Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2x12 Combo

The Mesa boogie Lonestar Special offers many interesting features that make it one of the more versatile El84 designs on the market. You can operate at a full 30 watts or trim it down to 15 or 5 watts, running on only one tube. The amp also has a 3 mode toggle to change between normal, thick, and thicker. This function is similar to a bright switch and changes how the treble pot operates. The footswitchable boost is a welcome addition as well. There is onboard reverb as well as an effects loop present. There is some control over the reverb as well as a toggle for the amp's fan. The Aesthetics are top notch. The leather handle feels very strong and is a great touch.

UTILIZATION

Making use of el84s in the Lonestar Special, the amp is able to achieve a more fluid, elasticity to its feel. I found the amp to be quite lightweight compared to other Mesa boogie combos I've owned. Build quality is marvelous as with most Mesa Boogie amps. Having gigged the amp, it has proven easy to get a good mic'd sound out of it for FOH.

SOUNDS

I found the normal/thick/thicker toggle to be nearly essential to finding a complimentary tone to a variety of guitars and pickup combinations. The drive control allows for tasteful sustain for lead playing. Going between wattages changes the feel and allows you to get beautiful searing lead sound at low volumes. The clean tones are the star of the show and the special sounds breathtaking in this regard. Never have I heard so much articulation and sweetness in a clean guitar sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The Lonestar is another example of Mesa Boogie's ultra-intelligent approach to laying out feature sets relevant to professional guitarists. The amp is extraordinary value for money considering both list and second hand pricing. Easily one of the finest dedicated clean amplifiers built.

lamps has
operates 5watts / 15 watt class A
and 30 watts!

UTILIZATION

the manual is in English, but is found in French on the net!

we must seek the sound, the sounds are beautiful ...

SOUNDS

yes, it is a very versatile amp, clean sounds and overdrive sounds fabulous old school;
reverbs are beautiful!!

for the santana, g. moore, floyd (beautiful), and other depp purple!

I play with Vigiers; excalibur expert and ... 2 beautiful and gibsons; lespaul std 1998 and es333 .....

with a crank boss gt10!! I advise using a double compression, boost ..... a killing.

for the metal, go your way, or else with an adequate pedal, but it is not designed for it: see the correct ........

OVERALL OPINION

I've since January 2012, c is expensive but the sound is maginfique!

It replaces my old 4501 to 1994 ......... Marchall and my roland cube 80 x (made in china) (but a real Swiss Army knife) ...........

attention, the beast is fragile, he slammed my lamp 5Y3 rectifier has two times
known problem in mesa boogie as noted on one advice that I agree!!!!
he just drop the diode! *
was used with a surge protector / UPS preference!!

I would do this choice?? not ::: because of reliability: considering the price!!! and made in usa hand .....

30W tube amp, can be reduced to 15 or 5 w. Two switchable channels. Reverb per channel.

UTILIZATION

Amp very clear we must take time to set the channel full. English and the manual is rather technical. I am looking more to get a good balance between the sound of my strings rather than to color the sound.
somewhere this amp does not betray the sound of the instrument, however it does not alter at all.

SOUNDS

sounds are clear monstrous, saturation and bluesy crunch terrible. A great big double and a lead sound was not bad, a little distortion is required for shredders. nothing for the metal. Good big rock distortion us.
No pedals or rack chemicals, just good pedals. And above all a good guitar.
I have a Tom Anderson Start and type ibanez js. If you play the wall has the ca kills, and if you want sound that is clear satrianus you approach without problem. especially micro round or sometimes hallucinating the sound similarity

OVERALL OPINION

I bought 6 years ago I changed a lamp. It works well, if we were careful to stuff this amp is indestructible. it has a precise sound that requires us to humility when we play, technical errors are paying cash. But when you get to speak with the heat is there for you from the land of old.
With this amp you do not need to make a car ranges to sound, a good many plant and bend it is the stamp made his taff.
I do not regret this purchase. The only fault I see that is it is not for the metal at the same time ... it is not for

tube amp very fragile. (bring an amp replacement)

UTILIZATION

18 months in return for service use every three months ..
otherwise the configuration is simple when it works.

SOUNDS

I had all sorts of tube amps: fender hot rod, fender princeton chorus, peavey classic 30, koch Twintone excellent, no worries.
mesa lonestar super reliable but not its damage.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought new for 18 months on several occasions sent SAV CAMAC.
multitude of woes: the fuse does not defective lamps, lamp replacement rectifier three times, no longer works in 5w and 15w, etc. .... 18 months after replacement with an amp in the first nine who use poses problem: a power tube and simultaneously flushed down the sound back to the store.
Since I bought an amp KOCH excellent in anticipation of a new failure and this new fault has arrived: the fuse blows again and the lamp is an arc rectifier for the umpteenth time I will return the amp.
Major problems concerning the reliability of known issues and received not qualify for the brand: scandalous!