A couple of triaxis questions...

[cdnboogie]

I have a brand new mark V combo, but I'm getting a deal I cant resist on a triaxis and I had a couple of questions:

Is the 2:90 really that much better with the triaxis than a 2:50? I'm using it mainly at low volumes...

Should I worry about getting a version 1 triaxis over the version2?

any help would be appreciated!

 

[ryjan]

I had Version 2 about a year ago. I believe the main differences between ver1 and ver2 was LD1 red. The other channels stayed about the same. I've never A/B'd both versions at the same time but I've heard both and I thought they both sounded Triaxisy. I didn't care for my 2:90 unless I could crank it a bit. It's really sterile sounding to me at low volumes but once you let it stretch it's legs it starts singing.

 

[Danimal]

The difference between version 1 and version 2 lies in the MIDI continuous control software. Version 2's got it, version 1 doesn't. It has no bearings on the modes at all.

The Lead 1 Red has changed over the years as well. If it's got the Recto mode for LD1 Red, you're going to want to make sure there's no fat modification done to it because that makes the channel pretty well useless.

 

[jojo]

Regarding the power amp question, they both sound nice. (So long as you don't get one of the very early 50:50's, they were voiced for the studio preamp and need a deep extend mod to sound good with the triaxis). I actually like the 50:50 better, it sounds fine and it's quite a bit lighter. There are some differences but at low volumes there won't be much difference. The 2:90 is a little different and some people like the feel of the simulclass thing, but to my ear and hands the volume required to feel the difference is just beyond what you can get away with in most club situations. The size place you need to be playing in to get either one to break a sweat almost doesn't exist nowadays! I've played big outdoor stages and never had to turn the 50:50 up past 3 or 4 on each channel. And the low power options on each amp I find not terribly useful because you will kill people if you turn them up loud enough (even in low power mode) to get power tube distortion. Of course, the beauty of the triaxis is that you can get great tones without relying on your power tubes for breakup, so you can have a consistent sound at any volume. :mrgreen:

 

[TOOLGUY]

I have both the 2:90 and the 50/50 (just got a new version 2:fifty).

With my pre I like the 2:90 a pinch better. I think the pre can be a tad thin at times and ended up using the deep mode on the 2:90 for a few songs. The 2:90 will do clean a bit better (this is really nice for pre users as it's hard to get a clean and a heavy lead at the same time).
I would think with the Tri the "voice" modes on the 2:90 would be a really nice thing to have.

Upside to the 50/50 is it's lighter.There are only 4 power tubes to replace. You get power tube breakup a bit sooner (the 2:90 half drive breakup does not sound the same to me). Oh and it's lighter :wink:
When my 2:90 gets back from repair I will be pulling my hair out as to what amp I will be selling off (only keeping one).

 

[cdnboogie]

thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Danimal]

I think the short answer is - ditch the Mark V. Why limit yourself to only three channels? The TriAxis has 90. And does everything the Mark V does. I sold mine years ago and came back to it after many amps in between that just never did the trick. This time around I waited for a fat mod free version because that truly ruins the LD1 Red mode.