New to Triaxis

[Big_Al]

Just got a used Triaxis and I am unsure if it is functioning properly. All of the lead modes sound the same except the LD1 red which hardly has any volume. I will get some tubes this weekend and swap them around just to be sure. While searching the forum, I found that LD1 red does have a lower volume but I do not think it suppose to be this off compared to the other modes. Since the Triaxis is new to me, a lot could have to do with my learning curve but I have followed some suggested settings and they sound like poop!
I do not have a Mesa amp (2:90) yet, but I have tried running it through the fx return on a tube head and also through an old Carvin T100 power amp. I realize that this may not be optimum but should give me a little bit of an idea of how the unit should sound. Also, I may be expecting something to be wrong since the previous owner only had it a short time before flipping it on ebay. I guess I should send it to Mesa for a check up (if they will still do this) just to be sure.
In the mean time, any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[THTH]

Most common triaxis non tube problems described in this thread:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11706&sid=3727c374d4024be63188c9805ae3468b

 

[Big_Al]

Thanks, that is one of the threads I read through.
Does all the modes tend to sound the same until you tweak them?

 

[THTH]

The lead 2 modes can sound similar. The recto mode(Lead 1 Red) sounds unlike any other mode. Lead 1 Green and Yellow sound similar. To get the most out of the Triaxis, use good preamp tubes and an excellent power amp. My Triaxis sounds one dimensional when using a solid state power amp. Using a Mesa tube amp with the deep, modern, and half drive switching makes a HUGE difference in the sound. I tried to reduce the size of my rack by going to a 2 space solid state ADA power amp, but the sound suffered too much. Lost a lot of harmonics and depth. Went back to the 6 space Coliseum 300 and it just rocks. Don't be afraid to crank up the Dynamic Voice if you're doing rock or metal.

My impressions of the Triaxis:

Rhythm Green sounds similar to an open Fender clean.
Rhythm Yellow sounds like a much tighter, compressed glassy clean(MKIV).

Lead 1 Green: Mark I lead, clean to classic rock overdrive.
Lead 1 Yellow: Mark I lead, with more gain and fatness than Lead 1 Green.
Lead 1 Red: Dual Rec Orange vintage channel(TX4 board).

Lead 2 Green: Mark IV lead, smooth and singing sustain.
Lead 2 Yellow: Mark IIC lead, tighter than Lead 2 Green.
Lead 2 Red: Mark III Lead, super hot and grindy.

 

[Big_Al]

I have read through many threads concerning tubes for the Triaxis. What package would you guys recommend as a starting point? By packages, I mean like Eurotubes high gain/low output, Dougs Tubes tone package, etc...
Just looking for a good place to start.

Thanks!

 

[Big_Al]

Dougs Tubes suggested:
V1 - Tung 12AX7
V2 - High Gain JJ ECC83
V3 - Penta 12AX7
V4 - Penta 12AX7
V5 - Sovtek 12AX7 LPS

He has a high gain option.

 

[Triaxstasy]

Put a JAN 5751 in V3 and a Mullard CV4004(a.k.a. 12AT7) in V5 :wink:

 

[Jackie]

Don't buy Eurotubes, all JJs sounds terrible in my opinion...

I currently have
V1: TungSol 12AX7
V2: EH 12AX7
V3: Sovtek 12AX7WA (I think)
V4: JJ ECC83s
V5: Sovtek 12AX7WA

If you want to hear how similar Lead 2 sounds are, check out this clip. Same settings, same guitar/cab, everything the same except the modes.

I think because of the lower mids of the LD1 Red mode it is perceived as more quiet. That's what the Master parameter is there for though, I have my Master mostly on 4 and the LD1 Red mode on 5.5 or 6.0 I think.

As was already stated, use a good poweramp. And while using a different one will give you "an idea" of how the TA sounds like, I think it's a very vague idea - I also bought the 2:90 after the TriAxis and I used my Marshall 100W head as a poweramp and the two rigs (TriAxis -> Marshall; TriAxis->2:90) sound&feel very different.

 

[ando]

Don't buy Eurotubes, all JJs sounds terrible in my opinion...

I currently have
V1: TungSol 12AX7
V2: EH 12AX7
V3: Sovtek 12AX7WA (I think)
V4: JJ ECC83s
V5: Sovtek 12AX7WA
.

Say what?!

 

[Big_Al]

Don't buy Eurotubes, all JJs sounds terrible in my opinion...

I currently have
V1: TungSol 12AX7
V2: EH 12AX7
V3: Sovtek 12AX7WA (I think)
V4: JJ ECC83s
V5: Sovtek 12AX7WA

If you want to hear how similar Lead 2 sounds are, check out this clip. Same settings, same guitar/cab, everything the same except the modes.

I think because of the lower mids of the LD1 Red mode it is perceived as more quiet. That's what the Master parameter is there for though, I have my Master mostly on 4 and the LD1 Red mode on 5.5 or 6.0 I think.

As was already stated, use a good poweramp. And while using a different one will give you "an idea" of how the TA sounds like, I think it's a very vague idea - I also bought the 2:90 after the TriAxis and I used my Marshall 100W head as a poweramp and the two rigs (TriAxis -> Marshall; TriAxis->2:90) sound&feel very different.

Thanks, that should give me a nice variaty to start with.

 

[jeff5]

Yeah the power amp makes a huge difference. I've used my Triaxis with a 50/50 for a long time and it's always sounded really good. Recently I got a 2:90 and it's a different animal. Similar for sure, but sounds deeper, more harmonics, fuller, more tonal options, more 3D....just...more is how I'd describe it.

 

[Jackie]

Don't buy Eurotubes, all JJs sounds terrible in my opinion...

I currently have
V1: TungSol 12AX7
V2: EH 12AX7
V3: Sovtek 12AX7WA (I think)
V4: JJ ECC83s
V5: Sovtek 12AX7WA
.

Say what?!

I see my post was very poorly written, that "s" after sounds could have been read as a mistake/typo. I meant that if you have a full quintet of JJs that sounds terrible, not that JJs in general sound terrible.
I like them in certain amps in certain positions, that's I have a JJ in my V4 position.

 

[ando]

Don't buy Eurotubes, all JJs sounds terrible in my opinion...

I currently have
V1: TungSol 12AX7
V2: EH 12AX7
V3: Sovtek 12AX7WA (I think)
V4: JJ ECC83s
V5: Sovtek 12AX7WA
.

Say what?!

I see my post was very poorly written, that "s" after sounds could have been read as a mistake/typo. I meant that if you have a full quintet of JJs that sounds terrible, not that JJs in general sound terrible.
I like them in certain amps in certain positions, that's I have a JJ in my V4 position.

Ah, ok, thanks for the clarification!