Hey guys,
Just wondering if any of you MESA Roadster combo owners have experimented with different speakers in your combos or different tubes? It seems like the low end of the amp is really not as tight as it could be? I don't know why they chose Vintage 30's to put in these amps, as they are not really a speaker to associate with high gain tones. I heard some people like the C90 or the G12K-100 over the vintage 30's for rock and metal, but I haven't really heard the difference. The last two tube amps I've owned (last one being a shitty line 6 bogner) have been really treble happy especially at higher volumes. It's like that notoriously phrased "icepick highs" that I seem to have gotten from both. You know, when you are right in front of the speakers, and you pick single notes, and your eardrums tense up for a second and then relax between every note? That is just ridiculous! I hate that feeling! Has anyone else noticed this is it just because it is from a tube driven amp? The last tube half-stack that I had (Peavey Valveking head and Triple XXX cab), sounded just bad ***. But it was a bigger cabinet, and Peavey's Sheffield speakers. TBH, I think that Peavey would blow this away as far as tone, but not as far as versatility. I am really trying hard to like this amp, but maybe I just don't know what I'm doing? I play in a cover band that does everything from country and classic rock, some 80's rock and metal, and alternative and hard rock from the late 90's and today. Need something that has a lot of tones and options.
As far as I can tell, this amp is second to none when it comes to build quality and workmanship. I took out the chassis, and was amazed at how personalized and meticulous all the electronics are. You definitely don't see that from any other amp manufacturer that I have seen.
As far as tubes go, I understand after reading several posts that they can make a big difference as far as tone goes. I am just so used to amps such as Peavey's and Marshalls that are really easy to dial in and not so complicated. These dual recs are such a different animal, they aren't even in the same category. I thought the digital line 6 BS was hard enough to dial in and tweak, so that is why I wanted to go back to a nice traditional all-tube amp with real knobs to turn to get your sound. I think the L6 was almost easier!
I have been researching different tubes and trying to figure out if that is really what I need? I know a lot of people have a lot of different opinions on tubes, and I heard a lot of people say they don't care for the stock MESA tubes compared to some other brands. Some say JJ's are the way to go, and others say to stay away from them because they are really muddy. Basically, I want to tame the bite of the amp a little bit and add a little bit of warmth to the overall sound. I am not after that classic Marshall sound per say, but something in that neighborhood for the classic rock type stuff I do. I will be happy then. Also, I want to get a little better low gain distortion from channel 2. I tried it on Brit mode, and it is just way too thin and trebly sounding. Sounds good on Fat, but doesn't have enough gain. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotter preamp tube for the cleans to get the breakup I'm after?
I just wish I would have known about all these issues before buying the amp, because I would have gotten something different. I really liked the sound of some of the Egnaters, Bogners, and Carvin's. I'm really not considered a "working musician", meaning I am not out gigging every night. I play out maybe once to three times a month, so $2200 for an amp is really a ridiculous price, and I am feeling the buyer's remorse like you read about! I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism.
Thanks in advance guys!
-Jason
Just wondering if any of you MESA Roadster combo owners have experimented with different speakers in your combos or different tubes? It seems like the low end of the amp is really not as tight as it could be? I don't know why they chose Vintage 30's to put in these amps, as they are not really a speaker to associate with high gain tones. I heard some people like the C90 or the G12K-100 over the vintage 30's for rock and metal, but I haven't really heard the difference. The last two tube amps I've owned (last one being a shitty line 6 bogner) have been really treble happy especially at higher volumes. It's like that notoriously phrased "icepick highs" that I seem to have gotten from both. You know, when you are right in front of the speakers, and you pick single notes, and your eardrums tense up for a second and then relax between every note? That is just ridiculous! I hate that feeling! Has anyone else noticed this is it just because it is from a tube driven amp? The last tube half-stack that I had (Peavey Valveking head and Triple XXX cab), sounded just bad ***. But it was a bigger cabinet, and Peavey's Sheffield speakers. TBH, I think that Peavey would blow this away as far as tone, but not as far as versatility. I am really trying hard to like this amp, but maybe I just don't know what I'm doing? I play in a cover band that does everything from country and classic rock, some 80's rock and metal, and alternative and hard rock from the late 90's and today. Need something that has a lot of tones and options.
As far as I can tell, this amp is second to none when it comes to build quality and workmanship. I took out the chassis, and was amazed at how personalized and meticulous all the electronics are. You definitely don't see that from any other amp manufacturer that I have seen.
As far as tubes go, I understand after reading several posts that they can make a big difference as far as tone goes. I am just so used to amps such as Peavey's and Marshalls that are really easy to dial in and not so complicated. These dual recs are such a different animal, they aren't even in the same category. I thought the digital line 6 BS was hard enough to dial in and tweak, so that is why I wanted to go back to a nice traditional all-tube amp with real knobs to turn to get your sound. I think the L6 was almost easier!
I have been researching different tubes and trying to figure out if that is really what I need? I know a lot of people have a lot of different opinions on tubes, and I heard a lot of people say they don't care for the stock MESA tubes compared to some other brands. Some say JJ's are the way to go, and others say to stay away from them because they are really muddy. Basically, I want to tame the bite of the amp a little bit and add a little bit of warmth to the overall sound. I am not after that classic Marshall sound per say, but something in that neighborhood for the classic rock type stuff I do. I will be happy then. Also, I want to get a little better low gain distortion from channel 2. I tried it on Brit mode, and it is just way too thin and trebly sounding. Sounds good on Fat, but doesn't have enough gain. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotter preamp tube for the cleans to get the breakup I'm after?
I just wish I would have known about all these issues before buying the amp, because I would have gotten something different. I really liked the sound of some of the Egnaters, Bogners, and Carvin's. I'm really not considered a "working musician", meaning I am not out gigging every night. I play out maybe once to three times a month, so $2200 for an amp is really a ridiculous price, and I am feeling the buyer's remorse like you read about! I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism.
Thanks in advance guys!
-Jason