last year and loved it. Now i need to get one for my Badlander lol

[@Voronguitar]

Excellent comparaison man! Thanks a lot! Have you tried MrScarry mon on your Tripple Crown amp ???? Will be nice o hear it!

[@zombies418]

Was literally on the fence about getting rid of my multi watt for a badlander because I’ve always thought they they just weren’t as saturated and aggressive but this just solved my issue

[@TONEWARSgearshow]

Wow! Great video. Im gonna try this

[@TudorAdrian]

The Mr. Scary is kick a$$ in my Ceriatone stuff (Molecular, Chupacabra & King Kong). Perfect timing on the video Kyle - Mesa ought to be back in Europe this quarter or the next. Looking forward to getting my hands on a Badlander to at least try out.

[@Tomcat82]

@kmjoyce-gb9wcMy Chupacabra is not a thin sounding amp. The Badlander without the Scary Mod sounds thinner.

[@daagaarasplaysvideogames980]

Trade gain against skill, and any hi-gain, or even mid-gain, amplifier will sound fantastic.

[@InTheSh8]

Why not clean-boosting it or using an OD-pedal with not only Level to full but also adding a bit gain? Yes, certainly there is a difference with the mod, but I personally would try the 2 possibilities I mentioned and/or a high-output pickup like DiMarzio X2N. I think Ola made it also sound very good without 2 additional tubes!

[@DeanBaco]

Wow, 2 Badlander 100’s! Probably more than someone can find in Europe at the moment, lol. Sounds great, need to try that mod too!

[@thatguy1558]

Kyle was definitely in Goofy Goober mode on this video.

[@chrisgibson9416]

Now I’ve got that song and scene from the sponge bob movie stuck in my head now 😂.

[@louiebe]

If you havnt tried. Try the DV-77 speakers with this amp, im loving that amp with that speaker right now. One of my top 3 amps forsure regardless

[@mrhubbard7592]

Kyle! Please check out that drop A tone using an EVM 12L black label! More cream for the jeans!

[@amirtak9886]

I see a 6534+ in the background. I'd love to see a review of that. I played one in 2013 and it was one of the best high gain amps I've ever played through.

[@NinecoreNeil]

Totally agree with playing different when using a recto Definitely not for light pickers

[@derickcutter8485]

shots right out the gate. i love it.

[@joshshultz1250]

Would've loved to hear it in low tuning with the dirty tree

[@mikehorowitz2793]

Hey Kyle! I was about to pull the trigger on this mod for my Badlander, and came across the KSR Orion 45. Are you going to get your hands on one of those bad boys anytime soon? Just wondering your thoughts if/when you do!! Thx, Mike

[@mccoy4354]

The mod sounds great, but tbh this is nothing an EQ can't get - specially with a great amp like the badlander. It has all you need and maybe you can EQ it to get the "punch" on low end you need. Glad you are enjoying your mod and this awesome amp! Keep rocking \m/

[@belligerentamateur]

Sorry dude, but an EQ can not add an all tube gain stage to an amplifier. Sure, you can get more low end out of an eq, and you can push the front end with the level up to achieve more saturation, but pushing the front end vs more natural gain from an extra tube gain stage are not the same thing in function, sound or feel. Appreciate the comment!

[@Sm0kn]

I hated my Peavey Supreme 100 at first. Then I accidentally dialed in correctly with boost coming from a boss hm & blues driver and it blew my mind. My Bandit was similar, At first it was heavy but not as brutal as I remembered my Bravo 112 being.👨🏻‍🚀

[@dddd717]

You add an hm2 to anything and it will make any amp brutal… but I think the supreme is awesome… peavey really had something good there with both transformers

[@jazzmasterbator]

This sounds absolutely insane. I played one of these amps a couple weeks ago and I absolutely hated it (maybe I’m just too used to my 6505+) but that mod makes that thing sound NUTS

[@playthefightriffjohn843]

I’m glad my initial disappointment with the Badlander ended up leading me to the Triple Crown which I love, if it had sounded like this stock I’d probably still own it. Also, what is that light that you have behind the amps? It looks like it’d be useful to have for my practice space

[@Mindaugas.R]

Great sounds man! Would be interesting to see molecular with this mod.

[@DCDacey-cq6nb]

Also, seems like pick ups that have lots of low end or mid range. Sound kind of muddy also. To me, it sounds like the ones that most people think are trebley Sound very clear through a high gain amp. I’m wondering what your thoughts are?

[@resington]

Dude, bringing the best demo videos everytime!

[@hyperbolekid]

Sounds siiick! Which version of the Mr Scary mod is it? Standard or Reversed?

[@sir.shreddington]

Standard is what works with the badlander

[@omarheavy2009]

I had a Roadster and I did my best to like it but unfortunately could not! I would like to give a try and get a mini rectifier.. my question, would that Mr. Scary work on Mini rectifier?

[@josephbutler148]

Mini recto was fizzy enough stock just balance the presence and bass. Can't believe you didn't like the roadster that amp with a peppers dirty tree is the best mesa I have heard. Sounded better than the dual rec did with that same boost or any other boost and sounded better than the jp2c I had.

[@omarheavy2009]

@josephbutler148 I sold it already.. could not deal with it 😅 and yes, I've tried it with DT but not for me at the end. I still like my DC-5, DC-10 & Mark V more than the Roadster that i had!

[@ericledford1546]

You should do a series on amps the Mr. Scary mod works with. I bet the Mesa Mark/.50 Caliber Ampeg Vl etc would breath fire with that mod.

[@davevanconant7488]

Holy cow I think this is what I've been looking for for my badlander. I always wanted just a bit more oomph f you will and this would be great!! I always wondered if mr scary would work with this amp!

[@ehiracheta]

Man I wonder how that sounded in the room! Seems like a great improvement!

[@bradleejaymz]

I realize this is the wrong channel to ask this question but just in case someone tried this what did the mod do to the Badlanders clean channel? Nobody seems to have a video for this.

[@llnkv_]

I’ve talked to a few people. They mentioned the cleans are still great, you just need to turn down the amp gain more than you would without the mod

[@bradleejaymz]

I ended up answering my own question. Bought a Badlander and a Mr Scary. It basically adds more gain but doesn’t turn the amp into a blues machine. Still tight and compressed. Also I love the amp stock. I don’t use the Mr Scary in it. I does work great in the Friedmans I tried though.

[@CaptainFantastik1]

“not enough gain in the original”? I would argue 100% of the people who said that actually need less gain and more practice.

[@belligerentamateur]

I would argue you are huffing your own farts and nobody cares what you think.

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Yeah but for as much as that amp costs, how much is the mod? Is it even worth it over just getting a different amp? (Have ever done the mini rec vs badlander?)

[@Rustinpeace117]

I think both sound good regardless. I can see wanting more saturation and low end punch, its a pretty dry amp, but I think it gives it a lot of clarity. I'd be happy with either!

[@-KingOfKhaos]

16:06 - You begin the boosting phase of the program lol… I asked my last question about the tube screamer too early 😂

[@mikeham3123]

Would you consider doing the new line 6 pod express?

[@georgeespia334]

Interesting. But I think the unmodded one is a lot more versatile though. I use different kinds of overdrives with varying amounts of saturation in front to push the amp. I have a maxon tbo-9 which is a tubed tube screamer which I can vary the amount of saturation that I want. I also have a friedman golden pearl, jhs screamer, boss sd1, keeley phat mod, and a rat 2. All of them sounds different and makes the badlander interesting. I have a rectifier 212 cab... that thing is bassy even with v30s. I have a single rectifier that I don't use anymore... because the single rectifier with my rectifier cab... is just too much lowend. But with my badlander 25 to the rectifier 212...the lowend is just right.

[@wadekresak2149]

Catching my eye is the MXR SB OD being on. Was it part of the signal, besides cream jeans? 🤣😉

[@denverrandy7143]

I really cant wait to get a Mr.Scary mod.👍Ive been seeing them for a few years.Last time i looked they were out.Fingers crossed.

[@davevanconant7488]

Hey kyle looking to purchase that mod, was that the standard wired one you had purchased?

[@LegendaryTones]

Standard wire for the Badlander and it also needs a socket extension which I can supply as well.

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

Torres had some good hot takes. Did not mind his personality… Its a New York thing.

[@Fanafranky]

Holy crap. I knew that mod was great on lower gain Marshalls but never thought it would work on anything with higher gain 😛 Now I want one! (Or at least a NAM or ToneX capture 🙃)

[@clintn6677]

I mean I see what you are saying but for a new amp.... I dont want to have to buy another device. I have got to the point where I want to by an amp, I want to be able to plug in straight and not "need" anything. Granted I like using pedals and what not but I dont want my enjoyment to require additional gear.

[@MK-oz2lf]

Hey Kyle, you know that GUPTECH PEd EQ pedal you have. What if you use that to add more resonance to the stock Badlander?

[@LizardWizard_]

Can you put that in one of those bantamps by joyo? 😂

[@BrendanClune]

Hey I had a question. What is the difference between this and just using an OD pedal. I guess adding a gain stage vs just hitting the front end harder?

[@johnnyromero3336]

^ This is what I was thinking as well, My Badlander comes alive with a Boost pedal. Same results as what I'm hearing here.

[@LegendaryTones]

It’s a great question. When you push the front end of the amp you are going for compression of the entire circuit. When you add the gain in-circuit downstream in the amp, it enables you to actually turn down the preamp gain on the front end, get the sustain back with the mod and get much greater note definition and clarity. I wrote about it at LegendaryTones and much of this is about feel and response - it’s hard to translate all the audio differences in any video on You Tube. That said, definitely nothing wrong with pedals and pushing (I have quite the collection myself) but it’s a different feel and tone.

[@BrendanClune]

@@LegendaryTones interesting, so basically you get less compression and more openness from natural tube overdrive than you would using a pedal

[@johnnyromero3336]

Thanks for that information, that did clear things up for me!

[@bobbybailey1521]

Kyle bull you really need to demo the bluguitar amp1 iridium. It is very impressive

[@soundstorm9508]

Gotta say I much preferred it without the mod. More open and articulate, and I think it would record much better. Big fan of the Badlander amps (have my second one on the way).

[@fadingdimension]

Would be interesting to compare the modded amp against unmodded with a tube screamer in front.

[@smeemusic]

I thought the badlander was incredible from the start. But this mod is really cool. I definitely enjoy what it’s doing. Also, I want a purple light for my amp!! How do I get a purple light for my amp?! But I’m not sporting a badlander. I got a 100 watt evh.

[@-KingOfKhaos]

Have you tried comparing the mod amp to the non-mod with a tube screamer in front of it? Just curious if the screamer would be able to replicate the mod as well? The mod does sound really good though for sure.

[@belligerentamateur]

You're comparing a pedal that hits the front end of the amp with more signal and clipping diodes to a mod that adds a pure 12ax7 gain stage to the existing preamp, they function very differently, and therefore sound very different.

[@juanmelgar152]

My God. I need this amp Maybe the combo or the 25 for my home studio.

[@6slayer6sam62]

The jeans joke made me lol 😂..

[@JorisGriffioen]

I tried that mod in the mini JCM800 and it RIPS

[@tractorgt]

Interesting you have a McCarty 594. The necks on those things are like baseball bats.

[@DLR1976]

Great ! I wanna try it on my Elmwood M60 to get new sounds ;)

[@yousocrazy1199]

i only have the 25 watt but it sound really good. im not sure if that mod works with a 25 watt version. but for me this amp sound really good different flavor but good. upon listening to the video i dont think i need a mod, just add a OD and emg like 57 even with 25watt the gain is more that enough. OD could be a Gridslammer or a Tempest.

[@MetalHeadProductions]

"Thankfully, he's gone now." Truth.

[@jantzencase7524]

Do you have a tube screamer if so what settings do you use i just bought one despite trying to save for a solar v

[@irishRocker1]

Stock vs modded is interesting of course but should have compared boosted stock vs modded no boost. that's the real comparison anyone with one of these amps wants to hear. "buy the scary mod or a boost pedal"

[@CinemaPuree]

great tonez!

[@ejw3006]

I wonder if this would work with the Ironheart, I know it’s not on the list for the mod but I just wonder since without the boost it tends to lack gain for a high gain amp

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Haven't checked yet, but have been thinking about the Mr Scary mod to possibly get my ROckerverb100MKII closer to Revv G4 tones, and if it works in a Dark Terror That would be crazy..... Apparently only for the OR50 since I just checked. Maybe I should just sell the Orange for a Revv 120

[@elijahjohnson1297]

Hey! I’m looking for a guitar amp, Could you do a comparison video of silver jubilee 2555x and the badlander 100 both with and without the lynch mods added to them? How would the mods change the clean tones and rock tones? Thanks 🙏

[@michaelv3322]

Boosted stock amp sounded the best!

[@33cattt49]

Bro looks like he wears cargo shorts on a date to “the Applebees “ in a lifted truck .

[@stefanokrivtzoff1593]

Man that’s one sick mod.. it’s like gates of hell opened

[@gkswift1999]

I got to say, I'm a bigger fan of the 50W because it is tighter, more low mid and hi mids bold, and sounds like a raging pit bull lit on fire

[@corpsefiendriffs]

These Mr. Scary mods are so sick. I just wish they'd work with older amp platforms like my Peavey 5150 II. No possible way that could happen though lol.

[@belligerentamateur]

curious why you would want to use it on the 5150ii though? that amp has insane amounts of gain and low end, so I am curious what you think it would add to the amp?

[@corpsefiendriffs]

@belligerentamateur My idea is to use the Mr. Scary mod to get away from overdrive pedals, as I'm a huge fan of the amp by itself. I just feel like it needs a little more push in the preamp section harder to get the clarity and harmonic richness I'm after. In other words, I'm a caveman and I want to chug just plugging straight in lol.

[@belligerentamateur]

@@corpsefiendriffs this does not do that. it doesn't tighten or add input signal. it's simply another gain stage being added to the preamp

[@corpsefiendriffs]

@belligerentamateur Oooh, for sure. The search continues for me, then. 🤣 Cheers, man!

[@iwannarockon2010]

That was pretty sick 🤘

[@romusromulus]

i wonder what'll it do to diezel ch3

[@madmikemike]

Omgawd Kyle you're the best. Dood buys another amp head for a/b comparison. ❤