Ok, First of all. I will admit that I am a complete Tube noob. I have been playing solid state for the past 20+ years. I have used Crate, a 2101 rack (That has a tube =) ), Line 6 Vetta and POD lines. Well, it is pretty much cut and dry in those arena's. Things are as they seem and there isn't too many options for flexability.
So, I ordered a Roadster after a really bad Vetta II experience. I am at the tail end of the wait and have been researching amp switchers, midi switching system and the effects chain worked out. I got a oversized 4x12 rectifer cab and a 2x12 g-flex cabs all ready to hook up. I am almost set and all equipment is ready/purchased.
Now the question...
Pre/Power tubes and gain stage.
I am a metal freak. I like tone that resembles everything from Iron Maiden all the way to stuff like lamb of god, mystic prophecy... I tried out the Roadster dry in store and I liked what I heard... ALOT. But, I am just trying to squeeze as much as possible out of my purchase. I hear of people replacing tubes and getting a even better/tighter sound and alot of people are mentioning Tung Sol, and they have come highly recommended. What power tubes would be best for my tastes?
The second question I have is that I hear of people running a stomp infront as a booster. I want to keep everything in a rack as much as possible. Even if I have to build a rack box to throw a stomp box in it =). I hear a lot about maxon but, not how they are generally used in conjunction with the mesa distortion. How is the boost used along with the onboard distortion to provide the best results? Is this even necessary?
There is just so much information here that it is hard to determine which is geared towards my situation/tastes. Plus, it is hard to imagine tone from start to finish without having everything infront of you.
BTW, dig the board. It is very non-Harmony central attitude type place.
Thanks,
-Nate
So, I ordered a Roadster after a really bad Vetta II experience. I am at the tail end of the wait and have been researching amp switchers, midi switching system and the effects chain worked out. I got a oversized 4x12 rectifer cab and a 2x12 g-flex cabs all ready to hook up. I am almost set and all equipment is ready/purchased.
Now the question...
Pre/Power tubes and gain stage.
I am a metal freak. I like tone that resembles everything from Iron Maiden all the way to stuff like lamb of god, mystic prophecy... I tried out the Roadster dry in store and I liked what I heard... ALOT. But, I am just trying to squeeze as much as possible out of my purchase. I hear of people replacing tubes and getting a even better/tighter sound and alot of people are mentioning Tung Sol, and they have come highly recommended. What power tubes would be best for my tastes?
The second question I have is that I hear of people running a stomp infront as a booster. I want to keep everything in a rack as much as possible. Even if I have to build a rack box to throw a stomp box in it =). I hear a lot about maxon but, not how they are generally used in conjunction with the mesa distortion. How is the boost used along with the onboard distortion to provide the best results? Is this even necessary?
There is just so much information here that it is hard to determine which is geared towards my situation/tastes. Plus, it is hard to imagine tone from start to finish without having everything infront of you.
BTW, dig the board. It is very non-Harmony central attitude type place.
Thanks,
-Nate