why not a roadster?

[knotts]

I have an LSC and I've been thinking about getting a DR. I love the clean on my LSC, but I'm not happy with distortion I'm getting from the amp or from my pedals. I saw a post and someone mentioned that the DR doesn't have reverb etc, and I noticed that the Roadster does. I also read that the latest models of the roadster has channel 1 and 2 modeled off of the lonestar's channel 1. I emailed mesa and they confirmed. I hear of people doing the Reeder mod to get 2 versions of channel 1.

So, on that note, I should probably get a Roadster over a DR. I would get 2 clean lonestar channels (which i love) and then I get a DR channels on top of that. Any reason why I would get a DR over a Roadster? I haven't really heard one. I'm taking what I know from my LSC and adding it to what I've heard from a DR. Is this correct or is it voiced differently?

 

[domct203]

The Roadster is voiced a little darker than the standard Dual Recto, and IMO makes it a little smoother, but is 100% Rectifier on ch's 3 & 4, with Lonestar cleans.

Dom

 

[domct203]

I hear of people doing the Reeder mod to get 2 versions of channel 1.

I've only read of the Reeder mod on the Lonestar. Can you link me to info on this with the Roadster?

To me, Ch 1 & 2 in Clean or Fat are already very close and can be EQ'ed to sound the same, and I believe that Tweed and Brit are alot more different circuit wise than just a pot value.

Dom

 

[screamingdaisy]

I have an LSC and I've been thinking about getting a DR. I love the clean on my LSC, but I'm not happy with distortion I'm getting from the amp or from my pedals. I saw a post and someone mentioned that the DR doesn't have reverb etc, and I noticed that the Roadster does. I also read that the latest models of the roadster has channel 1 and 2 modeled off of the lonestar's channel 1. I emailed mesa and they confirmed. I hear of people doing the Reeder mod to get 2 versions of channel 1.

The Reeder mod is to make channel 2 on the LoneStar sound like channel 1. There is no Reeder mod for the Roadster.

So, on that note, I should probably get a Roadster over a DR. I would get 2 clean lonestar channels (which i love) and then I get a DR channels on top of that. Any reason why I would get a DR over a Roadster? I haven't really heard one. I'm taking what I know from my LSC and adding it to what I've heard from a DR. Is this correct or is it voiced differently?

As mentioned, the Roadster tends to be slightly darker/smoother and the regular Recto a little brighter/aggressive. I think it has to do with the addition of the reverb as pretty much every reverb amp I've ever heard is a little darker/smoother than the non-reverb version.

For me, I went with the Roadster because I really wanted the extra clean channel. I like my cleans to be a little on the dirty side, but sometimes I really need a big clean sound. In the past I would have to compromise and choose one or the other... now I don't have to.

The other reasons that I wanted the Roadster were the reverb and the ability to select which rectifier I'm using on a per channel basis.

 

[knotts]

I know that the Reeder mod is for the Lonestar. I meant to say that people do the Reeder mod to their lonestar to clone channel 1. The roadster essentially has 2 channels based off of the Lonestar channel 1. The point being, why bother spending the $ for a lonestar (full price) if you only likely to pay more money to mod it. Just get he Roadster and then you have 2 Lonestar clean channels and then 2 dual rec channels on top of that.

Obviously my point wasn't articulated properly because 2 people misread it. Sorry about that.

I haven't played the Roadster but I really think I might pick one up. This all started with looking for a backup amp to my LSC. I really liked the MR, but if I'm going to spend $1,000, why not go all in and get an amp that does everything and then use my LSC as a backup. I like the low wattage aspect of the MR, you can crank it up and not blow the doors off. I think I will miss some of the features that I have with my lonestar; reverb and the output / solo feature.

Thanks for your input. The more I hear good things, the more I think it's the right choice. I did read that some users say that it doesn't nail any one sound, but does a great job at getting very close to all of them. How does the Roadster stack up against the Mark V? I've played the Mark V briefly. I think i might like the second clean channel of the Roadster to any advantages of the Mark V. How would you guys compare these two?

 

[screamingdaisy]

Thanks for your input. The more I hear good things, the more I think it's the right choice. I did read that some users say that it doesn't nail any one sound, but does a great job at getting very close to all of them.

The people who say stuff like that are usually the guys that complain that a 100w amp blasting through a V30 loaded 4x12 in Tweed mode doesn't sound like 12w Deluxe combo through an alnico Jensen. No one ever complains that a JCM800 doesn't sound like a JTM45... but for some reason they expect a Dual Rectifier on "Brit" mode to sound like every Marshall amp ever invented.

If you forget all that crap you'll find the Roadster nails the Dual Rectifier Roadster sound... which should be obvious since it is a Dual Rectifier Roadster. Why people complain it doesn't sound like a Fender or a Marshall I don't quite understand.

How does the Roadster stack up against the Mark V? I've played the Mark V briefly. I think i might like the second clean channel of the Roadster to any advantages of the Mark V. How would you guys compare these two?

The Rectifier is a sledgehammer and the Mark V is a precision medial instrument.

The Roadster has a bigger, thicker and fuller clean tone than the Mark V, which is a little skinner and clearer. Both amps have clean channels that are based on the Lone Star design, but neither of them are a Lone Star.

 

[BoogieMan_SC]

Thanks for your input. The more I hear good things, the more I think it's the right choice. I did read that some users say that it doesn't nail any one sound, but does a great job at getting very close to all of them.

The people who say stuff like that are usually the guys that complain that a 100w amp blasting through a V30 loaded 4x12 in Tweed mode doesn't sound like 12w Deluxe combo through an alnico Jensen. No one ever complains that a JCM800 doesn't sound like a JTM45... but for some reason they expect a Dual Rectifier on "Brit" mode to sound like every Marshall amp ever invented.

If you forget all that crap you'll find the Roadster nails the Dual Rectifier Roadster sound... which should be obvious since it is a Dual Rectifier Roadster. Why people complain it doesn't sound like a Fender or a Marshall I don't quite understand.

How does the Roadster stack up against the Mark V? I've played the Mark V briefly. I think i might like the second clean channel of the Roadster to any advantages of the Mark V. How would you guys compare these two?

The Rectifier is a sledgehammer and the Mark V is a precision medial instrument.

The Roadster has a bigger, thicker and fuller clean tone than the Mark V, which is a little skinner and clearer. Both amps have clean channels that are based on the Lone Star design, but neither of them are a Lone Star.

HAHA...couldn't have articulated it better...although I like the sections highlighted in red.
Also...another option is the Road King II v2....a few more tones to the palette w/the tube-mixing capabilities as well as a few other options. It's a frigging monster amp, as is the Roadster. You can't go wrong with either and the cleans are great on them.

 

[thejay]

Thanks for your input. The more I hear good things, the more I think it's the right choice. I did read that some users say that it doesn't nail any one sound, but does a great job at getting very close to all of them.

The people who say stuff like that are usually the guys that complain that a 100w amp blasting through a V30 loaded 4x12 in Tweed mode doesn't sound like 12w Deluxe combo through an alnico Jensen. No one ever complains that a JCM800 doesn't sound like a JTM45... but for some reason they expect a Dual Rectifier on "Brit" mode to sound like every Marshall amp ever invented.

If you forget all that crap you'll find the Roadster nails the Dual Rectifier Roadster sound... which should be obvious since it is a Dual Rectifier Roadster. Why people complain it doesn't sound like a Fender or a Marshall I don't quite understand.

How does the Roadster stack up against the Mark V? I've played the Mark V briefly. I think i might like the second clean channel of the Roadster to any advantages of the Mark V. How would you guys compare these two?

The Rectifier is a sledgehammer and the Mark V is a precision medial instrument.

The Roadster has a bigger, thicker and fuller clean tone than the Mark V, which is a little skinner and clearer. Both amps have clean channels that are based on the Lone Star design, but neither of them are a Lone Star.

well said

 

[knotts]

Thanks for the input. Great descriptions; sledgehammer vs. precision instrument. I guess it all depends on the job, and you need the right tool for the job. Personally I like the idea of bringing a sledgehammer to a party and seeing what happens.

 

[YellowJacket]

FWIW, I LOVE channels 1 and 2 on the Roadster, they are definitely my favourite on the amp. (I like Fat and Brit best)
Channels 3 and 4 have a real grunt to the tone but they aren't as bright as my Dual Recto Rev F. I like the crunchiness of my Dual Recto head but the Roadster also has some great tones hidden in it.

Don't buy a recto to emulate various other tones, get a recto because you like the crushing recto rhythm tones.

Dual Recto vs Roadster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbAbCLZrxG8

 

[knotts]

FWIW, I LOVE channels 1 and 2 on the Roadster, they are definitely my favourite on the amp. (I like Fat and Brit best)
Channels 3 and 4 have a real grunt to the tone but they aren't as bright as my Dual Recto Rev F. I like the crunchiness of my Dual Recto head but the Roadster also has some great tones hidden in it.

Don't buy a recto to emulate various other tones, get a recto because you like the crushing recto rhythm tones.

Dual Recto vs Roadster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbAbCLZrxG8

Thanks YellowJacket. I think I would buy the amp based on what your saying about channels 1 & 2. I figure whatever I get from channels 3 & 4 is gravy. Although the tones from 3 & 4 aren't tones that I seek on a daily basis, I'm know I will use some to gig with and probably would solo with them as well.

 

[screamingdaisy]

Thanks YellowJacket. I think I would buy the amp based on what your saying about channels 1 & 2. I figure whatever I get from channels 3 & 4 is gravy. Although the tones from 3 & 4 aren't tones that I seek on a daily basis, I'm know I will use some to gig with and probably would solo with them as well.

Channel 3 and 4 also have Raw mode. It's a nice option if you want something that isn't quite as over the top as Vintage or Modern high gain modes.

 

[YellowJacket]

Oh, also consider the Electra Dyne if you're into low gain / blues crunch. With the gain trim pot set to 'hi / lo'. the Clean and Vintage Lo modes both dub as fantastic clean tones and Vintage Hi does a fantastic edge of breakup thing. The Electra Dyne is fantastic for those vintage tones and this is the absolute comfort zone. Although it can get heavy, it can't peel paint with quite as much style as a Recto can. The crunch of the Electra Dyne is more British voiced and it is rounder and smoother than a Recto.

Channel 3 and 4 also have Raw mode. It's a nice option if you want something that isn't quite as over the top as Vintage or Modern high gain modes.

Raw mode has some great tones. The Raw mode is also fantastic on the Dual Recto Reborn and it can be used as a secondary clean tone depending on how it is dialed in. With the improved clean channel, the Recto Reborn will do almost everything the Roadster does but with three channels instead of four. If you like a brighter tone, this would be another great way to go. BUT, if you are sold on 'brit mode' or 'tweed' for a second clean channel, the Roadster is a better option. In my opinion, Channels 1 and 2 on the Roadster were so good that they eclipsed 3 and 4.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Try a YT search for the Wampler Triple Wreck. It is a extremely good Rectifier in box pedal.

It will make your clean channel into scooped recto-gasm heaven.

I use one with a Maz 38. It is nothing short of amazing what that pedal does.

You get two voices and a boost as well. My easy set up at home is into a TC Flashback, out into the MKIIC and Maz with the Wreck out front.

Just thinking the Lonestar crunch and Rec tone together could be tasty.

Good luck on the tone quest.

 

[knotts]

As a father's day treat to myself I walked into GC and wheeled a Roadster 4x12 into the padded room in the back to give a real test drive. I grabbed an American Strat (lefty) off the wall with RUSTED strings and took it for a test drive. It was nothing short of amazing; especially given that I was playing with rusted strings. I was surprised I got any sustain at all. I honestly feel that it has every tone that I've been searching for. I absolutely love my Lonestar, but the fact that I could get a great range of tones that I've want on to have on tap through a single amp is simply amazing. I've been on a tone quest and I think this is the last piece of the puzzle.

I see myself using the 4 channels like this. Channel 1; set it any way, they all sounded good. Channel 2; Brit was fantastic, full and bright. Channel 3; Loved the raw mode and Vintage. Channel 4; modern is just over the top which is sometimes necessary. I put my pedals on the side and just use the amp to get the tones. It's pretty much how I have my pedal board set up, but some days I'm just not getting the tone I want through the pedals. They sometimes sound thin or over-distorted.

I will be purchasing a Roadster in the next 30 days. I'm thinking of the version with the black jute front. I think the only thing that will piss me off is not being able to see the knob settings.

Thanks again for all of your input. I find it very helpful and I appreciate the great advice that everyone has to offer.

 

[joe web]

As a father's day treat to myself I walked into GC and wheeled a Roadster 4x12 into the padded room in the back to give a real test drive. I grabbed an American Strat (lefty) off the wall with RUSTED strings and took it for a test drive. It was nothing short of amazing; especially given that I was playing with rusted strings. I was surprised I got any sustain at all. I honestly feel that it has every tone that I've been searching for. I absolutely love my Lonestar, but the fact that I could get a great range of tones that I've want on to have on tap through a single amp is simply amazing. I've been on a tone quest and I think this is the last piece of the puzzle.

I see myself using the 4 channels like this. Channel 1; set it any way, they all sounded good. Channel 2; Brit was fantastic, full and bright. Channel 3; Loved the raw mode and Vintage. Channel 4; modern is just over the top which is sometimes necessary. I put my pedals on the side and just use the amp to get the tones. It's pretty much how I have my pedal board set up, but some days I'm just not getting the tone I want through the pedals. They sometimes sound thin or over-distorted.

I will be purchasing a Roadster in the next 30 days. I'm thinking of the version with the black jute front. I think the only thing that will piss me off is not being able to see the knob settings.

Thanks again for all of your input. I find it very helpful and I appreciate the great advice that everyone has to offer.

now that you´ve played one, you know what kind of monster this amp is!
btw. i put a set of EL34s in mine and like it a bit more as with 6L6s.

try channel 1 in tweed mode with the gain set quite high, 50 watts, diodes. you´ll get a nice ac/dc like crunch sound. i tried to clone the sound of my marshall JCM 800 - and i got very close to it with channel 1.
channel 2 in FAT mode, 100 watts, gives you a nice thick and full clean sounds without braking up - i love it
channel 3 vintage mode, 100 watt, tube rectifier - great for classic hard-rock crunch sound with a modern touch
channel 4 modern, 100 watt, diode recto - this is the recto sound without the disliked fizz - yes, it is darker but it´s o.k.

for a few years i have had both amps, a dual recto 3-channel and the roadster - sold the dual recto.
the roadster can do this perfect recto feeling sound.

after about 7 years playing the roadster now, i still love this amp - and to me, with EL34s it just got better.
btw. i never ever used the internal reverb - maybe i should try it some day.

i own a JCM800 - great amp, i own a EVH 5150III - great amp, i´ve tried the Peavey 6505+ - great amp, tried the 6534+ - great amp, tried a marshall 6100 - great amp, Diezel Herbert and VH4 - great amps......but in the end:
nothing beats the roadster!

 

[knotts]

It's absolutely a Monster and it's exactly what I've been looking for. As mentioned before how some people say it gets close to other amp tones; I'm not concerned about that. I want to find the tone that I want to hear. I'm not enough of a gear head to know if it's not quite JCM 800 2203, or a plexi. I want sick classic rock tones and singling lead tones to cut through the mix. My LSC does a great job 60% of the time for what I play, but I'm left wanting more. I'm pretty sure this amp will get me the sound I want.

With that said, I saw a used 2010 model one pop up on another forum for $1,300 shipped. Is there a difference between the 2010 model and new ones out there?

 

[domct203]

With that said, I saw a used 2010 model one pop up on another forum for $1,300 shipped. Is there a difference between the 2010 model and new ones out there?

Nope, there have been no revisions of the Roadster, & IMHO Mesa got it right the first time out :wink:

Dom

 

[thejay]

With that said, I saw a used 2010 model one pop up on another forum for $1,300 shipped. Is there a difference between the 2010 model and new ones out there?

Nope, there have been no revisions of the Roadster, & IMHO Mesa got it right the first time out :wink:

Dom

Yes, they did. for $1300 I would jump on it!

 

[knotts]

With that said, I saw a used 2010 model one pop up on another forum for $1,300 shipped. Is there a difference between the 2010 model and new ones out there?

Nope, there have been no revisions of the Roadster, & IMHO Mesa got it right the first time out :wink:

Dom

Yes, they did. for $1300 I would jump on it!

There was a 2011 posted on this site for $1,200. It literally lasted a matter of hours. Part of me wants a shiny new one that I can make sure is maintained impeccably and the other part of me wants to save a bunch of cash. I just converted my lonestar from a 2x12 combo to a head and bought a 4x12 cab. Everyone I know things I'm crazy looking to buy a new amp right now, but they don't understand the tone quest. I'm looking forward to the "new amp day" post, but more importantly I'm looking forward to hearing it.