VERY early triaxis - reliable?

[voodoo_child]

Ive seen a triaxis, very early SN (under 200), so obviously V1.0, no phat mod etc.

What im wondering is, was there any little problems in the very early ones that mesa fixed on later models? You, know, the usual little faults that it takes a while for the maunufacter to be made aware of.

i.e would you be comfortable buying one, if all LEDs were working, and it was cosmetically perfect, and described as working fine? Or would you be worried that something that old was just waiting to start giving trouble?

Thanks

 

[Timbre Wolf]

That's definitely the first version, which means that it does not have the continuous controller capability, unless it has been upgraded. I've also got an early version, which I bought during the first production year. I had mine upgraded with the V2.0 chip, so I could use the continuous controller, which I highly recommend. Mesa will do this for you, but they will charge (I think the fee would be reasonable).

Another issue might be that the battery inside may need to be changed. Mine was still good, last year, after over a decade of steady use, but if you have Mesa change the software chip, ask them to check the battery too.

Other than that, it could be just fine. Of course, it depends on how its been treated over the years, too.

- Thom

 

[voodoo_child]

I should say that there is zero chance that this amp is ever going near Mesa, for a chip upgrade, battery change, or anything of that sort. (I'm on the other side of the world, and it just wouldnt be worth it).

In that case, would it be a foolish buy? What exactly is contuinuos controller capability?

 

[Timbre Wolf]

In that case, would it be a foolish buy? What exactly is contuinuos controller capability?

I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to visiting the M/B world, being about an hour away from the factory.

Continuous-controller capability is what allows you to use a midi controller to make real-time adjustments to your presets. You set the upper and lower parameters, then use a midi continuous controller to morph between them. Let's say you've got a lower setting that's clean and clear, and an upper setting thats higher gain and more middy - you can sweep between the clean for rhythm parts, and bring it up for a lead run, while staying in one preset. You can also use the in-between settings for building the dynamics in a song. Just some examples - it makes for a much more versatile Triaxis.

Personally, having used both, I would highly recommend the later version. If you're comfortable clicking between presets, though, and don't want to explore those in-between sounds on the fly, then the version 1 software will be fine.

- Thom