Recent content by reo73

I had a III blue stripe that I had Mike B mod to the "IIIC+" specs. It is not a true IIC+, it is a III that is modded to sound similar to the IIC+. The mod will smooth out the top end, add some depth to the lower end, and will brighten up the clean channel. It is a well worth-it mod in my...

Fact Check Police: I don't know about Kirk but Petrucci used a Triaxis and 2:90 rig for Live in Tokyo. He also had a Heart Breaker head in there that he slaved. As to the OP's question...I have used both rack units and head and I have never felt a difference. I sold a modded Mesa Mark III+ in...

I have owned a III and sold it in favor of the Studio Pre. The III will be a bit more agressive for thrash but the Studio Pre has a sweetness that the III can't touch. Especially for lead work. My advice is to go the cheap route, get a Studio Pre and try it with the Peavy and if that still...

And to answer your questions...yes it will do a tight metal sound ala Metallica AJFA. It is reported to be as close to the IIC+ tone as anything out there but regardless of how close it is it is a great sounding preamp in it's own right. The clean channel is very chimey and gorgeous.

I acquired my Studio Pre about 2 years ago and have not had second thoughts since. And this is coming from a guy who went thru about 8 amps in 8 years. The Studio Pre for me is everything I want in an amp. Here is a clip that I did a while back that shows a medium cruch tone and it's lead...

The core tone sounds good but I agree that the guitar needs to be more present. It seems lackluster in the mix. Keep messing with it and I bet you get some better results.

I don't agree. I think guitarists are going back to roots more and want less bells and whistles. What is it that you see the most criticism of with the Mark IV....too many controls, too much tweaking. They already have that amp in the Roadking. I think Randall has found his holy grail clean...

I don't think they would just discontinue the Mark IV in favor of reissuing the IIC+. Both those amps could coexist in the current market. I think it is a Mark V and will be 2 channels having controls laid out more akin to the Lonestar amps. I think moving forward you are going to see the...

Got it...sounds like you want a lesser gain tone for rhythms and more gain for lead. My suggestion then is to set your rhythm tone to your liking then use a boost pedal for the leads. Also, the treble dial does a lot in controlling the gain. Try setting your treble dial lower while keeping...

I have a Studio Pre and am unclear what the issue is with your clean vs lead channels. Can you explain a little more because I think the Studio Pre will do what you want if set right. The Mark III and Quad are basically the same controls as the Studio with just expanded channels. It's a...

I run the older Stereo 50/50 which is widely regarded as the best companion to the Studio Pre. If you want a true stereo field I would get 2 mono cabs and not just one cab that has a stereo wiring.

The studio pre has ended my tone search unless I could get my hands on a simul IIC+. I have owned a stock III which I converted to the IIIC+ and sold it for the Studio Pre. I got mine paired with a 50/50.

I think this sounds good on paper but in reality I think you will find it to be a tonal mess and very noisy. Better off using separate PAs and speaker cabs to blend the sound in space before it hits your ears.

I had one for about 4 years and used it mono and never had a problem but who knows if it would of blown in year 5 of use. I am now using a 50/50 mono and don't have a problem either...as of yet. I would give Mesa a call and not just take the technicians word for it. I am sure Mesa feels...

Of course, if you had a stereo PA you could go one preamp per channel. But, If you only have one input you would just need to blend the 2 preamps together prior to hitting the PA. Probably the best way to do this is to use a A/B/Y type box before the PA. My only concern would be the noise...