Extensive Roadster review

[davidfloyd]

I'm likely preaching to the choir here about the Roadster, but still thought to post this link to a review that I added to my site at LegendaryTones - especially because I have a long history of "love/hate" with Mesa products. Part 1 gives some of that particular backstory, and Part 2 is the actual Roadster review.

I've finally jumped over from being a Marshall loyalist for over 20 years (though I will still continue to play Marshalls as well from time to time).

http://www.legendarytones.com/mesaboogiestory2.html

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Since you love Marshalls so much, you should score the Stiletto and/or Electradyne as well... :mrgreen:

Reading your review, it's quite inevitable if you get a better tone if you bypass the loop. Just the nature of physics really. Also, I disagree with the idea that V30s are terrible match with the Roadster. I think it sounds great. Then again, there's no one correct choice really. Seeing that you own the head version, you could always go for other speakers. The worst pairing IME is with G12-75Ts. No thanks...

Oh, and you might want to try different valves if you are still messing around with your tone. Personally, I've replaced V1 with a Mesa SPAX7 preamp, and a matched quad of Winged C 6L6s...

 

[davidfloyd]

I suspected that there'd be some disagreement on the speakers, but it's all just an opinion. One discovery I did make was that when I pulled the Vintage 30's from the Recto cab and tried them blended in my Marshall cab with another pair of G12T-75s in the 4 x 12, the cab sounded great (with either the Marshall or the Mesa)! There are good and bad characteristics I feel in both the V30 and the 75s, but blended together, you definitely get a great overall tone. That obviously worked well with the Mesa too, but my focus was to get the ideal 2 x 12 rig happening for me.

I've spent some time with the Stiletto and it was one of those experiences that was o.k., but didn't really do anything for me. Then again, much of that may have again been an issue with the Stiletto cab w/V30's. Although that said, my first experience with the Roadster was with V30's and I had no issues with it at first. It was good. I just knew I wanted "more" - a bigger, wider sound.

 

[davidfloyd]

Since you love Marshalls so much, you should score the Stiletto and/or Electradyne as well... :mrgreen:

I HAVE played the ElectroDyne and think it's fantastic - definitely my cup of tea

 

[groovebelly]

Great review...

I agree with the speaker point of view, even though I really like V30s for what they do... the ARE the modern sound of rock, they kill good clean tones...

So, I'm using my Roadster head with the vertical 2x12 Recto cab w/V30s and the 212 3/4 back with C90s. This combo still trims a fair amount of high end, but sounds more open than just the V30s alone. IMO I think channels 3/4 really beg for V30s as a major part of their grind.

I also really like my THD 212 with their Vintage speaker(supposedly a takeoff from the original Oxford and similar to a modern day G12H30, but without the extended high end). This cab gives a lot more high end detail and the cleans really shine with this one,

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I suspected that there'd be some disagreement on the speakers, but it's all just an opinion. One discovery I did make was that when I pulled the Vintage 30's from the Recto cab and tried them blended in my Marshall cab with another pair of G12T-75s in the 4 x 12, the cab sounded great (with either the Marshall or the Mesa)! There are good and bad characteristics I feel in both the V30 and the 75s, but blended together, you definitely get a great overall tone. That obviously worked well with the Mesa too, but my focus was to get the ideal 2 x 12 rig happening for me.

I've spent some time with the Stiletto and it was one of those experiences that was o.k., but didn't really do anything for me. Then again, much of that may have again been an issue with the Stiletto cab w/V30's. Although that said, my first experience with the Roadster was with V30's and I had no issues with it at first. It was good. I just knew I wanted "more" - a bigger, wider sound.

Oh, if you want a bigger sound, perhaps the Stiletto is not for you then. I thought you might have liked it cause it does all that British tones very well, seeing that you are a Marshall fan...

 

[b0nkersx]

I suspected that there'd be some disagreement on the speakers, but it's all just an opinion. One discovery I did make was that when I pulled the Vintage 30's from the Recto cab and tried them blended in my Marshall cab with another pair of G12T-75s in the 4 x 12, the cab sounded great (with either the Marshall or the Mesa)! There are good and bad characteristics I feel in both the V30 and the 75s, but blended together, you definitely get a great overall tone. That obviously worked well with the Mesa too, but my focus was to get the ideal 2 x 12 rig happening for me.

I've spent some time with the Stiletto and it was one of those experiences that was o.k., but didn't really do anything for me. Then again, much of that may have again been an issue with the Stiletto cab w/V30's. Although that said, my first experience with the Roadster was with V30's and I had no issues with it at first. It was good. I just knew I wanted "more" - a bigger, wider sound.

Good review. One thing I want to mention:

1) I'm not sure if you've tried this yet, but bypass the loop/diode rectification and try cranking everything but the presence on the brit mode (gain, treble, mid, and bass all at 10, volume to taste, but more volume = better). Turn the presence off. I think you may enjoy the result. It is the most difficult mode in the amplifier, IMO.

 

[davidfloyd]

Thanks for the tip on Brit mode. I'll play with it during our next rehearsal. It'll be interesting to hear how it sounds versus how my channel 3 is set (currently that's my 'brit-like' rock/rhythm sound).

 

[jdurso]

Nice review. I always found the roadster sounded best with mixing cabs/speakers that compliment each other... one always with v30s (Roadster 2x12, Recto 2x12, Diezel 4x12) and one with Eminence Legends (Basson 2x12) or C90s (Mesa 3/4 back). That is until I found Mills Acoustics. They're stock with v30s and sound amazing with just the v30s. I've heard they're even better with the the v30s/G12-k100s in an X pattern.

As for the loop i fully agree, it blows. The hard part for me is i'm a time based effects whore. The only way i've gotten around it is a W/D/W setup but that requires using the Slave out into an fx unit (Axe-FX) into a stereo power amp into two more cabs. As you can imagine, it sounds amazing but is not practical for gigging. The only thing i found that helps when using the FX loop is using a good rack mixer but that even gets a little squirrely trying to get all the levels right.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I must be silly, cause I dig my Eventide Timefactor into the loop of my Roadster... :lol:

 

[TFridgen]

Ya, I also run a a few effects in my loop and LOVE the tone, bypassing it doesn't seem to make as much of difference as it has for some other guys. I'm more than likely losing my hearing though.

 

[davidfloyd]

I hear you on time-based effects. Fortunately I don't run any chorusing or flanging, but I still have a basic delay. In a perfect world, I'd prefer to run my AD-900 Maxon delay through the loop, but I keep it on the front end of the amp with my compressor and boost (and tuner). I like to just run a light echo with a couple repeats at about 400 ms. and the only challenge is setting the level on the delay. The more gain you run on the amp, the "louder" the delay naturally becomes as it hits the amp when the amp is in compression/distortion. So channel 1 has the least amount of echo volume vs. channel 4 having the most. If it was in the loop, it'd remain consistent across all 4 channels, but I'll still sacrifice the delay vs. sacrificing the tone with the loop turned on.

As far as the delay tone, I actually don't mind the way the echo distorts differently when running the delay in front of the amp on the gain channels. To me, it reminds me a little bit of a natural cavern type effect where echoes would be naturally more distorted anyway.

On speakers...

A friend of mine also has a recto 2 x 12 and he will be trying a combo of a V30 blended with a G12K-100 so I may try his cab out as well. I did like the blended speaker effect with the Marshall for sure. With the tone of the Roadster, I can't honestly imagine being more happy - I feel like it's there 100% and fantastic - but who knows? Trying different combinations of cabs etc. is part of the fun certainly.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I do have to say, my Roadster through a G12H30 loaded cab was nice and interesting as well...

 

[ironjose]

do you guys think that upgrading or changing the speakers on a roadster combo to the GK12-100 will sound a wider? i mean i remember the V30's and they sound amazing but since reading the review i'm thinking about the midrange davidfloyd was talking about...
or having different speakers you know a v30 and the gk12-100...?

oh and by the way this is the best roadster review i have read... tone wise and helpfull!!!

 

[bbauernf]

thanks for the great review.. I just recently purchased a Roadster as well and it is always comforting to hear from someone who has as much experience with Marshall amps as you give a thumbs up to the Mesa amp I bought.. I really love the vintage Marshall sound but was allured by the versatility (and great tone) of the roadster.. I have still not yet been able to get my channel 2 BRIT mode the way I want but I know it is there somewhere..

Question on cabs/speakers.. what are your thoughts around the difference between the standard Recto 2x12 vs the Roadster 2X12.. I purchased the Roadster 2x12 with the Head and have been pretty happy with it so far but am always interested in opinions on better options.. I have a THD 2x12 cab (loaded with Scumback M75s) as well which I have not yet tried with the head but am thinking about potentially running the Roadster 2x12 and the THD 2x12 together.. There is a Marshall 4x12 loaded with G12k-100s for sale in the area I might look at as well.. Thoughts? I know I need to play and listen but thought I would solicit some feedback on direction to take.. I play mostly classic rock with some hard rock once in a while..

Thanks again

 

[iceman]

I recently purchased a port city 2x12 OS and none of my amps have sounded better. I really can't understate the impact on my sound it has had. With my roadster 2x12 I always fight this nasally congested sound, but that is gone with the port city. BTW I'm running WGs speakers in the PC, ET65 and Veteran30. I'm considering replacing the v30s in the combo with g12k100s though, maybe that will tame the v30 mid range bump.

BTW I think you'll need EL34s to get Brit sounding good. I prefer the EL34s in the roadster over the 6L6s.

 

[Seanthesheep]

How loud does the roadster need to get in order to get a good high gain sound without being fizzy?

Is it practical for home use?

 

[thejay]

Is it practical for home use?

Define 'home use'... if you mean like to practice at low volumes; waaay too much power for that though it sounds good. If you want something that can handle any stage and you can crank a bit at home - you are OK. 50w is no joke... 100w is enough for a stadium.

 

[Seanthesheep]

Well like not stage volumes i mean.

Right now i got a 6534+, and realistically i only ever get it up to 1 on the post gain for comparisons sake.

And even if its way to much power it still sounds good at most volumes?

 

[boardn10]

Even better than a Roadster, is the Fryette Sig:X.