Stiletto Deuce II Haunting me....

[Laskyman]

Within the last couple of months or so I began playing a Deuce II down at the shop. Every week- sometimes a couple of times a week. Then a situation came about that had me close to having to sell the Roadster...well, that situation got resolution, but I cant seem to stop "hearing" that Stiletto tone in my head when I play. As amazing an amp as the Roadster is, I have been second guessing myself and my tone (well, not the clean channels- just the dirty channels) **** near everytime I play. Dont get me wrong- the Roadster Kills, its just....something missing.....
Its driving me crazy. I am struggling with the decision to sell or trade my Roadster head straight up for a Stiletto Stage II Deuce. I'm even at the point where I think the Leather Croc is sexy...(before I played one, I always kind of thought it was a bad and ugly idea...).
Any of you go through this? I *really* didn't think I was a EL34's guy (but now Im even rockin a quad in the Roadster...)
What to do.....looking for some wisdom- I can't afford to own 2 Mesa heads right now- its gotta be one or the other......
Help me Obi Wan- you're my only hope......

Laskyman

 

[fbomb]

since i got a stage ll deuce i havnt touched my Tremoverb in about 2-2 1/2 yrs.

 

[Geiri]

Well been there done that.

Had the roadster at home for a couple of weeks when I was mesa shopping. I'm lucky my local store lends me things before I decide wether to buy them or not. I really wanted to love that thing but there was something missing. Took home a three channel dr and bought it. Don't know why really but I liked it better than the roadster. Had that one for 6 months and liked it, but still ........... hmmmm. something just wasn't there. Went back to the store and traded the dr for a stiletto trident and bamm there it was. But keep one thing in mind tho, the stiletto sounds alot better through a recto cab than a stiletto one. I tried both and the recto suits stilettos better in my opinion.

So now there is guitar to ZW od to amp and with line6 echo park in the loop I'm nearly at peace with the universe. Once I get my self a 4x12 recto cab all things will be beautiful. I'm currently using a 2x12 recto cab and that's a really sweet combo but I want more, I want more.

The loop in the stiletto is alot better than the recto's, don't know about the roadster tho, and the knobs on the stiletto actually work like they should. Its' very simple to use and there aint a bad sound in there. Anything can be dialed in, and even tho there is no plexy sound in there or a fender clean the stiletto is simply in a league of it's own.

Hope this helps

Geiri

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Keep the Roadsterm buy a Mesa Stiletto Deuce II, and then run them in stereo... 8)

 

[Laskyman]

The Stiletto Deuce II won.

I found a local guy interested in my Roadster, and let him test drive it last night. He's "all-in", so when I get back from vacation (just started spring break), we will get it into his hands.
Then the Deuce II I've been playing for several months will come home with me. I love the Roadster- and the clean channels are really the best of any Mesa amp I have played, but in the end- I am tired of trying to get the Roadster to act like the Stiletto- especially for tighter gained, single note playing.

So, I have a little more than a week of waiting....

Laskyman

 

[Geiri]

Congrats man

I'm pretty sure you'll fall even deeper in love with the deuce as time moves on. But you might also start to hate the brightness. If that happens just turn the presence all the way down and dime the bass and crank that evil sob until your ears bleed.

If you are going for a 2x12 my advice is the recto rather than the stiletto.

 

[mightywarlock]

i agree with you.

if you are going Ace combo, skip it. Too bright!

but the Deuce head, is really nice! much warmer, especially with the right tube swap!

 

[Geiri]

i agree with you.

if you are going Ace combo, skip it. Too bright!

but the Deuce head, is really nice! much warmer, especially with the right tube swap!

Hey there mightywarlock

Tell me about your tube swap. Been kinda skeptical as to how much a tube swap will alter the overall sound. Some say it essential others say it's mostly in the head of the tube swapper. What is your opinion and experience with this ?

 

[Jak0lantern01]

FYI: I just played a gig with our new guitarist playing through my Rectoverb. I had to re-angle my speaker and noticed the brightness that people here talk about (it's a Deuce). Adjusted the mids and presence down a touch, both amps blended perfectly. A tube swap can make it easier, though.

 

[Laskyman]

Adjusted the mids and presence down a touch

When I've played on the Deuce down at the shop, I have typically nearly *turned off* the treble, and it sounds amazing. Now in a band setting, obviously you need to set up the amp with the other elements playing, but for around the house- nearly no treble......when i get the amp home- I will play around and spend some time dialing it in...

Laskyman

 

[Riff Blister]

Yeah, now days I set my amp up two ways. One for at home when I practice alone and another way for playing in the band.

As far as tubes go, Geiri you owe it to your self to experiment. I've gone from stock Mesa to SED and now Mullard EL 34s.
It does make a difference. I'm really happy right now.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've owned a Roadster and a Stiletto Ace. I played a Deuce many times at the local store before buying the Ace. The Ace is MUCH brighter and harsh. I did not like it once the honeymoon phase wore off. The Deuce I played so many times sounded much better. I really couldn't find a bad tone in it! Of course I was playing through a Recto 4x12 and it sounded amazing. I would still like to have a Deuce. The Roadster's cleans are definitely something to talk about, but the Deuce's distortion just has a magical gain structure and voicing! The Ace combo I had was almost an entirely different amp TBH...

 

[mightywarlock]

i agree with you.

if you are going Ace combo, skip it. Too bright!

but the Deuce head, is really nice! much warmer, especially with the right tube swap!

Hey there mightywarlock

Tell me about your tube swap. Been kinda skeptical as to how much a tube swap will alter the overall sound. Some say it essential others say it's mostly in the head of the tube swapper. What is your opinion and experience with this ?

howdy.

well, my 1st experience with stiletto was an ACE combo. I tried stock tubes, and it hurt my ears. i put in JJ-EL34's. they were still bright, but better. I put in JJ-EL34L's. Too Flubby in the bass. I called Mesa, they said Deuce II had more low end. I sold it on ebay to a member of the board it turned out to be.

I got my Deuce II. I tried the 447's. not enough umph. I tried the JJ-EL34's. Too brittle. I tried the JJ-EL34L's, nope...didn't like them either. I went to the Mesa store and bought the STR-450's. Now that's more like it! much more full sounding, slightly more bass, less treble, less harshness, fantastic punch. sounds good. I have played tons of shows with this combination of tubes and it still sounds impressive every time.

side note. when I picked up my Pre-500 Dual Recto, it had old 6L6 tubes from way way back, but i think i am preferring EL34's nowadays. So i tossed in the EL34L's, and voila! so much aggressive power and balls it's insane. and I don't care what anyone says, the old amps sound absolutely nothing like the new ones. I had a 3ch.Triple, sold it due to all the buzziness in the distortion. i then bought a late 90's 2ch. dual. too much low end, too boomy. i sold it. i got this ancient dual, and it rocks so hard it's sick. only problem, it needs to be loud as hell to push the power into the wonderful sounding territory. but so what.

change the tubes. the stiletto is the most sensitive amp towards guitars, pickups, and tubes, that i have every had.

and I have a lot of them!

 

[Geiri]

Thanx for the info dude.

But tell me, are you using stock preamp tubes or have you changed them as well ?

 

[mightywarlock]

i'll have to look and get back to you.

They are either Mesa tubes, or JJ.
I know i have an EH in my recto...have to check the stiletto.

did an experiment tonight.

in my Dual, i have an MXR 10band EQ in the effects loop. It tightens it up like no tomorrow and gives it an aggressive punch.

I decided to try it in my Stiletto, and whammo! it was great there as well!

highly recommend it. (and I might have one for sale (i have 2).

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

The brightness is what makes the Stiletto pwn though, makes so much sense in a band situation, and with another guitarist in the band... 8)

 

[jab]

no regrets trading my Rectifier for an Ace (I'm a classic rock guy). From the stock version, I put in 450s, Doug's preamp set, and put an eq in the loop and am very happy with the tone. In fact most of the time I'm on fat clean with gain at 3:00 pushing it with an Xotic AC+ and I get a nice fat crunch. If anything, it's not bright enough on fat clean.

 

[Laskyman]

Its now official...I am Boogie-Less. For about 17 hours.

Then its time to bring home the Deuce.............or do I hold out for a Mark V.....

Laskyman

 

[Laskyman]

You know how good an amp sounds at the store? You should hear how freakin awesome the Deuce sounds at home. It is a *monster*.


Don't taunt the Deuce.


Kiss the kids for me- Im gonna be busy tonite..........

Laskyman

 

[Riff Blister]

Cool Laskyman!
Congratulations on the new Deuce.
It's always cool to hear someone else is digging the same amp you own.
I agree the amps does sound good at home.
It really shines in a band setting though. 8)

Now......let get out there and melt some faces!!!!!!!!!!! :wink: