Okay so I have played two weekends with the amp (a total of four shows). I won't go into a in depth review (yet) as I still have yet to try out a few of the modes in a live setting.
First things first:
The Infamous Roadster lag!
I have had no issues at all. No lag in any switch from any channel to the next. I have tried switching from every mode on each channel and everything is fine. I can have the reverb activated (footswitch) or off, the reverb knob on the back panel at min to max (or anywhere in between) and there is no lag.
Popping between channels and when activating the tuner muter!
There is a slight pop when first switching to channel three. By slight, I mean you can be talking to your wife while switching and she doesn't hear anything. Once you switch to channel three, there is no more pop until you power the amp down and turn in on again. This is the same with the tuner mute switch. If any one on this board uses a Peterson Strobo Stomp, then you know the amount of pop I am referring to.
I ordered my head from Sweetwater and the sales rep informed me that the amp had just arrived from Mesa and was from the newest batch. Don't know if this problem has been fixed on newer amps, but based on mine alone, I would say at least the lag fix has.
Okay, now on to some sound reviews.
I play in a cover band and we gig every weekend. We play everything from CCR to Slipknot and I needed versatility in an amplifier. So far the Roadster has not disappointed.
Here is a quick run down of what gear I am using so if any one has similar gear this review will help further benefit you.
(2) 2008 American Deluxe HSS Strats (One in Standard, One half step down)
ESP LTD EX-400 w/emgs
Marshall 1960a 4x12
Guitar > Peterson StroboStomp 2 > CAE MC404 Wah > Ibanez TS9 > Electro-Harmonix Small Stone > AMP
Effects Loop: Send > Digitech Whammy IV > Morley Little Alligator > Vox Time Machine > Electro- Harmonix Holy Grail Plus > Return
The most important thing I have learned for dialing in this amp....... USE FRESH STRINGS!
I spent a couple hours jamming and setting up tones (with week old strings) to be completely disappointed when I first plugged in for sound check at the gig. The manual clearly states that the treble is the most powerful eq knob and new strings have a lot of zip in the higher frequencies.
After another couple hours of jamming, with new strings, I really got to dial in some great tones. The first sound I dialed in was the "Versa Clean" from the manual. Sounded great for a variety of styles. I prefer a little warmer sound so I ran the gain up a little more and selected the Recto tracking. A great feature on this channel is when you switch the power section down into 50 watts. Clipping starts earlier and you can get a very nice blues rhythm sound. This setting sounds awesome in the 2 & 4 pickup positions. The bad thing about this channel is it really shows off how bad a un-modded TS9 is. When used as a clean boost (gain off and slight level increase) you get a ugly nasal sound that significantly speeds up ear fatigue. However, when using the same "Versa Clean" settings but in "Fat" mode with a little more gain, the sound really comes to life. The bass roll off on the pedal is compensated by the add bass on the amp and thus it acts like more of a boost.
Next, I tried to dial in a "Classic Rock" tone suitable for Led Zeppelin and AC/DC style riffs. I started with the "Brit Grind" setting in the manual. Way too much high end. Fizzy and thin. Sounded okay on the neck single coils but terrible in the bridge. I dialed the treble back to 12 o'clock and the Presence to 10:30-11:00. Added a little more bass and mids and maxed out the gain. Done! Out of all the other sounds, this was the one that the band, people in the crowd, and a few other guitar players responded to the most. Using the hum bucker, I achieved a nice growl type sound. It had a very nice punch to it that was well balanced. When switching over to the neck single coil, I ton of warmth was present. A great channel for blues style solos! When ran with the TS-9, the sound was okay if played with a band behind you. I am sending the TS-9 off to be modded so hopefully I can post another review when I get it back.
Getting a great lead sound was the easiest of the basic tones to achieve. The "Liquid Solo" setting was perfect. Great in single coil or hum-bucker position. When used with the single coils, you could immediately identify the strat sound. I am currently undecided on the reverb for this channel. I have my Holy Grail plus set for a medium-long hall verb and am constantly bouncing back between it and the amps verb. Both sound great. The idea was to sell the Holy Grail when I got the amp, but I think I like the added flexibility of having to different style verbs.
Channel Four! The Headache channel
This channel gave me the most trouble. Looking back on it, it should have been simple....but.........No! as stated in the manual, the presence knob is drastically different as compared with channel three. No big deal except to really dial In a good hard rock/Metal tone, you need to tweak the amp at full gig volume. The other channels only took small adjustments at gig volume compared with Rehearsal volume. (Gig volume 11:30, Rehearsal 9:00) The treble and bass knobs have to constantly be moved with each other. When I cranked the amp up at sound check, I had more bass than at rehearsal. Seems the louder the amp the bigger the sound gets. I turned the bass down first thing and bam. Now I had a tone of treble. Long story short, I stepped out in front of the amp with a 20' guitar cable and had the singer in my band make the adjustments. Once I got the treble and bass balanced everything was golden. With the strats, I was able to get a great hard rock sound. The stock humbucker is too fat and loose to get articulate style metal but the ESP with emgs was excellent.
So Far, So Good.......Loving the Roadster!
I will post a more in depth review of other channels and effects usage in a month or two. I hope this article helps somebody who is thinking a purchasing a Roadster. Thanks a head of time to every one on the boads, as I am sure I will have plenty of questions as time goes by.
