triaxis users.. prefer phat mod? or no phat mod?

[PC Biz]

Anyone use there Tri through an amp head?

Yes. I plugged mine into the FX loop of my Fender Prosonic. It was pretty wonderful for high gain, but I didn't figure out the clean stuff. I know a few folks that have also plugged it into the FX loop of Marshall heads with very good results.

 

[Tuna141]

I used to run my Triaxis through my Mark IIC combo (effects return). It works great, and I ran it like this for years until Igot my 2:90 power amp. The EQ is still active on a Mark when run like this (but reverb is not), which really adds to the tone variations you can get.

 

[prs1999]

How can you tell if the unit has the Phat Mod or not? Serial #? :?:

If your manual shows the Lead #1 Red=Recto Vintage Lead,then you have the PhatModded version. And yes,the serial #(and a call to Boggie) will tell the year(ship date),the Version,and if it's a Phat Mod or not.

 

[t0aj15]

How can you tell if the unit has the Phat Mod or not? Serial #? :?:

I have been told by several people the easiest way to tell if your TA has the fhat mod is to look through the cooling slots on the right side of the preamp, if you see a silver tranny in the right rear corner of the preamp it's got the phat mod.

 

[fatboy135]

How can you tell if the unit has the Phat Mod or not? Serial #?

I think that upper 5200 are with phat mod, and on phat mod triaxis the first preset trebble is 6.5, on non phat mod the trebble is 6
Anyway... does anyone knows what is exactly the phat mod????

 

[Boogie4Life]

Hopefully this can help. Some info I found digging in the archieves. :lol:

The TriAxis was introduced to the world in October 1992 and began with serial
#T0001. That would have been the 1.0 software version. In January 1993 the
version 2.0 software was introduced. That would have been somewhere around
serial #T1700. In 1997 around serial #T5000, all TriAxis were leaving the
factory with the fat MOD was part of the software. The fat MOD only affects
Lead One RED. It simply smoothes out the top-end of the Rectifier Sound making
it sound more like the actual Rectifier itself.

The "FAT" Mod

TriAxis' shipped after June 97 have the new Lead One Red as standard specification. So serial #'s below 5200 have the Lead1 Recto mod and above 5200 have the "Fat Mod".

This mod is a circuit change to mode Lead One Red. A kit is available, that will enable an authorized MESA technician to do the work. Look for one in your area, or contact MESA directly.

MESA advises that users test a new TriAxis at their local dealer to see if the new tone works for them, before having the modification done. If you are happy with the sound of LD1, you may not like the change. I believe this mod is for those users that don't use their LD1 mode often. This modification will expand their use of this particular mode.

The current tone is described as being "fat, (of course) singing soloing tones that are super smooth" The high-end has been tailored for more balance.

There are no other modifications available for the TriAxis. The most current software version for the TriAxis is 2.0. Serial #'s above 1700 are version 2.0. When you power on the TriAxis the panel lights will flash a "1" for Version 1 or "2" for Version 2.

Here is exactly what is changed to "reverse" the mod. So go by that to see exactly what was added :wink: .
All mods are on the TX4 board (the Lead 1 Red board)
1) Add 4 resistors:
R9 :120 KOhm
R44 : 33 KOhm
R45 : 330 KOhm
R46 : 82 KOhm
2) Add 4 disc. caps:
C5, C6 & C12 : 0.001 µF
C22 : 47 pF
3) Change 2 Res:
These 2 res are near the center of the board and labelled MID &
BASS. Replace them with:
R33 (MID) : 1 MOhm
R34 (BASS) : 10 KOhm
Thats all the info I have so maybe that can help. I take no credit for any of the writing but to the best of my knowledge it is correct. This is basically the same info that was used when I had mine reversed.From what I understand there were a few different versions of the TX4 board but I am not 100 % positive on that. I also understand that they are not shipping the new ones with the fat mod,but I have not confirmed that.A call to Mesa would clear that up i'm sure.

 

[fatboy135]

good job dude, where did you find that info??'

 

[Boogie4Life]

The source of what was changed on the tx4 board was courtesy of the Triaxis group on Yahoo!.The other stuff was basically a compilation of site searches,phone calls and time . The problem with doing site searches is that you can run into some really WRONG info :x so I always try to confirm before posting as fact.The Triaxis group has a plethora of knowledge. A must for anyone who owns one or is considering buying one.

 

[fatboy135]

I´m trying to get the info from boogie but they are so busy and they answer my emails very delayed

 

[sean106ESP]

Sorry ofr bring up and old thread, but curiosity killed the cat.
:lol: :lol:

Ya know what would be cool. if some one can post sound clips of both the phat mod and non-phat mod playing the same settings and riff. For people who dont have the phat mod. I have a brand new one I just got from Rudys' in NYC and I am assuming it does not have the phat mod, however I do like the LD1 Red, but find I use much more the Mark IV and Mark III modes more for rhythm distortion. Thanks!

 

[metal190]

According to Boogie4Life, if you have a brand new one, it probably DOES have the phat mod. (SN 5200 and higher).