Stiletto Ace & Harmonics

[Skid]

I've had my Stiletto Ace head and 2x12 reco cab for nearly two years and feel I'm missing one characteristic in my tone. I'm having a hard time achieving good harmonic response without having to turn the presence and treble up which as we all know produces that high end sound we're all trying to tame. I want that nice warm tone yet still get the harmonics (pinched, tapped, natural, etc) to fly off the fret board without killing my ears with more presence and treble. I'm going to try Doug's tube recommendations, but besides that option, anyone have other ideas of how to get those harmonics to happen (i.e. EVH screams)?

 

[count_chocolat]

I find Fluid drive mode is a little more friendly for this... that being said, the issue may be your guitar, pickups, intonation, set-up, etc...

I would check that first.

 

[Skid]

For context, I play a EVH Ernie Ball/Music Man guitar, so the guitar and set-up are not the issue. Fluid drive does help, but I still have to turn up the presence and treble a bit too much to get those haronics to start jumping. I play with the presence on 0 and the treble at 10 o'clock. Anthing above those and it starts getting harsh pretty fast...

 

[Stonge]

are you using v30s?? although i am new to the ACE, I have to say...c90s are the way to go w/ this thing. I have the 2x12 combo and I use it straight up(c90s) by myself but w/ the band I plug into a 4x12(c90s) for a tad more low end. I remember briefly playing it when it have v30s in it and it was way too harsh for my taste.

Before i really read the manual, I wasn't setting the amp correctly. Apparently when you are NOT bypassing the loop (solo is enabled this way) you are supposed to set the loop at 50% (on the back) and the output to 50% (on front) and then dial in from there. And those levels may change from whatever styles or pedals you prefer. Since I tried this, the amp just crushes..I am not using any pedals by the way. That loop when pushed the right way acts as an awesome boost to the gain and overall clarity of the amp. I was able to kill some of the harsh frequencies too, since I no longer needed to over-compensate for tones now that the master is basically cranked. I am down to using the individual masters to set the 2 channel volumes. The presence knob now works as it should too.

hope this was kind of helpful, sorry I am so enthusiastic about this amp right now. I am seriously impressed.

 

[Gibbyage]

Fluid drive. Gain a little high like 5-8. Presence at noon. I get great harmonics from these.

 

[lockbody]

I never thought my DeuceII was as harmonically rich as my Mk IV, or my DC-5. It has a lot of gain, but it's just different. Van Halenesque squeals were easier with a pedal than without.

For the record, I've got good guitars with good pickups.

 

[count_chocolat]

I have an Axis, PRS Custom24, PRS CE24 and PRS McCarty. Out of the 4, the Axis is definately the brightest guitar. On fluid drive my treble is 12, Presence 9, Bass, mids and Gain around 1 o'clock.

It works for me.

 

[Moot]

+1 for different speakers. I have a bunch of posts around here regarding my speaker prefs... Those V30's are great at full volume but harsh at lower volumes.

Summing everything up I just have to recommend:
Celestion G12-65's
Celestion 70th anniversary
Celestion Greenbacks

and, for harmonics, I use Weber 1265's (AlNiCo). But I play older rock, so your results may vary.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Apparently when you are NOT bypassing the loop (solo is enabled this way) you are supposed to set the loop at 50% (on the back) and the output to 50% (on front) and then dial in from there.

Interesting. I read the manual and didn't catch this part. I'll try it out and see how it sounds. I usually keep the channel masters at about 11:00 or so and the output where it needs to be (usually about 9:30 or so at the house so far)...

EDIT: Just tried cranking the master to noon and using the channel masters. It's definitely a hotter sound! I can't wait to jam with a guitarist and drummer next weekend with it. It should cut like a knife unlike the Rectoverb which was a wall of sound no matter what....

 

[srf399]

I'm 180 degrees opposite.

My MKIV was the dullest/deadest sound dog of an amp I've ever played.... to the point of wondering why anyone would ever want one of them... I changed tubes and it was still a shitty dull/dead sounding thing...

The Stiletto by contrast, is alive and amazing sounding.

I'm beginning to think every one of these Mesa amps are unique and different in their own individual way and it just depends on getting a good one and forgetting about which model it is.

 

[srf399]

The Rectos are a cultural icon. Marshall is a cultural icon... Fender is a cultural icon... The Stiletto and the Mark series amps are steriod versions of the Marshall and Fender amps. The Recto will be used for those wanting that distinct sound... the Marshall and Fenders will be used by most people wanting those sounds and the Stilettos and MKIVs will always be fewer in numbers because if this. It would be like Fender or Marshall making a Recto clone.... you wouldn't see many people using the Marshalls over the Rectos for that IMO. As far as the Stilettos being reliable... Mine is a tank and is extremely consistant. But like I said... each amp is different... some great Stilettos and some dogs... Some great MKIV's and some dogs