Anybody play a Lonestar Special?

Old Doc Skinner · March 27th, 2006, 12:38 PM

I have heard many great things about Mesa's Lonestar, but it's way more juice than I need. Now they have an EL84-based "Lonestar Special" which is switchable from 5 to 15 to 30 watts. I'm wondering if any of you have played through one and what your impressions might be.

I'm also curious about the switching arrangement, which presumably utilizes one, two, or all four of the power tubes. If you primarily use one of the lower wattage settings, wouldn't you end up with mis-matched tubes after a while?

Telecicle · March 27th, 2006, 03:05 PM

I don't know about the techincal details, but I played one a couple of weeks ago, and was VERY impressed. I don't usually like Mesa amps, but this one is really well done. It's light, too. I was kinda upset that they discontinued the Maverick, which was a fairly simple and nice sounding amp, but the Lone Star is a fine replacement.

astro · March 28th, 2006, 02:31 PM

I don't know what it is about eL 84 amps, but they always leave me nonplussed. They always sound nasally to me. I don't like the overall character of the eL84 amps I have heard.

I have played through a regular Lonestar and liked it very much. if that amp is an el84 amp, color me corrected.

tdu · March 28th, 2006, 02:34 PM

Is this newer Lonestar a little smaller? I loved the orginal Lonestars I tried. They were too much money for me and way too heavy though.

Telecicle · March 28th, 2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdu

Is this newer Lonestar a little smaller? I loved the orginal Lonestars I tried. They were too much money for me and way too heavy though.

Yes. The Lone Star Special is a 1x12, 30w, EL84 powered, class A combo. The Lone Star is a 100w 1x12 or 2x12, 6L6 powered, class AB combo. The Special is pretty light. When I lifted it, it seemed to be in the 30-40 lb. ballpark.

astro · March 28th, 2006, 02:58 PM

But you aint bona fide!

How did the special sound? Clas A or not, I'm still not crazy about el84s.

tdu · March 28th, 2006, 03:17 PM

I actually really like EL34's. The checked out the amp and it looks really nice. I'd guess it's still way out of my budget though. Those Mesa amps are pricey.

astro · March 28th, 2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdu

I actually really like EL34's. The checked out the amp and it looks really nice. I'd guess it's still way out of my budget though. Those Mesa amps are pricey.

Who doesn't love el34's. 34's are mannah from heaven. 84's not so nice.

Old Doc Skinner · March 28th, 2006, 05:18 PM

The big Lonestar runs on either EL34's or 6L6's - I think it has a bias switch so you can exchange tubes. The Lonestar Special is strictly EL84. My Maz Jr is an EL84-based amp and I love it, but would like a 6L6-powered amp. The big Lonestar is just too heavy and too loud for my purposes. That's why I'm curious about little brother. I'll just have to find one to test drive, I guess.

tdu · March 28th, 2006, 06:01 PM

Actually I meant EL84's. I am selling an EL34 amp right now because I prefer the old EL84 Traynor I just bought. Different strokes for different folks.

March 27th, 2006, 12:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	Anybody play a Lonestar Special? I have heard many great things about Mesa's Lonestar, but it's way more juice than I need. Now they have an EL84-based "Lonestar Special" which is switchable from 5 to 15 to 30 watts. I'm wondering if any of you have played through one and what your impressions might be. I'm also curious about the switching arrangement, which presumably utilizes one, two, or all four of the power tubes. If you primarily use one of the lower wattage settings, wouldn't you end up with mis-matched tubes after a while? __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

March 28th, 2006, 02:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
astro Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Shoa, MA Posts: 872	el84 amps I don't know what it is about eL 84 amps, but they always leave me nonplussed. They always sound nasally to me. I don't like the overall character of the eL84 amps I have heard. I have played through a regular Lonestar and liked it very much. if that amp is an el84 amp, color me corrected.

March 28th, 2006, 02:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,531 11 Photos	Is this newer Lonestar a little smaller? I loved the orginal Lonestars I tried. They were too much money for me and way too heavy though. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

March 28th, 2006, 03:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,531 11 Photos	I actually really like EL34's. The checked out the amp and it looks really nice. I'd guess it's still way out of my budget though. Those Mesa amps are pricey. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

March 28th, 2006, 05:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	The big Lonestar runs on either EL34's or 6L6's - I think it has a bias switch so you can exchange tubes. The Lonestar Special is strictly EL84. My Maz Jr is an EL84-based amp and I love it, but would like a 6L6-powered amp. The big Lonestar is just too heavy and too loud for my purposes. That's why I'm curious about little brother. I'll just have to find one to test drive, I guess. __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

March 27th, 2006, 03:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Telecicle Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 240	I don't know about the techincal details, but I played one a couple of weeks ago, and was VERY impressed. I don't usually like Mesa amps, but this one is really well done. It's light, too. I was kinda upset that they discontinued the Maverick, which was a fairly simple and nice sounding amp, but the Lone Star is a fine replacement.

March 28th, 2006, 02:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
astro Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Shoa, MA Posts: 872	But you aint bona fide! How did the special sound? Clas A or not, I'm still not crazy about el84s.

March 28th, 2006, 06:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,531 11 Photos	Actually I meant EL84's. I am selling an EL34 amp right now because I prefer the old EL84 Traynor I just bought. Different strokes for different folks. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff: