Farewell Roadster

[Nitrobattery]

Well, once again I'm leaving the MESA family. After my show Aug 29th I'm letting the Roadster go and grabbing a Splawn Nitro. I'll probably pick up a Single Rec soon after though

 

[paytojt]

Can I ask why?

 

[Nitrobattery]

The lag in channel switching is just absolutely absurd in a $2000 amp. I can't be playing live trying to make a name for myself and my band, playing with signed bands that we respect, and having my signal completely cut out when I switch channels. It's an awesome sounding amp, but the switching thing is just incredibly amateur on Mesa's part.

 

[mikey383]

The lag in channel switching is just absolutely absurd in a $2000 amp. I can't be playing live trying to make a name for myself and my band, playing with signed bands that we respect, and having my signal completely cut out when I switch channels. It's an awesome sounding amp, but the switching thing is just incredibly amateur on Mesa's part.

Exactly why I haven't picked one up and don't plan to. Mesa dropped the ball on this one.

 

[ESP123]

that bad huh? I thought it was only for a split second. I hear ya though as I used to have a very old digitech processor that did that between channels and I had to start pre-timing my channel changes in songs to accommodate the lag. It was frustrating but I put up with it because it was many years ago when I was first playing out. I wouldn't put up with it now for sure.

 

[Nitrobattery]

The lag in channel switching is just absolutely absurd in a $2000 amp. I can't be playing live trying to make a name for myself and my band, playing with signed bands that we respect, and having my signal completely cut out when I switch channels. It's an awesome sounding amp, but the switching thing is just incredibly amateur on Mesa's part.

Exactly why I haven't picked one up and don't plan to. Mesa dropped the ball on this one.

And it sucks man. It's the best sounding amp I've ever owned. Everything you could want (or at least I could want) all in one box. There's just one little issue.....YOU CAN'T USE IT LIVE

 

[Nitrobattery]

that bad huh? I thought it was only for a split second. I hear ya though as I used to have a very old digitech processor that did that between channels and I had to start pre-timing my channel changes in songs to accommodate the lag. It was frustrating but I put up with it because it was many years ago when I was first playing out. I wouldn't put up with it now for sure.

Even though it's just a second, your sound completely cuts out. I'm in a metal band and all of our songs are fast. A second could mean several notes at the beginning of a solo

 

[ESP123]

I hear ya...I would sell/return it and pick up another recto just not a roadster. Hard to leave MESA, you'll always be thinking of her.

 

[Nitrobattery]

I've had 2 Dual Recs, a Mark IV, a TriAxis/2:90, a DC-5, and now the Roadster. I always keep coming back. I'm just a little annoyed at the moment.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Weird....either I'm deaf, or I actually got a good Roadster...I don't have a single complaint about the switching on mine. I'm sorry guys :?

Nitro...been meaning to ask you...what preamp tubes did you use in your Roadster? If you wouldn't mind PMing me, that would be great!

Eric

 

[Scary]

Does using a GCX Ground Control fix this issue? Seems like there are a ton of bands that use these without issues.

 

[Laskyman]

My roadster did not have the "switching lag" problem, but there is nothing wrong with picking up something new...'specially a Splawn (although I pefer the Quickrod)....

 

[Nitrobattery]

Weird....either I'm deaf, or I actually got a good Roadster...I don't have a single complaint about the switching on mine. I'm sorry guys :?

Nitro...been meaning to ask you...what preamp tubes did you use in your Roadster? If you wouldn't mind PMing me, that would be great!

Eric

I've got a mishmash of different tubes in different positions. I forget for sure what I ended up going with. I'll pop her open tomorrow and let you know. It's a mix of Tung-Sol, Mullards, and Sovteks

 

[domct203]

Sorry to hear this Nitro, you'll miss her for sure.

No channel lag here, but when I switch from a high gain channel to clean I get a big reverb swell. I guess that is what the mute is supposed to stop.

Dom

 

[paytojt]

Weird, I don't get a lag either. The Splawn does sound awesome, though. Have you talked to Mesa about it?
Have you read this? On the second page he said he fixed it.
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=37594&start=45

 

[echoes420]

It sucks to hear that you are gonna leave the Mesa family.

My take on it is this...

The Roadster is the amp of amps. It is like a super computer of expression. Think about it... how many other all tube amps out there have options that even put it in the same league as the Roadster? I don't think anything else is even in the same sport as the Roadster. Ha!

I am in a 3 piece band(drums, guitar, bass/vocals) and the very slight pause in between switching channels has not even been detected by my fellow bandmates at rehearsal, so I would imagine the chances of John Q. Public hearing it would be slim to none.

The flack that the Roadster gets on this board nearly made me go another direction with my new amp purchase... and likely would have... if I could have found another suitable four channel tube amp with tube reverb and multiple power options for around $2000, which I could not do. So I bought the Roadster brand new from a dealer that is also an authorized repair facility for peace of mind... and we shall see what the future holds.

And a final thought... I watched the Foo Fighters play with Roadsters and noticed absolutely no lag whatsoever, and that was with them mic'd through a massive arena PA nonetheless. That says to me that even if your amp does have the lag, it can be fixed.

 

[ryjan]

Before you give up, I have read about a fix for the lag problem. Something about a resistor or relay that sits too close to something hot.

 

[Elpelotero]

why don't you go for a roadking? Same thing plus a couple of features, right?

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Silly. All you needed was just another Roadster... :lol:

 

[ESP123]

why don't you go for a roadking? Same thing plus a couple of features, right?

IMO and with many...the Roadster is a lot better than the Roadking. I think this topic is getting to the point of going in circles.

Teh Roadster is an awesome amp - Teh Dual and Triples are awesome amps with no lag - Teh Teh Teh Mesa ...zzzz