All I can say is "wow". I've had an F-50 combo for a year, for comparison sake. I use the F-50 with an Avatar 212 cab with Hellatone 60L's.
I thought the voicing switches were really nice. On the F-50 you have to push the OD channel's master past 9 o'clock to get really good tube break-up. I felt the Stiletto Ace didn't need to be pushed that far, which means more control over the overall volume. Of course, the F-50 Contour OD seems to have more gain on tap but for the Ace seemed a lot more dynamic in every way. Pick attack, low-gain sounds, not as compressed, etc. I've never owned a Marshall but did play the new JVM and Vintage Modern today as well. Honestly prefer the Ace.
It's a used one at our local Guitar Center. Some guy traded it in because his drummer knocked over the microphone stand and ripped the front grill but didn't damage the speaker. It's listed at $1299 and needs the grill replaced. The sales guy hinted as I was about to head back to work that they can really work on the price. I like the closed-back design of the Ace better than the open F-50. Wouldn't need the Avatar cab at that point but the Ace is **** heavy!
Guess I'm rambling now but I'm impressed with the Ace. Only played for about 15 minutes but seemed like a lot of tones can be coaxed out of it. FYI.....I'm in a rock cover band and needed a great clean channel/great rock distortion, not death metal or thrash tones so that's why I went with the F-50. Seems like the Ace is more versatile just not sure it's worth upgrading from my F-50. Thoughts?
I thought the voicing switches were really nice. On the F-50 you have to push the OD channel's master past 9 o'clock to get really good tube break-up. I felt the Stiletto Ace didn't need to be pushed that far, which means more control over the overall volume. Of course, the F-50 Contour OD seems to have more gain on tap but for the Ace seemed a lot more dynamic in every way. Pick attack, low-gain sounds, not as compressed, etc. I've never owned a Marshall but did play the new JVM and Vintage Modern today as well. Honestly prefer the Ace.
It's a used one at our local Guitar Center. Some guy traded it in because his drummer knocked over the microphone stand and ripped the front grill but didn't damage the speaker. It's listed at $1299 and needs the grill replaced. The sales guy hinted as I was about to head back to work that they can really work on the price. I like the closed-back design of the Ace better than the open F-50. Wouldn't need the Avatar cab at that point but the Ace is **** heavy!
Guess I'm rambling now but I'm impressed with the Ace. Only played for about 15 minutes but seemed like a lot of tones can be coaxed out of it. FYI.....I'm in a rock cover band and needed a great clean channel/great rock distortion, not death metal or thrash tones so that's why I went with the F-50. Seems like the Ace is more versatile just not sure it's worth upgrading from my F-50. Thoughts?