dbone said:
I like John Sykes as well, the Blue murder sh!t rocks also
The Quad really nails the 80's metal tone to my ears.
Channel 1 Mark II can get you a real good thrash metal tone but i like it best for its great singing leads tone.
Channel 2 Mark III and the high gain rhythm tones and leads are great and likely closer to what your looking for. Put a quad with a old school 295 and a 4x12 or 2x12 closed back cab and you be in the neighborhood.
I imagine a loaded Mark III head through a 4x12 would put you there as well.
What he ^ said.
As for Quad vs Tri vs Studio - I reckon it's a trilemma!
I have had a Studio (d@mn idi0t sold it!). I now have a Quad, Triaxis, C+ (1x12 combo) and DR (2ch), definitely forget the Recto for that sound it's certainly not-classic-Boogie.
All the rest are definitely made of the stuff called Boogie.
Coupled with a 295 (or 2:90 if you have to) ... and you're there.
IMHO - it then comes down to what do you want to lug, how many channels, what do you want to tweak and what do you want to pay for?
LUGGING:
The Triaxis is only 1-ru but it's very deep and not trivial to lug. I only use a Nanoverb (can't be bothered with "big" rack based FX units .... which will totally drown out your valve tone) so it isn't too bad.
The Studio is 2-ru but about as easy to lug as the Tri because it isn't as deep or (IIRC heavy?). I remember it was okay to lug.
The Quad is a big beast. Drag an amp along and you need a gym subscription or multiple roadies.
CHANNELS:
But then again the Quad has 4 channels, plus or minus EQ so about 8 sounds. Monster.
The Studio "only" has 2 channels +/- EQ BUT I found that's all I ever needed after all, I always thought I needed 3 or 4 ch. but hey I was just dreaming.
Of course the Triaxis has loads of channels / programs but tweaking it is not for the faint of heart!
TWEAKING:
Of course the Studio is the easiest tweak, then the Quad and as already said the Triaxis is not for the faint hearted but then again it is the most versatile and rewarding (in the long run).
PRICE:
I think any of Studio, Quad or used Triaxis can be had a good prices. ATM the C+ and III are at insane prices so I'd skip those for now.
I paid $300 for my Studio - the price of a pedal!
Sorry this is cyclic logic, no clear winner: scissors, paper, rock ... but really the tie breaker is good old fashioned practice, practice, practice...
If it was me I'd just get the first one of the above I'd find at a good price in great condition and let that decide - but you might have a clean preference for lugging, channels, tweaking, price ...
Hope that helps,
A Ryder
