[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506253227' post='3377294']
Did you mean Ashdown or Orange? I'm inclined to agreed either way
How does the Nexus Tube compare to your Mesa 400+?
But the SLS is obviously a very different beast to the Nexus Tube in terms of both price and weight (as well as being Class D vs Tube).
I agree that Laney are a bit of a hidden gem and worth exploring further and seem to be offering a heck of lot of bang for buck.
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Oh, I meant Ashdown
My MJW Taranis is more or less a clone of a Matamp GT200 or Orange AD200 but with two very different channels and loads of knobs and power scaling and valve routing options. I contacted both Matamp and Orange at the time and neither wanted to do a custom front end so I found ex-Matamp builder/designer and boutique guitar amp builder Mr MJW who knocked up a new (old tech) take on a GT200 for me.
I will say that the Ashdown Big Block thing intrigues me but I don't trust the build quality.
Laney Nexus Tube vs Mesa 400+? It's like comparing a 1990s Porsche 911 Turbo to a modern Audi RS6!
They're both fundamentally massive valve amps but with very different characters and although the core technology is the same, the Nexus has incorporated a lot of modern touches.
The 400+ can be more brutal, has a tone stack and EQ that is confusing to the uninitiated and has two very good and different preamp channels. It also has the mindfck Mesa DI system. Don't touch anything on the panel after the sound guy has done his job!
The Nexus is more tweak-able and generally easier to live with. It does weigh in at 37kg, though, a lot heavier than the 400+ but I couldn't give a toss, I have a trolley and work out.
They are both amazing and get selected randomly to go to the gig. These are my two main gigging amps.
The SLS is probably a worthy amp and I carry a Class D in my gigbag in case "my real amp" blows up but I can't get excited about sterile characterless hardware.
No point in having the Solid State vs Valve argument. For me they all have their place and I've made my choices. And my choices cover all the bases as I have a MOSFET Hybrid SS amp in the stable too that is also amazing.