Mesa Boogie Buster 200

[Mikey R]

I had a chance to play through a Buster 200 yesterday, I was lead to believe its basically half a 400+ in a weirdly shaped 2 x 10 combo.

I was totally not blown away by it, in any way, despite really trying hard to find a nice growly tone using both a P and a J. I was really let down.

I know the 400+ gets loads of rave reviews on here, whats the secret to making these things growl?

EDIT: It seems Ive had the wrong expectations from the amp, so Ive changed the topic title to reflect this

Edited September 26, 2013 by Mikey R

[Kiwi]

The Bass 400+ I had never growled. It was just a juggernaut of clean low end which meant I could do anything with it, with the right signal chain. If you want growl, GK RB series might be a better bet.

[Mikey R]

Cheers Kiwi, it seems I had the wrong expectations. I'll look elsewhere.

[Beedster]

Yep, not a growly amp, but lovely clean tubey tone all the way up. Not an SVT

[Beedster]

I'd guess a change of tubes could make it growl, speak to Watford valves, they'd be able to tell you

[Kiwi]

Yes, some higher gain preamp tubes would probably do the trick.

[leroydiamond]

Played a ZON fretless through a buster a couple of years ago and they were a lovely combination. Not growley though just oceans of tubey warmth

[Mikey R]

Not my cup of tea, but it seems they definitely have their fans.

If anyone is after a big, tubey warm amp, thats a little unusual, there is one in Mor Music in York going for around £500 (half what it is in on the website).
[url="http://www.mormusic.co.uk/product/mesa-boogie-buster-200w-valve-combo---used"]http://www.mormusic....ve-combo---used[/url]

You might be able to haggle the guys down a little, tell them Mikey sent you.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Mikey R

[warwickhunt]

£1099 down to £500 (or less) that is some discount!

[Roland Rock]

I hope it sounds better than it looks :-)
Nice to see that MOR are still in business, that's where I got my 78P from twelve years ago.

[hamfist]

Did you try to lift the combo at all ?

[Mikey R]

Nope - it has a strange trolly case handle thingy, so Im guessing its a beast!