Mesa Transatlantic TA-15

[blackba]

A friend of mine just got a used Mesa Transatlantic 15(TA-15). I was able to put this amp through its paces last night through a 112 with a Celestion CL80. I have never seen one in person and was taken back by how small and light the amp was. I have a 40’s Masco MA-50 PA amp that is in the lunch box style and weighs a ton.

Anyway, on channel one there is the normal and Top Boost modes. The normal sounds a bit thin, its supposed to be a British clean, but it sounds more Fender BF to me. The Top Boost mode was my favorite, it sounded great, I loved that I could crank up the preamp gain and get some good overdriven sounds. I generally had the master volume engaged. I generally preferred the 5Watt power setting.

Switching to channel 2, was the tweed, Hi1 and Hi2. The tweed sounded pretty good, but was my least favorite on this channel. I have actually never played a Fender tweed, but this setting kind of reminded me of what I think a Fender tweed would sound like. The Hi1 was my favorite setting, sounded very marshallish. It has the gain of a pushed JCM800 to my ears, great for hard rock. The Hi2 sounded a Mesa markish to my ears, it was smoother and more compressed than Hi1. It didn’t have the gain of my mesa mark IVA lead channel, but had a good sound, I can see favoring this mode for leads. I preferred the 15Watt or 25Watt setting on this channel, it had a fuller response and more low end and authority.

Overall I was very impressed with the TA-15. Here is a list of things I liked:
1. The modes generally get in the ballpark of the tones they are supposed to get.
2. The lower power 5Watt mode works great, easy to keep the volume in check in 5Watt mode
3. The lack of reverb and effects loop didn’t bother me
4. I see this amp being great for the studio, home practice, and rehearsal
5. Amp is super light and easy to move and carry.

Here are some quirks I found or things I didn’t like as much:
1. The 5Watt setting on channel 1 was noticeably noisey. The noise went down if I switched to the 15Watt setting. This was a bit surprising
2. When you switch modes you have to adjust the gain and volume controls, making switching at a live show, not recommended
3. The master volume control, could be a bit touchy at times, depending on the settings
4. It was hard to get a balanced volume and sound when switching from channel 1 to 2. The tone often changed too much. I see switching from Top Boost to Hi1 as the best option.
5. I wish there was a mid knob on each channel, just as a would be nice.

I look forward to testing this amp through my various speakers with my friend in the coming weeks.
Playing this amp, does make me want to try out an Egnater Tweaker 15.

 

[some dude]

4. It was hard to get a balanced volume and sound when switching from channel 1 to 2. The tone often changed too much. I see switching from Top Boost to Hi1 as the best option.

I haven't played a TA-15, but with other Mesas I find the differences between modes/channels work better when you have a bassist laying down a solid/consistent foundation. Keeps the shifts in the midrange without the dramatic shift in bottom end.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Had one. Sold it to fund my Mark V. It's a loud amp as long as everyone else isn't trying to play at stadium volumes.

The top boost is kickass. It does a great clean to mean with the guitar volume. The Marshall mode was kind of flat and rubbery for me, but for weighing 10 lbs, the amp killed. You could strap it over your shoulder and be hands free to carry something else.

The amp isn't for everyone tho. Must rubber headed, would be metal gods will say it sucks because it doesn't have truckloads of gain to carry their weak skills.

 

[rlord1974]

Most rubber headed, would be metal gods will say it sucks because it doesn't have truckloads of gain to carry their weak skills.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Most rubber headed, would be metal gods will say it sucks because it doesn't have truckloads of gain to carry their weak skills.

Good to know- this amp is clearly not for me

 

[blackba]

Had one. Sold it to fund my Mark V. It's a loud amp as long as everyone else isn't trying to play at stadium volumes.

The top boost is kickass. It does a great clean to mean with the guitar volume. The Marshall mode was kind of flat and rubbery for me, but for weighing 10 lbs, the amp killed. You could strap it over your shoulder and be hands free to carry something else.

The amp isn't for everyone tho. Must rubber headed, would be metal gods will say it sucks because it doesn't have truckloads of gain to carry their weak skills.

Your right someone expecting the gain of a Mesa recto or mark series amps is going to be disappointed. My friend doesn't play metal, so its a no issue for him. I found it have plenty of gain to do hard rock.

Do you remember what cab/speakers you used with your ta15 you had?

 

[midnightlaundry]

Lopo 2x12 vert with ET65's. Still have the cab.

 

[robertkoa]

Thanks for an excellent Review !

I 'd like to hear your Reviews on about 50 other things....

 

[blackba]

Lopo 2x12 vert with ET65's. Still have the cab.

I have a Marshall 2556AV vertical 212 with WGS ET65s, that will be one of the first cabs we try. Also as interesting aside, my friend is selling his peavey classic 30 (with anni G12H30 speaker) soon, he was very impressed with the TA-15.

On a sad note, not sure when the speaker shootout for the TA-15 will be, my friend has a family member with medical issues.

 

[blackba]

Thanks for an excellent Review !

I 'd like to hear your Reviews on about 50 other things....

Thanks for the kind words. I try to find the good and bad in every piece of gear I use. If you have a specific amp, guitar, etc you want to know about let me know, I might own it or have owned it in the past.

 

[sublimeride]

Currently my favorite amp. I have a tweaker 15 I had been playing in my bedroom for about a year and loved it for it's versatility for noodling at home. Then I bought a used TA-15 and wow. The tweaker is great especially for the money but the TA-15 is really killer. You can really alter the tone and drive with the different wattage settings. You don't have that option on the tweaker.
I also found on the topboost setting if you are running the pull-master the more gain or higher you run the volume it starts to get a little raspy, if you take the master out of the circuit it sounds amazing. I really love the way it cleans up with the guitar vol. knob also. it seems to react better or maybe in a different way to the guitar vol. than my Mark V and I love it .

 

[polaris20]

The TA15 is a fantastic sounding amp. Kills me that it's got no loop though. An unfortunate deal breaker for me. Otherwise, I'd already have one.

 

[blackba]

The TA15 is a fantastic sounding amp. Kills me that it's got no loop though. An unfortunate deal breaker for me. Otherwise, I'd already have one.

Have you tried the TA-30? It does have a loop.

 

[sublimeride]

I am on the fence with the TA-30. I love the idea of reverb, loop and the pull/boost on the 2nd channel but I really love the 5 watt setting on the TA-15.

 

[blackba]

Update, just got a ta15 of my own. Running it through an opened back 212 with two eminence made Mesa ms12s. This one is very quiet on the 5watt setting on the clean.

For those that didn't see mesas is discontinuing the royal and trans Atlantic series.