mesa newbie Q

[bsic]

Hey all-

I am in the market for a new amp- wanted to get the experts opinion here.

Here's what type of stuff i play- everythign from SRV, ledzep, floyd, boston, and metallica... wide range... but my passion is SRV style blues.

I play in a praise and worship band at outreach events (small venues).. and I look for an amp that can deliver great cleans, a great slightly overdriven rhytym sound, and some high gain shreddin. Right now i use a pod XT direct to the PA, and play thru a small monitor system at home using the pod.



I tried the stilletto at a local GC and LOVED it.

I read a ton about the express and lone star, but havent tried them.


Any opinions on these three? Keep in mind while the lone star isnt great for super high gain, i can get that with my pod in the effects loop if needed- remember texas blues is my favorite style to play.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[ToneAddictJon]

I just got a maverick yesterday and put it through the ringer at practice today, and that thing does it all. It can keep up with my Dual Recto and Trem-o-Verb. I like to use my guitar volume control to its fullest as well as different pickups, so I channel change as little as possible, and I can go from SRV to Metallica to Clapton and everything inbetween with that little monster. It seems to average around $700 used, and it's well worth it. I would compare it to the LSC with a more versatile lead channel. Even though it's el84's in it (and it has that harmonic complexity that sounds amazing) it's not brittle like some other el84 amps I've played/owned.

The LSC, LSS, and Stiletto are all great amps, but not my flavor. Try as many amps out as you can, you never know what amp is gonna click your hands and guitars.

 

[Elpelotero]

there's a lot of choices right now with Mesa

Lonestar--fender cleans, SRV texas tone, and some low gain
Stilleto--marshall sound w. a Mesa flavor
Mark4--great cleans, tight high gain, liquidy smooth solos
Rectifier--intense high gain, average cleans and average lead sound, not as tight
Road King--everything you could imagine! fender cleans, great overdrives, and the famous rectifier gain sound. doesn't do the marshall sound as well as the Stilleto though
Roadster--a stripped down Road King
Tremoverb--great cleans, blues channel, intense recitifer gain


and there's so many more...

 

[phyrexia]

Tremoverb is not available anymore.

 

[clutch71]

I'd say give the Lonestar and Express a try. I wouldn't shy away from the Rectifier series because it's high gain. Gain can always be dialed back. If the Stiletto still sounds good after giving the amps listed a try, pick one up.

Be sure to look through the manuals for each and the Amp settings DB on this site. It will give you an idea for some settings to write down and take with you. It will save you some dialing time.

Good luck.

 

[art_n_music]

I've had a Dual Recto Tremoverb for about 8 months now that I got off the 'bay. It has a great range of tone and is extremely versatile. Now, it is the only Mesa I have owned, though I lusted after one for years.
Mine is a head and I have two 212 recto cabs. There is a TOV combo that can be found out there, but I actually prefer having the weight divided up between amp and cab.
The TOV has four very individual voices at two per channel...very nice cleans, great orange vintage, fantastic blues voice, and the classic Dual Recto high gain mode plus you have channel cloning. It has tweaks on the back for vacuum tube or silicon diode mode and a spongy/bold toggle. You also have the option to go with 6L6's or EL34 tubes. Also great reverb and tremolo.
Look around on ebay, you'll see a few at most any given time and a clean one can be had for around $1K.

 

[thinskin57]

The Lonestar Special could do all the bands you mentioned except for Metallica. I'd have to say the discontinued Tremoverb. they pop up on ebay a bit here and there. Very versatile, and i think their gain sounds better than today's rectos. don't know why, but i'm sure SOMETHING got changed over time. if you DO decide to look for one on ebay, be sure to search under the two different ways that people tend to spell it: "tremoverb" and "trem o verb" ...great amp. wish i never sold mine. just didn't need all that volume.

 

[ja22y]

Just another thought, if SRV's tone is what you're after, why not get the gear that he played ? Fender vibrolux with 1x15, I think. And most importantly don't forget to plug into the TS 808 Tubescreamer. and lastly ... use 13 gauge strings (just kidding) :wink:
As far as Mesa goes, I think the LSC with 6l6 is closest to Fenderish.

 

[jab]

having only owned a DR and a Stiletto, Stiletto is closer to what you're looking for. Something about the DR where you just can't clean up that dirty fizz sound so can be a problem for more classic stuff. Wonder about a Lone Star with a pedal to solve your metal issue too?

 

[ja22y]

The Lonestar Special could do all the bands you mentioned except for Metallica.

I have to disagree. The LSS is an el84 amp and you can get to the ball park of other el84's like vox ac30. Of course you can dial in much more gain and drive.
LSS does not do hiwatt (David Gilmore) or marshall. I don't know what Tom Scholtz used beside his Rockman but propably something he'd built or mod, and tons of effects in between.
If there's an amp that can do all that, I'll be the 1st inline to buy one.