The Lonestar Classic is an excellent amp. The Clean Channel is super easy to dial in great tones. I found Fender Blackface cleans in seconds. I like to run mine with at 100watts for max headroom and punch. It is very pedal friendly and there are a host of features with this amp, (Tweed switch to "brown" the input voltage) 100W/50W switch for EACH channel. Footswitch for Clean/Dirty Channels and a Solo Switch that is post Pre-Amp, so you just get a volume bump, not affect to tone. You can switch out the effects loop, warm/bright reverb switch and two levels for Clean and Dirty channels. Anyhow, I won't bore you with all the details you can find on the Mesa website.
My challenge with this amp were two items. The size of the cabinet is like the size of a Fender Pro Reverb. Mine only had 1x12 construction. From what I read, that is possibly a better "open" sound than the 2x12 config. The 1x12 combo was heavy at 72 lbs, (2x12 is listed at 75lbs). I felt the size was too big and too heavy for a 1x12 combo. I opted to buy a Lonestar Special cabinet, (4" narrower) to reduce the weight and make it more convenient, (excellent change BTW). Now it is under 60lbs, with casters and is around 22"wide.
The other was the lead channel. I found that with the drive circuitry, (switchable) that the tone was dark and not enough highs with humbucker guitars. I found a solution with the Drive switch OFF and the gain maxed. This removes the Drive circuitry and yields a more open sound. To my ears more Marshall sounding. I use the Thick switch.
Anyhow, it is a swiss army knife of amps. There are other Mesa amps with more features, but I find them overkill. A two channel amp with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. If I could "tweak" the circuit, I would just look for the lead channel to be brighter and more open, (less compressed) with the Drive switch engaged.
Right now, I find the amp perfect. Clean channel VERY versatile and the Lead Channel less so, but a TWO trick pony for the lead side, (a little dark and compressed with tons of sustain with Drive engaged and Marshall-ish tones with the Drive circuit unswitched). Lead channel is then very recptive to pedals with Drive circuitry off.
Anyhow, I got mine for $925 so I find it an unreal value. Even at $1300, I would consider it EXCELLENT.
The other amps I own are Marshall JTM45 and a 1965 Fender Super Reverb. I find the Lonestar to be the portable two-in-one version of these two amps, (more or less).
Jack
