Mesa boogie Studio Preamp and Triaxis questions

[elpingua]

Few questions about some MB rack gear.

Studio Preamp higher-end distortion is most similar to which combo/head? DC 2/5? or 50 calliber?

On the Triaxis: What does the phat mod do and how do you know if a unit has it (assume the owner is clueless). Also how good does the Triaxis sound close to the originals (IIC/Mark iv)?

Thanks!

 

[JMMP]

The studio preamp is one of the closest related to the 2c+. Not exact, but pretty close. Same with a quad preamp.

Please see post 3 in this thread for finding if your triaxis had the Phat mod stock, by serial number
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=2093

I have not heard or played either phat or non phat triaxis ( mine was in the serial range of 8600s), but words I see posted with regards to the phat mod are muddy and thick. It is possible to unmod a phat one, so just because your tri may fall into the phat mod range does not guarantee that the mod is still in tact. And I haven't heard of many people phat modding their nonphats