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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

But you aint bona fide!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.