Mesa Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 Head

This is basically the same amp as the 30 watt version just cut the power in half to 15 watts and minus the reverb for each channel. You get the same great features and tone as you would in the other versions.

What will Mesa Boogie think of next? These amps started out as great lunch box amps for the on the go musician. They have been so popular that now they are offering them in a high watt version and in a combo version as well. The tone of this amp is remarkable. With the ability to go from cleans on one side of the amp and kick it over to channel two with the option to have another clean or crunch and even high gain mode is fantastic.

Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 Guitar Amp Head Features at a Glance:

* All-Metal Chassis
* Black Crinkle & Platinum Pearl Powder Finish
* Multi-Watt Channel-assignable Power Amp
* Duo-Class and Dyna-Watt technologies
* Three channel-assignable power and operating class options
* Independent 5/15/25-watt Power Switches
* Fixed Bias for consistent, maintenance free performance
* 2 Fully Independent Channels with 5 Style Modes
* Best of British and American Tones from a Single Amp
* 1-button Footswitch
* Padded Gig Bag with Strap
* Dimensions: 12 3/8" W x 6 3/4" D x 5 7/8" H
* Weight: 12 lbs

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Power 5W Class A / 15W Class AB / 25W Class AB
No Effects
No Reverb
EQ Treble, Bass
Amp Modeling No Amp Modeling
Number of Tubes 6
Preamp Tubes 4 x 12AX7
Power Tubes 2 x EL-84
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 2 x Speaker
Footswitch I/O
No Effects Loop
Height 5.88"
Width 12.38"
Depth 6.75"
Weight 12 lbs.

SOUNDS


The first channel is primarily the clean channel but if you give it a little juice you can get a nice Fender breakup and then take it even further for a sweet Vox Ac30 type tone.

The second channle has a Tweed, High gain 1, and High gain two. It also has a boost function on the gain. You can turn this on an off on any mode. The tweed is a Fender type tone and the high gain 1 is a British type voicing. The final mode high gain 2 is more of the Mesa style lead and rhythm tones.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is no mids for EQing. So you need to be happy dialing in your tone with only a Treble and Bass.

OVERALL OPINION


These are great little amps for the money. They aren't cheap but will give you an array of tonal options. At new these amps come in at around $900. This might be a little on the high side for this amp but still a decent price for what it was.

I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a good gigging amp that will not be a failure on stage. This is a also a good amp for recording some various tones. The distortion is not going to be anything like a Dual Recto so if you think you'll get that tone then save your money. I recommend trying this amp out first because it is a bit different then the standard Mesa tones you have come to know. Plus the lacking of mids is a breaker for me on this amp. For the price Mesa has many other options that would be king over this amp.

Any amp lamp.
5w, 15w, 25w.
No effects loop.
No reverb.
8 outputs and 4 ohms.
Footswich to 1 selector.
Carrying provided.

UTILIZATION

The choice of modes is simple, the "cleaner" than saturated:
CHANNEL 1: Normal, Top Boost
CHANNEL 2: tweed, HI1, HI2
with choice of power for each channel.
On channel 1, in addition to volume, you can choose to have a tone control (effective and convenient!) Or a kind of master to allow naturally saturated sounds, why not, but I seized no interest because it deprives us of a "clear" and it is less convincing than the sounds of channel 2.

This, however, is much less simple is the equalizer. We just bass and treble on each channel ... no direct action on mid so. It comes out, but it is impractical and frankly not accurate. This is a point that really makes adjustments difficult.

Another problem: it is not easy to balance the volume between the two channels, the escalation settings are too different. In short: a general volume would have been welcome.

The manual is very thorough, serious, but all in English.

That's a lot of criticism, but he had to be complicated as many opportunities VERY GOOD sound in such a small amp.

SOUNDS

Commands for improvement so ... but what SON! or rather what SOUNDS!
Finally, whatever the configuration, ALL sounds. The sound palette is huge, we took a terrible spoiled for choice.

To briefly (used with a GIBSON LP CUSTOM):
NORMAL: a pure, beautiful and round, fully respecting the instrument (the use of tonality makes sense).
TOP BOOST: clean more dynamic, tending to the crunch.
TWEED: saturation not to mention, we have a frank and crunch really hot.
HI1: saturation very classical dynamics is excellent, the sound is clear and sounds absolutely not "choked". It's beautiful!
HI2: HI1 relatively identical but with a bass boost, making the sound fatter. This is perfect!

I made quickly to avoid stacking description of compliments, but honestly it's hard to be disappointed. Jazz at large Rock, TRANSATLANTIC is good everywhere.

For cons, I understand you may be disappointed if you wanted to play metal: must admit that there is very limited (palms mute not great, not sounds cleaner ...). Then we can take comfort by adding pedals it supports without flinching ... but it would be a shame.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a little less than 2 years and I'm not ready to part with it!

Past the galley setting, we obtain personal and warm tones, which are always the difference in competition.
There was no need to push the volume to flatter the ears (cheating), here the beautiful sounds TRANSATLANTIC not strong meme!

Effective at home, quietly covers the battery rehearsal (meme in 5W). On stage, its limit will be the meme that all amps sound too directional HP can help in bar but no more. But there's a reasonable volume does wonders transplanted in the sound

Icing on the cake, the amp has frankly mouth and exudes quality materials and serious (no nasty plastic or brittle) ... and for those who love the blue LEDs are the most beautiful effect.

Dear, this amp is certainly not the best in its price range but worth a visit.

Good solid metal chassis with a handle (again not very comfortable but its 5Kg and a half it will not bother!)
Blue LEDs inside nice for visual although I would prefer not to have them for € 100 less ^ ^

Amp lamp apparently full class A "push-pull" (as powers of 2 lamps) to switch to 15watts and 5 and class A / B for the position 25Watts, so:
2xEl-84 4x12AX7 in power and preamp. Note that they are "fixed bias".

2 channels:
Clean channel: volume, treble, bass, cut / master switch normal / top boost, switch 5/15/25W
Drive channel: master, bass, treble, gain, tweed/Hi1/Hi2 switch, switch 5/15/25W

Also on the front panel: input, footswitch input, switch on and switch standby

Rear: 8ohm and 4ohm cabinet entry

UTILIZATION

Once we found in the switch is very simple, we test it and rule it rolls.

SOUNDS

Tried in the store with the other guitarist in my band just after the mini rectify.

There was a little less crowded so we were able to push the sound (apparently a client felt compelled to start a battle of volume on a fender hot rod, I have not followed I was afraid to break the shop window ) so you'll understand a reserve volume more than adequate as a mini grinding and I'm sure it works well in rehearsal, small concert and in the case of the TA-15 pe same apartment thanks to the position 5Watts .

Let the sound itself. Comparing with the correct mini, I think the clean is even more beautiful in ten minutes tampering and even then it was only a glimpse, because the number of settings can really find their sound. I could not find a setting that I did not. For the drive, you have the choice between tweed, small overdrive crunch that well but it's not my department. I therefore turn to the distortion, or Hi1 Hi2 the difference must be subtle because I did not hear what changed, eg more compression on the version2? There if I compare to rectify, I appreciate less drive channel, it is less accurate ... This being said, the drive is beautiful and must surely play its role in the pop-rock, rock, blues, heavy on the AC / DC.

OVERALL OPINION

I tested about an hour and I could feel that he has under the hood ^ ^
If I had to choose between it and the mini correct, however, I would go over to the other more in line with my musical style.

Most:
- Easily transportable
- Multiple use: home, rehearsal, concert
- Superb clean
- Many settings can really sculpt your own sound
- Footswitch and carrying case included (I was told you there ^ ^)

Cons:
- The price (although once again as a head light with 2 real channels ...)
- No effects loop while his brother has a mini rectify: s
- I would put the drive in as negative if I compare to rectify but this is totally subjective.

Here, finally, is mesa, you pay the brand but it exudes quality and all brand lovers who are tired to blow back, here's an alternative to all that interesting to try!

while 2 EL lamps 84 and 4 12AX7
5, 15, 25 w
2 channels: vox sounds and sounds typs typs fender,

I put 9.5 because it lacks the effects loop (see below)

UTILIZATION

sounds are sculpted with DIFFERENT knob switch and is not very complicated

SOUNDS

fall clean sounds, I have a preferences for the channel tweed
the crunch is addictive!
the Satus are more than convincing,

The sounds are so beautiful and compelling that it comes without a rverbe or delay the blow I understand the non NCESS of the loop,

I note that the amps mesa magnify strata and tlcaster (Ryck's too) I find that this one not n'chappe RULES,

Take the great pedals,

OVERALL OPINION

Super head, I strongly recommend,
we begin to find OCCAZ from 800, jump on the free OCCAZ hsitation!

and in addition it is beautiful and blue!