Mesa Boogie Lone Star Review

Texas Big Sound in a 1x12 combo package!

Features

The Mesa Boogie Lone Star is a very versatile amp. It has two channels, clean and gain; foot-switchable channel selection and foot-switchable volume boost; 3 selectable power ratings (5, 15, 30 watts) assignable per channel; 3 gain modes as well as a clean channel clone option; fantastic reverb. It also has an effects loop which can be bypassed, a very nice feature. In short, it is a very versatile amp, with many buttons and switches. Personally, I find it's almost too many options for dialing in tones, but each to his/her own...

Sound

The clean channel is absolutely beautiful, especially with a Stratocaster. I'd have to say it's the best clean I have heard from Boogie of all the ones I've tried.

The OD channel sounds good playing by yourself, and with the gain kept fairly low. Higher gain settings makes the amp sound dark and murky.

Playing this amp in a live band, this channel doesn't impress as much. The sound tends to disappear, and there is a definite problem with cutting through. It seems to be missing the mids that make a guitar cut through in the band mix.

Summary

I'll have to say it's an impressive amp. The clean sound is to die for, and the reverb, oh, beautiful! However, an amp that costs as much as this one should have a more usable gain channel. This is where this amp lacks a bit - it could do better. Don't take my word for it though, try one yourself and maybe you'll find it sounds just right for you!

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