Mesa/Boogie Buster Bass 200 210 Combo

Made in 2000, originaly purchased new from Huber Breeze on Gratiot. I purchased it from and church (brand new looking) for $400.00. It has a good clean puchy sound suitable for any playing stye. I would not use it for speed metal where you need someing huge, loud and bullet prof. I usualy use a 1970 SVT, and this is a good alternative. Not as loud as my SVTs; But no problem cutting through the mix without miking. Has more of a sound like my 1970's Fender Basemen 135; probably due to the use to 6L6 insteade of 6550's power tubed. Features include a foot switchable graphic (like chanel switching. I did not like the was the graphic sounds and prefer to leave it turned off. Very simple controls: vol,- treb. -bass. -mid. -mast vol. / E.Q. Section with on -off toggle switch. With the optional foot switch, the EQ can be used like chanel switching. Power and standby switch. The back has arrangementes to run 8 ohm and 4 ohm speaker set ups; but 2 ohm is not recommnended. There is a direct out to the PA with a intermnal "speaker shut off" so you can hear just the PA when mixing. Also a polarity switch. Has effect loop wiht mixing volune control. Good basic set up- on compressor/ limitor or effects stuff.

I use a Carvil 6 string active bass with all the Mid's turn off on the guitar (too loud and honky). Sounded good for anystyle. The Boogie kind of reminded me of my old ampeg b-15 flip top tone. Good motown. No Noise, this amp is quiet as a mouse, I'll probably add a fan, that will add a little noise. I do mostly finger style, It is O.K for slap (you can set the EQ with the foot switch of go into slappy stuff. Very articulate high notes and good for two handed tapping. It is nice when th high note don't get lost in the mix. That articulation is partially due to the Carvin bass which has a consistent volume all over the neck. I hear some mild distrotion at times but can not tell if it is and walls shaking, the drummers snares, speaker cabenet viration or worn out speakers. You only er distortion up close. if you walk ouit three or four feet you done hear teh vibration. This is a very loud 2X10 combo amplified and it realy seems to shake everything up. With the speaker poited right at your head you hear every little noise. I seemed to have a richer and deaper sound when I played moderately soft finger style. Use a pick and it is so clean it hurts.

So far so good. Tube amps require mantainence; but can last for ever if you take care of them...

Got manual of messa home page with no difficulty.

Playing a long time: Current bands: "3rd Power", "Lost and found", and "Soul Kitchen".
gear: 1970's SVT w/ 8x10 cab. (re-done and like new)
2002 SVT Classic (black face) with 2X10 and 4X10 cabs.
1970's Fender bassman 135, siverface with 4X10 fender cabnet- speakers replaced with "Dave Eden" speakers.
Messa Boogie Buster 200 w/ 2x10 combo.
Jazz bass- autographed by Noel Redding
5 string jazz bass
Godin acustic electric bass,
Yamaha fretless jazz bass,
Ibenez 6 string bass
Ibenez 4 string with baseline pickups and Khaler whamy bar.
1970 bassman 2X15 bottom
KG bass head.
Stand up acustic bass.

All tube 200 watts of power, 2-10's, kick back design cab with a rear port. Flexible EQ - bass-mid-treble *and* switchable 5 band graphic EQ. DI at mic level, and effects loop with blend.

This amp is 96 pounds heavy. It's a back breaker. Yes, it has the little wheels and the luggage handle, but stairs are a real pain in the back, as is loading it in and out of the car.

Best sounding bass amp I've ever owned. I compared this amp directly to a SWR wm-10 (honk), Fender M-80 (not bad), Fender Bassman 10 (all tube), and a Hartke 5000. It beats them all.

EQ is flexible, and I think this is necessary with the rear port. I find that where the amp is placed makes a huge difference in the sound. Close to a back wall seems to pump a lot more lows, while a little distance seems to lighten up the sound a lot.

Initially I thought this amp was too muddy sounding. But not really... There's more fundamental than I was used to and there is a lot of clarity as well. Producing a warm, round, full sound without mud is a snap with this combo. The wedge style cab maks this perfect for crowded stages or times when you need to keep your volume down and still be able to hear yourself (like when playing fretless).

So far so good. Purchased the amp used, but more accurately it had been unused for quite a while. Initially there was a light crackle in the sound. Changed preamp tubes, did some power amp tube swapping, no change. After a month of weekly use the crackle has diminished to near nothing. I'm told this is probably the caps reforming, thought it's a first for me.

One problem - the speaker plug shorted. This would have smoked a transistor amp. Replaced it with a Peavey 1/4" plug, all is well. The fact it survived this is evidence of high build quality. But it's sad that a $5 part caused such a headache. Keep an eye on these right angle 1/4" speaker jacks.

Called the support number. I may have called on a bad day, but the support tech didn't seem to care much about my shorted speaker jack problem. Granted it was a used amp, and I had no idea how it had been treated in the past. But a shorted 1/4" speaker plug is unusual and I though they'd want to know.

I got a killer deal off e-Bay, and I'm really happy with the amp. I used to be one of those people who saw Mesa as over priced, but I've changed my tune, and I'm considering a Walkabout Scout as my next amp.

Other reviews have mentioned the specs. My unit is the 2x10 Wedge.
I matched it with a NOS Diese 1x15 cab.
No bells & whistles; none needed. Bass Mid Treble. 7-band graphic EQ
is more than enough to shape and balance the sound.

This is the point- TUBES. Nothing compares to the resonance of an all-tube circuit. Mesa did everything perfect in making an all-tube COMBO
amp, the late '90's answer to a B-15.
Tube tone for MILES with the volume and headroom needed for the bassists role in today's music.

You have 6 power tubes and 3 pre-amp/driver tubes which means push-pull tube maintanance/replacements. Mesa makes it easy, as using their tubes requires no bias adjustments.

Don't EVEN worry about a problem with a BOOGIE product.

This combo weighs 95 lbs. and is a PITA to transport, in-line wheels or not!! Its mass and center of gravity make it like hauling bricks,
but on the plus side it is really quite compact.
The fabulous rich, thick, phat bass tone MORE than compensate.
Only a good SVT can or Pro II can produce this combination of tone and power, and IMO, the BUSTER has a tighter attack than these or the other all -tube circuits available from Fender, Traynor, Eden, and Aguilar. One small problem...the BUSTER is discontinued. They do show up on E-bay etc, from time to time. I bought the last store demo and sure am glad I did.

i believe this is a 2000 model amplifier. A 2x10 combo (no horn) bypassable 9-band graphic EQ (footswitch and cable included). Everything needed for going direct. Plenty of speaker outs in both 8 ohm and 4ohm. Amp is in a tiltback design and it comes with a little rod that attaches to the back and stablize the amp and props it up a bit. Metal grill in the front, 6 HUGE tubes in the back. this amp is rated at 200 watts but i would say it easily could be 350 watts or more maybe 400 watts. Cool little pouch built in for the footswitch. Amp is really heavy... over 100 pds but it has a pull out handle an little rollerblade wheels on one side so it can be moved around like luggage over long distances. Has two big handle on the side. when lifting its definately a two man job.

i run a warwick corvette standard, passive electronics with MEC J-style pickups. i use monster bass cables and play with a pick mostly cus generally i play punk and ska. Amp sounds like heaven especially with the graphic eq in. In my band ive always been the leader so my notes had to be very articulate and this amp delivers. before i had to turn up the trble and often the notes were heard but not felt. but with this amp you can get , even with loud distorted punk rock guitars and drums beside you, loud clear and powerful sounds that are felt just as much if not more than they are heard. Amp has so much punch... you can hit a note hard and completely shock people. its alot of fun having this amp on stage. the 2- 10 inch speakers will produce so much bottom. It puts out more lows than my 12 inch speaker ever did. tiltback design makes the sound appear to come from the four corners of the room. Plus it ALL TUBE !!!! nuff said.

Played two gigs with it, no backup, no problems. i play punk rock and someimes the pit comes onstage, a guy fell on top of it. He got hurt but the amp didnt even move. If the amp had any chance of breaking in the near future i think i would have seen it after that.

hadnt had to talk to em

solid ten for tone and reliability. i found this amp at a real steal of a price, im not sure i could afford another one but after hearing the difference i dont think i have a choice. now im becoming a tube snob which i used to hate but i see why their so stubborn. go hear this amp, turn it up...it will blow your mind. id like to see someone try and steal this thing without bringing in a dolly and a buddy and pilling up his truck. SEE YA IN THE PIT