VLOG: New amp gear - Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Special head

Yet another Mesa/Boogie amp to recently arrive on my doorstep... the Lone Star Special head. Both the Lone Star and Lone Star Special offer similar features (2 channel preamp with additional "drive" stage on the second channel, footswitchable solo boost, spring reverb with bright/warm voicing switch, FX loop, etc.). The primary difference is that the Lone Star has a 6L6-based power section, while the Lone Star Special has an EL84-based power section. Each channel can be independently set to 5 watt (single-ended class A with tube rectifier), 15 watt (class A with tube rectifier), or 30 watt (class A with solid state rectifier) operation. In the grand scheme of Mesa's, still relatively simple (only 2 channels!), easy to dial in (no shared EQ), and chock full of vintage tones.

I've got the first channel dialed in for a "pushed" clean tone, largely inspired by my Vox AC30CCH head's normal channel (with brilliance switch engaged). The second channel has the additional drive stage engaged for a fat, warm solo tone. In theory the amp takes pedals quite well, though I haven't tried it yet... I've got both a Sparkle Drive and BBE Freq Boost that I'm anxious to audition with the LSS.

Here's a short video that puts the Lone Star Special through it's paces with a G&L ASAT Classic. Only downside is that there's no reverb on the track as the original tank was damaged in shipment (it's since been replaced, but took a few weeks for the replacement part to come in).

"Turn & Run" by Conundrum:


And, finally, here's the Lone Star Special on top of "Mesa Mountain"...



Next up, clips of the Stiletto Ace, Mark Five, Roadster, and maybe even a couple non-Mesa amps...

--B