NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

[BluesGuyJ2]

This sounds like a tweaked late 70s JMP, which is what it is actually based on. The clean channel is full and snappy and can do some great funk tones and be pushed for some cool crunch. Would I do jazz gigs with it over my amps? Nope, but it has a great British style clean.

The OD channel sounds wicked and I dig all the various settings and find the master volume, channel volume, and 100/50 watt switch to be extremely useful and pleasant in getting great low volume OD tones. This amp pushes 100 watts, but is not dangerously loud or uncontrollable. Not too many steps behind the Friedman MV tone and feel IMHO.

I was out of town on business and swung by a shop. Found it for a good deal, and got it for an even better deal. I'll play with it for a while, and then may flip it after a bit. The price was worth the risk and I can easily make my money back, and hand the deal off to someone else.

Kind of surprised this model doesn't get more love, but I guess the TC50, Trans Atlantic, and Royal Atlantic are leading the Mesa British spin offs these days.

Excited to see how my pedals sounds thorugh this, especially my Bogner Ubershall and Flashback.

[PFDarkside]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

Cool, I've somehow never managed to play one. Does it play and sound like a Marshall or like a Mesa with a bit of a Marshall flavor?

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

I say its more Marshall, and if you switch the OD to "Fluid" it has a Mesa signature tone... in tight mode, it sounds like a JMP variant.... very versatile amp, really impressed

[Gearjoneser]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

I always laugh when people talk about jazz gigs. If you're buying high gain amps, chances are, you aren't doing any jazz gigs anytime soon. And those who disagree are lying.

I've messed around with Stiletto's, and they have some good tones that are 50/50 crosses between Mesa and Marshall.

It's hard not to like the black crocodile/chrome aesthetic. They look really cool.

[dave74]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

I prefer the 150w version by a touch,,, but I'd be at 50w on either one most of the time anyways so it really wouldn't matter much.
Always makes me think of women's high-heels though. lol
Should have just named the series the Mesa Trident, and had the two different wattage options.

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

I should say, Jazz style clean... I don't do straight ahead jazz, but do a lot of neo soul, accompany folks on smoother jazz with brass bands....

[mwalluk]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

congrats.

you running pedals thru the loop or in front. i have an ace which i run my pedals thru the front.

stilettos are underrated and great amps

[Boogie Bill]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

Actually, I thought the cleans on the Stiletto Ace combo would be great for a jazz gig, and ditto for the Electra-Dyne. Fat and punchy rules.

Congrats on the new Deuce!

Bill

[Mincer]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

Yeah, there are a handful of Mesa amps that would work on jazz gigs...some of the Subways, and my Blue Angel. Congrats on the score!

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

my Mesa Mark III BLue stripe had a great clean... I never should have sold it, that was my first tube amp... I got it for $650 lol

[Aceman]

Re: NAD Mesa Stilletto Duce Killer tone and deal

There is one of these in a local shop (unless the town you went to was Tampa). Played it for a while. Some nice tones. Lots of switches and knobs, classic Mesa style. Definitely had some Marshall bad@$$ery about it.