Triaxis Advice Needed....

[Monsta-Tone]

I've tried every Mesa amp that I'm interested in. I currently own 5.

DC-3
DC-5
DC-10
Blue Angel
Mark IV A - My main amp

I have owned:
DC-2
Nomad 55
2 channel Dual Rec's
Tremoverb
Heartbreaker
Studio 22+

All of these amps are very great amps. But...they only seem to do a few of the things that I need when used by themselves.

I don't want anything but Mesa tones, but I want to get all of the Mesa tones in a convenient package.

I've had my eyes on a Triaxis for a while, but have never taken the plunge.


I'm thinking about this setup:
Triaxis
20/20
1x12 Open Back Cab w/Celestion Black Shadow
Thiele Cab w/EV
G-Major
Custom 22
McCarty
US Strat Deluxe


I love the Lead tones on my Mark IV.
I hate the R2 on my Mark IV
I love the Cleans on my Mark IV, but they never seem to have the headroom that I would like to have, but this may be due to my settings.

Right now, I play Blues, Classic Rock, & funky punk, like older Chili Peppers.

I started out playing Death Metal in the late 80's. I want an amp that will grow along with my musical tastes, and I don't want to take 10 amps to a gig.



Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[masque]

I own a triaxis for the very reasons you have mentioned above....there are many wonderful amps out there but they are awesome with one or two tones and thats about all. The music I do and perform live range from hard rock, classic rock, blues, pop, a little jazz inlfuence etc....I love having a number of sounds available. in my opinion my triaxis and 20/20 gives that to me. I am sure many folks will argue that there specific amp may do that particular sound better than the triaxis but i think the triaxis does a number of sounds very well and in many cases as good as the original amps. I have some sound clips in my signature below that will show you some stuff I have recorded over the last few years.....I will try to post some more links to some different stuff as well. Below is a direct link to a song I recorded a few weeks ago...all the elctric parts were done with the triaxis...its called "on my headstone".

http://musicexe.com/headstone.htm

 

[disassembled]

I suggest getting the Triaxis first so you can decide if it's for you or not. I have gone through a few TA's and came back on board recently with an old one that has been upgraded to V2.0 and the phat mod.

The complaints I have are: 1. The DV blows since it is preset in a 100% scooped tone and passes through an opamp that has very little headroom (i actually plan to change this out) 2. the dynamics are not the same as the amps the TA is set to emulate.

Other than that the TA is a wonderful piece and you can get around the complaints I listed by adding a midi eq (from a Multi effects processor perhaps) and using a midi pedal to change the gain settings on the TA or maybe even a volume pedal.


The benefits of using a TA definitely outweigh my complaints and are more nitpicking when you get down to it. I have owned the three most recently made TA's (Recto non phat, Recto Phat[currently own], and the latest board which is not a rectifier inspired circuit and sounds like hot garbage IMO) and have to say I would strongly urge you to buy used and to make sure you get a Recto board on your TA. The "recto" channel is not necessary but is a welcome change when you want to go from smooth mid filled leads to a little more raw tone.

I currrently own a Roadking head and got my Phat mod to sound a lot like a rectifier when I plugged the TA into the effects return of the Roadking head. I didn't have a chance to compare the Nonphat to a recto head so I don't know which one is better. I do know that I could get both to sound great it just takes different settings on each version. The other tones on the TA are the same throughout and it doesn't matter which version or which year it was made.

I just bought my second Roadcase Thiele cab so I can use them in stereo if I find a 20/20 in decent shape and in my price range.

A TA is definitely worth a shot if you like Mesa tone. It may not be 100% this or 100% that but when dialed in it sounds great and fits in perfectly. Sometimes I have a hard time with my amps because I am not used to them but I always seem to fit in with the TA.

If Mesa ever redesigned the TA I would love to see them focus on the dynamics as this is what drives some folks away especially if you are into more midgain action.

The crunch tones on the TA are great so you won't have to sacrifice like you do on the Mark IV. I think my Mark IVB's RHY2 channel is great once you dial it in but if I switch guitars I usually lose what I had.

It sounds like you have a good idea of what you want and I would not recommend anyone from trying something but just be aware of what you're buying(version, revision, etc). There are some great deals out there so keep your eyes peeled (there was a TA and 20/20 for $1300 not too long ago on the bay).


Good luck!

Greg

 

[gezza]

Hi masque,

well now there is the problem.

Every amp has a plus and a minus. Some have great lead, ****** rhythm, some are vise a versa.

I have been through all of that also.

I recently purchased a TA, it has the phat mod, which to me means nothing.

I will taking this baby out for it's first gig tomorrow night.

I spent a week tweaking sounds.

I have a 50/50 EL34 Australian Hand made amp, I have 1 x 12 speaker custom made in Australia for my style in a open back 1x 12 speaker box. I also have a Fender Blue Speaker in a closed 1 x12 speaker box.

So far it sounds Awesome, I can hear lots of character in the voicing.

But the proof will be in my live gig, when everything changes, sounds get mixed and it sounds like a washing machine. It has to have the ability to cut through and sing.

We play lots of lead guitar stuff, ACDC, Led Zep, GNR, Stevie Ray, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, ect, ect.

I will let you all know after my gig.

Gezza.

 

[Wailrider]

I have had a triaxis for 3 years now and its like having a tone shop at your fingertips. When I first purchased it (on Ebay from the US) I felt dissappointed because I just couldn't get much out of it but I spent a bit of time and worked with it and it really shined. There is plenty of advice on the internet on how to tweak the triaxis. I have a pretty broad demand on it from classic strat vintage sound to 7 string prog metal madness to funk and jazz in between. It deals with it all. I forgot to mention, this is just with 5 GT 12AX7 valves that it came with. I am now starting the retubing journey with lots of great info from past postings by 'Timbrewolf' among other (thanks) - the guy is a tube God. I am really looking forward to the tone possibilities added to this fantastic unit by selecting specific tubes. Its unlimited. Why would I want to stick with one amp? No disrespect to those who do of course. I just love to dial up different tones and see how it enhances my playing. My Advice - go for it but be prepared to experiment - it is not a 'turn key' solution - it requires your input to complete the loop and that is what is so good about it.

 

[18&Life]

TRIAXIS WILL KICK YOUR HEAD OFF !!! :shock:

The best pre ever :twisted:

 

[masque]

I have had a triaxis for 3 years now and its like having a tone shop at your fingertips. When I first purchased it (on Ebay from the US) I felt dissappointed because I just couldn't get much out of it but I spent a bit of time and worked with it and it really shined. There is plenty of advice on the internet on how to tweak the triaxis. I have a pretty broad demand on it from classic strat vintage sound to 7 string prog metal madness to funk and jazz in between. It deals with it all. I forgot to mention, this is just with 5 GT 12AX7 valves that it came with. I am now starting the retubing journey with lots of great info from past postings by 'Timbrewolf' among other (thanks) - the guy is a tube God. I am really looking forward to the tone possibilities added to this fantastic unit by selecting specific tubes. Its unlimited. Why would I want to stick with one amp? No disrespect to those who do of course. I just love to dial up different tones and see how it enhances my playing. My Advice - go for it but be prepared to experiment - it is not a 'turn key' solution - it requires your input to complete the loop and that is what is so good about it.

you made an excellant point!! The triaixs to me is not just a "turn it on and play" kind of preamp......the factory presets are good and great in some cases but the true potential in the triaxis comes when you spend some time "knobbing it" as i say to really dial in the sound you are looking for....but once you do its all fun and games at that point for sure!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lcampbell]

BTW Masque the songs you posted are great! A clear demonstration of the wide variety of tones available and I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the 20/20 sounds on the heavier sounds.

 

[Wailrider]

Yep masque - I had a listen to 'Tombstone' - well done man - nice textured effort and thanks for having the kahoonas to put it up for us to listen to. I like it.

 

[masque]

thanks a bunch guys.....you can click on the link below to listen to more songs that show the versitility of the triaxis as well.....songs like "my surprise" have a david gilmour type tone for the lead while "itchy trigger" is just pure rock with a hard rock tone...check em out and let me know what you think.....this new link has all the latest tunes at one location....you can dowload them for free if you like!


http://www.musicexe.com/sketches/