Electra-Dyne on the way...

[JJones74]

Hello all..
Let me first off say that I've got a brand new Electra-Dyne on the way (from Magdon Music)..
I originally had my eyes on the Roadster, but I changed my mind after hearing the Electra-Dyne. Granted the Roadster sounds sweet, I just don't play alot of metal. About as heavy as I get is some Metallica, or Sabbath.. I do, however, play a ton of classic rock..
Also, this is my first Mesa..

 

[primal]

Hello all..
Let me first off say that I've got a brand new Electra-Dyne on the way (from Magdon Music)..
I originally had my eyes on the Roadster, but I changed my mind after hearing the Electra-Dyne. Granted the Roadster sounds sweet, I just don't play alot of metal. About as heavy as I get is some Metallica, or Sabbath.. I do, however, play a ton of classic rock..
Also, this is my first Mesa..

We expect clips shortly!

Welcome!

 

[phyrexia]

OMG all I could do was play Into the Void over and over when I played the Electradyne. You are gonna love this amp man.

 

[dodger916]

Nice! Can't wait to hear the review.

 

[JJones74]

I will definitely post a review when I get it..
I should have it tomorrow.. So tomorrow night will be fun for me..
BTW, the Electra-Dyne I ordered from Magdon has 6L6's not EL34's..

 

[DudewithFr0]

Hello all..
Let me first off say that I've got a brand new Electra-Dyne on the way (from Magdon Music)..
I originally had my eyes on the Roadster, but I changed my mind after hearing the Electra-Dyne. Granted the Roadster sounds sweet, I just don't play alot of metal. About as heavy as I get is some Metallica, or Sabbath.. I do, however, play a ton of classic rock..
Also, this is my first Mesa..

I played the electra-dyne at my local dealer it kicks butt for classic rock. It kinda reminded me of a Hiwatt. I have to say the cleans are amazing. IMO i think its cooler than the lonestar

 

[JJones74]

Hello all..
Let me first off say that I've got a brand new Electra-Dyne on the way (from Magdon Music)..
I originally had my eyes on the Roadster, but I changed my mind after hearing the Electra-Dyne. Granted the Roadster sounds sweet, I just don't play alot of metal. About as heavy as I get is some Metallica, or Sabbath.. I do, however, play a ton of classic rock..
Also, this is my first Mesa..

I played the electra-dyne at my local dealer it kicks butt for classic rock. It kinda reminded me of a Hiwatt. I have to say the cleans are amazing. IMO i think its cooler than the lonestar

WOW..
That's great to hear about the cleans..
Well, she's on the truck ready for delivery!!
As soon as I get out of work, it's straight home to plug her in and play!!
8)

Edit:
Well she arrived!!
10:00 AM Eastern time..
YES!! I'm excited..

 

[jab]

well it's been an hour and five minutes since you received it, where's the review!!! Give us the good, the bad, and the ugly!

 

[JJones74]

well it's been an hour and five minutes since you received it, where's the review!!! Give us the good, the bad, and the ugly!

LOL..
I'm at work until 4:30 PM..
It's sitting here on one of my desks, waiting to be used..
Don't worry, I'll post pics and give a quick review..
Until then..... 8)

 

[mixtery]

FINALLY!!! someone here bought this amp and can review it! I really am psyched for this amp and I'm hoping it can really kick butt in both fender cleans and marshally/boogie leads. What cabinet will you be running it through?

Please include guitar setup and fx if any in your review. And if you're playing at bedroom volume or w/band volume!

while I become envious.
M

 

[JJones74]

FINALLY!!! someone here bought this amp and can review it! I really am psyched for this amp and I'm hoping it can really kick butt in both fender cleans and marshally/boogie leads. What cabinet will you be running it through?

Please include guitar setup and fx if any in your review. And if you're playing at bedroom volume or w/band volume!

while I become envious.
M

My initial review will be of just the guitar going into amp, and the different sounds from each of the 3 modes (with some settings).. But, by any means, I'm no expert.. I'll be basing my review off moderate/high bedroom levels (in my basement).. LOL..
As far as cabinets go, I'll be running thru an Avatar 2x12 loaded with a V30 & Classic Lead 80.
(I heard from Dave at Avatar that this was a speaker combo Mesa used to use for some time for a clean/crunch approach)..
I've got (2) of these cabs, but I'll probably start out just using one..
Also, keep in mind that this is my first Boogie product (so I have nothing to compare it to). So, I'm not exactly a Boogie expert..
But I'll do my best!!!
I just got thru thumbing through the owners manual, and all I can say is "Come on 4:30"!!
I can't wait to fire this puppy up!!


Until then.... 8)

 

[mixtery]

You're a BOOGIE VIRGIN! And you're starting with the Electradyne!
That's like hittin' Carmen Elektra at 15!

 

[JJones74]

You're a BOOGIE VIRGIN! And you're starting with the Electradyne!
That's like hittin' Carmen Elektra at 15!

LMFAO!!!! :lol:
Yes I am a boogie virgin..
What's wrong with starting out with the ED?
Or should I have jumped in "elbow" deep with a MarkV or Roadster?
LOL..
Thanks for the laugh Mixtery!!

 

[JJones74]

OK..
God, where do I start.
This review is after 45 minutes of playing with this amp..
For the record I'm using a Schecter C1 Artist LE guitar with Duncan pups (JB/'59) (which is a very "warm" guitar)
Evidence audio guitar cable..
That's all, no effects..
I started off on the 90 Watt Simul setting on the clean channel.. WOW, is all I can say!!!
This was with the sample setting from the manual (same setting for all 3 channels)..
The cleans were awesome!! Very (i hate to say) Fender-ish.. I've had a Fender stage 100 amp and the cleans on this ED are right on par.. I didn't even want to tweek any knobs because it sounded so good..
On to Vintage Lo..
To me, this channel is very "bluesy".. That's about the only way I can describe it off the top of my head.. Yeah, there is some definite "dirt" going on, but just "bluesy"..
Once again, same settings as the clean channel, no tweeking..
OK.. Now for Vintage Hi..
This channel screams "classic rock" to me.. Very crunchy, and lotsa punch too.. Not too boomy though..
You can hit power chords and it doesn't get muddy on ya.. I just love this channel..
Once again, same settings as before.. no tweeking..

Here's the "sample" setting from the manual:
Master:9 oclock
Presence: 12 oclock
Bass: 12 oclock
Mid: 11 oclock
Treble: 12 oclock
Volume (Gain): 2 oclock

I noticed very little volume jump from channel to channel with these settings..
Sound wise, yes there was a big difference, but not too much in volume..
I then messed around with the 45 watt setting..
To me, this is the channel for the bedroom/low volume player..
same "sample" settings used as above, but when on this setting, the volume was significantly lower..
I had to bump up the "master" to around 10-11 to get the same volume as the 90 W channel..
there's definitely alot more tube saturation in the 45 watt settings than in the 90 W.. Don't get me wrong, the 45 watt setting is awesome for late night, lower volume playing. And still getting some good tube break-up..
Overall I'm VERY happy with this amp.. I wish I had 4 hands so I could give it 4 thumbs up..
LOL.. In my opinion, this is NOT a metal amp.. To my ears, this amp stops at classic rock/hard rock..
Once again, I haven't tried an OCD in front of the Vintage HI channel though.. And I probably won't..
If I wanted a more "metal" amp I probably would have gotten the Roadster, or Mark V..
But for now, I'm as happy as a kid on Christmas morning..
If this is the "low" end of the Boogie line, I got a feeling this won't be my last Boogie amp, by any means..
I'll give a second review in a few days after playing with some pedals, the built-in reverb, etc....
Until then...

Jason 8)

 

[mixtery]

Sounds great man I'm glad you like it so far. The ability to switch back and forth between channels and not feel like there is a volume jump or EQ weirdness on one channel is huge! Hopefully, along the way of the honeymoon you'll update us as to what you think it's strong/weak points are. You compared it to a fender on the clean channel. Does it have that bright sound like a twin could get? How about break up point on the clean channel?

 

[phyrexia]

not trolling, but I did post some Electradyne clips several weeks ago:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34500&hilit=electradyne

You should turn the amp up in 45w mode. 8)

 

[JJones74]

Sounds great man I'm glad you like it so far. The ability to switch back and forth between channels and not feel like there is a volume jump or EQ weirdness on one channel is huge! Hopefully, along the way of the honeymoon you'll update us as to what you think it's strong/weak points are. You compared it to a fender on the clean channel. Does it have that bright sound like a twin could get? How about break up point on the clean channel?

Thanks.. This is my first step into "quality" tube amp land.. LOL..
So, I think it's gonna take me some time to give a more thorough review. This amp sounds different compared to any other amp I've ever played thru.. Unfortunately that hasn't been too many.. LOL..
It's not a bad different though.. It does have its own voice..
I have further played with the amp and I can say that there is a more noticeable volume increase between channels as you deviate from the "sample" settings I described.. Another thing I've noticed also, is the 2 vintage channels are voiced very differently..
On Vintage Lo, I can dial in some very VOX'ish tones.. To my ears, it seems to be a brighter voiced channel.. I've also dialed in some pretty sweet bluesey tones too (kinda similar to putting an OD on the clean channel).
On Vintage Hi, the overdrive is very warm and full sounding.. Definitely more punch.. Definitely my favorite channel. I will add more info as I uncover more ground with this amp..
I am still very pleased with it..
The only fender's I'm familiar with is the one I had for about 8 yrs..
The clean channel on the ED is very good.. I cannot complain about it at all..
Well enough babbling for me.. I'm about to relax for the night..

Until next time..
Jason 8)

 

[JJones74]

not trolling, but I did post some Electradyne clips several weeks ago:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34500&hilit=electradyne

You should turn the amp up in 45w mode. 8)

I checked the clips out.. I liked the sound alot..
Yeah, I did turn it up when on the 45 Watt mode..

 

[GDTRFB]

Op or anyone who has Hands on Experience with this amp....
Is it basically an improved MKlll ? As far as the Volume/EQ imbalances between the 3 modes go? Having been a Mostly Frustrated MKlll Simul owner since 92 this could be exactly what I have been searching for.

Is the Low gain Mode what it is billed as? Meaning, with Volume / gain settings between say 11 and 2 O:Clock can it go from a usable "alternate Clean" = Compressed - bluesy Light Crunch to a nice Alternate Lead - Med Crunch, Med Sustain, broken up sound
If so, Can the amp, when set to Low gain mode and the volume around 1 or 2 O:clock be Easily Cleaned Up with a slight roll off of the guitar Volume pot? With out a loss of overall tone and major volume Drop? hope I explained that right -

The "Middle Channel" has Always been a Frustration on the MKlll for me. You must choose Clean and Lead or Crunch, Not all 3! - If you Dial the Crunch in for a "low gain" type Mode the other two are off, Dial the Clean and Lead in and the Crunch is off.

One other question, Is it as brutally loud as the other Boogies 90/45 Watters?
I am way passed the, My amp is Louder then Yours Stage. And having 90 Unusable Watts, only to keep the master on less then 1.5 for Home Playing or 3 for most Garage Jamming, is a waste of good Wattage and Doesn't do much For good Old Power tube Saturation. Its like having a Ferrari and only being allowed to drive it around a Parking lot.
What i am trying to say is I realy Like 3 usable modes on an amp, Hate Pedals and do to low volume use can't Do a Non Master volume Amp.


P.S.
Is anyone else Wishing this amp was offered in a 2x 6v6 /2x EL 84 version A nice 15 - 18 Watter with 1/2 switch would be PERFECT!
( Yes I am aware of the 5:25 express but it "Lead" Channel is like my MKlll = Which is Over kill or For me)

Anyone familiar with the MKlll, Knows that it goes from Basically Silent at about 1.4 on the Master to, to loud for home at anything higher then about 1.8. In Class A mode! Mine is that sensitive, Not to mention using your guitar volume at this point is an exorcise in tonal / volume Futility.

Sorry for the long Post!

 

[jab]

good review and thanks for sharing. I've played it twice in stores now and concur with what you're saying, and coincidentally those settings are around where I was finding the best tone. Your description of "bluesy" on Lo Gain is a good word - it's darker, gritty (in a good way), maybe reminds me a bit of the blues setting on the Express amps), and that high gain was just a brighter, bouncier, edgier great distortion for classic/hard rock. As for breakup on clean, I had to practically dime the volume (gain) for a crunch, whereas on my Stiletto it will break up around 3:00. Depends on pickup and master volume though too, but I was hoping it would break up a little sooner because I love that clean-crunch sound.

So, what will you do for a lead volume boost now? My initial thought was to rhythm on lo gain, and go to high gain for solos because it ups the gain a notch and I noticed a slight increase in volume. However, that high gain sounds so good one might have to use that for rhythm and hit a boost pedal for solos. Let me dream some more - use a pedal (like Xotic AC) to crunch the clean channel a bit and to add the liquid to the solos so you've got clean, crunch (clean channel with a little boost), Hi Gain, and solo (Hi Gain with boost). I'm speaking like I own one, and I think I will after my first 2 test drives.

Give us more!