Roadster vs 3 Channel Dual Rectifier sound wise

[sfx70]

Is there any difference sound wise between the 3CH DR and the Roadster?
I understand one is 4 and the other is 3, but the are the gain channels sounding different? If so, in what way? Is Mesa using the same circuitry for both of these amps.
Thanks

 

[ToneAddictJon]

They sound similar, but have a little different feel to them. It's hard to explain the difference in sound, because it could of just been the tube difference from my 3 channel to my buddy's Roadster, but they are very close. If buying new today, I'd buy a Roadster for the extra channel, lonestar cleans, and sweet reverb (for not much more). That being said, I'm completely happy with my 3 channel and G.A.S. hasn't taken over for the Roadster (yet...). I would love to plug my tube set into a Roadster though and see how close they are.

 

[sth0101]

[No message]

 

[Geiri]

I a/b a combo roadster against a three channel dr head. The recto trough a 2x12 recto cab. Both cabinets loaded with V30's. With the same settings on orange and red channels I found the roadster a little thinner sounding more sizzle and less oomphh kinda.

Maby the roadster head through the same cabinet will sound beefier but all in all I think it was a pretty fair comparison.

But to be safe I'm not saying that the roadster sounded bad, the recto was simply more pleasing to my ears and I ended up buying it.

 

[jab]

the Mesa sales guys will tell you they are voiced slightly different, but very similar. The day I went in and compared them I preferred the DR sound (and price). I also thought the DR had a little more oomph to it. If I had to do it again though, I'd probably go Roadster for the extra channel, the cleans, reverb, and sacrifice the minor difference I heard. But then I found the DR too fizzy/muddy after a while, and moved to Stiletto. Imagine that.

 

[wildrat666]

my roadster is different from my DR with el-34. less flobby and more tone.chan 3 and 4 are perfect for metal sounds. chan 1+2 are perfect clean channels. I think that the roadster is a little bit tighter than a dual.
I play it through 2 recto cabs and with a maxon od808 for more saturated tone.and the fx loop works!!!!!

 

[Chris_Lonerock]

I'd say, if you can ge the roadster, go ahead !
in fact, there are several big differences (improved things)

- Better clean channel, the tweed mode is killer
- Serial loop, this feature is a must ! especially if you are using multi fx units with line mixer.
- can switch between 50 and 100w for each channel on roadster

other features that are useless for me :
- reverb
- tuner mute out

for the first time, I can have all in one, the big recto sound for heavy riffs and great clean, great crunch (vox like) and a lead sound.

the fact is, if you just wanna play big riffs, just use few pedals in front of amp, no big rigs, just go for the DR.

 

[jdurso]

I a/b a combo roadster against a three channel dr head. The recto trough a 2x12 recto cab. Both cabinets loaded with V30's. With the same settings on orange and red channels I found the roadster a little thinner sounding more sizzle and less oomphh kinda.

Maby the roadster head through the same cabinet will sound beefier but all in all I think it was a pretty fair comparison.

But to be safe I'm not saying that the roadster sounded bad, the recto was simply more pleasing to my ears and I ended up buying it.

roadster combo is way inferior to the heads IMO..... i dont know what it is but the roadster combos always sounded lacking ...... i'd definitely go with the roadster over a newer TR..... the cleans and reverb alone are worth the extra $150....plus, and this is just my opinion, but the roadsters channel 3 reminds me a lot of the older 2 channel rectos