Mesa Transatlantic TA-15

[LiveSimply]

I have the opportunity to pick one of these up for a pretty good price. However, I don't know much about them. I mostly play blues and really like to have reverb on my amps. However this deal may be to good to pass up, and I've always been curious about the Mesas. I'm concerned that the TA-15 doesn't have a loop, so if I wanted to use a reverb pedal, I'd have to put it in front of the amp, which I know is not recommended.

Any TA-15 owners that have have ventured to put delay or reverb in the front end out there? Any of you guys use your TA-15's primarily to play blues?

Any comments thoughts are welcome.

 

[BigAl]

How important is the reverb to you when using overdriven sounds, and how good is the deal?


Based on my experience with it, it can certainly pull off what you want it to do. It's quite a versatile little amp.

 

[LiveSimply]

Al, to be honest, I've primarily been focusing on playing Tunes by BB, Freddy King and some of the other "old timers", so currently I don't use a ton of overdrive in my current playing. However, the intent is to start to venture into more blues-rock sounds (which I plan to do soon. Maybe some tunes by SRV, Gary Moore type stuff), so the need to ramp up the overdriven tone will be there. I think to try to replicate that sort of sound the need for delay/verb will still needed.... but maybe I'm off on that and stand to be corrected.

As far as the deal, I currently do not need an amp, but it is so juicy I can't help but to want to take it.

 

[eaglewolf]

If it really is that good of a deal, then you could always sell it for at least what you paid for it if the TA-15 isn't your cup of tea. While I haven't used one it is said to be versatile. Actually a bit too complex for what I've been looking for lately, but still quite an amp.

As for the reverb and effects loop, you would just have to see how the amp works for you without those features. Lord knows the amp has enough other features to keep you busy!

David

 

[BigAl]

I don't think you necessarily need much reverb or delay for many of those sounds, but in my experience, reverb and delay in the front end will generally sound better using clean/lightly to moderately overdriven sounds.

Like eaglewolf said, if the deal is so stellar, you can always buy it and figure out for yourself whether or not you want to keep it around. You could always sell it and maybe even make some profit on it. For the sounds you're after, I don't think it'll disappoint.

 

[Jack W]

Nice amp, I would just put a pedal in front.
I picked up the ta30 but paid 1649$

 

[joff]

I have a TA-15 which i bought new in the Summer of 2010...a great little amp...very old skool with no FX loop but that is fine by me...i presently have several true bypass analogue pedals (including delay and a phaser) and they go straight into the front end...sound lovely! I used to use my Blackstar HT-Reverb pedal with it and it sounded great.

 

[LiveSimply]

Nice amp, I would just put a pedal in front.
I picked up the ta30 but paid 1649$

Yes, I had been salivating over that amp a bit ago. Loop, multiple channels, reverb.... very nice indeed.

 

[LiveSimply]

I have a TA-15 which i bought new in the Summer of 2010...a great little amp...very old skool with no FX loop but that is fine by me...i presently have several true bypass analogue pedals (including delay and a phaser) and they go straight into the front end...sound lovely! I used to use my Blackstar HT-Reverb pedal with it and it sounded great.

That's wonderful to hear, as I have decided to purchase it. We'll see how my Tonebug reverb does out in front. If I don't like it, I'm sure the amp will offer enough options to keep me engaged.

 

[joff]

What cab are you planning on using with your TA-15?

I originally bought the TransAtlantic 1x12 cab with the TA-15 on condition that if i did not like the cab then the dealer would change it for another and i pay the difference...i didn't like the cab...too boring looking and boxy sounding for me (one of the nice staff at the store did warn me about it being too boxy sounding)...so i upgraded to the 2x12 Recto closed back cab with V30s...it is awesome...just what the Doctor ordered!

 

[LiveSimply]

Joff, think I'm going to give it a go with my Egnater 1x12. It has a Celestion G12H-30 which I really like. I'm going to use it primarily for home practice, so hopefully it serves me well for that.

 

[joff]

Nothing wrong with a 1x12 if it is big enough and has a nice speaker...a 2x12 cab is a bit impractical to easily take anywhere which is why i also have a little valve combo. I don't gig...i just play at home and over at a friends' house sometimes.

I see that Mesa have made a nice looking Mini Recto 1x12 slant cab with a closed back and a V30 speaker...i would like to try one of those out oneday...it looks rather cool.

 

[Jim Klein]

I use a TA-15 with a Dr.Z 2x10 cab . I use a boss ME-50 multi-effects unit plugged into the front end and its works great . the Z cab is a big part of the deal . it brings out the best in every head I used on it . mesa , egnater , or my matchless ind.35. matched up with the right cab the TA-15 is one great little amp .

 

[gtimach1]

Great little amp. I just ordered one.

 

[bluefrog]

Has somebody made a shootout Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister vs MesaBoogieTA15 ?

my band mate has a TA15 and it is awesome. he is using several pedals dd-3 and rev-2 in front off it and also crunch channel with a Boogie 1x12 box.

 

[LiveSimply]

That would be a nice shootout to see. I did finally purchase the TA 15 and it is easily the most heavily used of the three amps I have. Quality amp with a ton of tone options. I've been very happy with it.