Mesa Head shells?

NoiseUnderTheFloor · Mar 30, 2015

Anyone know where I can possibly get a replacement or replica Mesa Mark V head shell other than Mesa? I bought a used Mark V that was damaged during shipping due to a really lame packing job. The seller has now reimbursed me, the chassis is good but the head shell splintered on both sides.

I called Mesa...around $400 to get just a standard black head shell. First they told me 3 - 4 weeks. Then called back and said, nope, at least 12 weeks. There's really not much to a Mark head shell, probably one of their more basic designs. Seems pretty steep.

Chris6870 · Mar 30, 2015

GTS who is a member on the Boogie Board. I paid around $300 plus shipping.

thiswaythatway · Mar 30, 2015

BrokenFusion":1y6m3k8r said:
GTS who is a member on the Boogie Board. I paid around $300 plus shipping.

Yup, more than a few have bought head shells from him on the Boogie board.

midnightlaundry · Mar 30, 2015

I'd wait until they get back to production. Maybe even get a custom or hard wood deal. That way you know it will fit right as it was intended. Bummer about the packaging tho. That thing is ruined..

crwnedblasphemy · Mar 30, 2015

$400 for a mark v is a bit much.... :aww:

I had a mesa single rec crack during shipping(pricks), and i paid buyer who got a quote from boogie $300. Don't know why the mark v is more? :confused:

Chris6870 · Mar 31, 2015

If you want to really go cheap pick up a rack mount kit,they are $150 from Mesa. Cheaper used.
http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/rack-kits.html
Or pick up a combo cabinet and modify it, They are usually cheaper and more plentiful than headshells. I practically gave mine away.

webrthomson · Mar 31, 2015

I'd get one from GTS his stuff is top notch - I've got two and could not be happier - the mark long head for the mark V is pretty standard so I can't see there will be an issue?

fretout · Mar 31, 2015

GTS is a great guy to deal with and he has a few upgrades that he can do over the Mesa stock headshell. I would go through him.

Chris6870 · Mar 31, 2015

fretout":7ahu4j4u said:
GTS is a great guy to deal with and he has a few upgrades that he can do over the Mesa stock headshell. I would go through him.

True, mine has a flip down front panel for easy preamp tube access. :thumbsup:

billsbigego · Mar 31, 2015

Does he do grille covers and grille cloth mods?

Chris6870 · Mar 31, 2015

He does it all. Here's some of his work.

billsbigego · Mar 31, 2015

BrokenFusion":whw129q9 said:
He does it all. Here's some of his work.

HOLY SHIT, I'm in heaven. I don't have to do it myself. Thanks.

NoiseUnderTheFloor · Mar 31, 2015

BrokenFusion":30ai3aek said:
If you want to really go cheap pick up a rack mount kit,they are $150 from Mesa. Cheaper used.
http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/rack-kits.html
Or pick up a combo cabinet and modify it, They are usually cheaper and more plentiful than headshells. I practically gave mine away.

From what I've been told the MK V doesn't fit in the rack mount kits. I haven't verified that directly with Mesa, but have read it in few places online...people griping about no rack kit for the MK V.

I got in touch with GTS, and he's already responded. Starting the ball rolling...

Thanks everyone.

crwnedblasphemy · Mar 31, 2015

Sweet man! How much is the gts replacement? They look awesome

NoiseUnderTheFloor · Mar 31, 2015

crwnedblasphemy":10oml9cz said:
Sweet man! How much is the gts replacement? They look awesome

We haven't talked price yet actually, and it was just a brief email exchange. He apparently hasn't actually done a MK V shell yet and it has a few little things that make it different from the other MK's. I may have to send him my cracked one for specs/measurements.

webrthomson · Mar 31, 2015

NoiseUnderTheFloor":2rp8ffw8 said:
BrokenFusion":2rp8ffw8 said:

If you want to really go cheap pick up a rack mount kit,they are $150 from Mesa. Cheaper used.
http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/rack-kits.html
Or pick up a combo cabinet and modify it, They are usually cheaper and more plentiful than headshells. I practically gave mine away.

Click to expand...

From what I've been told the MK V doesn't fit in the rack mount kits. I haven't verified that directly with Mesa, but have read it in few places online...people griping about no rack kit for the MK V.

I got in touch with GTS, and he's already responded. Starting the ball rolling...

Thanks everyone.

Correct only the short heads go in the rack kits - the Mark V only comes in the wide head therefore no racking!

NoiseUnderTheFloor · Mar 31, 2015

webrthomson":2lt88rjf said:
NoiseUnderTheFloor":2lt88rjf said:

BrokenFusion":2lt88rjf said:

If you want to really go cheap pick up a rack mount kit,they are $150 from Mesa. Cheaper used.
http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/rack-kits.html
Or pick up a combo cabinet and modify it, They are usually cheaper and more plentiful than headshells. I practically gave mine away.

Click to expand...

From what I've been told the MK V doesn't fit in the rack mount kits. I haven't verified that directly with Mesa, but have read it in few places online...people griping about no rack kit for the MK V.

I got in touch with GTS, and he's already responded. Starting the ball rolling...

Thanks everyone.

Click to expand...

Correct only the short heads go in the rack kits - the Mark V only comes in the wide head therefore no racking!

Yep, thanks for confirming. I figured as much. They show them spec'd for short or 17" heads, nothing longer.

blackba · Mar 31, 2015

Please post a pic when you get one from gts, would love to see how it turns out.

dsquared · Mar 31, 2015

Here is head shell gts made for me

Caulk Rocket · Apr 1, 2015

So, I can get a $400 discount from Mesa if I just order a loaded amp chassis? :confused: