ibanez4life SZ!
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Messages
- 2,380
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey guys!
Got my cases from the company that endorsed us, and finally got everything together. Here's a quick rundown for you fellow gear whores
Mesa Roadster (EL-34s) & Mesa Mark IVa (6L6s) in stereo...each to its own Mills Acoustics 4x12 (V30s). The Mark IV is basically always running dry. The Roadster has a Maxon OD808 up front, and MXR EQ and Carbon Copy in the loop. X2 wireless is there for the bigger stages. If I need it, I just plug it into the GCX, and go.
At the bottom of the case is a custom drawer that holds spare tubes, my Wireless transmitter, Ground Control Pro, and cables. The entire rig is controlled via MIDI w/ the GCX, RJM Amp Gizmo, and Ground Control Pro.
A little note on my take on Stereo rigs after putting this together. There is a certain beauty here that I never quite appreciated, and it really helped my on my LONG tone quest. I've had two main gripes with EVERY amp I've ever owned.
- I could not get the depth I liked along with the cut I liked
- I've never liked running a wet signal only. I hate when the effects overwhelm the guitar sound.
The Stereo rig solved ALL these
So, here's what's going on.
Clean: Channel 1 on Mark IV dry, and Channel 1 on Roadster w/ Delay and Reverb
The whole depth versus cut starts right here. I set the Roadster for a FAT and smooth clean, while the Mark IV is bright and spanky. Together it makes for the PERFECT clean sound. The effects on the Roadster add more 'space' to the sound, which the Mark keeps a dry guitar signal at all times.
Crunch: Channel 1 on Mark IV dry, and Channel 2 on Roadster w/ Reverb
This was a REALLY cool combination I found. The bright clean on the Mark blends really well with the low gain sound on the Roadster. I also add the Maxon to the Roadster for some fluidity in bluesy leads, etc.
Rhythm: Channel 3 w/ EQ on Mark IV, and Channel 4 on Roadster w/ MXR EQ.
THIS sound blew my away. FAR AWAY. The Roadster is an outstanding amp, but it is very dark. It has depth and punch like no other amp I've owned, but it lacks clarity by itself IMO. When I added the Mark IV, which alone I thought was too thin, it really opened my eyes. The Mark is set for a bright and punchy distortion. With these two running together, somehow, the mud of the Roadster is completely negated, and it adds CRAZY depth and girth to the Mark IV. The highs are there, they low end punch is there, and there is this REALLY COOL harmonic complexity / swirl going on in chords. When I want to get REALLY brOOtal, I add the Maxon to the Roadster, but for my main distortion sounds, it isn't even necessary. I wish you guys could come jam on this with me.
Lead: Channel 3 on Mark IV Dry, and Channel 3 on Roadster w/ Delay and Maxon OD808
We all know the Mark IV does leads in spades. But, as mentioned before, I HATE to mix and muddy that with delay. So, I run the Roadster wet and boosted on Channel 3 vintage, and it adds and awesome dimension to the fluid lead of the Mark IV. I really don't think it can get any better than this.
Finally, some pictures for you guys!
Got my cases from the company that endorsed us, and finally got everything together. Here's a quick rundown for you fellow gear whores
Mesa Roadster (EL-34s) & Mesa Mark IVa (6L6s) in stereo...each to its own Mills Acoustics 4x12 (V30s). The Mark IV is basically always running dry. The Roadster has a Maxon OD808 up front, and MXR EQ and Carbon Copy in the loop. X2 wireless is there for the bigger stages. If I need it, I just plug it into the GCX, and go.
At the bottom of the case is a custom drawer that holds spare tubes, my Wireless transmitter, Ground Control Pro, and cables. The entire rig is controlled via MIDI w/ the GCX, RJM Amp Gizmo, and Ground Control Pro.
A little note on my take on Stereo rigs after putting this together. There is a certain beauty here that I never quite appreciated, and it really helped my on my LONG tone quest. I've had two main gripes with EVERY amp I've ever owned.
- I could not get the depth I liked along with the cut I liked
- I've never liked running a wet signal only. I hate when the effects overwhelm the guitar sound.
The Stereo rig solved ALL these
So, here's what's going on.
Clean: Channel 1 on Mark IV dry, and Channel 1 on Roadster w/ Delay and Reverb
The whole depth versus cut starts right here. I set the Roadster for a FAT and smooth clean, while the Mark IV is bright and spanky. Together it makes for the PERFECT clean sound. The effects on the Roadster add more 'space' to the sound, which the Mark keeps a dry guitar signal at all times.
Crunch: Channel 1 on Mark IV dry, and Channel 2 on Roadster w/ Reverb
This was a REALLY cool combination I found. The bright clean on the Mark blends really well with the low gain sound on the Roadster. I also add the Maxon to the Roadster for some fluidity in bluesy leads, etc.
Rhythm: Channel 3 w/ EQ on Mark IV, and Channel 4 on Roadster w/ MXR EQ.
THIS sound blew my away. FAR AWAY. The Roadster is an outstanding amp, but it is very dark. It has depth and punch like no other amp I've owned, but it lacks clarity by itself IMO. When I added the Mark IV, which alone I thought was too thin, it really opened my eyes. The Mark is set for a bright and punchy distortion. With these two running together, somehow, the mud of the Roadster is completely negated, and it adds CRAZY depth and girth to the Mark IV. The highs are there, they low end punch is there, and there is this REALLY COOL harmonic complexity / swirl going on in chords. When I want to get REALLY brOOtal, I add the Maxon to the Roadster, but for my main distortion sounds, it isn't even necessary. I wish you guys could come jam on this with me.
Lead: Channel 3 on Mark IV Dry, and Channel 3 on Roadster w/ Delay and Maxon OD808
We all know the Mark IV does leads in spades. But, as mentioned before, I HATE to mix and muddy that with delay. So, I run the Roadster wet and boosted on Channel 3 vintage, and it adds and awesome dimension to the fluid lead of the Mark IV. I really don't think it can get any better than this.
Finally, some pictures for you guys!
