Mesa Fillmore

Charley Paul · Post by **Charley Paul** » 6 Jun 2020 10:32 am

Anybody try these newer amps from MB with pedal steel? Specifically wondering about the Fillmore 50 and 100. I like the idea of setting up one channel for psg, and the other for 6 string. I used to have a mk1, and wish I'd never sold it. I'm on the hunt for a dedicated steel amp.....these guys are really close to where I live, and are priced closer to what I can afford than some of the other fine builders in my area....

John Ducsai · Post by **John Ducsai** » 6 Jun 2020 3:32 pm

Im interested in these as well - looks promising and no too bad on the price...

Dave Russell · Post by **Dave Russell** » 17 Dec 2024 12:57 pm

Resurrecting this thread from the dead for a bit to see if it was tried. I have a Fillmore 50 that I use for my regular guitar setup. Thinking about running the steel through it exactly like you described, one channel for each. Did you ever do this and if so, what did you think?

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 18 Dec 2024 9:05 am

Dave: Since you have a Fillmore 50 already, you could try it and report back.
You'd be the first.

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 18 Dec 2024 9:16 am

As a Mark 1 owner myself, I think the California Tweed gets a lot closer than the Fillmore to that Mark 1 sound. That said, I find the Mark 1 is just too midrangy to work well with steel, although it's my favorite guitar amp ever.

Dave Russell · Post by **Dave Russell** » 18 Dec 2024 11:55 am

ajm, I intend to. I was just curious what the other guy thought of the sound. I don't trust my ears as much these days. Too much stupidity in my younger years standing in front of too loud amps and not protecting my ears because, you know, we're all invincible when we are young....haha.

Dave, I don't think I am actually looking for the Mesa sound as much. I kinda like that the Fillmore sounds, at least to my ears, more along the lines of the old Fenders and that head is much easier to lug around than my 65 Twin...haha. Just wasn't sure how it would handle the steel. Being a new player, I wouldn't necessarily know if the bad sound was coming from the amp or just solely my fingers.

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 20 Dec 2024 10:32 am

For that "old Fender" sound for steel, I use a Milkman The Amp 100, with either a JBL or a Weber Neo. 2.5 pounds for the amp head! (I actually carry it around in my seat!) The Weber in my little Coscia cab is a bit over 25 pounds, and has big recessed handles like a 4x12. All the volume and tone of a Twin, none of the backache!

I love the "Mesa sound" for guitar, not so much for steel. Paul Franklin uses an old-school Mesa Studio preamp, which does sound great - I had one years ago, and really regret selling it.

Dave Russell · Post by **Dave Russell** » 20 Dec 2024 11:29 am

I might have to check out one of those Milkman Amp 100s. I'd never heard of them until here. I have a BluGuitar Amp1 and I ran through it as a trial because I could plug headphones into it and not bother the wife as much. It works fine for that but haven't really gotten a sound I like from it for much else. But then it has more of a Marshallish feel and I've always been a Fender guy.

I have two 2x12 cabs that I swap back and forth depending on what kind of gig I am playing but I may look into a single speaker cab for the steel. Don't know yet. I have way too much gear already but wait, there is a bare spot on the floor right there. I think I have room for something else.....haha.

Dave Russell · Post by **Dave Russell** » 2 Jan 2025 3:50 pm

Can confirm. I like the sound of the PSG through my Fillmore 50. Kicked it down to half power, 25watts, and with the gain up just a touch, it has a nice drive to it without having to use the drive settings in the amp. I can kick it over to 50watt and it's crystal clear. The built-in reverb sounds great on it too. Anyway, thought I'd give an update since I finally got a chance to try it. Probably going to put the twin back on the shelf for a while in fact since I like how this is sounding so much.