All user reviews of 4/5 for the Mesa Boogie TransAtlantic TA-15 Head

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!

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.

Everything is already said, to summarize:

-Approximately 5 kg, for very small dimensions (roughly HxWxD = 31.5 x12, 5x13, 5 cm). Handle on top, not very comfortable to carry though as fine enough, knowing that it is the same that is used when the cart around in bag (hole in the cover to protrude the handle). Advisories yourselfers, add foam around will not be redundant ...
However, we must admit that the level of the overall size is close to the joke is so small. What is very significant, and has directed at the base, my purchase.

-Amplifier Tube

-Jack input, switch input, speaker output ... and basta (lacking, as pointed out, an effects loop, hence my note on this point)

-5/15/25 Watt switchable, a sufficient power reserves for the stage (25-watt lamps, it is already very strong, that I would never use it I think ...) as for his room. This is not the sole interest of the switch, as I explain later

-Canal "clean" gain / treble / bass / cut (acts as the inverse of a button presence, serving as master of the channel via a push-pull) switches normal (clear sound "traditional") - Top Boost (clean / crunch type vox), and switch watss 5-15-25

-Channel "drive" gain / treble / bass / master switch tweed (clean / crunch type fender) - Hi1 (crunch / distortion type English) - Hi2 (crunch / distortion type Mesa), and always switch 5-15 -25 watts (which we did so, to summarize, one on each channel)

Switch-channel, of course, to leave in the middle if you use the footswitch

-Carrying Case, footswitch jack and HP provided

-Handmade in the USA

UTILIZATION

A priori nothing very complicated, at least for basic usage: each knob fulfills its role in an obvious way, different modes have a real impact on the sound, according to the question "Is it easy to get a good sound, c is somewhat more complicated, what I will detail below.

I do not know how to rate this category as it is for me inseparable from that which follows, and "achieving" easily "a good sound is not necessarily a sign of very good overall sound, otherwise to have the sound of everyman ... So I would put just "correct" here, with a slight haggling for a master channel which is accessible only via push-pull m'enfin good ...

SOUNDS

Lag used with AK100 (Korean manufacturing, two double coils, no more nice guitar), and a 1x12 cabinet Engl 112V (closed back, close enough to baffle the mesa on which I tested the head shop)

- Start with the clear sound:

on channel 1, as on channel 2 with the mode "tweed" is beautiful, crisp, punchy, and warm, in short, all the qualities of the world. Channel 1 with the normal mode without pushing the gain too saturated, unlike the top boost mode that saturates at slightly more than the race of winning. Channel 2 tweed is about the same as a normal mode, but fills a hair faster, with its barely different, and the direct link button master button cut. How useful, then you tell me? Well ... I property.

- The crunch and distortion sounds: It's a bit more complex.

Not really big distos on this amp, pedal mandatory for those interested. Personally, I expect to receive at EHX graphic fuzz, to "add to" things a little, without distorting the original sound (in my opinion a bit stupid if you slap a little over 1000 euros in this head, buy as many single-channel ...)

The distos Hi-1 and Hi-2 channel a priori reserved to it are therefore relatively conventional overdrive, becoming dirtier with increasing gain (surprisingly so), I have still not seen any real difference between the two, the Hi-2 is a bit less subtle, but ... Everything must depend on the guitar used for mine nothing extraordinary, but it sounds (we will see later when I could afford ...).
According to Mesa, Hi-1 is typed Marshall, while Hi-2 would be typed Lead Mesa. Hmm ... May be, to do more volume, I have not had much opportunity to fully explore the 25 watts, given what it emerges.

When the "top boost" on channel 1, it remains for the moment my sound crunch / overdrive favorite: the definition and the sound of the guitar are exemplary even by pushing the gain. Very good English rock edgy. For my use, so I reversed the roles of the two channels and it does really well, hence the need for tweed clean sound on channel 2.

Last point on the sounds, the fact of choosing between 5-15 and 25 watts is not a question of volume: it changes the lamps used amplification, and thus the sound. We are thus in pure Class A / 1 lamp on the 5 watts, Class A Push / Pull / 2 15-watt lamps on, and Class A / B Dyna Watts 2 25 watt lights on. This radically changes the tone and opens up greater possibilities. For example, the sound is somewhat compressed on the 5 watt mode, allowing a more distal "thick" not pushing so much gain and lose definition.

Being able to select the power on each channel allows, by adjusting the master to obtain the same level of output two different voltages, and thus broaden the range sound again. However, attention to the large variation of the type 25-5 watts, a big "PLOP" is heard in the channel change suddenly, due to an excessively high current change (which is specified in the instructions, however, so no surprises. ..)

OVERALL OPINION

After a month of intensive testing, that is my opinion on the beast.

The most compelling are its size and footprint, versatility, and its sounds.

As for flaws, no effects loop and hi-gain sounds really are the greatest. Yes, of course the price also (although I remember that before a product is entirely handmade in the USA, it is relatively far from the quality / price for Fender ... And we're also in the presence of importers that eat relatively well on the margins generated ...)

We can blame him some research of sound (especially distortion, the clean sound is not really a problem), but personally I always liked to take the lead at least to get to what suits me ... As I said above, its easy to get one does not necessarily guarantee a great sound ... For example I keep the memory of the SansAmp bass driver, bass pedal, which adds instant balls and this sound very "grind" on bass, erasing him in passing the 3 / 4 of his personality ...

It therefore y 'choices at times, if you want a box that can get you out Mesa Dual Rectifier sound you've always dreamed of 2 / 3 rounds of knobs, it's not here (I confess Yet that is what I hoped before trying it). on the other hand, if you're ready to get the perfect mix between English and his combo mesa behind every switch of the head to take him in any register, you can go, not without having tried of course ...

See data sheet and manual at Mesa Boogie.
Perfect I put this topic but I do not give us this topic. Get to the bottom

UTILIZATION

The configuration is not so simple.

Each channel is a world of sound to sculpt patiently. Very patiently.
At 5 watts, one can already play with a beautiful sound without DISCHARGE civil war but lacks a bit of stomach heat, short of most of the lamp.
The transition from 5 watts to 15 watts changes considerably the frequency range.
At 15 watts, you get a more broad, more creamy. A note is important that we can play with this voume both at home and in repeats.
At 25 watts, it has the perfect volume for the repeats and the concert. No problem, it covers the drummer (who would not take cold) even in the clear.

The grip of the two channels is not obvious. See next chapter.

SOUNDS

I plug in the head on an HP Orange. I have a Boss ME 50 multi effects. I use four different guitars.

Channel 1 is close to the Vox AC30 but you need to activate a push-pull switch for the function which cut down the treble that of the master. Not easy to find the right dosage at the beginning.

- In Normal, you get a clean sound, rather crystalline. I plugged a Rickenbacker 12-string. The result is troubling. We get the true sound sixties (Byrds, The Beatles) Arpeggios welcome. You can spend some time to adjust the gain and frequency to achieve perfection. Overall, with the gain in low frequencies and at noon, is neutral, it does not flatter the ear but it respects the sound of the guitar. So perfect for home exercise.

- Top Boost mode is easily crunch. I tried with a telecaster. Great for arpeggios and rhythmic pop-rock and pub rock. With a stratovolcano in crunch, it is quickly in the atmosphere british blues. If you connect a humbucker, you get to his punk rock seventies. And then we did more laughing, "No Future" and all that kind of thing with heavy bar chords. But beware, the effect settings in this configuration becomes complex (see below)

Channel 2 is simpler. It has three voicing.

- Tweed mode, I connected a stratocaster with a very low gain. Perfect for chicken in the country picking. I took up the gain and reconnecting the telecaster. It can go from rockab 'fifties to rythm'n'blues wild. Everything is in the mix of earnings and choice of microphones. It is a channel rather enjoyable. The dosage of bass and treble in 15 watt mode allows to approach the universe Fender closely enough. Enough to fall into it, actually.

- Hi Gain mode 1, we enter the bacon. First I tried with the telecaster climbing gradually gain. We spend a very nervous british its boom in the seventies rock totally hard-wearing shorts. Then I went with a Telecaster equipped with two dual-coils, and now we can attack by farting solos harmonics. I also tried to slide. Texan bit rough with beard and dark glasses.

- Curiously, Hi Gain mode 2, the difference is not so sensitive that in terms of saturation. But with a pedal, you can go down to the metal pathological. I tried. Good. Can. This is not the purpose of this head. Nor mine.

Is "pedal friendly"? It depends. It has no effects loop, so it goes directly into the preamp. Both saturation distortions, cuts, tremolo, chorus, phaser and rotary spend another pile, both reverb and delay asking really fingering.

The result is still the height of the price. The announcement marks a collection of vintage sounds. They are all there. Tidy. In order. Ready to bite.

OVERALL OPINION

I tried just about everything. Vox of the Marshall Mesa Boogie Fender's passing by Crate and Peavey, of Orange, and even a Davoli superlead who was my first tube amp (I'm talking about something of thirty years ago, eh You may infer the age of Captain) Well, I know the stuff pretty well.
I had a small head for records with reference sounds.
That is fact. I have taken for between five and ten years with this thing. Without remission.
Is it expensive?
Yes.
Is there another silly question?