I have a used TA-15 coming in next week. This amp just looks way cool feature-wise and I had to try one. After years of using big iron, I've come to the conclusion that 10-20 watts is all I need to play small venue gigs and at home.
I played a Mk IV combo for 20+ years as my #1, sold it a few years ago and went another way. I just got tired of lugging around an 85 lb combo, it had to go. I started to miss the Mesa sound so picked up a Studio .22+ combo (half the weight of a Mk IV) last year and did the lead gain mod. It's now very usable and does not have the typical hiss problem common on .22's. The clean channel is just killer on the .22.
So for the TA-15, I have several cab options. The most obvious is a 1) Mesa Thiele/C90. I bought this in the 80s and used it with the MK IV. I also have an 2) Avatar 1x12 open back with a Celestion Alnico Blue @ 15w. I use this cab with a Morgan AC20 Deluxe head (23w) and it really gives that Vox chime that we all enjoy. I also have a 3) 60s Bassman 2x12 with V30s @ 4ohm. Given the TA has a 4 ohm tap, I plan to give this one a try. Finally, I have two 4) Marshall 1965 cabs, A&B - 4x10's @ 8 ohms. I love these cabs, they sound great with anything ya throw at 'em and they are lightweight enough to gig with. So, as you can see, I have quite a few cabs to choose from.
Anyway, how well does the TA-15 capture the Mesa MK lead tone (H2) compared to the .22 or a MKIV? I'm quite familiar with the MK lead gain tone and I'm wondering what to expect from the TA-15.
I played a Mk IV combo for 20+ years as my #1, sold it a few years ago and went another way. I just got tired of lugging around an 85 lb combo, it had to go. I started to miss the Mesa sound so picked up a Studio .22+ combo (half the weight of a Mk IV) last year and did the lead gain mod. It's now very usable and does not have the typical hiss problem common on .22's. The clean channel is just killer on the .22.
So for the TA-15, I have several cab options. The most obvious is a 1) Mesa Thiele/C90. I bought this in the 80s and used it with the MK IV. I also have an 2) Avatar 1x12 open back with a Celestion Alnico Blue @ 15w. I use this cab with a Morgan AC20 Deluxe head (23w) and it really gives that Vox chime that we all enjoy. I also have a 3) 60s Bassman 2x12 with V30s @ 4ohm. Given the TA has a 4 ohm tap, I plan to give this one a try. Finally, I have two 4) Marshall 1965 cabs, A&B - 4x10's @ 8 ohms. I love these cabs, they sound great with anything ya throw at 'em and they are lightweight enough to gig with. So, as you can see, I have quite a few cabs to choose from.
Anyway, how well does the TA-15 capture the Mesa MK lead tone (H2) compared to the .22 or a MKIV? I'm quite familiar with the MK lead gain tone and I'm wondering what to expect from the TA-15.