Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 1x12 Combo - Cocoa Bronco & Tan Grille user reviews ( 9/10) - 7 user reviews

• 04/27/11

  iamqman's review "Mesa goodness!"

  Characteristics

  Mesa Boogie is one of the best amplifier companies in the world. The have been building high grade high quality amps since the 70's. The took a different approach to the high gain amps that Marshall was putting out at the time and whet a bit different route. The have been able to grab a piece of the rock and roll market and push the envelope.
  
  
  
  With this amp they continue that tradition of expanding their territory in the amplifier world.
  
  
  
  
  
  Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Special 1x12 Combo Amp Features:
  
  
  
  * Handbuilt in the Petaluma, California
  
  * Rectifier Tracking (5&15 Watt Mode = Tube, 30 Watt = Diode)
  
  * 2 Fully Independent Channels each with Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Reverb & Master Controls
  
  * All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb with Bright/Warm Reverb Tone Switch
  
  * Output Level Control
  
  * Footswitchable Solo Level Control
  
  * All-tube FX Loop with Send Level Control
  
  * True "Hard" Bypass Switch that removes FX Loop, Output Level & Solo Level Controls from signal path
  
  * Slave Out w/Level Control
  
  * Fan Cooled with On/Off Switch
  
  * External Switching Jacks for Channels 1/2, Solo & Reverb
  
  * All Aluminum Chassis
  
  * 2 Button Footswitch (Channel 1/2 & Solo)
  
  * Slip Cover
  
  Push/pull circuitry

  Utilization

  Details
  
  Type Tube
  
  Number of Channels 2
  
  Power 5W, 15W, 30W All Class A - Switchable
  
  Speakers 1 x 12" C90
  
  No Effects
  
  Reverb Yes
  
  EQ Treble, Mid, Bass
  
  No Amp Modeling
  
  Preamp Tubes 5 x 12AX7
  
  Power Tubes 4 x EL84, 1 x 5Y3 (Rectifier)
  
  Inputs 1 x Instrument
  
  Outputs 3 x Speaker, 1 x Slave
  
  Footswitch I/O Yes
  
  Effects Loop Yes

  Sounds

  I love how modern Mesa Boogies now have a foot switchable effects loop. So you can with easy click on the footswitch and take the effects loop out of the circuit. This is handy for the tone purist that doesn't want anything in between his guitar and amp. Some effects loops degrade the tone a little bit and this attacks that issue.
  
  
  
  I love the tone of this amp. The clean tone of this amp is amazing. This is basically Mesa's approach towards the blues and country rock players. It still retains that natural grind that is infamous with Mesa Boogies, but a milder voicing for the softer bluesier side of rock and roll. Still a killer amp and an amp full of warm tone. You really hear the warmth of the tone in this amp compared to other Mesa Boogies. There is a purist to the tone and sweetness to the structure of its voicing.

  Overall Opinion

  This is a fantastic amp for those who want a little tamer Mes boogie amp and still want the features and feel that makes Mesa Boogie great. This is a great amp with many features and tone for fender and Marshall players all around. Having two separate channels with several voicing options within each channel along with a solo boost, this amp is a go ready gigging amp for many players.
  
  
  
  At new these amps come in at around $1850, which isn't a bad price for a solid built combo with this many features. I recommend this to the person who plays a lot of covers or pop and rock music. This is going to be one of Mesa Boogies' most versatile amplifiers.
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• 04/03/11

  Hatsubai's review "Amazing cleans"

  Characteristics

  The Mesa/Boogie Lonestar Special is the revision of the original Lonestar. It a Class A EL84 two channel amplifier that's meant to deliver those more vintage tones. It has multiple mini toggle switches for voicing changes, a power selection switch to choose between various wattages, reverb, an effects loop and tons of other features.

  Utilization

  Mesa/Boogie did a great job at fitting a plethora of features inside this amp without having it feel too complicated. The toggle switches feel great and have a solid detent when you select them. The effects loop works nicely, and the solo boost is a nice touch, too. Mesa/Boogie manuals are some of the best out there, and they'll help you really understand this amp better, show you where the sweet spots are, give you example settings and show you how to take care of your newly purchased amplifier.

  Sounds

  The sound is probably the one everyone is wondering about. Given that this is an EL84 based amp, it has this real unique quality sound to it that's almost VOX-esque. However, don't be fooled. This amp can get some insane girth and low end. The cleans on this are absolutely amazing, and the gain tones give that awesome wooly vintage sounding gain that delivers tone for days. I find the feel on this amp to be a bit better than the original Lonestar, probably due to the EL84s. John Petrucci helped make this amp a bit more famous when he used it for his clean tones exclusively during his Train of Thought touring era.

  Overall Opinion

  Those looking for an amplifier that retains a vintage tone with one of the best cleans on the market should really look no further than this amp. The gain is great for that old school vintage tone, the clean has this amazing bounce and is very jingly, the build construction is great and it's just an overall wonderful amplifier.
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• 02/13/10

  moosers's review

  Characteristics

  The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is a twin channel guitar amplifier with a great tone and some unique features. The amp is has four EL-84 tubes, and the amp allows you to designate power from the tubes to each of the channels in anyway that you'd like, meaning that you can use as much or as little of the tube power as you'd like at a time. I believe that you can get the amp with one or two speakers, but the one that I've used only had a single 12" speaker in it. The amp also has two 1/4" inch inputs in the front for your guitar.

  Utilization

  The make up of the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is overall fairly easy to understand and manipulate. Each of the two channel has parameters for gain, treble, mid, bass, presence, and master volume. There is also a drive parameter which can be switched on or off. These are definitely basic guitar amp parameters, but even if you're unfamiliar with them, you should be able to catch on quickly without using a manual.

  Sounds

  I can't say enough about the tone of the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special, as this amp sounds incredible. It has a very real sounding tone to it, with a lot of room for versatility. Having two channels is a big plus as it gives you the versatility necessary to play on the stage as well as in the studio. Having the ability to assign the amount of power from the tubes that you'd like to use at a time is also an awesome feature that I haven't really seen anywhere else. Both the clean and drive sounds are top notch. As far as genre goes, I'd recommend this for rock, blues, and folk more than anything else, but it will certainly work with most any genre.

  Overall Opinion

  The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is definitely a professional's guitar amp in every sense of the word. It has the tone and features to be used in just about any situation. Of course with tone like this comes a big price, but if you're looking a guitar amp to use for a long time to come that has a sound that is hard to top, the Lone Star Special is a great investment.
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• 09/12/11

  BassWalker's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " A safe bet ..."

  Characteristics

  This will be an overall opinion rather short because everything has been said about this amp that has become a fairly common standard.
  
  It's a super amp at full opportunities and settings.
  
  There is something for everyone.

  Utilization

  Me coming out of Orange, and although I can say that Mesa is not resolved in 10 seconds ...
  
  My old OR50 was delivered without instructions ... In Mesa we propose an outright book so to speak ... It says it all!
  
  In short, we do not find the right sound if you have not understood the mechanics Boogie. This is an amp that wins somehow ...

  Sounds

  I play with a Les Paul Special Single Cutaway equipped P90.
  
  I bought this for LoneStar very good clean sounds and nice crunch.
  
  My Registry focuses primarily blues and classic rock. I echo the major international standards.
  
  Carl Martin pedals (PlexiTone and Acton) as reinforcements come to quote the Beatles and ACDC because I am adamant to those two (well, I quibble a bit because it would be fine also without ...!).
  
  I find the sound I want. Not 10 seconds like I said earlier, but I find ... But when it is found is really good.
  
  Second, we must know that this amp is "here" a little low. This is also not a fault or quality. It may therefore in my opinion, sound a bit darker depending on the guitar used.
  
  This is one from the old Celestion G12-80 called MC90 which the team and it's not a coincidence since it is an HP with some pretty clear gloss. All this to say that if you want to replace the original Celestion, I suggest you choose an HP rather bright in the treble to keep a balance.
  
  I find that the integrated reverb is very natural.

  Overall Opinion

  It is not suitable for guitarists who want plug and play, that's for sure! This is the only criticism I can do. But the result seems to be at this price.
  
  Purchased earlier this year, it gives me full satisfaction.
  
  The finish is a very high level.
  
  Some say that Mesa is not reliable. But the best mechanical can fail! It's still quite concerning since it would know exactly the total number of amps sold in the world and many return to SAV. Mesa only knows the statistics. But when you see what it costs a return SAV (I work in the industry) and well I think we had better do everything to correct the problem at source (in office). I do not think a company like Mesa wants to offend everyone with the risk of losing them permanently, or so it's not to understand anything!
  
  In any case and for me, it works flawlessly but it is true that he did not that baby a year. Let it grow slowly!.
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• 01/31/11

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is an all-tube amp, pure class A, with two fully independent channels. Power is assignable per channel, with a choice of 5, 15 or 30 Watts. The power stage is driven by four EL34 tubes, which are normally the preserve of English amps.
  
  The power requirements are ideal for studio and home (5 Watts) and for small and medium scenes (15 and 30 watts). The regulars are familiar with the brand's history, 30 Watt All Tube in Mesa is already very powerful.
  
  As usual in Mesa, connectivity is super full, with a switchable effects loop, reverb with adjustable per channel (plus a mini switch that lets you choose between two different stamps), a slave output for use Lone Star as a pre-amp, speakers and multiple outputs, for many different combinations.
  
  A small fan can also cool detachable lamps, class!
  
  Channel 2 may, via a mini switch "drive" or be a clone of Channel 1 with a tad more gain, or become a high gain channel of vintage spirit.
  
  A final mini switch (yes options raining!) Can choose between 3 different voicings, by intervening in the mid frequency gain. We get either the natural sound of the amp, one made more "English" on Marshall (position "thick"), one made more Mesa Boogie pure juice "with its much larger position (" thick ") .
  
  Given the very high rate, it is somewhat reassuring in noting that the finish is flawless, the receiver is also aesthetically beautiful, which of course is purely incidental.

  Utilization

  The manual is a bible, as usual at Mesa Boogie, a sort of bedside book that can understand everything about his amp to better tame it.
  
  Forget the docs of 4 pages of no use, there is dense and very well explained.
  
  It gives some standard settings that allow to ring at once the engine, but it will take time and patience to find the sounds that correspond to you (depending on the particular played guitar).
  
  The settings are super accurate, and incredibly wide sonic palettes are available, all of which is to read the manual and be a minimum of logic.

  Sounds

  It covers all styles except metal. From jazz to country through blues, classic rock, boogie rock and hard rock of the 70s and 80s, the sounds are very versatile.
  
  Beyond, through a good distortion pedal (like the lock-in Jacques Mercer), we can send sounds much bigger and more modern metal cover records "standards" to Metallica.
  
  Beyond this limit, we must proceed to rectify the series, the Lone Star Special is not made for that!
  
  I play a Start 'classic player 60 and a vintage Telecaster hotrod 52 and all I get is sublime when the settings are finalized.
  
  The sounds are difficult to describe, but I can only say they are a really incredible wealth, particularly in the midrange frequencies where complexity is indescribable.
  
  I would add that the reverb is sublime, one of the best I have heard.
  
  The clean sound is magical, a brightness and a balance that would cry.
  
  Once you go up a channel gain beyond noon, the amp starts cruncher (EL34 require), which allows a wide variety of settings.
  
  Channel 2 (without activating the drive) offers the old overdrive very hot, very "roots" that blues fans will not let go.
  
  Drive engaged, is very "Led Zeppelinesque" with a gain level that can still be very important.

  Overall Opinion

  I leave a Mesa Boogie rectoverb, but rather playing classic rock in the register, I am separated for the Lone Star Special.
  
  Same brand, same quality workmanship, but the opposite spirit ...
  
  The front offers a breathtaking modern distortion that Lone Star can not obviously happen, and it is also more powerful.
  
  For everything else, the Lone Star is on top, especially with regard to the clean (the front side has a right and a little too "rigid" for my taste).
  
  It is a product that is far from given, but offers exceptional quality, which we take "unfortunately" taste ... I became "addicted Mesa Boogie!
  
  The classy
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• 10/06/08

  jet27's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Amp lamp (Class A)
  
  The (the) power books 5/15/30 W Canal
  
  2 channels
  
  - Clean channel
  
  - Canal + a saturated prampli (activated using a switch)
  
  Loop send / return 1 only for 2 channels.
  
  SETTING THE rverbe channel

  Utilization

  It's a classic amp trs regarding the settings, the reverb is a shame that the rear of the amp.
  
  but to get the sound we must look for trs amp is (too) flexible. METAL modern except it can be used for any type of music, JAZZ, ROCK, funky ...
  
  by consquent to search.
  
  Of a system that would mmorisation trs well, if you want to change the sound.
  
  The manual is very well done

  Sounds

  I play rock, hard rock and old (Garry Moore, Thin Lizzy, Y & T) and is perfect.
  
  I use a Les paul custum shop, the sound is perfect. Jackson with an LS1 is something else the grain makes you want to play.
  
  Jackson Micro WITH handle simple, clear sound, I play Clapton, the same micro-channel saturated gives me Pink Floyd, etc. ...
  
  Satur in micro and I double Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, I have the same sound TRUST (On or CRVE) and ACDC and all the HARD 80s.
  
  on the other hand for solos should be a small pedals (boost) to saturate a little more (Garry Moore)

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for the end of 2005
  
  The trs rglages are (too) sharp, sometimes changing the position of a button on a .5 point change normment.
  
  I wanted the memory (TRIAX style).
  
  I had Marshall (Combo 2 body). Marshall does that sound Marshall, for against this one gives all the sounds possible (but you must spend time to find them).
  
  APRS 2 years of use I still find sounds.
  
  It is true that much for a trs 30 watt amp but I think a worth it.
  
  If I have to repeat the same j'achterai.
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• 06/21/06

  aziyade's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  This time is the el Mesa 84 to the power stage and we are on a Class A amp 30 watts of power according to Mesa, that is very powerful for use at home or on stage. But here we have little use in the home without making enemies in the vicinity. There is a small switch that selects the number of lamps used 4, 2 or 1 alone. This changes the range and power much just by playing harmonics.
  
  
  
  Comprehensive in terms of connectivity, it's pro gear and as usual in mesa settings are super fine, we must seek to find the sounds, but it's not that complicated, the record is particularly explicit for English speakers . A reverb that for once in boogie is excellent ...

  Utilization

  It is not plug and play. The reverb settings are behind the amp, and there are many small switches to bypass the effects loop, change the sound of the reverb, more traditional settings, which are highly reactive and interact against each other , the gain and treble act on such other medium and low, the greater the less the others act up. In fact this type of amplifier is considered as an instrument in itself. But again nothing confusing just to experiment a bit and found what we seek. The manual is a model of gender as usual in mesa. And for once it can be transported without taking RV with his bone. Please note I did not say light, only more portable than rectoverb or other mark. I even caught the train, it said.

  Sounds

  By the end of his lecture is the slap in registers ranging from jazz to rock to blues, funk, reggae ke, and even hard in the register Queen or Aerosmith is in the box. It's absolutely sublime spell of the first agreement. Everything is there in the shade near the harmonic, the full, dynamic, singing treble, bass and mids on every floor, but nothing aggressive allucinant, you get lost in it so it's beautiful. This amp is a great success. On boosted channel, which are obtained atatques crunchent just what is and pushing a little gain, it becomes creamy, it looks like a violin, it's Eric Johnson, Brian May, of Santana, it's jazz fusion, bebop, where, depending on the guitar and especially the guitarist, but this can not hide behind effects or rough play. Everything is in its less subtle. In fact the sound is so beautiful, but at the same time demanding that the effects on this amp sound strange, as if they took away something that's yet I have the high end, well I use it not there but one small delay at times ... Everything is good with him there's nothing to throw. If the lamps. If you want to take the quintessence of this little monster Sovtek 12AX7 transfer the low end provided by boogie and replace them with a tung soil, Sovtek LPS, the Electro Harmonix finally lights that ring. For power is mounted Sovtek, and it is not so bad, but with JJ Tesla sings it well and even better ... then spend 100 euros more and your amp is amazing ...

  Overall Opinion

  Congratulations boogie, it's great. I have to complement a rectoverb for more modern sounds. And this is really great lonestar special, friendly, and more beautiful it is and with all those little buttons, the small fan, it looks like a machine from another age, engaging ... Finally it's still not a pretty girl attention, just something to make great music. A € 2400, slightly less if we discuss in good shops (and there are few), it's expensive yes, but to get the equivalent elsewhere, we will have to fork out even more in such Bogner and will more powerful, heavier, whereas here you have a great sound at hand ideal for studio, rehearsals and to have fun.
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