New Roadster owner

[Melodyman]

Hey guys,

I picked up a new Roadster head last week from GC. It's been about 6 years since I've used a Rectifier, and am now back in the fold. I also used a Mark IV head for 9 years and just sold it recently, I'll definitely miss it.

The reason I got the Roadster was in large part due to the nostalgia I had from using both an older 2 channel Dual Rec and a 3 channel model as well in the past. Back then I always used a Boss OD3 Overdrive to push them a bit, and they sounded quite massive.

I have come to realize that no one amp can do it all, even a feature rich model like the Roadster. I knew I was getting a Rectifier with better cleans and more options. The Roadster is darker and smoother than my old 3 channel Dual Rec, even on channel 4. My old 2 channel Dual Rec was more aggressive sounding though imo. The Roadster's channels 3/4 seem a bit more refined, which I like.

So as it stands right now I'm planning on mixing the Roadster and Peavey 6505+ for rhythm tracking, and a Bogner 101B for lead stuff. I'm going to be demoing a Splawn Nitro in a few months to see how it mixes with these amps as well.

 

[wildrat666]

congrats man. I also play on a Roadster and the 5150/6505. the sound awesome in the mix when recording

 

[Bobby_E]

Yeah, I'm also a new proud owner of a Roadster and dialing it in has taken a lot of work, but I think it'll be worth it when I do. I also have the 6505+ and plan on recording with both amps as well. I guess great minds think alike. I've also been interested in trying out a Splawn Nitro, I mean for lead playing, that thing seems unmatched.

 

[Elixir]

Yeah, I'm also a new proud owner of a Roadster and dialing it in has taken a lot of work.

Crazy. I manage to dial good sounds in pretty quickly compared to the Mark IV. I couldn't dial the Mark worth my life. This, this is seamless for me.

Match made in heaven

 

[Bobby_E]

Worked with it today and I "think" I found the sweet spot. Channel 1 I've got down for a very smooth/warm clean tone, Channel 2 has a little bit of distortion but still a lot of clean in it for a funk kind of sound, 3 i haven't even messed with, and 4 I think I finally hit that sweet metal tone that I've been looking for. Going to try it in band mix tomorrow and just throw it in the deep end and see how it works, but its vastly different than the 6505+, perhaps that's why I've been having such a hard time adjusting because everything is so much different.

 

[Melodyman]

Worked with it today and I "think" I found the sweet spot. Channel 1 I've got down for a very smooth/warm clean tone, Channel 2 has a little bit of distortion but still a lot of clean in it for a funk kind of sound, 3 i haven't even messed with, and 4 I think I finally hit that sweet metal tone that I've been looking for. Going to try it in band mix tomorrow and just throw it in the deep end and see how it works, but its vastly different than the 6505+, perhaps that's why I've been having such a hard time adjusting because everything is so much different.

Yeah the 6505+ sounds very different from the Roadster for sure. When the Roadster is at band volume it will come alive and sound alot better imo. At lower volumes just playing at home I like to boost the Roadster sometimes. The 6505+ always sounds kind of boosted to me, lol.

They really seem to compliment each other, I'm still experimenting with mixing them together for rhythm tracking.

I'm looking forward to hearing how a Splawn Nitro will sound alongside the Roadster and/or 6505+ as well.

 

[Bobby_E]

So tested the Roadster today with the band. Alone it's good, with the band it's a freaking monster! It mixes so well and the low end really hits percussively with the bass drum and just has a mega low-end to it that the 6505+ just couldn't do. However for higher gain (ie pinch harmonics and such) the 6505+ is still easier to do those on, but the Mesa is going to make me a cleaner player because the gain just covers a lot of mistakes, whereas the Mesa (due to a "cleaner" distortion) really makes mistakes stand out.

And yeah, I'm planning on getting a Splawn Nitro by the end of this year and mixing those as well because those things just have ridiculous gain for lead playing, and bring a nice, crisps mid-range sound.

 

[jdurso]

So tested the Roadster today with the band. Alone it's good, with the band it's a freaking monster! It mixes so well and the low end really hits percussively with the bass drum and just has a mega low-end to it that the 6505+ just couldn't do. However for higher gain (ie pinch harmonics and such) the 6505+ is still easier to do those on, but the Mesa is going to make me a cleaner player because the gain just covers a lot of mistakes, whereas the Mesa (due to a "cleaner" distortion) really makes mistakes stand out.

And yeah, I'm planning on getting a Splawn Nitro by the end of this year and mixing those as well because those things just have ridiculous gain for lead playing, and bring a nice, crisps mid-range sound.

Try and OD or clean boost infront of the roadster and your pinch harmonics will just POP

 

[Bobby_E]

Try and OD or clean boost infront of the roadster and your pinch harmonics will just POP

Yeah, I was thinking of getting a Maxon OD808 for it because I hear that's suppose to be killer with the Roadster.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Yes it is! The Maxon slays with the Roadster for metal!

 

[Elixir]

How much better is the maxon 808 compared to the TS9? I'm currently using the TS9 :?:

 

[155]

are you guys using gain on the 808? I just dont see the need for a boost pedal, what are you accomplishing with it?

 

[Elixir]

are you guys using gain on the 808? I just dont see the need for a boost pedal, what are you accomplishing with it?

I use it as a clean boost. no real gain. It significantly tightens the bass and amp in general.

 

[jdurso]

are you guys using gain on the 808? I just dont see the need for a boost pedal, what are you accomplishing with it?

I use it as a clean boost. no real gain. It significantly tightens the bass and amp in general.

It will also add some mids which the rectos lack and much richer harmonics.

The main misconception people have with this approach is that they think your adding gain on top of gain which isnt really the case (at least not always). The concept is to drive the preamp hotter by boosting the signal before it hits the amp. This allows you to run the gain lower on the amp, which helps retain clarity. At the same time the hotter signal drives the preamp tubes harder into compression which will result in a tightening in the low end and the same if not more gain that trying to use the amp alone. This to me is how your really tap the Rectos gain potential and how you get a very clear tone that will incinerate small animals.