Trying to make a decision - Stiletto Ace 2x12 or Roadster 2x

[abe]

I play in a band that does classic rock, some metal, and stuff that you can dance to. I currently have a Line 6 Flextone III that doesn't seem to be cutting it for me anymore, and Mesa is the only tube amp that I can find that has the features that I want...

Aside from the 4 channels, the reverb is really pushing me toward the Roadster, but I am way at the top of my price range with the Stiletto, but on the other hand, it doesn't have reverb, and I am going to have to invest an additional $100 in a reverb pedal.

Here are my requirements. Any recommendations are appreciated:

*Really clean clean channel
*Maximum distortion that I need is "Master of Puppets". I like the 80's sound
I also like a gain that I can roll back the volume on. This is what I would use for general use with the band
*Nice tight low end

Please chime in........

 

[phyrexia]

Have you played both of them, or just one and going off the reviews of the other?

That first sentence makes me say "Roadster". The Stiletto is a great sounding amp but if you need to cover more ground the Roadster is the way to go.

 

[abe]

I am still in the process of researching, and have not tried either, only other Mesas, such as the 50/50. While I liked the overall characteristics, I want a different gain sound than that.

There aren't too many dealers in my area (CT), but I believe one in the area has both, which I will try soon.

Basically, I was originally set on the Marshall TSL 602, but the clean wasn't what I wanted and I was looking for a gain with the option of being tighter and more focused while retaining that Marshall type sound

 

[FPFL]

Based on your requirements you should really get a... Mark Series amp. MOP was largely recorded with a Mark. The Recto has tooth rattling walls of bass which is not tight bass. The Mark series has tighter bass and a broad palette of gain options plus reverb and some great clean sounds.

 

[soundpurist]

Last night i've been listening to my old metallica's album and i was thinking how much nice the mark series sound with an EQ. Just by what you mentionned, go for a mark head with a cab! (head sounds better than combo, especially for metal)