Pricing and availability

Average Price: $1,850

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Experience the legendary tone and versatility of the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head. This stellar amp head is designed for the discerning guitarist who craves the rich, warm sound of EL84 tubes running in pure Class A. With its dual-channel configuration, each channel offers independent control over gain, EQ, and reverb, providing a seamless transition from clean, crystalline tones to creamy overdriven textures.

What sets the Lone Star Special apart is its flexible power configuration. You can assign one, two, or all four output tubes to operate at 5, 15, or 30 watts, effortlessly adapting to any performance environment. The 30-watt setting is ideal for commanding presence in a band setting, while the 5-watt mode delivers intimate, nuanced sound perfect for recording sessions, preserving the most musical harmonics with its single-ended circuit.

Crafted with precision in Petaluma, California, the Lone Star Special boasts robust construction and intuitive features like an all-tube FX loop, true hard-bypass switch, and footswitchable solo level control. Its long spring reverb adds lush depth to your sound, enhanced by a bright/warm reverb tone switch, ensuring your tone is as expressive as your playing.

Whether you're hitting the studio or the stage, the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is your ticket to authentic, dynamic sound.

Key Features:

  • Two fully independent channels with gain, EQ, and reverb controls
  • Multi-watt power settings: 5, 15, or 30 watts
  • EL84 tubes running in pure Class A
  • All-tube, long spring reverb with bright/warm tone switch
  • True hard-bypass switch
  • All-tube FX loop and footswitchable solo level control
  • Handbuilt in Petaluma, California
  • Includes 2-button footswitch and slipcover

Product specs

Brand Mesa Boogie
Model Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Year 2005 - 2020
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Electronics Tube
Impedance 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 30
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb Spring Reverb

FAQs

What type of music genres is the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special amp head best suited for?

The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is versatile, offering rich clean tones and smooth overdrive, making it ideal for blues, rock, and country genres. Its two-channel design allows for a wide range of sounds, from sparkling cleans to creamy overdrives.

How does the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special handle pedals?

The Lone Star Special is known for its excellent pedal compatibility. Its clean channel provides a great platform for effects pedals, allowing you to shape your tone further without losing clarity or dynamics.

Can the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special be used for gigging?

Yes, with its 30-watt output, the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special is suitable for small to medium-sized gigs. Its power can be adjusted for different venues, and it offers robust sound projection and clarity.

What kind of power tubes does the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special use?

The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special uses EL84 power tubes, which contribute to its warm, dynamic sound and responsive feel, characteristic of classic British amps.

Does the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special include built-in effects?

Yes, the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special features built-in spring reverb, adding depth and ambiance to your sound without the need for external reverb pedals.

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special | Review

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special | Review by Guitar Interactive Magazine

Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special | Review

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Video thumbnail for Mesa's Sweetest Sounding Amp | Lonestar Special by Leon Todd

Mesa's Sweetest Sounding Amp | Lonestar Special

Leon Todd

Leon Todd

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special Clean Channel by Alex Alexander

Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special Clean Channel

Alex Alexander

Alex Alexander

Video thumbnail for Lonestar Special : Best Mesa Boogie amp around ? by Philby

Lonestar Special : Best Mesa Boogie amp around ?

Philby

Philby

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head.

Features and functionality

  • The Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special's tone knobs offer significant tonal shifts with even minor adjustments, particularly with treble and bass.

    Source
  • The clean channel is praised for its Fender-like voicing, making it an excellent platform for pedals and dirty blues tones.

    Source
  • The 5-15-30 watt switchable power settings on each channel offer versatile power scaling for different environments and tonal needs.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock MC90 speaker for a Weber ceramic Blue Dog 100w significantly improves clarity and harmonic richness, especially on the drive channel.

    Source

User experience

  • The amp's weight is comparable to an AC15, and removing rear casters allows for a stage tilt.

    Source
  • Owners find the drive channel sounds tighter with humbuckers, and prefer setting gain at 1 o'clock with drive between 9-12 o'clock for optimal tone.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The fan generates internal noise, but prolonged use without it heats the amp, making the power switch noticeably warm.

    Source
  • Early models had a design flaw causing rectifier tube failure, avoidable by using the solid-state rectifier mode; check with Mesa using the serial number.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Channel 2's darker voicing is likened to a classic Marshall sound, suitable for classic rock tones akin to Angus Young when played loud.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Lone Star Special uses EL84 tubes, making it brighter and more responsive than the Lone Star Classic, which uses 6L6 or EL34 tubes.

    Source
  • Some users view the drive channel as an additional clean channel, appreciating its darker voicing for versatility between guitars and pedals.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A used price of $1,000 is considered fair compared to market listings around $1,300, with potential for negotiation if rectifier issues are present.

    Source
  • A user noted that Guitar Center's used pricing can be higher than private sales, emphasizing the importance of comparing condition and prices across platforms.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Maycown Reichembach uses Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head

Maycown Reichembach

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via MESA/Boogie®

According to his artist page on the official MESA/Boogie® website, guitarist Maycown Reichembach uses the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head.

See how Ross Phillips uses Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head

Ross Phillips

Guitarist

HARD-Fi

...
Verified via MESA/Boogie®

According to his artist page on the official MESA/Boogie® website, guitarist Ross Phillips uses the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head.

See how Chris Buono uses Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head

Chris Buono

Guitarist

...
Verified via MESA/Boogie®

According to his artist page on the official MESA/Boogie® website, Guitarist Chris Buono uses the Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa Boogie Lone Star Special 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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