So I finally joined the club...and bought a Roadster!

[Silverwulf]

Most people here know of my long time love affair with 2 channel Rectos. They will forever be my favorite amps ever produced, because they just suit me, the tone I like and my overall playing style. But, you can teach an old dog new tricks, so I thought it was time to give the modern line a try in an effort for more versatility and tones live. I debated heavily the Roadster or Road King II, and it all came down to money. I figured for $500 less, I could give the Roadster a try and if I really liked it, I could swap it out for a RK II sometime down the line if I wanted.

Now, don't get me wrong, I've played countless modern Rectos over the years, but I don't really count that experience because it's not the same as owning it yourself, plugging it into your rig, and getting to test it extensively. The last modern recto I think I truly owned for a significant period of time was my 3 channel Triple Recto I bought new back in 2001. It was a first run, but as you can see...that was almost a decade ago. Now I have the Roadster here and I'm going to put it through the motions and see what it can do.

It took a few days, but I'm getting it closer to where I want it sounding now. Been up since early this morning, so I'll post my initial impressions of it tomorrow when I'm actually awake. In the meantime, here's a pic...

 

[JCDenton6]

Congrats! That looks SWEET

Best combo of amps any man could own for sure. One day I'll get a 2 CH Dual Recto (blackface or chrome) so I could finally hear the difference for myself :mrgreen:

 

[fluff191]

Congrats!!!!

I thought about getting a Roadster for a short time, but I just wouldn't use all those channels. I barely use 3 on my 3 Channel as it is!!!!

 

[clutch71]

Looking forward to a full review. Would also like to know how it compares to the other 2 channels currently in aresanal. Be interesting to see how close you can get it to older DR's.

 

[Silverwulf]

I'll post a full review in a bit. Here's a quick bedroom volume clip of how it's dialed in at the moment. Still not happy with how it's sounding, but it's getting there. Will just take a little more time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwEiBApC0M

 

[konstantine RK]

cool

 

[Silverwulf]

So, the tweaking continues. Here's my initial thoughts from a week or two of tweaking...

Channel 1 - It's definitely a great clean sound. No doubt based on the Lonestar clean, and the only Recto I've heard get close to that type of clean sound...but it's also not quite there with the Lonestar. The LS cleans are a little more jangly and alive, but the Roadster gets you in the ballpark. Subtle differences between "Clean" and "Fat," and you'll probably like one or the other based on your choice of pickups and the style of music you play. For me, the thinner, stripped down attack of "Clean" is where it's at with my high output humbuckers. I was going to dial up some SRV type tones on "Tweed," but I just haven't got that far into it yet.

Channel 2 - Identical first two modes to the first channel, so I'll just focus on "Brit." The "Brit" mode was the most surprising mode to me. In fact, it's probably my favorite mode on the amp. It reminds me of a JCM 800 in terms of it's character and gain, though it doesn't sound exactly like an 800 by any means. But if I had to compare it to anything, that would be it. Toss an OD in front and put the gain around 12 noon, and it gets you into grinding territory. Jamming on some 80's hair metal, or maybe doing a Priest or Maiden type project? This is your mode. It could also serve as a great heavy channel for modern rock and such if you needed channels 3 & 4 free.

Channel 3 & 4 - I think most people are familiar with the differences among Raw, Vintage and Modern by now. If not, I can go into more detail about them later. For heavier tones, I think Channel 4 "Modern" is the best fit. For leads, the smoother variation of Channel 3 "Vintage" works out better. There's a lot more than just a presence pot difference between the two.

 

[Silverwulf]

Random tidbits...

I like the Roadster better with EL34's so far. I've tossed in a quad of old Chinese Mesa EL34/6CA7 STR 440's and it's working out well. Not to be confused with the 6L6 440's makes today. 440 was originally the code given to these EL34's Mesa had. I have a quad of STR 425's I just got from a board member I'm gonna toss in and see how that goes. Right now, 34's are working out better.

The Roadster is a DARK sounding amp. The 2 channels are much more aggresive and bright. I'd run the Treble around 11:00 and Presence around 1:00 on my 2 channels to get the top end bite I was looking for. So far, I've got to get the Treble and Presence both up to around 3:00 to match the 2 channel, which then limits the other EQ knobs.

So, still messing with it. More details when I actually hace a few...

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Brit mode is more like a fatter and bigger sounding version of the Marshall Vintage Modern for lack of comparisons. I take it that you have the treble and gain cranked on that mode???

 

[Silverwulf]

Brit mode is more like a fatter and bigger sounding version of the Marshall Vintage Modern for lack of comparisons. I take it that you have the treble and gain cranked on that mode???

I don't remember right off to be honest, I'd have to check. I do think they're both around 3 o'clock.

 

[Rocker]

Dude,

I strongly recommend changing the preamp 12AX7's in V1 and V2. This will improve the tone rather dramatically, and liven up some of that darkness. I see that you've already discovered what EL34s do for the amp -- I agree with your preference there. The preamp 12AX7's that Mesa throws in there stock are pretty much garbage. Here's what I've found to provide the nicest tone:

V1:
1. 50's vintage RCA long black plates with a D getter. (Not the same as square getter variety. Great overall sound at very nice prices. My personal favorites.)
2. Mullard long plates, with short plates not much different tone. (Great character; varies somewhat from tube to tube.)
3. Telefunken smooth plates. (VERY solid sounding tubes!)

V2:
1. RFT -- adds a lot of bottom end in V2, and very strong tubes gain-wise.
2. Any of the above "V1" list; preference depends on how much gain ya need in channels 3 and 4.

Let us know how things go!

Craig

V3-V6 -- Haven't experimented much with these. Currently running new issue Tung-Sols and a Penta Select Shuguang in these spots.