Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA-30 Head Reviews

4.5/5.0 based on 4 customer reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Brian Cravens

The clean sounds you'll conjure from the Mesa/Boogie TA-30 TransAtlantic amp are sweet, punchy, and very "SoCal." The reverb is lush, and if you dime it, it is still useable. You could potentially join a surf band with just the clean side of this amp. (A Strat sounded awesome through it!)
The second channel is a monster, and I liked the pull lead boost function. It was possible to get great sustain and warmth throughout the different gain ranges. The amp is VERY versatile, and would work well for virtually any genre.

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Customer Reviews

Phillip Randy Torralva
from Santa Barabara CA
July 27, 2011 Music Background:
Pro

Mesa Boogie TA 30 2x 12 combo

Reviews on this baby are hard to find.
This amp ROCKS!!!!
Played it next to vintage tweeds and AC 15/30 and it really nails the
Sound and is built like a Tank.
Takes pedals very well and sounds amazing with Tele, Les Pauls
And Rickenbackers. This amp brings out the unique character of each
Of these. If you got the money.... Don't hesitate!!

Estefano Mazzini
from Itabira, MG Brazil
July 19, 2011 Music Background:
Hobbyist Musician

The Best Kept Secret From Mesa/Boogie - An Oustanding Amp

Some could find it pricy, after all $1500 doesn't look a bargain at all. But this one is a keeper. If you have a chance to put your hands in one, probabily you will never need another amp in your life again. It's got that chimey Vox tone everyone is searching for, and i'm not talking about a MDF chinese cabinet AC15 from today. You've got a authentic vintage AC 15 or 30 made in England direct from the past... Marshall Plexi? You've got it! Fender Bassman? It's right there... Spring Reverb? You can bet! EFX Loop? Yep! And best of all: All american handmade with american components and a lifetime Mesa warranty. What else could you possibily ask for? Go get it!!!

Den
from SF, CA
September 23, 2011 Music Background:
Blues/Vintage Rock player

One Negative!

I found the reverb noisy. When "bypass" was switched on...QUIET!
Found this on 3 TA-30 amps (heads and 2X12 combo). Ended up with the Mark V head and 2X12" cab. Very happy with the Mark V!

Den
from San Francisco, CA
September 13, 2011 Music Background:
Solo Artist

Mesa TA-30 Head

Been going back and forth on the combo or head. Finally(?) decided to try the head with a 1X12" open back TA cabinet . Great useful Blues Vintage Rock tones galore. Can always go to a 2X12" cabinet if the "World Tour" should start up :>). Comped it with the 2X12" combo amp, which dispersed the sound and had considerably more depth. Found the 2X12" combo a bit of a back breaker, but much lighter than a Vox AC-30 2X12". Vox, Fender Marshall and Mesa tones can be had with this amp.
The head is a work of art. Althought the lettering is stil tough to see, the controls are in front...where the should be! After time I develop a sense of where the controls are.
Comped this amp to a Mesa Mark V Head 2X12Cab and the Carr Mercury and Carr Rambler. Sold the Mark to get the TA-30 because it has more useful tones and has FAR less knobs and toggles. Any tube changes will be much easier to accomplish with the TA head.
Pluses: Tone, headroom, portability, ease of use
Negs: Nothing..yet