Dual Rectifier with EL34's vs. Stilletto Deuce?

[fr0tran]

When I originally tried a Dual Rec I could dial in that "chunk" that I love. Seeing you could use a biasing switch and stick EL34s in 'er, I decided to give that a go, and never turned back. Now that I played that for the past year and a half and blew a tube the other day I've hit a road block (mental). Should I get some more EL34s, or try out the Mesa amp that's actually designed around those tubes: the Stilletto Deuce? I knew about the Stillettos while I was checking out Rectos, but none of the guitar shoppes around me had any in stock to test run. I don't think I would EVER buy a piece of high-end amplification without trying first w/ my setup. Personally, I think 6L6s are too "clangly", so I'm not even considering going back to them. I'm actually using the original 6L6s in my Recto now, and it's been bothering me quite a bit. Anyways...has anyone ever tried both a Stilletto Deuce against a Dual Rec w/ EL34s? I'm sure I could locate a GC within a few hundred miles that would have a Still, but is it worth my trouble?

 

[Jak0lantern01]

I have both a Recto and a Stiletto Deuce, two different amps. Period. I actually have the EL34's in my Recto, but it truly does not make it a Deuce. The Deuce has a completely different voicing than the Recto and is designed around EL34's. I actually plan on putting 6L6's back in my Recto when I have a chance since that it what the amp was designed for. That EL34 switch still doesn't make the Recto an ideal match for EL34's. What exactly is it that you're looking for? The Stiletto definitely doen not have that Recto low end that some people like, it took me a while to determine whether or not I made the right choice with the Stiletto. FYI: if you throw an EQ in the loop on your Stiletto, scoop the mids and tinker with the bass settings, you can get a killer sound with good low end from the amp. At the same time, don't kid yourself about the Stiletto, it's definitely a Mesa.

 

[fr0tran]

I have attempted to monkey-around with my pedals in the effects loop with the dual rec and it was just difficult as all hell to try and get it to sound good (and I never succeeded). I heard this is a problem among dual rec users b/c the effects loop is in parallel to the output circuitry. And yes, I have considered modding this also to make it in series. However, after much debate I decided I would rather not void my 7 yr. warranty (5 from mesa and +2 from GC) over something like that. I reverted back to the ol' reliable jr. metal "use two cables and put your FX pedals in front of the input jack" method. Hence, I don't have high confidence I could successfully use the effects loop in a dual rec, or stilletto, ha. But I digress...The main reason I went to the EL34s was that full thick "honney" sound I could get with them. In contrast, I compare 6L6s to "shattering glass", and too precise: not forgiving enough (picks up every single little thing and won't let you off the hook if you don't execute something flawlessly i.e. sweep picking).

 

[Jak0lantern01]

Hah, well that problem is between you and your guitar. :wink: My old instructor, who is an ace by the way, used to harp on people with poor sweep technique. Truthfully, the Stiletto is significantly more unforgiving than my Recto, but I consider that a good thing. I'm not trying to criticize your guitar playing, but you should try to hammer out your technique instead of hiding behind the fizz. Funny thing is, when I recently went back to playing with my Recto while my Stiletto was in the shop I had the gain turned down dramatically and I found it sounded a lot better than I remembered, not as noisy. I went so far as to play it on the raw mode instead of modern. Go figure. I really think the Stiletto forced me to be a better player.

 

[Laskyman]

After playing the Stiletto- I spent a good deal of time trying to get the Roadster to sound/behave in a similar fashion. Long story short, sold the Roadster and bought a Stiletto.
Very different amps, each do "what they do" excellent. But NO Mesa does 34's like a Stiletto. Nope.
Stilettos are not very forgiving, but boy do they sound good.....

 

[mikey383]

The Stiletto was built to accompany a Recto in a two guitar band setting. As such, they're voiced totally different. I love my Recto, but I still want a Stiletto.

 

[jab]

allow me to re-state what everyone else has said. They are 2 totally different amps. I put EL34's in my Dual Rec once and noticed a slight difference but it was still a Dual Rec. Stiletto just a different sound altogether so tubes really don't make anywhere near as huge of a difference as the amp itself.

 

[fr0tran]

when I put EL34s in my dual rec I noticed a HUGE difference. So much a difference, that it pains me now to play with the backup (original) 6L6 tubes while assessing the situation to get new ones, or try a new amp. Played an Orange 40th anniv. the other day and it sounded wayyy too nasaly, compressed. Is there much option within the tubes themselves? Like, the EL34s I did have were Green 10's. What are the colour schemes, and numbers, etc. mean? Can we get a darker tone?! ha

 

[ToneAddictJon]

I had E34L's in my DR and I thought I would be playing that thing 'til I was dead, but once I got a hold of a Stiletto it was all over. 2 very different amps, not even comparable other than the fact that they are both tweakable beyond measure. I don't miss my DRs at all, but if you haven't tried a Stiletto I'd hold off on it, because they are very unique amps and your playing and guitars are gonna make all the difference in which one suits you better.

 

[fr0tran]

I had E34L's in my DR and I thought I would be playing that thing 'til I was dead, but once I got a hold of a Stiletto it was all over. 2 very different amps, not even comparable other than the fact that they are both tweakable beyond measure. I don't miss my DRs at all, but if you haven't tried a Stiletto I'd hold off on it, because they are very unique amps and your playing and guitars are gonna make all the difference in which one suits you better.

Well, I've been on the 6L6s in my DR for 3 straight weeks now, and I've finally started getting used to them. I actually think they sound pretty decent now; weird. I too thought that I wouldn't play any other tube in my DR than an EL34 after I put em in. How do KT88s or KT77s compare? I also think the "sloppiness" I mentioned before had to do with my spirts of playing, then not playing for weeks; repeat. I think I'm getting back up to snuff though .

 

[fishyfishfish]

KT77s sound like the JJEL34L with crisper highs and deeper low end. I hear you on the EL34's in a Dual, thats all I used for a long time untill I tried TAD6L6GC, and I think they are the perfect tube for the Recto if you like the 6L6 sound. WHat kind of cab are you using?

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Get them Winged C 6L6s. You'll probably like them...

 

[fr0tran]

KT77s sound like the JJEL34L with crisper highs and deeper low end. I hear you on the EL34's in a Dual, thats all I used for a long time untill I tried TAD6L6GC, and I think they are the perfect tube for the Recto if you like the 6L6 sound. WHat kind of cab are you using?

I'm running it through a 4x12 VHT Fatbottom. I think I'm diseased now b/c I love the 6L6s back in my DR. The VHT heads they make all have 6L6 in them, so maybe that's what their cab is built around. Beats the heck outta me; I bought it b/c it has MASSIVE bottom end that gives stomach aches to people. I bought the amp like 6 mo. before the cab, and was originally playing it through a 4x12 line6 spider 2; which outputs a LOT of high freqs. I'm getting more interested in 6L6 tubes now, and less into EL34s haha, go figure.