What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

[metalmachine]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

10 band and a tube screamer

[ratherdashing]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Mark V.

Super cleans. Vintage & modern style 'break-up'. Awesome crunch. Super tite heavy. Liquid solos. Tube or diode rectifiers... 10, 45, & 90 watt selection. Variac "sag" option. Built in EQ. Footswitchable loop, solo boost, EQ. 3 channels. 9 modes. EL34 option. Nuff said.

Honestly if the Mark V existed when I bought the Stiletto, I'm pretty sure I'd have a Mark V right now and this thread wouldn't exist.

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

I'd definitely try one of the AMT preamps in the loop of the stiletto. E-1 and S-1 are really good.

[Mr 9finger]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

I know exactly where you're coming from bro. Unfortunately, the only real solution I've found was running 2 heads and a switcher. Like Glassman said, it's not so much your preamp, as it is the EL34's in the power section. Once I switched my Tremoverb over to EL34's it sounds freaking awesome, but it did lose that tight low end grunt and definition when you turn the gain up or switch modes. I think that's the main reason I still the keep the Triple Rect around(well that and all the hassle I had to go through to get it lol).

In all honesty, if you're looking for that heavier Mesa type tone, the only place you're going to get it is a rectifier series amp. If it were me, I'd look for a used single rectifier and go from there.

Then again, the Mark V and the RoadKing/Roadster amps would work just as well. I know you said you didn't think you would use the 4 channels on the Roadster, but ya never know. I don't know what the prices are up there, but here, the used prices on the MarkV and the Roadster are pretty close to each other.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Simplify!

[ratherdashing]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Simplify!

Nah, that's too simple.

Welcome back!

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Thanks...
Yeah go simple...it is liberating!

[Reload in 5]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

1 problem I have always had with the Mesas


not enough knobs

[lex666]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

1 problem I have always had with the Mesas


not enough knobs

LOL, cool thing about Mesa's:

More knobs on the back!

[ratherdashing]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

I know exactly where you're coming from bro. Unfortunately, the only real solution I've found was running 2 heads and a switcher. Like Glassman said, it's not so much your preamp, as it is the EL34's in the power section. Once I switched my Tremoverb over to EL34's it sounds freaking awesome, but it did lose that tight low end grunt and definition when you turn the gain up or switch modes. I think that's the main reason I still the keep the Triple Rect around(well that and all the hassle I had to go through to get it lol).

In all honesty, if you're looking for that heavier Mesa type tone, the only place you're going to get it is a rectifier series amp. If it were me, I'd look for a used single rectifier and go from there.

Then again, the Mark V and the RoadKing/Roadster amps would work just as well. I know you said you didn't think you would use the 4 channels on the Roadster, but ya never know. I don't know what the prices are up there, but here, the used prices on the MarkV and the Roadster are pretty close to each other.

There's a Single Rec floating around craigslist here. I could probably get it for around $900. I'd then also have to spend around $300 on a good switching system so I could run both amps. So that's $1,200 out of my pocket, plus I'm now running a two amp rig with all the logistical issues that entails.

MEANWHILE ... I could probably get $1k for the Stiletto on the used market, then buy a new Mark V or Roadster for $2,100 (neither amp ever seems to be available used). I'm out $1,100 and I have one awesome amp.

[Diego]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

actually thats full cut on 750, not much better though

Yeah you're right actually.
Someone was trying to channel Dimebag!

[gvis]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Another thing to consider with a dual head setup switched into one set of cabs is that you've always got a backup head in case one fails. Not an issue at home if you got other amps, but a life saver on stage or just before (if each are flexible enough to cover enough of what the other delivers, or with pedals to make up for anything missed).

One reason why I'm shying away from trying to find one amp that does it all...as much as I'd love a roadking, it's like having all my nukes in one bunker...lol.

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

There's a Single Rec floating around craigslist here. I could probably get it for around $900. I'd then also have to spend around $300 on a good switching system so I could run both amps. So that's $1,200 out of my pocket, plus I'm now running a two amp rig with all the logistical issues that entails.

MEANWHILE ... I could probably get $1k for the Stiletto on the used market, then buy a new Mark V or Roadster for $2,100 (neither amp ever seems to be available used). I'm out $1,100 and I have one awesome amp.

If you can stand buying used it is undoubtedly the best way to go as depreciation can be a killer if you ever decide to sell or have to sell for whatever reason. Not to mention the **** economy these days will get you even less money for your gear (if you can even find anyone interested with the cash as I've found things very difficult to sell lately via CL). Having said that, I'd keep your eye out for a Single Rectifier that looks well taken care of and that is still under the 5 year transferable warranty as you will get the most for your money and won't take such a huge hit as far as depreciation if you ever end up selling it. Out of the 4 tubes amps I have bought used via Ebay I have only ever had one issue (cold solder joint) with a DSL50 that I had briefly.

[GuitarGuy503]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Another thing to consider with a dual head setup switched into one set of cabs is that you've always got a backup head in case one fails. Not an issue at home if you got other amps, but a life saver on stage or just before (if each are flexible enough to cover enough of what the other delivers, or with pedals to make up for anything missed).

One reason why I'm shying away from trying to find one amp that does it all...as much as I'd love a roadking, it's like having all my nukes in one bunker...lol.

Speaking of Roadkings I have seen some used ones go for 2k. Not to mention one was a 2011 model. As I said, used is definately a good way to go if you can handle it.....

[sosomething]

Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)

Lots and lots and lots of advice in this thread, much of which is good.

I don't use a modern metal tone, myself. Matt, you know where my tastes lie so I won't go into it here.

That being said, if I was going for a thick, modern metal sound... I would probably just run a Dual Rec with a boost of some kind in front (maybe even a comp with the output boosted), and a pretty aggressive gate and an MXR 10-band in the loop.. and be done with it.

THAT being said, if, as I know you do, you require versatility and are reluctant to give up all your ideal Stiletto sounds, you should know that actually gigging a two-amp setup is a gigantic pain in the *******. Take everything that could conceivably go wrong with your rig at a gig and double it. Now with that little nugget, learn to appreciate the extra trip during load in/out and the added couple of minutes of set-up time. It wasn't worth it to me. It is to others though. YMMV

If I'm you, I buy two pedals. I buy an MXR 10-band for the loop and a metal-friendly distortion for out front... probably a Metal Muff. Merely because The Sword and Torche use them and I like their tones a lot.