Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 Combo

The Mesa Boogie Electa Dyne was recently introduced by the company in both head and combo formats. It was designed to give Mesa fans a shot at that classic British tone that defined hard rock guitar tone as we know it. It is a single channel amplifier that features a switch for going between clean, low gain and high gain modes, and a very simple EQ tonestack of bass, middle, treble and presence controls as well as a gain and master volume. These modes are all footswitchable, so in theory you are still getting some level of versatility by being able to run different levels of gain/saturation at the touch of a footswitch. There is also an onboard reverb with hard bypass if you want a totally dry signal, as well as a switch to toggle between 90w of power and 45w of power. Here's the full list of specs:

Simul-Class Power Amp (Patents 4,532,476 & 4,593,251) featuring a 45/90 Watt Power Switch that incorporates concept elements from our Patented Multi-Watt and Duo-Class technologies (Patent Numbers 7,602,927 & 7,173,488) providing two power and two operating class options: Choose 2 power tubes operating in time-honored Class A/B producing 45 Watts or 4 tubes running in Mesas legendary, Patented Simul-Class Power that blends the best of Class A and Class A/B simultaneously to produce 90 Watts of pure tonal magic / 4x6L6 (or 4xEL-34), 7x12AX7
Bias Select Switch (6L6 / EL34)
Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
Single Channel simplicity with the performance versatility of a Multi-Channel amp through 3 Footswitchable Modes (Classic Boogie Clean, Vintage Low Gain, Vintage Hi Gain)
Channel Control Features: Volume (Gain), Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence & Master Volume
Clean Level Control
Gain Trim Switch
Slip Cover
All-Tube, Long Spring Reverb with Auto Reverb Defeat Switch for Vintage Hi and Lo Modes (Defeat Mode removes Reverb from Vintage Hi or Low Modes but retains Reverb on Clean Mode Normal Mode applies Reverb to all Modes)
Reverb Hard-Bypass Switch removes entire Reverb Circuit from amp
Fully Buffered FX Loop w/Automatic Hard-Bypass to completely remove when not in use
Slave Out w/Level Control External Switching Jacks for Vintage Low/Hi (Clean is default) & Reverb
17 Aluminum Chassis (rack-mountable option available)
2 Button Footswitch (Classic Clean, Vintage Low/Hi)
Mesa C90 speaker (90w handling power)





UTILIZATION

Getting a good tone out of this amp can be a little bit harder than other Mesas by comparison. This may sound strange, as they're normally very complex and hard to dial in anyway. However, I find that when I'm limited by a single set of EQ and gain controls and am trying to footswitch between different levels of gain that it can be a sheer impossibility at times. The biggest caveat I had when setting up the amp initially was trying to balance the gain level between all three modes. I prefer a very pristine and low-gain clean tone. However, in order to get this, the preamp volume had to be lower, and as a result the Lo and especially the Hi modes didn't have near enough raunch for what I wanted. Conversely, to get the amount of saturation I wanted on the gain modes, I had to dime the preamp volume which caused the cleans to be too broken up for my general liking. I ended up simply using the Hi mode with full preamp gain and just rolling down my guitar's volume when I needed cleaner sounds... The combo is about the same as the head as far as utilization but I did find the combo version with C90 speaker easier to dial in than the head which was plugged into a Vintage 30 loaded cabinet.


SOUNDS

I've tried this amp with various Gibson, Fender and EBMM guitars. It's definitely got a lot of that classic British flavour on tap and sounds decidedly like a hot rod Marshall with a bit more of that atypical refined Mesa thing going on. The clean mode, when set for a more pristine clean sound, has that spanky and slightly scooped out hollow clean tone that reminds me a lot of an old Marshall JMP. It's got a bit more warmth a-la Fender, but it still is a very UK clean tone. The Lo mode basically sounds like a Marshall JMP head that's running full tilt to my ears, but with smoothed out highs and a slight bit more compression. The Hi mode takes things up one notch to be like a hot rodded Jose or Cameron modded JMP/JCM800. It has that really great set of even harmonics and overtones as well as that biting top end, but it never loses definition or muddies out at higher volumes. Very cool! I like the Hi mode a lot because it really does a good job at giving the storied Marshall hot rod tones, but STILL whilst retaining the feel of a Mesa amp. The combo version is really similar to the head, but the C90 speaker is definitely an excellent match for this amp. The low end remains defined, but still keeps that classic vintage voice that makes the amp sing, and the high end sparkles with harmonics and overtones that are sheer perfection.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne combo is a very cool and different amp from their typical "kitchen sink" amps like the Dual Rectifier and Mark Five. Because it is a single channel amp, it can be a bit more difficult to really dial in the sounds to go from clean to mean but if you compromise a bit on both ends you can make it work. At $1,800 new I'd say this amp is priced a bit on the high side for what you're getting, but they can be had for a fair bit less than that used if you look. If you're a Mesa player but want that classic British roar in a convenient 1x12 combo package, give this amp a look.

What I love about Mesa Boogie is the quality control of their amplifiers. They built immaculate constructed and sounding amps that honestly puts modern Marshall to shame. They have not wavered their ethics in their built what so ever, no matter how big they have gotten. There amps can take rigorous beating night after night gig after gig and still keep ticking.

This amp is a simple amp that rivals many combos out there on the market. it is a simple design with many features to boot. It is essentially a single channel amp that has three voicings or modes that give you many options. It also has a reverb feature that can be assignable to one or all three of the modes. You can also take the power from 90 watts down to 45 watts.

UTILIZATION

Electra Dyne Combo 90-watt, 1 x 12" Tube Combo Amplifier Features:

* Simul-Class power amp with 45W/90W power switch
* Tube complement: 4 x 6L6, 7 x 12AX7
* Bias Select switch (6L6/EL34)
* Fixed bias for consistent, maintenance-free performance
* Single-channel simplicity with the performance versatility of a multi-channel amp through three footswitchable modes (Classic Boogie Clean, Vintage Low Gain, Vintage Hi Gain)
* Channel control features: volume (gain), treble, mid, bass, presence, and master volume
* Slip cover included
* All-tube long-spring reverb with auto reverb defeat switch for Vintage Hi and Lo modes
* Reverb Hard-Bypass switch removes entire reverb circuit from amp
* Effects loop with automatic Hard-Bypass to completely remove when not in use
* Slave Out with level control
* External switching jacks for Vintage Low/Hi (clean is default) and reverb
* 17" aluminum chassis (rackmountable option available)
* 2-button footswitch (Classic Clean, Vintage Low/Hi)

SOUNDS

This amp get get a solid sparkly clean sound and it can go all the way up to blistering lead tones with a ton of saturation that Mesa is known for. I love coupling this amp with a Les Paul or humbucker style guitar and just letting notes ring out all day long. You can have a lot of fun with this amp at home or in a band setting. You can also slave it out if you feel the need for other speakers cabs such as a 4x12.

OVERALL OPINION

If you need solid practice amp or an am that will be small and portable then this is good pick. If you need an amp that doesn't have 400 channels and 1000 different modes then this is an amp for you. Not a ton of features but just a simple combo amp that has a ton of gain and blistering leads that can be put on top of a Mesa Boogie 4x12 cab and blasting your audience at a gig.

At new they come in at around $1800 which may be a bit high for the features it has compared to a Roadster or a Mark V. So if you need the combo this is a good amp but if your looking for more channels and features then maybe the MK V or a Roadster will do the trick.

characteristics? everybody know, it's all good lights on (even a packet 12 is not really a single channel because each circuit has is own set of lamp light and the Crunch and its own grinder (5ar7) with a very warm reverb assignable by fair and in general each mode, it is very hot and very effective on clear sounds clear Crunch was used sparingly as soon invasive assay of each mode would be welcome (we can not I have not quite put it lightly on the clean and bypass on Crunches, power and 100 watts are well rdv flush ca pushing very hard to such an extent that the c90 (v Celestion, something seems improved it (mmmm) and behind the bowl looks very much like a celestion std) seems to me just enough power handling, summon us very far from 12 evl electro voice Series mark, only downside to the 112 so (a little, even many short if you whip the combo, but if you buy this combo it will be for the club's small stage or if you have a date in France stadium will require an extension, the 212 already increasing its weight therefore the purchase of a 112 and a cab will be a pragmatic choice
if you play well on light ca widely enough in a lot of cases

UTILIZATION

configuration could not be more simple, bravo mesa, finished the push-pull, the brigths ect ... here is the equalo flat (while at noon the same preamp) has just meter the volume of the clean channel at the rear for equilibrate to crunch and input it sounds and more than one channel to another is not deteroration timbre remains in the same register sound especially since we're on the high end of the dosing volume of guitar leaves a usable range of sounds on a same mode (with the crunch has 7 preamp volume is not going to clean a bit dirty and very crunchy rhythms even see rock hard rock, that 'the old school and c 'is (at a volume and overdrive pedal or a switch to boost lead) is the strength of this amp; not need doc, the direct access to the exploitable sonoritées in a trice it was her and her icing on the cake going from a Strat has a lespaul there is nothing to touch off a set of input gain adjustment if any

SOUNDS

sounds for the metalheads go your way in this case it will be very at ease exelent view on pop rock and blues, field of predilection for this amp, the sound level summon us; on the clean channel, a lonestar special (great success emphasis added), highly crystalline with a little over medium low (6L6 forces) with a longer, we can limit the input gain of a clean using a knob located at the rear to have a clear super clean even a strong power of the shot is so beautiful that my buddy jazeu has made a peter (the ones who saw only the AD 120 or twin reverb), the crunches are present and The manufacturer offers two modes: the low remains in a very british Marshallian view of the good old days (plexi) and High with a little more gain a little more digging with a stamp that I recall my Californian mark 3 with much harmonic singing, I mainly use this mode (I have another amp for cleans) with a well balanced Crunch I control the volume of the guitar and lead me to switch him stick my favorite overdrive (very Zen; understand who can) and the AC does matter! The boogie to the big time are not fluffy aggressive is present and sings wonderfully ca


OVERALL OPINION

not need to play a long time to be charmed by the quality of this amp, you will love ca ease of implementation and the first blow of a pick you'll be delighted, as he announces dual channel single-channel I would say with a choice of Crunch on channel b (also with football Switch it has access to two channels on the channel and b the two modes hi & Loew) being proposed at the head, combo 112 and 212, the extension of two baffles 112 and 212 are also disposed, IMPORTANT! Not to be used on 4 * 12 is a closed horreure! had you not go wrong on your setup, I opted for a combo 112 (ideal for repeat home, club and studio he weighs his weight (32 kg) but this is reasonable for a 100 watt no heavier or lighter than another boutique amp worthy of the name easily roomy in the back seat we put in place the cover is removed you plug the pedalboard and 3 4, and its extension for big scene for a bit more thickness and comfort in the sound and especially the 12 inch relieve this a little short for my taste, if you provide a benefit in rock and pop, with a tour of the big scenes opt for the extension or additional 212 (hello weight), it is not has not picked it up it has enough power and dynamics to cover most applications live, it comes with four wheels that can be easily removed without tools and a small protective cover, said the aesthetic side of the stack is a complete success one side dominant neo-vintage black giving it a dark and austere side, there is a sober and attractive. To conclude this amp is a very versatile sonic palette with a more than respectable, it is the access to the upscale boutique in much cheaper, for 2000 euros we reach the ultimate but not nearly as well with an effective SAV now we get a prestigious brand that has proven that it is properly installed and still for quite some time and that 's not a bad boogie is not a fad that has become an institution there are millions of fans in the world and if like me you often change the amp because it is your pleasure and your right to resale opportunity is very important, tastes el ca colors beyond challenge, after testing if the sounds you like for a two (three actually) channels, quality workmanship, sound, character, versatility I think that's a good choice, value for money there is no better, for the Holy Grail it will cost you ... .?, please add 1500 ... and you have to judge