Mesa Boogie M3 Carbine Combo

This bass amp is a a tone monster. Even though it is only a small 1x12 combo the tone is enormous. This little amp coupled with the FET power output is just tonal bliss. You get the great build quality from Mesa and out that towards a bass amp that has a tone that will fill the air.


Mesa/Boogie M3 Carbine Combo 300-watt Bass Amplifier Combo Features at a Glance:

* Handbuilt in Petaluma, California
* 300W at 4 ohms (165W at 8 ohms)
* Combo with 1 x 12" Speaker
* Trans-Class power/ eight power MOSFETs, 1 x 12AX7
* Tube preamp featuring gain, active bass w/pull deep, passive mids, active treble, and master volume w/pull mute
* Tuner output
* Effects loop with true "hard" bypass switch
* Balanced XLR line out with ground lift and front panel level control with pre/post pull switch
* 2-1/4" speaker output jacks
* Fan cooled
* Black Bronco vinyl cabinet covering

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Tube
Number of Channels 1
Power 300W
Speakers 1 x 12"
No Effects
No Compression
EQ Bass, Mid, Treble
No Amp Modeling
Number of Tubes 1
Preamp Tubes 1 x 12AX7
Power Tubes No Power Tubes
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 2 x Speaker, 1 x XLR
No Footswitch I/O
Effects Loop
Height 19.625"
Width 19.375"
Depth 18.375"
Weight 75 lbs.

SOUNDS

Even though it looks small the ability for it to play large venues is easy with the line out option. You can run a line signal out of this amp into the PA of a venue that you are playing where you might need a bit more power to shake the walls correctly.

Let me start with saying how much I love the tone of the carbine bass amps from Mesa Boogie. They has such a pure and sonic character to them that makes the bass lines jump out of the mix rather than hanging back an letting the guitar playing take all the glory. These amps have such a warm tone thick it great harmonics and subtle gain. You can go anywhere and feel strong about the tone you are getting with these amps.

OVERALL OPINION

At new this combo comes in at around $1250, which isn't a bad price for a solid built high quality bass amp combo. This head though slim in features pacts quite an enormous tone and drive.

I would buy this amp if I ever lost or got my other amp stolen. I would recommend this bass amp to any bass player who needs a no nonsense simple tones of tone bass amp. Not a lot of features but just tone for days.

tube preamp (12AX7) MOSFET amp
300W into 4 ohms and 165W in 8ohms.
An instrument input jack 6.35 in front, with a light clip.
2 HP 4 ohm jack
1out direct XLR symmetrical.
1 post preamp output jack 6.35 with cutoff switch mass.
An I / O jack footswitch mute
1 input 1 output effects loop with bypass switch.
No effect, no compressor, no simulation or multibidule.
the output level of DI is adjustable on either PRE or POST. The adjustment is precise and without distorting the sound.
EQ bass / mid / high bass boost with a switchable by adjusting potentiometer Grave.
1x12 "
Quality is at the rendezvous, the aesthetic, the look simple but cozy, a good mouth "MB handmade"
A small black cube of 50x50x50 centimeters, a weight of 35kg mounted on four wheels.
Two side handles rabatable with anti vibration spring.

UTILIZATION

No difficulty settings, the super basic but basic Mesa-Boogie anyway.
The bass boost gives depth to a low breath.
One branch, two of three trials setting and the sound is monstrous, was breathtaking. How a little thing like that can make as much noise!
bluffing and just huge.

The manual is simple concise, clear and sufficient. Too bad it is only in English. That said it is not really useful as this amp is simple.

SOUNDS

is the sound I was looking for a long time. round, clear, slamming into the acute and deep in the bass. I play rock, pop and blues. Each output compliments and surprises fuse.

I play with a 4-string Ibanez signing VW and a Yamaha BB2005.
just a compressor and a crybaby for low certaint pieces.
I play a little slap fingers and taping.
The sound is clear, powerful, vibrant and deep bass, mids are crisp and clear, sharp and precise flapping.

For the moment, I REPEAT in our local does not exceed 20% of the power if I fart bulbs.
an outdoor test was 50% up out my neighbor ... not very happy.

OVERALL OPINION

I buy this amp 1 month ago, yet I still have not found significant fault.
It took one year to try different configurations, has almost all what is between € 1000 and € 2000 without finding the sound that I really convenais. A lot of material would probably be satisfactory but I'm a faignasse setting, just thinking a test more than three buttons gives me hives.

A huge bomb in a small volume for 1600 €, I would do the same choice.

I did not put 10/10 because there is no perfect but it comes close to the M3 Carbine.