Adjustable-Bias-Kit in Stiletto GREAT SOUND!

[Charles Reeder]

Hey! A guy named Splatter installed an adjustable bias-kit in his Lonestar. I tried it too and liked it....so I bought a kit for my Stiletto and installed it. Guys you NEED this for your Stiletto! Go to the ALonestar section and find the subject. I posted some of my Stiletto results on there too. Read it!

Charles

[alie123]

Hi Charles, that's interesting. I've read the thread,.. I'll keep folowing this thread.
Maybe there are more Stiletto users who did the bias mod ?

I would like to try this bias mod to improve the sound quality of the amp. Bit first I'll like to know if there are more stiletto users who did this to their amp. There's another amp guru on the boogie board (Isaac) who also did some mods to his Stiletto ace. A few of those mod I also dit to my ACE, and these also were an inprovement to tame the brightness of the amp. Still I think there's more to improve..

Was the bias mod an improvement of killing the harsh bright tones at higher volumes of the amp ?
What are the differences (before / after?)

Thanks!

[Riff Blister]

Hi Charles,

Thanks for the information. I've read many of your Lonestar posts so I know how good you are at generating excitement for tone chasers.
I'm very interested in this kit so I hope you will keep us Stiletto owners current with your findings. I'm sort of gutless when it comes to tech work on my amp as I am limited in the knowledge and skills. If I feel like I don't want to do it myself I have a friend who makes a living working on amps who can help me.

This is some cool stuff though.

Mark

[Trev57]

I have ordered a kit from Mansfields. It will take a while to get here since their international shipping quote was outrageous. So I have had to have it shipped to my brother in Florida so he can forward it to me in the UK. I will post something when I get it installed.

[Charles Reeder]

RE: the TOO-BRIGHT or harsh tone of the Stiletto's.

I don't have an Ace...but the bias-mod kit certainly tamed the over-brightness in my Deuce. Also of note: Speakers which before the bias-mod sounded harsh and flat; now bloom. I don't know another word besides 'bloom' to describe it...but the sound is now how I always expected and thought it should be.

I can use Vintage 30's, C-90's, G12T-75's, etc. alone or in any combination and they ALL SOUND GOOD now!

Charles

[Trev57]

I really hope this works out for me. I was about to swap for a Lone Star head, but turned it down when reading about this just in the nick if time. What I really don't understand is why Mesa themselves haven't sussed this out and offered the Stiletto with some kind of hotter running valve option. Since buying mine, I have read so many dissatisfied reviews about this amp, and they all tie up with my own experience. I do understand the company policy of maintenance free operation, but on the other hand, all the people who have owned and hated a rubbish sounding Stiletto have potentially been alienated against the companies products.

[droptrd]

PM mikey383. Hes pretty savy with amps and im pretty sure he has done this mod to his stiletto

[Riff Blister]

I placed my order this morning. I'm looking forward to hearing the results.
Whether I install it myself or pay my friend to put it in, it still seams like pretty inexpensive upgrade.
Right now I believe my amp is still protected under the warranty so I may just wait until that time is up before I do the mod.
That, and I would like to educate myself more on the subject of biasing first. Does anybody have any good sources on the subject?
The "Amp Biasing for Dummies" book?
Time will tell how my patience holds up.

Mark

[droptrd]

Check out the "Tube Amp Book" by Aspen Pittman

[Riff Blister]

Oh, sure the Groove Tube guy. Thanks droptrd I will check into it.

[Chester]

I have ordered a kit from Mansfields. It will take a while to get here since their international shipping quote was outrageous. So I have had to have it shipped to my brother in Florida so he can forward it to me in the UK. I will post something when I get it installed.

Greetings from Scotland all

Trev57 - are you planning to install this upgrade yourself, or is there a Mesa amp tech in the UK who would do this for you? I am very interested in hearing how you get on, and what the tone differences are before / after

[Trev57]

I haven't received it yet. In fact, it has not arrived at the Florida address yet. Mansfields were pretty slow at shipping the unit.

I will install it myself. I don't know anybody else I would trust with it.

[Trev57]

I just bought a Mark V. So my Stiletto is for sale in the UK. I will include the bias pot mod with the amp for interested parties.

[mansfieldguitars]

Trev,

I'm sorry you did not recieve your bias kit yet but I did ship within the specified time in the auction. Please understand These kits are all made to order which is why it takes a few days to make them up and get them out and we are closed on weekends. I also understand you were a little upset with the shipping quote to the UK but I charge $1.00 over USPS rates to cover the cost of lables and extra customs forms. I agree the rates are high but that is what it costs me. Anyone that has ordered from me overseas can see the rate I pay is always printed directly on the shipping label and customs forms. Please understand I'm not making any profit off shipping expenses.


I really do appreciate everyones business and work hard to make sure every customer is satisfied.

THanks
John

[Riff Blister]

My kit showed up on Friday 7.30.10. I looked to see what I had left as far as warranty on my Stiletto and I still have a full year left. I considered waiting to work on the amp until the warranty was up but I can see now that that's not going to happen. I'm not too worried.
I'll be contacting my friend who is a tech and he can get me set up. He'll do a better job than I can do.

Mark