Would you recommend a Triaxis for my Rig?

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

So, here's the most recent evolution of the rig.

A quick rundown. Since the Roadster is the most versatile, it always on, and has its own cab. The Mark IV and Uberschall are switched between the second cab via a Axess HS-2 head switcher. Here are the combinations.

Rhythm Tones: Uberschall and Roadster
Clean Tones: Roadster and Mark IV
Lead Tones: Roadster and Mark IV
Alternate Rhythm tone: Roadster and Mark IV.

Now, since I use the Mark for for mostly cleans and leads (and the occasional alternate rhythm tone), I have been considering swapping it out for a Triaxis, and switching it and the Uberschall preamp between the Uberschall Power amp via my GCX. That way, I would not have to lug around another head, and do the whole head-switching deal (I'm always worried by this, as it can be quite dangerous for the amps).

So, how does the triaxis fair in the clean and lead tone department? Will it hold up with what I'm used to with the Mark IV? The Mark is my MAIN clean and lead tone right now, with a backing from the Roadster which is running effects for depth. I don't want to give too much of that up.

Do you see any problems with the setup of this rig? How does the Triaxis deal with an EL-34s poweramp?

Finally, phat mod or not? There seems to be a big dispute on which is better..I know nothing on this...

Thanks much!

Eric

 

[dass101]

First of all, the Phat mod refers only to the Lead 1 red channel, which is not a Mark channel. If you only need the mark channels you shoud not worry about which version you get.

You should test the Mark IV preamp through the Uberschall power amp section. If that sounds good, then by all means, get the Triaxis. It gets the signature Mark IV sound quite well, and much much more.

 

[Danimal]

To find out if the TriAxis is right for you, take this quiz:

1) Do you play guitar?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then the TriAxis is indeed for you.

And hot damn that's a sweet rig! :shock:

 

[Old BF Shred]

To find out if the TriAxis is right for you, take this quiz:

1) Do you play guitar?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then the TriAxis is indeed for you.

And hot damn that's a sweet rig! :shock:

Well said!

Even though I mainly play my Stiletto these days (its in a lighter, more mobile set-up), I have no intention of getting rid of my Triaxis. I do not think any other preamp out there can match it, overall, for tone and versatility. 8)

If you get one, you will like it!

 

[stephen sawall]

I owned a Triaxis for a number of years and a number of other programmable preamps ..... I would not recommend any of them to anyone ever. YMMV

 

[ando]

I owned a Triaxis for a number of years and a number of other programmable preamps ..... I would not recommend any of them to anyone ever. YMMV

I would suggest that you aren't being very helpful in either of the threads you have posted this comment on. You don't give reasons for your thoughts, so what's the point?

 

[stephen sawall]

Tone .... OK .... not great.
Dynamics .... horrible.
Compared with the sounds it is supposed to sound like .... the real thing was much better every time.

I used one for years and know it very well. When it was stolen ... I never even considered getting a other one.

The idea of a programmable preamp or amplifier is great .... I do not feel anyone has done a good one.

Anyone interested in one made by anyone .... I highly recommend doing a side by side comparison with any of the real amps it is supposed to emulate.

I am not my goal to be negative ..... I am just voicing my experience.

YMMV

 

[ando]

Fair enough - at least we know now why you feel so strongly about it. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[stephen sawall]

I feel the Axe Fx is the best programmable preamp being made right now. But I feel it still has a way to go. They are getting closer ..... who knows maybe someday they well be better than the real thing.

The Soldano was probably the best ever made. Diezel is working on one similar ..... but Peter has not found motors for rotating the pots he is happy with.

There is some very cool things about the programmable amps / preamps that are being made. ..... but I do not feel it is all there yet. It is getting closer all the time.

Before Mesa built the Triaxis ... I was one of the ones that encouraged them to do so. Most of the updates on the Triaxis came from my suggestions. I still have the thank you letter from Randy .... some place around here.

..... some people are very happy with them. I would feel fine doing a gig with one. I can not say that about all gear. But would not recommend one.

 

[Old BF Shred]

I must say that compared to an amp, sans all the digital circuitry, that a "do all" preamp (like the Triaxis) would not quite reach the same tone/performance level. It is somewhat of a trade off. That is another reason I bought, like and mainly play my Stiletto.

However, I have not found any other preamp in the Tri's "genre" that does or sounds anything like it (opinions will vary here, too).
In fact, my favorite lead tone (from stuff I own, anyway) is Lead 2 Yellow on the Tri.
IIRC, this is supposedly the 2c+ mode on the Tri. (or maybe the Mk4 mode...I like both...I just suffer from CRS!) :lol: :lol:

I wish my Ace had it, but I am also very happy with the stock lead tones on the Ace.
I very much like the Triaxis and would only sell it if I had no other choice. Until then, I'm keeping it. 8)

I also have no qualms recommending it to anyone who, indeed, does want a separate preamp.
There may be better, just not many.

As Stephen put it, YMMV......
Go check it out and see for yourself..... :wink:
Good luck